According to data from Israel, the vaccine from Pfizer and Biontech guarantees high protection against a severe course of Covid-19 and against possible hospitalization in the delta variant. The protection against severe courses was 91 percent, in 88 percent of the cases there was no hospital stay, according to a report by the Israeli Ministry of Health. However, an infection could only be prevented in 39 percent of the cases.
At first glance, the report could suggest that the Biontech vaccine against the delta variant is less effective than expected. It is in contrast to a study from Great Britain that was published this week in the New England Journal of Medicine has been published. The British data showed 88 percent protection against delta-type Covid and 94 percent against alpha-type.
The Israeli investigation is based on data collected between mid-June and mid-July. However, Israeli researchers point out that these data may be biased because older people are overrepresented and it is difficult to measure the effectiveness of a vaccine in relation to mild Covid cases.
Still, the study could rekindle the debate about whether a third vaccination is necessary. Pfizer and Biontech plan to apply for international approvals for such a third vaccination.
Second vaccine for children and adolescents
A second corona vaccine is available for children and adolescents in the EU. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) gave the green light on Friday for the use of Moderna’s corona vaccine in children and adolescents aged twelve and over. The responsible EMA committee recommended an extension of the approval, which so far can only be used in the EU from the age of 18. The benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks. The final decision now has to be made by the European Commission. But this is a matter of form.
The vaccine from Biontech and Pfizer has been allowed to be used in the EU in children and adolescents aged twelve and over since the end of May. The Standing Vaccination Commission (Stiko) in Germany currently only recommends it for young people with certain pre-existing conditions. She justifies this with the low risk of serious illness in this age group. The use of 12 to 17-year-olds without previous illnesses is currently not generally recommended, but is possible after medical advice and with individual wishes and risk acceptance, explained the Stiko in June. (23.07.2021)
USA buys 200 million more Biontech cans
The US government is buying another 200 million doses of the corona vaccine from Pfizer and Biontech for use in children and any booster vaccines. This ensures that the US government will have extensive access to vaccines until the coming year, said Pfizer boss Albert Bourla. Both companies announced that more than half of the cans will be delivered this year. US government sources said that 65 million of the cans were intended for children under the age of twelve. Part of it will be available as soon as the relevant approval is available. According to the company’s report, the USA has also secured an option for new versions of the vaccine against virus variants.
With the deal, the total number of Biontech cans ordered by the US adds up to 500 million, of which 208 million have been delivered to date. In the USA, the drug has been approved from the age of twelve since May. US President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that children under the age of twelve will probably soon be vaccinated as well.07/23/2021)
More than 11,000 new infections in Turkey
In Turkey, the number of new infections has risen to its highest level since mid-May. The Ministry of Health reported 11,094 new infections on Friday. Within one day, 60 people died related to Covid-19. The 82 million-inhabitant country lifted all exit restrictions due to the pandemic at the beginning of July. Since then, the number of cases has increased again.
Health Minister Fahrettin Koca recently urged his compatriots to get vaccinated. Turkey uses the vaccines from the Chinese manufacturer Sinovac and Biontech / Pfizer. About 46 percent of the population have received at least one dose of vaccine, and 26 percent are fully vaccinated. (07/23/2021)
Greek government defends compulsory vaccination
Corona vaccinations can be made mandatory in Greece, according to Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Mitsotakis said that this is not unconstitutional, as opponents of vaccination have repeatedly claimed. “The state is entitled to demand that all citizens fulfill their duty of social and national solidarity.” This is in Article 25 of the Greek Constitution and thus the compulsory vaccination is in line with the Constitution, according to the head of government.
Anti-vaccination demonstrations had taken place in Athens and other cities in Greece in the past few days. They accused the government of compulsory vaccination not being constitutional. Many right-wing extremists and religious zealots were among the demonstrators. In some cases there were riots. The police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse radical opponents of vaccination.
The conservative government had enforced a law on Thursday that only vaccinated people are allowed to stay in the interior of restaurants and cultural establishments. In addition, workers in the health sector must be vaccinated. Otherwise, they can be suspended from duty. They would then not get any money as long as they are not vaccinated. In the private sector, employers are also allowed to require their employees to be vaccinated. Otherwise they too can be released. (23.07.2021)
London lifts isolation requirements in grocery stores
The British government has introduced short-term exemptions for employees in grocery stores who have had contact with people infected with corona. The background is staff shortages and empty supermarket shelves in some places. The government said that employees in food distribution centers are now exempt from the obligation to self-isolate and instead carry out regular corona tests.
