Europe

Pfizer jab 97% effective against symptomatic Covid: study

BERLIN, Germany (AFP) — Pfizer/BioNTech’s coronavirus vaccine offers more protection than earlier thought with effectiveness in preventing symptomatic disease reaching 97 percent, according to real-world evidence published Thursday by the pharmaceutical companies. Using data from January 17 to March 6 from Israel’s national vaccination campaign, Pfizer/BioNTech found that prevention against asymptomatic disease also reached 94 percent. An earlier real-world study using data from between December 20, 2020 and February 1, 2021 had showed effectiveness at […]

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Italy bans batch of AstraZeneca jab but plays down risks

ROME, Italy (AFP) — Italy’s medicines regulator on Thursday banned the use of a batch of AstraZeneca/Oxford coronavirus vaccine as a precaution, triggering a similar decision from fellow EU member Romania. The Italian regulator made the decision despite saying there was no established link between the vaccine and reports of some people suffering blood clots days after receiving the shot. “Following the reporting of some serious adverse events… AIFA has decided, as a precaution, to […]

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Denmark suspends use of AstraZeneca vaccine over blood clot fears

  COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AFP) — Danish health authorities said Thursday they were temporarily suspending the use of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine after some patients developed blood clots since receiving the jab. The move comes “following reports of serious cases of blood clots among people vaccinated with AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine”, the Danish Health Authority said in a statement. But it cautiously added that “it has not been determined, at the time being, that there is a link […]

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3,000 nurses dead, Covid exodus looming: global federation

by Robin MILLARD GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — At least 3,000 nurses have been killed by Covid-19, the global nurses’ federation said Thursday as it warned of a looming exodus of health workers traumatized by the pandemic. Exactly one year on since the World Health Organization (WHO) first described Covid-19 as a pandemic, the International Council of Nurses said burn-out and stress had led millions of nurses to consider quitting the profession. And once the pandemic […]

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Queen vows to address Harry and Meghan racism claims

by Anna MALPAS / Phil HAZLEWOOD / James PHEBY Agence France Presse LONDON, United Kingdom (AFP) — Queen Elizabeth II on Tuesday responded to explosive racism claims from grandson Prince Harry and his wife Meghan, voicing deep concern and sympathising with their troubles with royal life. “The whole family is saddened to learn the full extent of how challenging the last few years have been for Harry and Meghan,” she said in a statement. “The […]

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Spain extends ban on UK, Brazil, S.Africa arrivals

MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Spain on Tuesday extended its ban on arrivals from Britain, Brazil and South Africa until the end of March to avoid the spread of new coronavirus strains. Only legal residents or nationals of Spain and the neighboring micro-state of Andorra are currently allowed in on flights from these countries. The restriction on arrivals from Britain was imposed at the end of December to halt the spread of the highly contagious Covid-19 […]

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Sputnik V makers demand apology from EU medicines agency

  MOSCOW, Russia (AFP) — The makers of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine Tuesday demanded an apology from the EU’s medicines regulator after a senior official warned member states against hastily authorising the jab, comparing emergency rollouts to “Russian roulette”. Several EU countries have already begun distributing Sputnik V ahead of approval in the bloc, a move criticised by board chair of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) Christa Wirthumer-Hoche Monday. “We demand a public apology from […]

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Bike-riding Dutch PM pedals towards new term

by Danny KEMP THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP) — Regularly seen riding his bike to work, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte is hoping voters add to his 10 years in the saddle next week. The liberal leader, 54, has sought to project an image of normality, stability and frugality during his time in office, particularly during the coronavirus pandemic. Critics however dub him “Teflon” Mark for his ability to dodge scandals, while in Europe he’s known […]

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Italy’s virus death toll tops 100,000

by Alvise ARMELLINI ROME, Italy (AFP) — Italy on Monday surpassed the grim milestone of 100,000 official coronavirus deaths, amid warnings the spread of new variants is fuelling a fresh wave of infections. Just over a year since it became the first European country to be overwhelmed by Covid-19, Italy’s health ministry recorded another 318 virus-related deaths, taking the total to 100,103. The figure is almost certainly an underestimate of the true toll but is […]

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No holds barred: Meghan and Harry’s historic interview

  by Thomas URBAIN, with Ben SHEPPARD in Washington Agence France Presse NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Meghan Markle opened up about battling suicidal thoughts, Prince Harry disclosed a painful rift with his father — and both settled a fair few scores in their history-making interview with Oprah Winfrey. The gloves came off as the pair lifted the veil on their dramatic exit from royal life, holding little back as they alleged racism in […]

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France donates 15,000 vaccine doses to Slovakia

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (AFP) —  Slovakia, a country suffering the world’s highest mortality rate from Covid-19, has received a donation of 15,000 coronavirus vaccine doses from France, Slovak Prime Minister Igor Matovic said on Sunday. Matovic described the Oxford-AstraZeneca doses as a “very kind and useful gift” and a “great gesture of friendship”, at a news conference with French Ambassador Christophe Leonzi, local press agency TASR reported. Speaking in Bojnice, western Slovakia, the premier added that […]

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Denmark approves AstraZeneca vaccine for over-65s

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AFP) — Following several other European countries, Danish health officials on Friday approved the use of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine for people over 65, citing evidence from a study on the vaccine in Scotland. Until now, the Scandinavian country has argued there was insufficient evidence for the effectiveness of the British-Swedish pharmaceutical company’s vaccine to recommend to people over the age of 65. “The results from Scotland are pleasing. They show a strongly […]

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