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| Coronavirus live news: Israel booster shots curb serious illness, data suggests; Hong Kong experts advise one Pfizer shot for teens | Coronavirus live news: Israel booster shots curb serious illness, data suggests; Hong Kong experts advise one Pfizer shot for teens |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Experts in Israel say recent data supports the government’s claims that booster shots have stemmed a rise in serious cases while a panel in Hong Kong has recommended children aged 12-17 should get only one dose of BioNTech’s vaccine due to side effect fears | Experts in Israel say recent data supports the government’s claims that booster shots have stemmed a rise in serious cases while a panel in Hong Kong has recommended children aged 12-17 should get only one dose of BioNTech’s vaccine due to side effect fears |
| The UN children’s agency has urged education authorities to reopen schools as soon as possible, with millions of students around the world still unable to return to classrooms 18 months into the Covid pandemic. | |
| Schools in around 17 countries remain fully closed, while those in 39 countries remain partially closed, according to a report released by UNICEF on Thursday, the Reuters news agency reports. | |
| Among those “almost completely closed” are schools usually attended by nearly 77 million students in the Philippines, Bangladesh, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Panama and Kuwait. | |
| “The education crisis is still here, and with each passing day that classrooms remain dark, the devastation worsens,” said UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore. | |
| In a report released in April, the Asian Development Bank estimated school closures lasting more than a year could slash future earnings among the region’s students by as much as $1.25 trillion, or equivalent to 5.4% of GDP in 2020. | |
| UNICEF and its partners will shut down their digital channels for 18 hours on Thursday to draw attention to the crisis and the “18 months of lost learning”. | |
| “This is a crisis we will not allow the world to ignore,” Fore said. “Our channels are silent, but our message is loud: Every community, everywhere must reopen schools as soon as possible.” | |
| Good morning from London. This is Damien Gayle taking the reins of the live blog now, to bring you all the latest coronavirus-related news and updates from around the world. | |
| That’s it from me, Helen Livingstone, for today, I’m passing you over to my UK colleagues. | That’s it from me, Helen Livingstone, for today, I’m passing you over to my UK colleagues. |
| Before I go here’s a quick roundup of what’s been happening over the past 24 hours. | Before I go here’s a quick roundup of what’s been happening over the past 24 hours. |
| Data shows that almost 664,000 people, or one in 500 people, living in the US have died from the virus since the pandemic began, following a surge of cases and hospitalisations, particularly in southern states, caused by a combination of the Delta variant and low vaccination rates. | Data shows that almost 664,000 people, or one in 500 people, living in the US have died from the virus since the pandemic began, following a surge of cases and hospitalisations, particularly in southern states, caused by a combination of the Delta variant and low vaccination rates. |
| Trinidad and Tobago’s health minister, Terrence Deyalsingh, has dismissed claims by the rapper Nicki Minaj that a cousin’s friend had become impotent after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, saying that health officials in the Caribbean country had found no evidence that any patient had reported such side-effects. | Trinidad and Tobago’s health minister, Terrence Deyalsingh, has dismissed claims by the rapper Nicki Minaj that a cousin’s friend had become impotent after receiving the Covid-19 vaccine, saying that health officials in the Caribbean country had found no evidence that any patient had reported such side-effects. |
| The European Union’s chief executive has warned that Covid vaccinations must be accelerated to avoid “a pandemic of the unvaccinated”. Speaking in Strasbourg, Ursula von der Leyen said in her state of the union address: “Let’s do everything possible [so] that this does not turn into a pandemic of the unvaccinated.” | The European Union’s chief executive has warned that Covid vaccinations must be accelerated to avoid “a pandemic of the unvaccinated”. Speaking in Strasbourg, Ursula von der Leyen said in her state of the union address: “Let’s do everything possible [so] that this does not turn into a pandemic of the unvaccinated.” |
| Experts in Israel have cited recent data to back prime minister Naftali Bennett’s claims that the country’s programme of booster jabs has proved effective in reducing severe cases of Covid even as new infections hover near record high. | Experts in Israel have cited recent data to back prime minister Naftali Bennett’s claims that the country’s programme of booster jabs has proved effective in reducing severe cases of Covid even as new infections hover near record high. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| A panel of health experts advising the Hong Kong government has recommended children aged 12-17 should get only one dose of BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine after reports of heart inflammation side effects. | A panel of health experts advising the Hong Kong government has recommended children aged 12-17 should get only one dose of BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine after reports of heart inflammation side effects. |