Previously, more and more people had been “pinged” via the Corona warning app or by employees of the health service, which means that they were identified as contact persons and asked to quarantine at home. This leads to staff shortages in many areas. For example, gas stations have been closed and schoolchildren have been sent early on summer vacation. The British media therefore speak of a “pingdemic”.
In the UK, the number of infections has been rising again for weeks. This is mainly attributed to the strong spread of the highly contagious delta variant. In addition, the British government has now lifted almost all corona measures for most of England. The seven-day incidence was last given as 488. (23.07.2021)
New Zealand stops quarantine-free travel with Australia
After an increase in new corona infections in Australia due to the highly contagious Delta variant, New Zealand has suspended quarantine-free travel between the two countries for the time being. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the regulation will apply from Friday night (local time) for at least two months. “This is not a decision we made lightly, but it is the right decision to ensure the safety of New Zealanders,” she said.
In Australia, the corona numbers have recently increased. The state of New South Wales with the metropolis of Sydney is particularly affected. Nationwide, around half of the population Down Under is in lockdown. “My strong message to every New Zealander in Australia who doesn’t want to stay there permanently is: come home,” said Ardern.
Both countries allowed quarantine-free travel between the two countries for the first time in mid-April. Otherwise, the borders have been largely closed since March 2020.
New Zealand with a population of five million has so far got the virus under control due to extremely strict measures and has only recorded around 2500 infections so far. 26 people in the Pacific country have died in connection with Covid-19. In Australia, with its 25 million people, authorities have confirmed around 32,000 cases and more than 900 deaths since the pandemic began. (23.07.2021)
Israel is tightening its corona rules
In view of the increasing number of infections, which recently exceeded the mark of 1,000 per day again, the so-called green passport is to be reintroduced in Israel, which was in use at the beginning of the year and made things easier for those who have been vaccinated and those who have recovered. In this context, the Corona cabinet has decided to again impose restrictions on gatherings of more than 100 people. Participants who are older than twelve must therefore show a certificate for vaccinated or recovered persons or a negative corona test result at the entrance. This should apply, among other things, to sports and cultural events as well as fitness studios, restaurants, conferences and houses of prayer. The mask requirement in closed rooms that was lifted in June has been in effect again since Wednesday. People who do not want to be vaccinated against Corona will also have to bear the costs of tests themselves from August 8th.
There are also new restrictions for air travelers: the list of “red” countries that can only be visited with special permits has been expanded to include Great Britain, Georgia, Cyprus and Turkey. Vaccinated travelers must also be quarantined when entering Israel until they have a negative test result. Unvaccinated travelers must be quarantined for a week. The new regulations, which have yet to be approved by the whole government, are due to take effect in a week. (07/22/2021)
Italy is also introducing a green passport
In order to contain the corona infections, which have recently increased again, Italy wants to require proof of immunity at numerous facilities and events. Health Minister Roberto Speranza announced that the “Green Pass” will be required from August 6th to visit sports stadiums, fitness centers, museums, cinemas, swimming pools and trade fairs, for example. The guests would also have to show the certificate for the interior of restaurants. In Italy it certifies that a person has been vaccinated, tested negative or recovered at least once. (07/22/2021)
According to the study, Biontech and Astra Zeneca are highly effective against the Delta variant
One British study confirms the high effectiveness of the vaccines from Biontech / Pfizer and Astra Zeneca against the delta variant of the coronavirus. According to the im New England Journal of Medicine published investigation.
Accordingly, two vaccinations with Biontech / Pfizer are 88 percent effective in preventing symptomatic illness from the Delta variant, compared with an effectiveness of 93.7 percent against the Alpha variant. The double vaccination with Astra Zeneca protects 67 percent effectively against the Delta variant, compared with 74.5 percent against the Alpha variant. (07/22/2021)
Shortly before the start of the Olympic Games: Almost 2000 new infections in Tokyo
Shortly before the opening of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the number of new infections in the Japanese capital rises to the highest level since January. The city administration announced that 1979 people tested positive for the corona virus within 24 hours. That is 671 cases more than on Thursday last week. The 2020 Summer Olympics, which have been postponed by a year due to the pandemic, will open on Friday, and individual competitions are already taking place. (07/22/2021)