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| Coronavirus live news: new rules for travel in England; New Zealand to phase out elimination strategy | Coronavirus live news: new rules for travel in England; New Zealand to phase out elimination strategy |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| England’s traffic light system for international travel replaced by one red list; Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand will ‘transition’ towards new policy | England’s traffic light system for international travel replaced by one red list; Jacinda Ardern says New Zealand will ‘transition’ towards new policy |
| Russia has reported a record number of Covid deaths for four of the past six days, as the country experiences a devastating fourth wave caused by the Delta variant and a low vaccination rate of under 30% of the adult population, Pjotr Sauer reports. | |
| On Monday, 883 deaths and 25,781 new coronavirus cases were reported, taking the official death toll to 210,000. Calculations based on publicly available mortality data suggest that the “excess death” toll between the start of the pandemic and July this year is nearly 600,000. | |
| The pandemic has reached Russia’s leadership. Last month, Vladimir Putin was forced to go into self-isolation after “several dozen people” in the president’s inner circle tested positive. | |
| Vasiliy Vlasov, an epidemiologist at Moscow’s Higher School of Economics, said: | |
| Read more here: | |
| Japan’s new prime minister, Fumio Kishida, on Monday called a parliamentary election for 31 October and vowed to bolster the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, shortly after being formally confirmed by lawmakers in the top job, Reuters reports. | Japan’s new prime minister, Fumio Kishida, on Monday called a parliamentary election for 31 October and vowed to bolster the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, shortly after being formally confirmed by lawmakers in the top job, Reuters reports. |
| Kishida, a 64-year-old former foreign minister with an image as a consensus builder, earlier unveiled a cabinet line-up dominated by allies of former prime minister Shinzo Abe and ex-finance minister Taro Aso. | Kishida, a 64-year-old former foreign minister with an image as a consensus builder, earlier unveiled a cabinet line-up dominated by allies of former prime minister Shinzo Abe and ex-finance minister Taro Aso. |
| While Kishida may enjoy a honeymoon period usually afforded new governments by the electorate, political analysts said he probably didn’t want to lose time, given risks posed by the pandemic, and that he first needed to rally his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for the forthcoming election. | While Kishida may enjoy a honeymoon period usually afforded new governments by the electorate, political analysts said he probably didn’t want to lose time, given risks posed by the pandemic, and that he first needed to rally his Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) for the forthcoming election. |
| His decision to call an election came as a surprise, even though one has to take place by 28 November, as the term of this parliament was due to expire on 21 October. Parliament will now be dissolved on 14 October. | His decision to call an election came as a surprise, even though one has to take place by 28 November, as the term of this parliament was due to expire on 21 October. Parliament will now be dissolved on 14 October. |
| Kishida said he would consider Covid-19 relief payouts, adding he had also instructed ministers overseeing the pandemic response to come up with policies on vaccinations, to strengthen the medical system and to expand testing to help reopen the economy. | Kishida said he would consider Covid-19 relief payouts, adding he had also instructed ministers overseeing the pandemic response to come up with policies on vaccinations, to strengthen the medical system and to expand testing to help reopen the economy. |
| He told reporters: | He told reporters: |
| New coronavirus cases in Tokyo on Monday totalled 87, the lowest since 2 November last year. | New coronavirus cases in Tokyo on Monday totalled 87, the lowest since 2 November last year. |
| Kishida’s predecessor Yoshihide Suga enjoyed support ratings of about 70% soon after taking office a year ago, but came under heavy fire over his handling of the pandemic. | Kishida’s predecessor Yoshihide Suga enjoyed support ratings of about 70% soon after taking office a year ago, but came under heavy fire over his handling of the pandemic. |
| Following Suga’s decision to make way for a new face, Kishida beat three contenders for the LDP leadership last week, paving the way for parliament to formally elect him premier on Monday. | Following Suga’s decision to make way for a new face, Kishida beat three contenders for the LDP leadership last week, paving the way for parliament to formally elect him premier on Monday. |
