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| Covid live: thousands of unvaccinated French health workers face suspension; Italy ‘green pass’ to be mandatory in private sector | Covid live: thousands of unvaccinated French health workers face suspension; Italy ‘green pass’ to be mandatory in private sector |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| French health workers face suspension without pay from Wednesday; Italy set to make a vaccination pass mandatory in public and private sector | French health workers face suspension without pay from Wednesday; Italy set to make a vaccination pass mandatory in public and private sector |
| Healthcare staff in England can decide whether children get a Covid vaccine against the wishes of their parents, according to government guidelines published on Wednesday that left some headteachers fearing protests at the school gates. | |
| The guidelines say vaccinations for children aged 12 to 15 will be administered by School Age Immunisation Service (SAIS) teams that already carry out flu and human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccinations in England. The role of schools will be limited to providing a site and distributing information and consent forms to pupils and parents. | |
| In cases where parents withhold consent but the child wants to go ahead, the guidelines say the vaccination teams will determine if the child is able to make an informed decision – known as Gillick competence – and “make every effort to contact a parent to check before they proceed”. | |
| “If a parent objects to their child being vaccinated but the child wants to be vaccinated and is judged to be Gillick competent, the healthcare professional will try to reach agreement between the parent and child. However, the parent cannot overrule the decision of a Gillick competent child,” the guidelines state. In that scenario the child will be vaccinated. | |
| In cases where parents refuse consent and the child is not deemed to be Gillick competent or does not want to be vaccinated, the guidelines from the UK health security agency say a vaccination will not be given. | |
| According to the NHS, Gillick competence is when children under the age of 16 “can consent to their own treatment if they’re believed to have enough intelligence, competence and understanding to fully appreciate what’s involved in their treatment”. | |
| Read the full story here: | |
| Rates of Covid-19 have risen by a third in North America over the past week, due to surges in the US and Canada, where new infections have doubled in the province of Alberta, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said on Wednesday. | |
| Hospitals in Alberta are facing critical staffing shortages, according to PAHO, the regional branch of the World Health Organization. | |
| The US is reporting more than 100,000 new daily infections for the first time since January and hospital capacity in many southern US states remains worryingly low, the agency said. | |
| As many parts of the world report a steady decrease in coronavrius infections, the Americas reported a nearly 20% increase in new cases, PAHO said. | |
| Most South American countries are seeing continuing declines in Covid-19 cases and deaths, it said, while infections are surging in Costa Rica, Guatemala and Belize and many hospitals there are saturated with Covid patients. | |
| Meanwhile, infections have slowed in the Caribbean, with the exception of Grenada, Barbados and Bermuda that are reporting sharp jumps in new cases, and Jamaica saw its highest weekly case count since the beginning of the pandemic. | |
| Carissa Etienne, PAHO director, said in a weekly briefing: | |
| But she said doses have not been equally distributed in the region and there is still a long way to go to reach everyone who needs a vaccine. | |
| The British government said a further 201 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Wednesday, bringing the UK total to 134,647. | The British government said a further 201 people had died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 as of Wednesday, bringing the UK total to 134,647. |
| Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics show there have now been 159,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. | Separate figures published by the Office for National Statistics show there have now been 159,000 deaths registered in the UK where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate. |
| As of 9am on Wednesday, there had been a further 30,597 lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK, the government said. | As of 9am on Wednesday, there had been a further 30,597 lab-confirmed Covid-19 cases in the UK, the government said. |
| Meanwhile, government data up to September 14 shows that of the 92,650,551 Covid jabs given in the UK, 48,480,178 were first doses, a rise of 21,478 on the previous day. | Meanwhile, government data up to September 14 shows that of the 92,650,551 Covid jabs given in the UK, 48,480,178 were first doses, a rise of 21,478 on the previous day. |
| Some 44,170,373 were second doses, an increase of 61,627. | Some 44,170,373 were second doses, an increase of 61,627. |
| The world’s poorest countries will be left $12tn (£8.7tn) worse off by 2025 amid a weaker economic recovery from Covid-19 as wealthy nations limit their access to vaccines, the United Nations has warned. | The world’s poorest countries will be left $12tn (£8.7tn) worse off by 2025 amid a weaker economic recovery from Covid-19 as wealthy nations limit their access to vaccines, the United Nations has warned. |