| Covid restrictions to the UK will return if the virus gets “out of control” again this year, the 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 to the UK will return if the virus gets “out of control” again this year, the 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. |
| A surge in coronavirus cases has pushed the healthcare system in the Canadian province of Alberta to the verge of collapse, as healthcare workers struggle against mounting exhaustion and a growing anti-vaccine movement in the region. | A surge in coronavirus cases has pushed the healthcare system in the Canadian province of Alberta to the verge of collapse, as healthcare workers struggle against mounting exhaustion and a growing anti-vaccine movement in the region. |
| Republican lawmakers in over half of US states have removed powers to protect the public against infectious diseases since the start of the pandemic, reports Kaiser Health News. A review by the news organisation found that at least 26 states have passed laws that permanently weaken government powers to protect public health. | Republican lawmakers in over half of US states have removed powers to protect the public against infectious diseases since the start of the pandemic, reports Kaiser Health News. A review by the news organisation found that at least 26 states have passed laws that permanently weaken government powers to protect public health. |
| All diplomats attending the UN general assembly in New York next week will have to provide proof of vaccination, the city government has confirmed, prompting an angry response from Russia. | All diplomats attending the UN general assembly in New York next week will have to provide proof of vaccination, the city government has confirmed, prompting an angry response from Russia. |
| The director general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has condemned the lack of distribution of Covid vaccines to African countries and called for stronger medical manufacturing capacity across the continent. | The director general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has condemned the lack of distribution of Covid vaccines to African countries and called for stronger medical manufacturing capacity across the continent. |
| The WHO special envoy for the global coronavirus response, David Nabarro, has praised the UK’s approach of “learning to live with the virus” but criticised the government for giving booster shots and doses to 12- to 15-year-olds. | The WHO special envoy for the global coronavirus response, David Nabarro, has praised the UK’s approach of “learning to live with the virus” but criticised the government for giving booster shots and doses to 12- to 15-year-olds. |
| 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 US is pushing for global leaders to support a target to get 70% of the world’s population vaccinated against Covid by 2022 in a bid to end the pandemic, according to a draft document seen by Reuters. | The US is pushing for global leaders to support a target to get 70% of the world’s population vaccinated against Covid by 2022 in a bid to end the pandemic, according to a draft document seen by Reuters. |
| The United Nations children’s agency Unicef has urged education authorities to reopen schools as soon as possible in countries where millions of students are still not allowed to return to classrooms 18 months into the Covid-19 pandemic, Reuters reports. | The United Nations children’s agency Unicef has urged education authorities to reopen schools as soon as possible in countries where millions of students are still not allowed to return to classrooms 18 months into the Covid-19 pandemic, Reuters reports. |
| Schools in around 17 countries remain fully closed, while those in 39 countries remain partially closed, according to a report released by Unicef on Thursday. | Schools in around 17 countries remain fully closed, while those in 39 countries remain partially closed, according to a report released by Unicef on Thursday. |
| Among those “almost completely closed” are schools usually attended by nearly 77 million students in the Philippines, Bangladesh, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Panama and Kuwait. | Among those “almost completely closed” are schools usually attended by nearly 77 million students in the Philippines, Bangladesh, Venezuela, Saudi Arabia, Panama and Kuwait. |
| Nearly a third of this figure is accounted for by the Philippines, which is fighting one of Asia’s worst coronavirus outbreaks and where a new school year started this week.Pupils from the six countries represent more than half of the 131 million students worldwide that have missed more than three-quarters of their in-person learning, Unicef said. | Nearly a third of this figure is accounted for by the Philippines, which is fighting one of Asia’s worst coronavirus outbreaks and where a new school year started this week.Pupils from the six countries represent more than half of the 131 million students worldwide that have missed more than three-quarters of their in-person learning, Unicef said. |