| Kishida’s cabinet features allies of Abe, Japan’s longest-serving premier, who quit last year citing ill health as his dream of another term faded. | Kishida’s cabinet features allies of Abe, Japan’s longest-serving premier, who quit last year citing ill health as his dream of another term faded. |
| Of the 20 posts, 13 were filled by people with no prior cabinet experience, in line with Kishida’s pledge to promote fresh faces, but many heavyweight jobs went to allies of Abe or of outgoing finance minister Aso. | Of the 20 posts, 13 were filled by people with no prior cabinet experience, in line with Kishida’s pledge to promote fresh faces, but many heavyweight jobs went to allies of Abe or of outgoing finance minister Aso. |
| “He won the election with the support of Abe and Aso, so now it’s time for him to return the favour, it’s not the time for him to cut them off,” said political analyst Atsuo Ito. | “He won the election with the support of Abe and Aso, so now it’s time for him to return the favour, it’s not the time for him to cut them off,” said political analyst Atsuo Ito. |
| One of those closest to Abe, former economy minister Akira Amari, became the ruling party’s powerful secretary-general. | One of those closest to Abe, former economy minister Akira Amari, became the ruling party’s powerful secretary-general. |
| Amari, who has promised a big extra budget after the election, told reporters on Monday it would need to include steps to ameliorate social divisions and Covid-19. | Amari, who has promised a big extra budget after the election, told reporters on Monday it would need to include steps to ameliorate social divisions and Covid-19. |
| Popular African singers Angelique Kidjo and Davido on Monday called on G20 leaders scheduled to meet later this month to urgently donate coronavirus vaccines to the continent, AFP reports. | Popular African singers Angelique Kidjo and Davido on Monday called on G20 leaders scheduled to meet later this month to urgently donate coronavirus vaccines to the continent, AFP reports. |
| In an open letter published by Unicef, a group of influencers warned that only 4% of the continent’s population are fully vaccinated while some wealthy countries have already met or exceeded 70%. | In an open letter published by Unicef, a group of influencers warned that only 4% of the continent’s population are fully vaccinated while some wealthy countries have already met or exceeded 70%. |
| It reads: | It reads: |
| Popular Beninese singer and activist Angelique Kidjo said: | Popular Beninese singer and activist Angelique Kidjo said: |
| Covid-19 deaths are declining almost everywhere except in Africa, where they are rising, the group said. | Covid-19 deaths are declining almost everywhere except in Africa, where they are rising, the group said. |
| Nigeria’s Afrobeat popstar David Adedeji Adeleke, known as Davido, also issued a special video message urging vaccine equity. He said: | Nigeria’s Afrobeat popstar David Adedeji Adeleke, known as Davido, also issued a special video message urging vaccine equity. He said: |
| Other influential Nigerians in business and entertainment joined the call, including musician Femi Kuti and businessman Tony Elumelu. | Other influential Nigerians in business and entertainment joined the call, including musician Femi Kuti and businessman Tony Elumelu. |
| Around 57 million vaccine doses have been donated so far to Africa by governments and private firms, about three-quarters of the total 77.5 million pledged, according to Unicef. | Around 57 million vaccine doses have been donated so far to Africa by governments and private firms, about three-quarters of the total 77.5 million pledged, according to Unicef. |
| Thailand’s government is in talks with Merck & Co to buy 200,000 courses of its experimental antiviral pill for Covid treatment, the latest Asian nation to scramble for supplies of the drug after lagging behind western countries for vaccines. | Thailand’s government is in talks with Merck & Co to buy 200,000 courses of its experimental antiviral pill for Covid treatment, the latest Asian nation to scramble for supplies of the drug after lagging behind western countries for vaccines. |
| Somsak Akksilp, the director general of the Department of Medical Services, told Reuters that Thailand is currently working on a purchasing agreement for the antiviral drug molnupiravir. | Somsak Akksilp, the director general of the Department of Medical Services, told Reuters that Thailand is currently working on a purchasing agreement for the antiviral drug molnupiravir. |
| South Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia said they were also in talks to buy the potential treatment, while the Philippines, which is running a trial with the pill, said it hopes its domestic study would allow access to the treatment. | South Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia said they were also in talks to buy the potential treatment, while the Philippines, which is running a trial with the pill, said it hopes its domestic study would allow access to the treatment. |
| They all declined to provide details of purchase negotiations. | They all declined to provide details of purchase negotiations. |
