Nation US deaths from virus in 2021 surpass 2020 total; Johnson & Johnson seeks FDA clearance for booster shots: COVID updates October 5, 2021October 5, 2021Jorge L. Ortiz, Ryan W. Miller and Grace Hauck, USA TODAYComments Off on US deaths from virus in 2021 surpass 2020 total; Johnson & Johnson seeks FDA clearance for booster shots: COVID updates Johnson & Johnson submits data to FDA showing a booster shot of its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and significantly increases protection. Latest news.