| In its annual trade and development report, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) said low-income countries had been hit much harder by the pandemic than during the 2008 financial crisis, adding to their debts and piling pressure on their public finances. | In its annual trade and development report, the UN Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) said low-income countries had been hit much harder by the pandemic than during the 2008 financial crisis, adding to their debts and piling pressure on their public finances. |
| The UN’s economic arm said there were growing risks that low-income developing countries would fall further behind due to limited progress in deploying coronavirus vaccines, despite western leaders promising to “build back better” from the crisis. | The UN’s economic arm said there were growing risks that low-income developing countries would fall further behind due to limited progress in deploying coronavirus vaccines, despite western leaders promising to “build back better” from the crisis. |
| “So far, the world economy appears to be building back separately,” it said in the report. | “So far, the world economy appears to be building back separately,” it said in the report. |
| Unctad said the global economy was bouncing back strongly this year thanks to the continuation of financial support measures begun in 2020 from governments around the world, as well as rapid progress with vaccines in advanced economies. It forecast global growth would hit 5.3% this year, the fastest rate in nearly five decades, after a fall of 3.5% in 2020. | Unctad said the global economy was bouncing back strongly this year thanks to the continuation of financial support measures begun in 2020 from governments around the world, as well as rapid progress with vaccines in advanced economies. It forecast global growth would hit 5.3% this year, the fastest rate in nearly five decades, after a fall of 3.5% in 2020. |
| However, the UN agency warned it would take several years for the world economy to recover the losses dealt by the Covid-19 shock, as the pace of growth slows from an initial rapid rebound in 2021, and as governments and central banks come under pressure to scale back emergency support. | However, the UN agency warned it would take several years for the world economy to recover the losses dealt by the Covid-19 shock, as the pace of growth slows from an initial rapid rebound in 2021, and as governments and central banks come under pressure to scale back emergency support. |
| Read the full story here: | Read the full story here: |
| Chile has announced plans to reopen its borders to visitors on Wednesday as it seeks to restore its critical tourism industry ahead of the southern hemisphere summer following the outbreak of the pandemic. Reuters reports: | Chile has announced plans to reopen its borders to visitors on Wednesday as it seeks to restore its critical tourism industry ahead of the southern hemisphere summer following the outbreak of the pandemic. Reuters reports: |
| Pfizer has said US regulators should approve a booster dose of the vaccine it developed with Germany’s BioNTech six months after the second dose, due to waning effectiveness of the shot over time, Reuters reports. | Pfizer has said US regulators should approve a booster dose of the vaccine it developed with Germany’s BioNTech six months after the second dose, due to waning effectiveness of the shot over time, Reuters reports. |
| The news agency cites documents the drugmaker submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration. Reuters reports: | The news agency cites documents the drugmaker submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration. Reuters reports: |
| Thousands of unvaccinated French health workers face suspension without pay from Wednesday under a new Covid-19 law that punishes people in care professions who refuse to get immunised against the virus. | Thousands of unvaccinated French health workers face suspension without pay from Wednesday under a new Covid-19 law that punishes people in care professions who refuse to get immunised against the virus. |
| President Emmanuel Macron gave workers including staff at hospitals, retirement home workers and the fire service – 2.7 million people in total – an ultimatum on 12 July to get at least one shot by 15 September or resign. | President Emmanuel Macron gave workers including staff at hospitals, retirement home workers and the fire service – 2.7 million people in total – an ultimatum on 12 July to get at least one shot by 15 September or resign. |
| Two months later, thousands of healthcare workers are still baulking at getting jabbed, raising the spectre of disruptions to services in facilities forced to suspend staff without pay, AFP reports. | Two months later, thousands of healthcare workers are still baulking at getting jabbed, raising the spectre of disruptions to services in facilities forced to suspend staff without pay, AFP reports. |
| A hospital in the southern city of Montelimar confirmed that it had already begun cancelling non-urgent operations because of a shortage of vaccinated anaesthetists. | A hospital in the southern city of Montelimar confirmed that it had already begun cancelling non-urgent operations because of a shortage of vaccinated anaesthetists. |
| The hospital’s deputy director, Philippe Charre, said three allergy specialists would also be absent over their refusal to comply with the vaccine mandate. | The hospital’s deputy director, Philippe Charre, said three allergy specialists would also be absent over their refusal to comply with the vaccine mandate. |
| Public sector union the CGT has warned of a “health catastrophe” if the government suspends large numbers of hospital workers and bars vaccine-shy GPs. | Public sector union the CGT has warned of a “health catastrophe” if the government suspends large numbers of hospital workers and bars vaccine-shy GPs. |
