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Coronavirus live news: Johnson & Johnson jab 'to get EU approval'; Berlin pupils allowed to repeat school year Coronavirus live news: Johnson & Johnson jab 'to get EU approval'; Berlin pupils allowed to repeat school year
(32 minutes later)
EMA expected to approve vaccine on 11 March; all pupils in German capital to have chance to repeat a year; global deaths pass 2.5mEMA expected to approve vaccine on 11 March; all pupils in German capital to have chance to repeat a year; global deaths pass 2.5m
Here is a quick re-cap of some of the main Covid related events from around the world:
Spain will give a single vaccine dose to under 55-year-olds who have already been infected with Covid-19, the health ministry has announced.
India, which wants to vaccinate 300m of its 1.35bn population by August, has said it will let people choose their coronavirus vaccination centres when the campaign expands next week.
Berlin school pupils will be allowed to repeat the current school year, in recognition of the disruption they have faced following months of home schooling. The regulation will apply to children in years one to ten, who are aged between six and 15-16.
The European Medicines Agency, the EU’s medicines regulator, is reportedly poised to recommend Johnson & Johnson’s coronavirus vaccine early next month.
The UK government has said a further 345 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Friday, bringing the UK total to 122,415.
The UK also recorded 8,523 more cases, according to the government’s dashboard.
The world’s financial leaders have met today, and are expected to agree to continue support measures for the global economy.
It is also expected that they will increase resources to the International Monetary Fund’s to enable it to help poorer countries fight off the effects of the pandemic.
Reuters reports:
Finance ministers and central bank governors of the world’s top 20 economies, called the G20, held a video-conference on Friday. The global response to the economic havoc wreaked by the coronavirus was at top of the agenda.
In the first comments by a participating policymaker, the European Union’s economics commissioner, Paolo Gentiloni, said the meeting had been “good”, with consensus on the need for a common effort on global Covid vaccinations.
“Avoid premature withdrawal of supportive fiscal policy” and “progress towards agreement on digital and minimal taxation” he said in a Tweet, signalling other areas of apparent accord.
A news conference by Italy, which holds the annual G20 presidency, is expected imminently.
My colleague Rory Carroll has written about the global scramble for the Coronavirus vaccine.My colleague Rory Carroll has written about the global scramble for the Coronavirus vaccine.
He writes:He writes:
Vaccines against Covid-19 may represent a peak of human ingenuity and achievement – but that still leaves a sticky problem of etiquette: how should you behave during a global scramble for the jab?Vaccines against Covid-19 may represent a peak of human ingenuity and achievement – but that still leaves a sticky problem of etiquette: how should you behave during a global scramble for the jab?
When someone jumps the queue and gets vaccinated, do you condemn their selfishness, admire their chutzpah, ask for tips? When a friend or relative is way ahead of you in the queue, are you happy for them or resentful? Is yearning for vaccines a legitimate existential response or is it just a symptom of Vomo – fear of missing out on a vaccine?When someone jumps the queue and gets vaccinated, do you condemn their selfishness, admire their chutzpah, ask for tips? When a friend or relative is way ahead of you in the queue, are you happy for them or resentful? Is yearning for vaccines a legitimate existential response or is it just a symptom of Vomo – fear of missing out on a vaccine?
These and other questions came to the fore this week as stories emerged of subterfuge, queue-jumping and tension along humanity’s new faultline, the jabbed and not-jabbed.These and other questions came to the fore this week as stories emerged of subterfuge, queue-jumping and tension along humanity’s new faultline, the jabbed and not-jabbed.
“You’ve stolen a vaccine from somebody that needs it more than you,” an Orange County sheriff’s deputy in Florida told two women, aged 33 and 44, who had put on bonnets, gloves and fake glasses to try to appear older and dupe their way to a second vaccine dose.“You’ve stolen a vaccine from somebody that needs it more than you,” an Orange County sheriff’s deputy in Florida told two women, aged 33 and 44, who had put on bonnets, gloves and fake glasses to try to appear older and dupe their way to a second vaccine dose.
Spain will give a single vaccine dose to under 55-year-olds who have already been infected with COVID-19, the Health Ministry announced on Friday in the latest update of its national inoculation strategy. Spain will give a single vaccine dose to under 55-year-olds who have already been infected with Covid-19, the health ministry announced on Friday in the latest update of its national inoculation strategy.
Reuters reports:Reuters reports:
The strategy update reads:The strategy update reads:
France announced a similar policy earlier this month while Italian politicians are debating whether to follow that path.France announced a similar policy earlier this month while Italian politicians are debating whether to follow that path.
Spain had already advised that people within that bracket who do not have major health complications wait six months from their diagnosis before taking a vaccine.Spain had already advised that people within that bracket who do not have major health complications wait six months from their diagnosis before taking a vaccine.
