Thousands of Brazilians took to the streets against the corona policy of the government of President Jair Bolsonaro. During demonstrations across the country on Saturday, they called for impeachment proceedings against the right-wing president, more vaccinations against the coronavirus and economic aid in the pandemic, as the news portal G1 reported. Protests broke out in at least 13 provincial capitals, including Rio de Janeiro, Recife and Salvador.
The government of President Bolsonaro played down the pandemic from the start and braced itself against tough exit restrictions, citing the economic consequences. Most recently, Bolsonaro also questioned the point of vaccination. A parliamentary committee of inquiry is now examining Bolsonaro’s crisis management in the pandemic.
In Brazil, more than 130 million doses of vaccine have been administered since the nationwide vaccination campaign began in January. Around 40 percent of adult Brazilians have received a single dose, around 17 percent are fully vaccinated. In view of the lack of vaccination doses, however, the Brazilian metropolis of Rio de Janeiro and other important cities recently again suspended their first vaccinations against the corona virus.
British government relaxes quarantine rules for other professions
Due to massive staff shortages in many areas, the British government has relaxed the corona quarantine rules for other professional groups. In England, train drivers, border officials or firefighters who have had contact with corona infected people are now allowed to test themselves daily instead of going into quarantine. The government announced this. Initially, these special rules only applied to health care workers and later also to food supply workers.
Because many people in Great Britain are currently infected with the coronavirus and have come into significantly more contact with it, public life does not always work: trains are canceled, supermarket shelves remain empty at times and garbage cans are not emptied. Because millions of people have to isolate themselves at home. In mid-August, the quarantine rules in England are to be relaxed for all fully vaccinated.
The seven-day incidence in the United Kingdom was last at 497 new infections per 100,000 population within one week (as of July 18). Nevertheless, there have hardly been any corona restrictions in England since this week: distance and mask are voluntary in many places, clubs have also reopened. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own policies and are more cautious. (07/24/2021)
Iceland is returning to restrictions
Due to rising corona numbers, Iceland is again introducing new restrictions in public life. From Sunday, bars and clubs have to close at midnight, at events a maximum of 200 participants are allowed, according to reports from the Icelandic broadcaster RUV. Icelanders should also keep a distance of at least one meter and wear masks indoors.
Iceland only said goodbye to its corona measures four weeks ago. After 15 months, keeping your distance, wearing a mask and taking other measures, all restrictions were lifted. Previously, no new corona case had been reported on the North Atlantic island for a week. Around 90 percent of all Icelanders over the age of 16 are vaccinated against corona at least once.
However, the trend has been reversing again for a few days. The 14-day domestic incidence, which distinguishes Icelanders from border cases, recently rose to 83.7, and for cases on entry it was 16.1 for the same period. In the past few days there have been a few dozen new infections, which is quite a lot for the island with its around 360,000 inhabitants. More than 1,000 people were in quarantine on Friday. (07/24/2021)
Data from Israel suggest Biontech vaccine is less effective
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, of course, in contrast to a study from Great Britain 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. Israeli researchers point out, however, 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. (23.07.2021)
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 in the EU can only be used 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 from the age of twelve 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 twelve 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. (07/23/2021)