| “We have to keep these people on the job until they have been replaced,” said Christophe Prudhomme, an emergency services doctor and MP with the leftwing France Unbowed party. | “We have to keep these people on the job until they have been replaced,” said Christophe Prudhomme, an emergency services doctor and MP with the leftwing France Unbowed party. |
| The government has vowed to see the policy through. “We will not back down,” prime minister Jean Castex said last month. | The government has vowed to see the policy through. “We will not back down,” prime minister Jean Castex said last month. |
| Covid restrictions will return if the virus gets “out of control” again this year, the UK health secretary has said, with a dangerous new variant or the NHS at risk of being overwhelmed identified as the moment “plan B” could be triggered. | Covid restrictions will return if the virus gets “out of control” again this year, the UK health secretary has said, with a dangerous new variant or the NHS at risk of being overwhelmed identified as the moment “plan B” could be triggered. |
| Sajid Javid said he thought another lockdown was unlikely but admitted it would be “irresponsible” to rule out ordering people stay at home in England for a fourth time since the pandemic began. | Sajid Javid said he thought another lockdown was unlikely but admitted it would be “irresponsible” to rule out ordering people stay at home in England for a fourth time since the pandemic began. |
| He urged the public to remain vigilant after ministers published their “winter plan”, which will rely on vaccines to help life remain as close to normal as possible in the run-up to Christmas, despite Covid cases and deaths already being at a much higher point than they were at this time last year. | He urged the public to remain vigilant after ministers published their “winter plan”, which will rely on vaccines to help life remain as close to normal as possible in the run-up to Christmas, despite Covid cases and deaths already being at a much higher point than they were at this time last year. |
| Under plan A, the focus will remain on ensuring the 10% of people who have not had a jab yet get their first shot, rolling out boosters to the over-50s and clinically vulnerable and offering to inoculate children aged 12 to 15. | Under plan A, the focus will remain on ensuring the 10% of people who have not had a jab yet get their first shot, rolling out boosters to the over-50s and clinically vulnerable and offering to inoculate children aged 12 to 15. |
| However, if the Covid situation deteriorates, face masks could be made mandatory again on public transport and in shops, vaccine passports may be introduced and people could be asked to work from home again where possible. | However, if the Covid situation deteriorates, face masks could be made mandatory again on public transport and in shops, vaccine passports may be introduced and people could be asked to work from home again where possible. |
| Javid said there was not one single trigger point that would lead to plan B being introduced, but suggested it was likely to come into force if a dangerous new variant emerged against which vaccines were less effective or the NHS was at risk of being overwhelmed. | Javid said there was not one single trigger point that would lead to plan B being introduced, but suggested it was likely to come into force if a dangerous new variant emerged against which vaccines were less effective or the NHS was at risk of being overwhelmed. |
| Read more here: | Read more here: |
| Cuba is seeking approval from the World Health Organization (WHO) for three Covid-19 vaccines, according to the state-run corporation that produces them, even as it begins administering shots en masse to toddlers. | Cuba is seeking approval from the World Health Organization (WHO) for three Covid-19 vaccines, according to the state-run corporation that produces them, even as it begins administering shots en masse to toddlers. |
| Rolando Perez Rodriguez, director of research and development at BioCubaFarma, made the announcement during a discussion broadcast by state media on Tuesday evening on a vaccination campaign that aims to immunize more than 90% of the population by November, Reuters reports. | Rolando Perez Rodriguez, director of research and development at BioCubaFarma, made the announcement during a discussion broadcast by state media on Tuesday evening on a vaccination campaign that aims to immunize more than 90% of the population by November, Reuters reports. |
| Perez said: | Perez said: |
| The Caribbean island is vaccinating its population at one of the fastest rates in the world with local drugs Abdala, Soberana-2 and Soberana Plus, all authorised for emergency use by local regulators amid a Delta variant-driven surge that has strained its health system. | The Caribbean island is vaccinating its population at one of the fastest rates in the world with local drugs Abdala, Soberana-2 and Soberana Plus, all authorised for emergency use by local regulators amid a Delta variant-driven surge that has strained its health system. |
| Cuba, which is the only one in the region to develop a vaccine against the virus, says its vaccines have an efficacy above 90% and initial results are similar to those of other top vaccines significantly reducing transmission, critical illness and death, though critics have complained those results have yet to be peer reviewed. | Cuba, which is the only one in the region to develop a vaccine against the virus, says its vaccines have an efficacy above 90% and initial results are similar to those of other top vaccines significantly reducing transmission, critical illness and death, though critics have complained those results have yet to be peer reviewed. |