| The rush to order the drug comes after data from interim clinical trials released on Friday indicated it could reduce by about 50% the chance of hospitalisation or death for patients at risk of severe disease from Covid. | The rush to order the drug comes after data from interim clinical trials released on Friday indicated it could reduce by about 50% the chance of hospitalisation or death for patients at risk of severe disease from Covid. |
| The molnupiravir pills, designed to introduce errors into the genetic code of the virus, would be the first oral antiviral medication for Covid. | The molnupiravir pills, designed to introduce errors into the genetic code of the virus, would be the first oral antiviral medication for Covid. |
| Many Asian countries want to lock in supplies early after they were hit by tight supplies in their vaccine rollouts this year, putting them behind wealthier countries that bought hundreds of millions of doses. | Many Asian countries want to lock in supplies early after they were hit by tight supplies in their vaccine rollouts this year, putting them behind wealthier countries that bought hundreds of millions of doses. |
| “We are now working on a purchasing agreement with Merck that is expected to be completed by this week ... We have pre-booked 200,000 courses,” Somsak said. He added that the pills could arrive as soon as December, though the deal would be subject to the pills’ approval by the US Food and Drug Administration and the Thai regulator. | “We are now working on a purchasing agreement with Merck that is expected to be completed by this week ... We have pre-booked 200,000 courses,” Somsak said. He added that the pills could arrive as soon as December, though the deal would be subject to the pills’ approval by the US Food and Drug Administration and the Thai regulator. |
| Representatives at Merck’s Thailand office were not immediately reachable. | Representatives at Merck’s Thailand office were not immediately reachable. |
| The number of daily confirmed Covid cases in Thailand fell below 10,000 on Monday for the first time since mid-July. The country has administered 55.5m doses of Covid vaccines so far, fully inoculating about 31% of the population. | The number of daily confirmed Covid cases in Thailand fell below 10,000 on Monday for the first time since mid-July. The country has administered 55.5m doses of Covid vaccines so far, fully inoculating about 31% of the population. |
| Merck has said it expects to produce 10m courses of the treatment by the end of 2021. It has a US government contract to supply 1.7m courses of molnupiravir at a price of $700 (£515) per course. | Merck has said it expects to produce 10m courses of the treatment by the end of 2021. It has a US government contract to supply 1.7m courses of molnupiravir at a price of $700 (£515) per course. |
| The company has said it plans a tiered pricing approach based on country income criteria. | The company has said it plans a tiered pricing approach based on country income criteria. |
| In the Philippines, the health undersecretary, Maria Rosario Vergeire, told a regular news conference on Monday: “We see we can have more access to this medicine because we have this clinical trial counterpart.” | In the Philippines, the health undersecretary, Maria Rosario Vergeire, told a regular news conference on Monday: “We see we can have more access to this medicine because we have this clinical trial counterpart.” |
| A spokesperson for the European Commission said Brussels might launch a joint procurement of the therapy for the bloc, a similar strategy used to buy Covid vaccines, but there was no particular information on Merck’s drug. | A spokesperson for the European Commission said Brussels might launch a joint procurement of the therapy for the bloc, a similar strategy used to buy Covid vaccines, but there was no particular information on Merck’s drug. |
| A German health ministry spokesperson said the government monitored the development of new therapies, but declined to comment on whether Germany planned to order Merck’s pill. | A German health ministry spokesperson said the government monitored the development of new therapies, but declined to comment on whether Germany planned to order Merck’s pill. |
| Senegal logged only two new daily Covid infections on Monday, the lowest number since the pandemic reached the country and two months after the rate of new cases hovered at record highs, the health ministry said. | Senegal logged only two new daily Covid infections on Monday, the lowest number since the pandemic reached the country and two months after the rate of new cases hovered at record highs, the health ministry said. |
| “Two cases were recorded today, the lowest ever recorded,” said the health ministry spokesperson Ngone Ngom. “They were, in the past, seven, 10 cases, but from the top of my head I think this is the lowest.” | “Two cases were recorded today, the lowest ever recorded,” said the health ministry spokesperson Ngone Ngom. “They were, in the past, seven, 10 cases, but from the top of my head I think this is the lowest.” |