As of Thursday, some 2.2 million people from priority groups such as nursing home residents and staff, people over 80 and frontline medics had received an injection. Some 1.2 million of those had received a full course of two shots. As of Thursday, 2.2 million people from priority groups such as nursing home residents and staff, people over 80 and frontline medics had received an injection. Some 1.2 million of those had received a full course of two shots.
Just over 2% of Spaniards offered a vaccination have refused, including people who declined for medical reasons.Just over 2% of Spaniards offered a vaccination have refused, including people who declined for medical reasons.
After an intense third wave of infection, Spain’s two-week incidence of the virus fell to 206 cases per 100,000 people on Thursday, down from almost 900 cases at the end of January.After an intense third wave of infection, Spain’s two-week incidence of the virus fell to 206 cases per 100,000 people on Thursday, down from almost 900 cases at the end of January.
The infection tally rose by 9,568 cases on Thursday to 3.18 million, while the death toll climbed by 345 to 68,468.The infection tally rose by 9,568 cases on Thursday to 3.18 million, while the death toll climbed by 345 to 68,468.
(Reporting by Nathan Allen; Additional reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Inti Landauro and Jonathan Oatis)(Reporting by Nathan Allen; Additional reporting by Alistair Smout; Editing by Inti Landauro and Jonathan Oatis)
World Bank President David Malpass on Friday urged countries to enter contracts for COVID-19 vaccines now so they could get delivery schedules, saying it was vital to get started in more countries and work through more channels, Reuters reports. World Bank president David Malpass on Friday urged countries to enter contracts for Covid-19 vaccines now so they could get delivery schedules, saying it was vital to get started in more countries and work through more channels, Reuters reports.
In remarks to Group of 20 finance officials, Malpass also hammered his push for greater transparency in the contracts signed by buyers, manufacturers and intermediaries to accelerate global vaccination efforts critical to contain the pandemic.In remarks to Group of 20 finance officials, Malpass also hammered his push for greater transparency in the contracts signed by buyers, manufacturers and intermediaries to accelerate global vaccination efforts critical to contain the pandemic.
Malpass also underscored the importance of the G20’s climate agenda, noting that the World Bank was launching new country climate and development reviews to integrate climate into all its country diagnostics and strategies. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal)Malpass also underscored the importance of the G20’s climate agenda, noting that the World Bank was launching new country climate and development reviews to integrate climate into all its country diagnostics and strategies. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal)
In England key behavioural scientists have criticised the government’s decision to use dates in its proposed roadmap out of the country, saying it is a “dangerous strategy” that risks undermining adherence to Covid-19 rules. In England, key behavioural scientists have criticised the government’s decision to use dates in its proposed roadmap out of the country, saying it is a “dangerous strategy” that risks undermining adherence to Covid-19 rules.
The prime minister’s message that government policy around reopening would be guided by “data, not dates” could be overshadowed by the use of dates in the roadmap, said Stephen Reicher, a professor of social psychology at the University of St Andrews and a member of SPI-B, the behavioural science subgroup of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage).The prime minister’s message that government policy around reopening would be guided by “data, not dates” could be overshadowed by the use of dates in the roadmap, said Stephen Reicher, a professor of social psychology at the University of St Andrews and a member of SPI-B, the behavioural science subgroup of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage).
“Data not dates has turned into dates not data,” said Reicher, who added that the choice of Midsummer Day for a possible return to normality was “incredibly powerful symbolic messaging”.“Data not dates has turned into dates not data,” said Reicher, who added that the choice of Midsummer Day for a possible return to normality was “incredibly powerful symbolic messaging”.
He said:He said:
The full story here:The full story here:
Recreational venues in Finland’s capital region will be closed for two weeks to curb a rise in Covid infections in Helsinki and eight surrounding municipalities, it has been announced.Recreational venues in Finland’s capital region will be closed for two weeks to curb a rise in Covid infections in Helsinki and eight surrounding municipalities, it has been announced.
The Regional State Administrative Agency has ordered public and private gyms, indoor sports venues, saunas and swimming pools as well as other recreational areas to close from 1 March, according to Reuters.The Regional State Administrative Agency has ordered public and private gyms, indoor sports venues, saunas and swimming pools as well as other recreational areas to close from 1 March, according to Reuters.
Update: Moldova has not yet registered Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine against Covid-19, president Maia Sandu’s press secretary has said.Update: Moldova has not yet registered Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine against Covid-19, president Maia Sandu’s press secretary has said.
Sorina Stefirta told journalists that the Sputnik V vaccine would only be approved in Moldova after it had been registered by the World Health Organization, Reuters reports.Sorina Stefirta told journalists that the Sputnik V vaccine would only be approved in Moldova after it had been registered by the World Health Organization, Reuters reports.
The Russian Direct Investment Fund and former Moldovan president Igor Dodon earlier said the shot had been approved (see this post).The Russian Direct Investment Fund and former Moldovan president Igor Dodon earlier said the shot had been approved (see this post).
The Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte, on Friday signed into law a bill that gives indemnity to vaccine makers if their Covid shots cause adverse side-effects, days before the country starts its lagging inoculation programme.The Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte, on Friday signed into law a bill that gives indemnity to vaccine makers if their Covid shots cause adverse side-effects, days before the country starts its lagging inoculation programme.
Despite having one of the highest number of coronavirus infections in Asia, the Philippines will be the last south-east Asian nation to receive its initial set of vaccines.Despite having one of the highest number of coronavirus infections in Asia, the Philippines will be the last south-east Asian nation to receive its initial set of vaccines.
Covid vaccine manufacturers would be immune from lawsuits for claims arising from the administration of the shots, according to Reuters.Covid vaccine manufacturers would be immune from lawsuits for claims arising from the administration of the shots, according to Reuters.
In a statement, the presidential office said the law would fast-track the purchase and administration of vaccines.In a statement, the presidential office said the law would fast-track the purchase and administration of vaccines.
The Czech lower house has approved a bill giving the health ministry new powers without needing a state of emergency order, as the government laid out plans to “radically” tighten lockdown measures.
The country of 10.7 million has had among the world’s highest per capita rates of Covid cases and deaths in recent weeks, with new variants complicating the situation.
The so-called pandemic bill was supported by almost all parties in parliament and gives the health ministry the right to issue bans and orders, like closing shops or services, with the cabinet’s consent, Reuters reports.
Under previous laws, the government had that right only under a state of emergency, which needs lawmakers’ consent to run beyond 30 days.
The Czech prime minister, Andrej Babiš, said on Thursday people’s movement needed to be “radically” limited over at least the next three weeks (see this post from yesterday’s blog for more details).
Reuters reports:
The R number across the UK has not changed since last week and is still between 0.6 and 0.9, the latest government figures show.
The R value – the coronavirus reproduction number – represents the average number of people each person with Covid-19 goes on to infect.
An R number between 0.6 and 0.9 means that, on average, every 10 people infected will infect between six and nine more people.
Moldova has approved Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine for use against Covid-19, the TASS news agency reported on Friday, citing former president and leader of the Socialist party Igor Dodon.
“Deliveries of the vaccine to Moldova will start very soon,” Dodon wrote on his Telegram channel.
Canada’s drug regulator has approved AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine, the third inoculation to get a green light.
The vaccine was approved under Canada’s interim order system, which allows for accelerated approvals, Reuters reports.
Portugal’s prime minister Antonio Costa said on Friday that he hoped a vaccine passport, allowing people to travel freely if they can prove they have been vaccinated, will be in place by the summer.
Speaking after a meeting with European leaders, Costa explained:
India has said it will let people choose their coronavirus vaccination centres when the campaign expands next week, unlike now.
The country, which has the world’s highest tally of infections after the USs, will halt vaccinations this weekend to upgrade software used to coordinate its campaign.
It is preparing to widen coverage beyond the 11.5 million health and frontline workers immunised since 16 January, according to Reuters.
The inoculation campaign has progressed slower than expected due to a reluctance of health and frontline workers to take the home-grown Covaxin shot that was approved without late-stage efficacy data.
India wants to vaccinate 300 million of its 1.35 billion population by August, and officials believe that giving people a choice of vaccines could speed up the rollout.
In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said:
Berlin school pupils are to be given the opportunity to repeat the school year in recognition of the disruption they have faced after months of home schooling.
MPs for Berlin, one of Germany’s 16 states, voted in favour of a change to the law to allow all pupils in the German capital the chance to apply to repeat a year, or what’s known in German as sitzenbleiben, literally ‘staying sitting’.
Up until now, sitzenbleiben has not been something that pupils or their parents can decide upon themselves. It has often tended to be interpreted as a negative reflection of a child’s performance, carrying a degree of stigma with it.
The regulation will apply to children in years one to ten, who are aged between six and 15-16.
Parents who want their children to repeat, will be required to submit a written application to school heads, and will have to have a meeting with a school representative, to establish what is in the best interests of the child.
But the decision is not without controversy. In a recent joint declaration, a conglomerate of school heads protested against the plans, saying they feared an “organisational catastrophe”, including over-populated classrooms, a lack of teaching staff and a lack of classroom space.Some of Germany’s other 15 states are considering similar action.
Vaccinating people in order of age is the quickest way to reduce coronavirus deaths in the next phase of the rollout, according to experts advising the UK government.
People in their 40s will be next in line, followed by those aged 30-39, as priority based on jobs would be “more complex” and could slow down the programme, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation said.
Europe’s medicines regulator has said an antibody drug combination developed by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals can be used to treat Covid patients who do not require oxygen support and are at high risk of progressing to severe illness, Reuters reports.
The recommendation can now be used for guidance in individual European nations on the possible use of the combination of casirivimab and imdevimab before a marketing authorisation is issued, the European Medicines Agency said.