In Greece, people will in future only be allowed to stay in the interior of catering and cultural establishments if they have been vaccinated. This was announced by the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Employees in the health sector and in geriatric care will also have to get a mandatory vaccination in the future – otherwise they can be released from their work. The number of new infections in Greece had soared in the past ten days after extensive easing.
“We will not close the country again because of the attitude of some,” said Mitsotakis during his address on state television. The patients in the intensive care units were “99 percent not vaccinated,” he justified the measure. Like other countries, Greece faces a double threat: the more aggressive Delta variant of the corona virus and unvaccinated people. “Greece is not at risk, but the unvaccinated,” said Mitsotakis. In future, the mandatory vaccination will also apply to all conscripts.
French President Emmanuel Macron also announced compulsory vaccination for health and care systems. From September 15th it will be checked whether the staff is vaccinated in these areas. “If we don’t act now, the numbers and deliveries to the clinics will increase.” Because of the delta variant, there is a race against time. At some point, the question of compulsory vaccinations must also be asked for everyone. (07/12/2021)
Johnson and Johnson and US Food and Drug Administration discuss side effect
Johnson & Johnson claims to be in talks with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) about the neurological disease Guillain-Barre syndrome after vaccination with its drug. Johnson & Johnson said the likelihood of this syndrome occurring is very low. The Wall Street Journal had previously reported that the FDA would publish a new warning on the US company’s Janssen agent. Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare autoimmune disease that affects the nervous system. (07/12/2021)
England is lifting almost all mandatory corona measures
In England, on July 19, almost all mandatory corona measures will be lifted as planned. British Health Minister Sajid Javid confirmed this in Parliament in London on Monday. The prerequisites for this have been met, said Javid. It is to be expected that the number of new infections will continue to rise, but the government does not believe “that the number of infections will put unsustainable pressure on the NHS health service”.
From next week on, distance rules, mask requirements and mandatory registration, for example when visiting a restaurant, will probably no longer apply. Night clubs and discos will then be able to receive visitors again. There should no longer be numerical restrictions for celebrating the events. And this despite the fact that the number of new infections has been increasing dramatically for weeks. However, the government argues the link between infections and hospital admissions and deaths has been weakened enough thanks to the vaccination program.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson wanted to present details of the plans at a press conference on Monday. Before that, he had urged people to be careful. “We are temptingly close to the last milestone on our schedule from the lockdown,” said Johnson, according to a message from Monday night. “But the plan to restore our freedoms must come with a warning.” The number of new infections will continue to increase due to the easing. “Therefore, when we confirm our plans today, our message is clear: caution is central.” In France, President Emmanuel Macron will announce in a speech on Monday evening how his government intends to counter the spreading delta variant of the corona virus. There is talk of compulsory vaccination for staff in hospitals and care facilities. There could also be new restrictions in the catering industry in order to avoid a broad lockdown. (07/12/2021)
China plans to deliver 550 million vaccine doses to Covax
The Chinese vaccine manufacturers Sinopharm and Sinovac supply the international vaccine initiative Covax with up to 550 million doses of their Covid-19 vaccines. According to the vaccination alliance Gavi, up to 170 million doses of Sinopharm and up to 380 million doses of Sinovac come. The vaccination doses should be delivered by mid-2022. 110 million cans are to be made available to Covax immediately.
The Covax alliance for equitable access to corona vaccines worldwide is led by the World Health Organization (WHO), Gavi and the international vaccination initiative CEPI. At first it was not clear which countries the Chinese vaccines should go to. (07/12/2021)
Olympic city of Tokyo again in a state of emergency
Accompanied by complaints about vaccine shortages, the corona emergency came into force again in Tokyo for the duration of the Olympic Games. Restaurants have not been allowed to serve alcohol since Monday and, like large department stores, have to close at 8 p.m. A maximum of 5000 spectators are allowed for sports and cultural events, provided that half of the space is not exceeded. Citizens are called upon to stay at home if possible.
On the eve of the fourth emergency in Tokyo, which will run until August 22, Japan’s governors lamented chaos in the country’s vaccination process due to a lack of vaccination doses. They accused the government of Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of creating confusion in the extremely late vaccination process. The state had put pressure on local governments to speed up vaccinations with the aim of making vaccinations available to every citizen by October or November. But now there is suddenly a lack of vaccination doses, which is why more and more places no longer have to accept or cancel any further vaccination appointments.
Critics complain that much of the Japanese population will not be vaccinated by the start of the Olympics on July 23. Japan’s Olympic organizers have excluded viewers from almost all competitions due to concerns about the spread of the virus. However, many Japanese fear that the games could turn into a super-spreader event. However, those responsible and the International Olympic Committee keep claiming that everything is “safe”. (07/12/2021)
Israel offers first booster vaccinations
In Israel, adults with compromised immune systems can now get a booster vaccination. The third injection after two vaccinations with the Biontech Pfizer vaccine, for example, will be given to people who have undergone an organ transplant or who have a disease that causes a drop in immunity, said Health Minister Nitzan Horowitz. The vaccine from Moderna is intended for this, since the one from Biontech / Pfizer is running out.
The government is considering the issue of a booster vaccination for the entire population, but nothing has been decided yet. With the spread of the Delta variant, the number of new infections in Israel has risen again. The country has recently tightened the quarantine regulations for travelers: Even vaccinated and convalescent people must be in isolation for 24 hours after arrival or until their corona test results are available. The Israeli vaccination campaign started in December and caused an international stir. More than 61 percent of the population have been vaccinated for the first time, around 56 percent twice. Pfizer and Biontech also want to ask the authorities in the USA and Europe to approve these booster vaccinations in the next few weeks. They justify this with an increased risk of infection after six months.
Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennet said the virus would “be with us for a long time”. With the help of a “corona routine” you have to find a way to live in your shadow without excessive restrictions. (07/11/21)