| “The education crisis is still here, and with each passing day that classrooms remain dark, the devastation worsens,” said Unicef Executive Director Henrietta Fore.The report said teachers should be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccines, after health workers and those most at risk, to protect them from community transmission. | “The education crisis is still here, and with each passing day that classrooms remain dark, the devastation worsens,” said Unicef Executive Director Henrietta Fore.The report said teachers should be prioritised for Covid-19 vaccines, after health workers and those most at risk, to protect them from community transmission. |
| Students may be safer at home, but the availability of computers, mobile phones and internet, and the uneven quality of education, are among challenges they continue to face. | Students may be safer at home, but the availability of computers, mobile phones and internet, and the uneven quality of education, are among challenges they continue to face. |
| In the Philippines, some children have been forced to climb onto roofs just to get an internet signal. | In the Philippines, some children have been forced to climb onto roofs just to get an internet signal. |
| In June, President Rodrigo Duterte rejected a proposal to allow face-to-face classes to resume in some areas, saying: “I cannot gamble on the health of the children.” | In June, President Rodrigo Duterte rejected a proposal to allow face-to-face classes to resume in some areas, saying: “I cannot gamble on the health of the children.” |
| In a report released in April, the Asian Development Bank estimated school closures lasting more than a year could slash future earnings among the region’s students by as much as $1.25 trillion, or equivalent to 5.4% of GDP in 2020. | In a report released in April, the Asian Development Bank estimated school closures lasting more than a year could slash future earnings among the region’s students by as much as $1.25 trillion, or equivalent to 5.4% of GDP in 2020. |
| Unicef and its partners will shut down their digital channels for 18 hours on Thursday to draw attention to the crisis and the “18 months of lost learning”. | Unicef and its partners will shut down their digital channels for 18 hours on Thursday to draw attention to the crisis and the “18 months of lost learning”. |
| “This is a crisis we will not allow the world to ignore,” Unicef’s Fore said. “Our channels are silent, but our message is loud: Every community, everywhere must reopen schools as soon as possible. | “This is a crisis we will not allow the world to ignore,” Unicef’s Fore said. “Our channels are silent, but our message is loud: Every community, everywhere must reopen schools as soon as possible. |
| A panel of health experts advising the Hong Kong government has recommended children aged 12-17 should get only one dose of BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine after reports of heart inflammation side effects, Reuters reports. | A panel of health experts advising the Hong Kong government has recommended children aged 12-17 should get only one dose of BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine after reports of heart inflammation side effects, Reuters reports. |
| Professor Lau Yu-lung, who chairs a health committee advising the government on its vaccination programme, told public broadcaster RTHK the side effect was more prevalent than originally thought. | Professor Lau Yu-lung, who chairs a health committee advising the government on its vaccination programme, told public broadcaster RTHK the side effect was more prevalent than originally thought. |
| He said experts therefore decided it was better for teenagers to get only one dose to “greatly reduce the chance of heart inflammation.” | He said experts therefore decided it was better for teenagers to get only one dose to “greatly reduce the chance of heart inflammation.” |
| The city’s Department of Health did not provide data on how many cases of heart inflammation side effects have been reported. | The city’s Department of Health did not provide data on how many cases of heart inflammation side effects have been reported. |
| But RTHK said that more than 30 teenagers suffered inflammation of the heart since the government started administering the shot to those over 12 from June. | But RTHK said that more than 30 teenagers suffered inflammation of the heart since the government started administering the shot to those over 12 from June. |
| Hong Kong has been using two Covid-19 vaccines including Sinovac’s shot vaccinating adults, but teenagers are eligible to take the BioNTech vaccine only. | Hong Kong has been using two Covid-19 vaccines including Sinovac’s shot vaccinating adults, but teenagers are eligible to take the BioNTech vaccine only. |
| More than 50% of those aged 12-17 have been vaccinated but the government has not said how many doses have been administered so far. | More than 50% of those aged 12-17 have been vaccinated but the government has not said how many doses have been administered so far. |
| Regulators in the US, the European Union and the World Health Organization have said that mRNA vaccines from BioNTech/Pfizer and by Moderna are associated with rare cases of myocarditis or pericarditis, but that the benefits of the shots outweigh any risks. | Regulators in the US, the European Union and the World Health Organization have said that mRNA vaccines from BioNTech/Pfizer and by Moderna are associated with rare cases of myocarditis or pericarditis, but that the benefits of the shots outweigh any risks. |
| Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle that can limit the organ’s ability to pump blood and can cause changes in heartbeat rhythms. Pericarditis is an inflammation of the lining around the heart. | Myocarditis is an inflammation of the heart muscle that can limit the organ’s ability to pump blood and can cause changes in heartbeat rhythms. Pericarditis is an inflammation of the lining around the heart. |
| Pfizer has said it recognised there could be rare reports of myocarditis after vaccinations, but such side effects were extremely rare. | Pfizer has said it recognised there could be rare reports of myocarditis after vaccinations, but such side effects were extremely rare. |
| BioNTech and its Chinese sales agent Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group did not immediately reply to Reuters’ requests for comment. | BioNTech and its Chinese sales agent Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group did not immediately reply to Reuters’ requests for comment. |
| The risk of myocarditis was 18.5 per million doses given among people aged 18 to 24 after their second Pfizer dose and 20.2 per million for that age group among Moderna second dose recipients. The risk decreases with age, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. | The risk of myocarditis was 18.5 per million doses given among people aged 18 to 24 after their second Pfizer dose and 20.2 per million for that age group among Moderna second dose recipients. The risk decreases with age, according to data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. |
| Around 65% of Hong Kong’s residents have had their first vaccine dose, but the take up amongst elderly people remains low due to concerns of side effects. | Around 65% of Hong Kong’s residents have had their first vaccine dose, but the take up amongst elderly people remains low due to concerns of side effects. |
| Hong Kong has largely controlled the coronavirus with no locally transmitted cases in many weeks. The Asian financial hub has recorded around 12,100 cases in total and 213 deaths. | Hong Kong has largely controlled the coronavirus with no locally transmitted cases in many weeks. The Asian financial hub has recorded around 12,100 cases in total and 213 deaths. |
| Israel’s programme of booster jabs has proved effective in reducing severe cases of Covid even as new infections hover near record highs, experts have said, AFP reports. | Israel’s programme of booster jabs has proved effective in reducing severe cases of Covid even as new infections hover near record highs, experts have said, AFP reports. |
| Since taking office in June, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has insisted he will aim to avoid any new lockdown, a pledge his government has kept even as the country of roughly 9.3 million people regularly records more than 10,000 new Covid cases a day. | Since taking office in June, Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has insisted he will aim to avoid any new lockdown, a pledge his government has kept even as the country of roughly 9.3 million people regularly records more than 10,000 new Covid cases a day. |
| Schools opened on September 1 and synagogues are set to welcome worshippers, with some restrictions, for Yom Kippur - the Jewish calendar’s most important day - when services begin on Wednesday evening. | Schools opened on September 1 and synagogues are set to welcome worshippers, with some restrictions, for Yom Kippur - the Jewish calendar’s most important day - when services begin on Wednesday evening. |
| To stay open, Israel has opted for a complex policy mix that has caused frustration for families forced to organise repeated Covid tests for their children to attend school or take part in other activities. | To stay open, Israel has opted for a complex policy mix that has caused frustration for families forced to organise repeated Covid tests for their children to attend school or take part in other activities. |
| The backbone of Bennett’s strategy has been the rollout of a third shot of the PfizerBioNTech vaccine to everyone aged 12 and over, ignoring criticism that the booster jab is unnecessary and unfair. | The backbone of Bennett’s strategy has been the rollout of a third shot of the PfizerBioNTech vaccine to everyone aged 12 and over, ignoring criticism that the booster jab is unnecessary and unfair. |
| But the 49-year-old premier this week insisted his approach was working. | But the 49-year-old premier this week insisted his approach was working. |
| “Very many people were sceptical,” he told his cabinet. “But our strategy is proving itself.” | “Very many people were sceptical,” he told his cabinet. “But our strategy is proving itself.” |
| Top public health experts, citing recent data, agreed, telling AFP even though daily cases remain high, the booster shot has stemmed the rise in severe Covid cases, warding off a crisis that was brewing last month. | Top public health experts, citing recent data, agreed, telling AFP even though daily cases remain high, the booster shot has stemmed the rise in severe Covid cases, warding off a crisis that was brewing last month. |
| On Wednesday, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine also bore out the finding. | On Wednesday, a study in the New England Journal of Medicine also bore out the finding. |