| While the number of Covid cases has been relatively low in Senegal compared with elsewhere, the country is emerging from its deadliest wave yet - about 20,000 of its total 73,800 cases and 250 of its 1,860 deaths were recorded in July alone. | While the number of Covid cases has been relatively low in Senegal compared with elsewhere, the country is emerging from its deadliest wave yet - about 20,000 of its total 73,800 cases and 250 of its 1,860 deaths were recorded in July alone. |
| The country of approximately 17 million people is pressing ahead with vaccinations, but still has a long way to go. | The country of approximately 17 million people is pressing ahead with vaccinations, but still has a long way to go. |
| Vaccinations have more than doubled since the start of July, with the country having administered since then about 730,000 of its total 1.25m doses used so far. However, it remains a far cry from the World Health Organization’s target vaccination rate of 40%. | Vaccinations have more than doubled since the start of July, with the country having administered since then about 730,000 of its total 1.25m doses used so far. However, it remains a far cry from the World Health Organization’s target vaccination rate of 40%. |
| Indonesia will reopen the resort island of Bali to some international travellers next week, a senior minister said, after the pandemic starved the holiday hotspot of one of its primary sources of income, AFP reports. | Indonesia will reopen the resort island of Bali to some international travellers next week, a senior minister said, after the pandemic starved the holiday hotspot of one of its primary sources of income, AFP reports. |
| The island’s Ngurah Rai airport will be open to international travellers from South Korea, China, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Dubai, and New Zealand as of 14 October, the maritime and investment minister, Luhut Panjaitan, told a press conference. | The island’s Ngurah Rai airport will be open to international travellers from South Korea, China, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Dubai, and New Zealand as of 14 October, the maritime and investment minister, Luhut Panjaitan, told a press conference. |
| The partial reopening, however, does not include Australia - a key source of tourists before the pandemic. | The partial reopening, however, does not include Australia - a key source of tourists before the pandemic. |
| “Ngurah Rai airport in Bali will open internationally on 14 October 2021 as long as it meets the provisions and requirements regarding quarantine, Covid-19 tests, and the readiness of the taskforce,” Panjaitan said. | “Ngurah Rai airport in Bali will open internationally on 14 October 2021 as long as it meets the provisions and requirements regarding quarantine, Covid-19 tests, and the readiness of the taskforce,” Panjaitan said. |
| He did not elaborate on whether tourists would be eligible to visit the island or if only those with a residence permit could come. | He did not elaborate on whether tourists would be eligible to visit the island or if only those with a residence permit could come. |
| All international travellers will be required to have proof of hotel booked for a quarantine of at least eight days at their own expense, but it remains unclear what other restrictions may apply beyond that. | All international travellers will be required to have proof of hotel booked for a quarantine of at least eight days at their own expense, but it remains unclear what other restrictions may apply beyond that. |
| Indonesia’s hospitals were overwhelmed by the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus and in mid-July it recorded over 56,000 new Covid cases in just one day. | Indonesia’s hospitals were overwhelmed by the highly contagious Delta variant of the virus and in mid-July it recorded over 56,000 new Covid cases in just one day. |
| The government announced emergency restrictions in the hardest-hit area, shutting down non-essential businesses and limiting people’s movement. | The government announced emergency restrictions in the hardest-hit area, shutting down non-essential businesses and limiting people’s movement. |
| Bali’s tourism-dependent economy was also badly affected by the pandemic as millions of visitors disappeared from the island. | Bali’s tourism-dependent economy was also badly affected by the pandemic as millions of visitors disappeared from the island. |
| But case numbers are now falling as the government ramps up vaccinations, with the country reporting 922 new Covid cases and 88 deaths on Monday. | But case numbers are now falling as the government ramps up vaccinations, with the country reporting 922 new Covid cases and 88 deaths on Monday. |
| Authorities have begun a steady easing of restrictions as the country sees a decrease in daily confirmed Covid infections and deaths, including in Bali. | Authorities have begun a steady easing of restrictions as the country sees a decrease in daily confirmed Covid infections and deaths, including in Bali. |
