• California: Google has announced it will add three on-site wellness centers to some of its regional facilities as more employees return to the office. The wellness centers will be in Chicago, Illinois, Boulder, Colorado, and Austin, Texas and are expected to open next summer, according to a spokesperson for Google. The wellness centers, which Google operates in partnership with Premise Health, offer employees wellness visits, mental health services, physical therapy, chiropractic care, health coaching, and other services. The spokesperson said Google intends to start adding specialty services like pharmacy, dermatology, and gynecology to the wellness centers. (Hudson, Modern Healthcare, 10/3)
• Maryland: FDA on Tuesday announced it has authorized Novavax's COVID-19 vaccine that specifically targets the XBB.1.5 strain of the coronavirus, adding a third vaccine option in addition to the ones developed by Pfizer and Moderna. Novavax's vaccine is different from those developed by Pfizer and Moderna as it's a protein-based shot that injects a version of the coronavirus' spike protein into the body, which leads to the production of antibodies and T cells, rather than an mRNA vaccine. Under the authorization, individuals ages 12 and older who have previously received a COVID-19 vaccine, can get a single dose of Novavax's new vaccine, while unvaccinated individuals can receive two doses. (Bettelheim, Axios, 10/3; Lou, MedPage Today, 10/3; Branswell, STAT, 10/3)
• Minnesota: Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison's office is reviewing the proposed merger of Marshfield Clinic Health System and Essentia Health as well as the proposed merger of Aspirus Health and St. Luke's Duluth. Ellison's office will hold a community meeting in Duluth on Oct. 25 to receive feedback on the proposed mergers. In May, Gov. Tim Walz (D) signed a bill giving the attorney general the authority to cancel any merger that would substantially limit competition or deal determined not to be in the best interest of the public. In a joint statement, Essential and Marshfield said they "appreciate the opportunity to highlight how Essentia Health and Marshfield Clinic Health System will enhance patient care by coming together." Meanwhile, a spokesperson for St. Luke's said the health system is "excited about the potential affiliation and the value it will bring to the patients of our region" and that it "looks forward to participating in the attorney general's event." (Kacik, Modern Healthcare, 10/3)

Develop a strong COVID-19 vaccine communication strategy that shares information, addresses patient concerns, and encourages uptake.