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by Paul RICARD Agence France Presse With the world poised to hit more than five million people officially dead from the coronavirus, experts tell AFP the pandemic’s future path will depend greatly on vaccinations. – How many dead? The true number of fatalities is believed to be far higher than the five million based on daily reports provided by health authorities in each country. The World Health Organization estimates the overall toll could be […]
GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — Switzerland on Tuesday authorized booster shots of Covid-19 vaccines for the over-65s, as it urged those with no protection at all to get immunized. The Swissmedic regulatory authority said the booster would be one shot of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, or a half-dose of Moderna. “People at especially high risk can receive a booster dose of a vaccine in order to remain adequately protected against severe episodes of Covid-19,” the agency said. […]
by Issam AHMED WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — A medical panel of US government advisors endorsed the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine in five-to-11-year-olds Tuesday, paving the way for younger children to get their shots within weeks. The independent experts concluded the known benefits — both directly to kids’ health but also in ending school and other disruptions — outweighed the known risks. After a day of presentations and debate, the final vote was 17 in favor […]
SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Australia on Wednesday authorized booster shots of Covid-19 vaccines for over-18s, with the third dose expected to be offered to the entire population from next month. The Therapeutic Goods Administration regulatory authority said it had granted provisional approval for one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to be given as a booster shot to adults. “The provisional approval means that individuals aged 18 years and older may receive a booster (third dose), […]
MEXICO CITY, Mexico (AFP) — Mexico on Monday began Covid-19 vaccinations for adolescents with chronic diseases in the capital, the latest step in an immunization drive in one of the countries hit hardest by the pandemic. Authorities in Mexico City said they had begun using the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine to inoculate minors with comorbidities aged between 12 and 17 years old. Fifteen-year-old Paola Abigail Chocooj, who has diabetes, was among those participating, some in their school […]
NEW YORK, United States (AFP) — Vaccine-reluctant New York firefighters took to the streets Monday to demonstrate against the city’s requirement that they get inoculated against Covid-19 or risk losing their jobs. Several thousand municipal workers, mostly firefighters, marched across the Brooklyn Bridge to City Hall in Manhattan carrying placards that read “Do we ask your vaccine status when you call 911?” and “Essential yesterday, unemployed today.” Democratic Mayor Bill de Blasio announced last week […]
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — US pharmaceutical giant Moderna on Monday reported a “robust neutralizing antibody response” to its Covid vaccine in children aged 6-11, and said that it will submit the trial data to global regulators soon. “We are encouraged by the immunogenicity and safety profile of mRNA-1273 in children aged 6 to under 12 years and are pleased that the study met its primary immunogenicity endpoints,” chief executive Stephane Bancel said in […]
WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AFP) — New Zealand set a 90-percent vaccination target Friday for scrapping lockdowns as Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern unveiled a plan to open up despite the stubborn grip of the Delta variant. Ardern said her goal had shifted from eliminating Covid-19 to minimising its spread in the community by ramping up vaccinations. She said the change meant New Zealanders would not be subject to stay-at-home orders and business shutdowns, provided they were […]
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AFP) — The use of so-called “mix and match” Covid-19 vaccine boosters may give a stronger immune response than sticking to one type of jab, the EU’s drug watchdog said on Thursday. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said it was studying data to see if it will follow a decision by US authorities on Wednesday to allow the use of a different vaccine for follow-up shots. The Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson […]
FRANKFURT, Germany (AFP) — A third dose of the vaccine against Covid-19 developed by Pfizer/BioNTech is 95.6 percent effective against symptomatic infection, according to a study by the makers published on Thursday. The clinical phase three trial with “10,000 participants 16 years of age and older” showed “a relative vaccine efficacy of 95.6 percent against disease during a period when Delta was the prevalent strain”, the companies said in a statement. © Agence France-Presse
Duque says immunocompromised to be prioritized for 3rd COVID-19 vaccine dose (Eagle News) — The Department of Health (DOH) said that it would still have to wait for the recommendation from the World Health Organizaton (WHO) before they could start giving booster shots to the population. Health Secretary Francisco Duque III said that the vaccine supply is no longer an issue. What is the DOH is waiting for is the recommendation of the WHO […]
WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Wednesday authorized using a so-called “mix and match” strategy for people who require a booster shot of a Covid vaccine after their primary series. “The FDA has determined that the known and potential benefits of the use of a single heterologous booster dose outweigh the known and potential risks of their use in eligible populations,” the agency said in a statement. The […]