| Researchers examined data relating to 1.1 million Israelis 60 and older, who had received two doses of vaccine at least five months earlier, then either received a booster or did not. | Researchers examined data relating to 1.1 million Israelis 60 and older, who had received two doses of vaccine at least five months earlier, then either received a booster or did not. |
| After 12 days, those who had a third shot were 11 times less likely to have a confirmed infection and 20 times less likely to develop severe Covid than those who did not. | After 12 days, those who had a third shot were 11 times less likely to have a confirmed infection and 20 times less likely to develop severe Covid than those who did not. |
| But when cases began surging again through the summer, health experts confronted a key question, said Gabi Barbash, a former health ministry director general now with the Weizmann Institute of Science. | But when cases began surging again through the summer, health experts confronted a key question, said Gabi Barbash, a former health ministry director general now with the Weizmann Institute of Science. |
| Had the surge been caused by the PfizerBioNTech vaccine’s waning effectiveness five months after the second jab, or, was the Delta variant’s ability to break through vaccine protection to blame? | Had the surge been caused by the PfizerBioNTech vaccine’s waning effectiveness five months after the second jab, or, was the Delta variant’s ability to break through vaccine protection to blame? |
| But weeks after the third jab rollout began, the severe case count – which shot up from more than 70 in late July to 600 by mid-August – has stabilised, currently standing below 700. Infections also remain very low among the triple jabbed. | But weeks after the third jab rollout began, the severe case count – which shot up from more than 70 in late July to 600 by mid-August – has stabilised, currently standing below 700. Infections also remain very low among the triple jabbed. |
| Those factors, Barbash told AFP, make it clear that “waning immunity is what caused the fourth wave.” | Those factors, Barbash told AFP, make it clear that “waning immunity is what caused the fourth wave.” |
| “And when such waning immunity meets such transmissible variants (like Delta), it is a disaster.” | “And when such waning immunity meets such transmissible variants (like Delta), it is a disaster.” |
| He acknowledged criticism, notably from the World Health Organization, that offering third jabs was unjust with some poor countries struggling to offer even a single shot. | He acknowledged criticism, notably from the World Health Organization, that offering third jabs was unjust with some poor countries struggling to offer even a single shot. |
| But Barbash argued that Israel’s small population would not stress global vaccine supplies and underlined that had Israel not administered shots it could have seen 1,000 deaths per month. | But Barbash argued that Israel’s small population would not stress global vaccine supplies and underlined that had Israel not administered shots it could have seen 1,000 deaths per month. |
| More than 7,400 Israelis have died from Covid-19. | More than 7,400 Israelis have died from Covid-19. |
| Cyrille Cohen, a life sciences professor at Bar Ilan University and a member of the health ministry’s vaccine committee, cited data from the over 60 demographic to highlight the booster shot’s impact. | Cyrille Cohen, a life sciences professor at Bar Ilan University and a member of the health ministry’s vaccine committee, cited data from the over 60 demographic to highlight the booster shot’s impact. |
| “If you are not vaccinated, you are around 35 times more likely to develop a severe case if you are over the age of 60, and around eight times more if you have two doses and no booster shot,” he said. | “If you are not vaccinated, you are around 35 times more likely to develop a severe case if you are over the age of 60, and around eight times more if you have two doses and no booster shot,” he said. |
| Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s rolling coverage of the coronavirus pandemic with me, Helen Livingstone. | Hello and welcome to the Guardian’s rolling coverage of the coronavirus pandemic with me, Helen Livingstone. |
| Experts in Israel have cited recent data to back prime minister Naftali Bennett’s claims that the country’s programme of booster jabs has proved effective in reducing severe cases of Covid even as new infections hover near record high. | Experts in Israel have cited recent data to back prime minister Naftali Bennett’s claims that the country’s programme of booster jabs has proved effective in reducing severe cases of Covid even as new infections hover near record high. |
| A panel of health experts advising the Hong Kong government has recommended children aged 12-17 should get only one dose of BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine after reports of heart inflammation side effects. | A panel of health experts advising the Hong Kong government has recommended children aged 12-17 should get only one dose of BioNTech’s Covid-19 vaccine after reports of heart inflammation side effects. |
| Here’s a roundup of what’s been happening over the past 24 hours: | Here’s a roundup of what’s been happening over the past 24 hours: |
| Data shows that almost 664,000 people, or one in 500 people, living in the US have died from the virus since the pandemic began, following a surge of cases and hospitalisations, particularly in southern states, caused by a combination of the Delta variant and low vaccination rates. | Data shows that almost 664,000 people, or one in 500 people, living in the US have died from the virus since the pandemic began, following a surge of cases and hospitalisations, particularly in southern states, caused by a combination of the Delta variant and low vaccination rates. |