| The vaccination campaign includes children as young as two with toddlers across the country scheduled to get the first of two shots starting on Thursday, public health ministry official Dr Maria Elena Soto said during the same broadcast, becoming the first in the world under six years of age to be immunised en masse. | The vaccination campaign includes children as young as two with toddlers across the country scheduled to get the first of two shots starting on Thursday, public health ministry official Dr Maria Elena Soto said during the same broadcast, becoming the first in the world under six years of age to be immunised en masse. |
| Over the past week, Cuba averaged about 7,500 cases per day and nearly 80 deaths, down significantly from a month ago but still one of the highest rates in the world in terms of cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with about 20% under 20 years of age. | Over the past week, Cuba averaged about 7,500 cases per day and nearly 80 deaths, down significantly from a month ago but still one of the highest rates in the world in terms of cases per 100,000 inhabitants, with about 20% under 20 years of age. |
| Italy is to make a Covid-19 “green pass” mandatory for public and private sector workers, a minister said on Wednesday, becoming the first European country to do so as it tries to accelerate vaccination rates and stamp out infections. | Italy is to make a Covid-19 “green pass” mandatory for public and private sector workers, a minister said on Wednesday, becoming the first European country to do so as it tries to accelerate vaccination rates and stamp out infections. |
| The pass, a digital or paper certificate showing someone has received at least one vaccine dose, tested negative or recently recovered from the virus, was originally conceived to ease travel among EU states. | The pass, a digital or paper certificate showing someone has received at least one vaccine dose, tested negative or recently recovered from the virus, was originally conceived to ease travel among EU states. |
| Italy was among a group of countries that also made it an internal requirement for people to access venues such as museums, gyms and indoor dining in restaurants, Reuters reports. | Italy was among a group of countries that also made it an internal requirement for people to access venues such as museums, gyms and indoor dining in restaurants, Reuters reports. |
| Regional affairs minister Mariastella Gelmini said on state radio that a cabinet meeting on Thursday would be “an important moment” in extending the obligatory use of the document. | Regional affairs minister Mariastella Gelmini said on state radio that a cabinet meeting on Thursday would be “an important moment” in extending the obligatory use of the document. |
| Italy has also gradually extended use of the pass in the workplace, despite frictions over the issue in prime minister Mario Draghi’s national unity coalition. Gelmini said the government was now ready to go further. | Italy has also gradually extended use of the pass in the workplace, despite frictions over the issue in prime minister Mario Draghi’s national unity coalition. Gelmini said the government was now ready to go further. |
| She told RAI radio: | She told RAI radio: |
| Italy has the second-highest Covid-19 death toll in Europe after Britain and the eighth-highest in the world. About 73% of its 60-million-strong population have had at least one Covid shot, and 65% are fully vaccinated, figures broadly in line with most other European Union countries. | Italy has the second-highest Covid-19 death toll in Europe after Britain and the eighth-highest in the world. About 73% of its 60-million-strong population have had at least one Covid shot, and 65% are fully vaccinated, figures broadly in line with most other European Union countries. |
| Thursday’s cabinet meeting may be a tense one. Rightwing leader Matteo Salvini, the leader of the co-ruling League, has repeatedly resisted extending the use of the green pass, but his party is internally split on the issue. | Thursday’s cabinet meeting may be a tense one. Rightwing leader Matteo Salvini, the leader of the co-ruling League, has repeatedly resisted extending the use of the green pass, but his party is internally split on the issue. |
| It remains to be seen if the government will go as far as pre-announced by Gelmini, who is from Silvio Berlusconi’s conservative Forza Italia party. | It remains to be seen if the government will go as far as pre-announced by Gelmini, who is from Silvio Berlusconi’s conservative Forza Italia party. |
| Opponents of the green pass say it tramples on freedoms and is a backdoor way of forcing people to vaccinate. Talk of making it mandatory for public sector workers alone had already triggered muted protests, which would probably be stronger if it were extended to private firms. | Opponents of the green pass say it tramples on freedoms and is a backdoor way of forcing people to vaccinate. Talk of making it mandatory for public sector workers alone had already triggered muted protests, which would probably be stronger if it were extended to private firms. |
| Several other European countries use the health pass for leisure activities and travel, but none has made it mandatory for all public or private sector workers. | Several other European countries use the health pass for leisure activities and travel, but none has made it mandatory for all public or private sector workers. |