COVID-19 updates: Austria orders nationwide lockdown for unvaccinated residents

The U.S. government's top doctor released a step-by-step toolkit on Tuesday morning to help people combat misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines in their own close circles.

"We need people in communities all across our country to have these conversations," Surgeon General Vivek Murthy told ABC News. "This is not just the government that needs to be engaged in these conversations. If anything, it's individuals who have people they trust in their lives who have great power when it comes to helping them move our vaccination rates in the right direction."

The guide provides a road map for vaccinated people to talk to unvaccinated people who have bought into conspiracy theories or lies that spread on the internet about the COVID-19 vaccines.

Over the summer, the surgeon general issued an advisory that called misinformation an urgent public health threat.

The toolkit, which Murthy hopes will be used by health professionals, faith leaders, teachers or parents with children newly eligible for the shot, is the next step in addressing the ongoing problem. November polling from the Kaiser Family Foundation showed that nearly eight in 10 adults have come across false statements about COVID-19 and have either believed them or been unsure if they were true.

"During the COVID 19 pandemic, misinformation has in fact cost people their lives. So we don't have an option to give up," Murthy said.

The information released Tuesday encourages people to talk in person instead of online. One section is even entitled "If you're not sure, don't share!"

It includes discussion questions and illustrations explaining why people share misinformation or what a hypothetical conversation around misinformation could look like. The recommended approach relies heavily on listening, providing empathy and avoiding shame.

"When talking with a friend or family members, emphasize the fact that you understand that there are often reasons why people find it difficult to trust certain sources of information," the guide states.

-ABC News' Cheyenne Haslett

Pfizer is likely to seek authorization from the Food and Drug Administration for a coronavirus vaccine booster shot for people 18 and older as soon as this week, a government official with knowledge of the situation told ABC News.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended the Pfizer booster shot for certain groups of patients six months after their second dose.

Those eligible patients include seniors, adults with certain medical conditions and adults who work in environments that put them at greater risk for exposure to COVID-19.

-ABC News' Eric Strauss

Despite a looming threat that thousands of Transportation Security Administration workers could be terminated over the federal government’s vaccine mandate, Thanksgiving flights won’t be affected, a person with knowledge of the agency’s plans told ABC News.

Federal workers have until Nov. 22 to get vaccinated or face termination. After the deadline, TSA employees who are not fully vaccinated will get called to have a discussion with supervisors and be counseled and educated on getting vaccinated, the source said.

If workers do not get vaccinated following the first meeting, they will receive a warning, according to the source. Following the warning, workers will be subject to termination, the source said.

Three weeks ago, the TSA said 40% of its workforce was unvaccinated. The agency hasn't provided updated numbers.

-ABC News' Mina Kaji and Amanda Maile

First lady Jill Biden and Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy visited a children's vaccination clinic Monday at Franklin Sherman Elementary School in McLean, Virginia, to promote pediatric vaccinations.

"The vaccine is the best way to protect your children against COVID-19," Biden said. "It’s been thoroughly reviewed and rigorously tested, it’s safe, it’s free, and it’s available for every child in this country, 5 and up."

Franklin Sherman Elementary was the first school to administer the polio vaccine in 1954.

Sixth-grader Everett Munson, who introduced Biden, said, "I'm excited to be vaccinated because now I'll be able to visit my cousins and grandfather. ... I'm looking forward to going places without worrying that I could get COVID and give it to my family, friends or teachers."

Munson also pitched an idea inspired by the school's history.

"Maybe we should even take an idea from the polio vaccine at Franklin Sherman: Everyone should get ice cream after their shots," Munson said.

-ABC News' Michelle Stoddart