| The European Union’s chief executive has warned that Covid vaccinations must be accelerated to avoid “a pandemic of the unvaccinated”. Speaking in Strasbourg, Ursula von der Leyen said in her state of the union address: “Let’s do everything possible [so] that this does not turn into a pandemic of the unvaccinated.” | The European Union’s chief executive has warned that Covid vaccinations must be accelerated to avoid “a pandemic of the unvaccinated”. Speaking in Strasbourg, Ursula von der Leyen said in her state of the union address: “Let’s do everything possible [so] that this does not turn into a pandemic of the unvaccinated.” |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Covid restrictions to the UK will return if the virus gets “out of control” again this year, the 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 to the UK will return if the virus gets “out of control” again this year, the 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. |
| A surge in coronavirus cases has pushed the healthcare system in the Canadian province of Alberta to the verge of collapse, as healthcare workers struggle against mounting exhaustion and a growing anti-vaccine movement in the region. | A surge in coronavirus cases has pushed the healthcare system in the Canadian province of Alberta to the verge of collapse, as healthcare workers struggle against mounting exhaustion and a growing anti-vaccine movement in the region. |
| Republican lawmakers in over half of US states have removed powers to protect the public against infectious diseases since the start of the pandemic, reports Kaiser Health News. A review by the news organisation found that at least 26 states have passed laws that permanently weaken government powers to protect public health. | Republican lawmakers in over half of US states have removed powers to protect the public against infectious diseases since the start of the pandemic, reports Kaiser Health News. A review by the news organisation found that at least 26 states have passed laws that permanently weaken government powers to protect public health. |
| All diplomats attending the UN general assembly in New York next week will have to provide proof of vaccination, the city government has confirmed, prompting an angry response from Russia. | All diplomats attending the UN general assembly in New York next week will have to provide proof of vaccination, the city government has confirmed, prompting an angry response from Russia. |
| The director general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has condemned the lack of distribution of Covid vaccines to African countries and called for stronger medical manufacturing capacity across the continent. | The director general of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, has condemned the lack of distribution of Covid vaccines to African countries and called for stronger medical manufacturing capacity across the continent. |
| The WHO special envoy for the global coronavirus response, David Nabarro, has praised the UK’s approach of “learning to live with the virus” but criticised the government for giving booster shots and doses to 12- to 15-year-olds. | The WHO special envoy for the global coronavirus response, David Nabarro, has praised the UK’s approach of “learning to live with the virus” but criticised the government for giving booster shots and doses to 12- to 15-year-olds. |
| 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 US is pushing for global leaders to support a target to get 70% of the world’s population vaccinated against Covid by 2022 in a bid to end the pandemic, according to a draft document seen by Reuters. | The US is pushing for global leaders to support a target to get 70% of the world’s population vaccinated against Covid by 2022 in a bid to end the pandemic, according to a draft document seen by Reuters. |
| The UK health secretary Sajid Javid has said that people in the public eye should be “very careful with their language” after Nicki Minaj drew widespread condemnation for spreading Covid misinformation on Twitter. | The UK health secretary Sajid Javid has said that people in the public eye should be “very careful with their language” after Nicki Minaj drew widespread condemnation for spreading Covid misinformation on Twitter. |
| Javid has said there are “no risk-free decisions” as he defended the government’s “sensible” autumn and winter plan. Asked why the government has not immediately introduced its more restrictive “plan B” amid warnings of a surge in hospitalisations, he told Sky News that although it is “right for the government to reassure people we have a plan”, vaccines are the “first line of defence”. | Javid has said there are “no risk-free decisions” as he defended the government’s “sensible” autumn and winter plan. Asked why the government has not immediately introduced its more restrictive “plan B” amid warnings of a surge in hospitalisations, he told Sky News that although it is “right for the government to reassure people we have a plan”, vaccines are the “first line of defence”. |
| 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. | 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. |