| Malls, movie theatres and offices in most cities have begun to reopen at reduced capacity and some schools have begun partial offline learning. | Malls, movie theatres and offices in most cities have begun to reopen at reduced capacity and some schools have begun partial offline learning. |
| Thailand rolled out Covid vaccines to high school students for the first time on Monday, as it seeks to boost its immunisation rate ahead of a planned school reopening next month. | Thailand rolled out Covid vaccines to high school students for the first time on Monday, as it seeks to boost its immunisation rate ahead of a planned school reopening next month. |
| About 88% of high school students aged 12-18 in the capital, Bangkok, had signed up for the vaccine, city authorities said. Nationwide, 3.6 million of more than 5 million eligible students have registered, according to official figures. | About 88% of high school students aged 12-18 in the capital, Bangkok, had signed up for the vaccine, city authorities said. Nationwide, 3.6 million of more than 5 million eligible students have registered, according to official figures. |
| Puwarit Chinnaburanasophon, 16, told Reuters: | Puwarit Chinnaburanasophon, 16, told Reuters: |
| Thailand has vaccinated about 31% of its more than 66 million people and has eased many restrictions in Bangkok, where infection numbers have recently declined. | Thailand has vaccinated about 31% of its more than 66 million people and has eased many restrictions in Bangkok, where infection numbers have recently declined. |
| It is in a rush to boost that inoculation rate so it can safely welcome back foreign visitors following 18 months of restrictions that contributed to the collapse of its vital tourism sector. | It is in a rush to boost that inoculation rate so it can safely welcome back foreign visitors following 18 months of restrictions that contributed to the collapse of its vital tourism sector. |
| Following several other countries, Thailand will administer the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in schools. | Following several other countries, Thailand will administer the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in schools. |
| Bangkok’s governor, Aswin Kwanmuang, hopes the required two doses can be completed by the end of October. “We have high hopes that by that time, the new cases will slow down, so students can return to school again,” he said. | Bangkok’s governor, Aswin Kwanmuang, hopes the required two doses can be completed by the end of October. “We have high hopes that by that time, the new cases will slow down, so students can return to school again,” he said. |
| A resurgence of global economic activity has lifted merchandise trade above its pre-pandemic peak, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) said on Monday as it upgraded its 2021 and 2022 trade forecasts, AFP reports. | A resurgence of global economic activity has lifted merchandise trade above its pre-pandemic peak, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) said on Monday as it upgraded its 2021 and 2022 trade forecasts, AFP reports. |
| “The WTO is now predicting global merchandise trade volume growth of 10.8 percent in 2021 – up from 8.0% forecasted in March – followed by a 4.7% rise in 2022,” up from 4% previously, the global trade body said. | “The WTO is now predicting global merchandise trade volume growth of 10.8 percent in 2021 – up from 8.0% forecasted in March – followed by a 4.7% rise in 2022,” up from 4% previously, the global trade body said. |
| The strong annual growth rate for merchandise trade in 2021 is mainly due to the collapse in 2020, when trade bottomed out in the second quarter. | The strong annual growth rate for merchandise trade in 2021 is mainly due to the collapse in 2020, when trade bottomed out in the second quarter. |
| The rate of growth is expected to moderate as merchandise trade returns to the long-term trend it was on before the Covid-19 crisis. | The rate of growth is expected to moderate as merchandise trade returns to the long-term trend it was on before the Covid-19 crisis. |
| Supply-side issues such as semiconductor scarcity and port backlogs may strain supply chains, but are unlikely to have large impacts on global aggregates, WTO experts said. | Supply-side issues such as semiconductor scarcity and port backlogs may strain supply chains, but are unlikely to have large impacts on global aggregates, WTO experts said. |
| They said the biggest downside risks came from the pandemic itself. | They said the biggest downside risks came from the pandemic itself. |
| “Trade has been a critical tool in combatting the pandemic, and this strong growth underscores how important trade will be in underpinning the global economic recovery,” said the WTO director general, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. | “Trade has been a critical tool in combatting the pandemic, and this strong growth underscores how important trade will be in underpinning the global economic recovery,” said the WTO director general, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. |
| While regions with access to Covid jabs and sufficient fiscal space were recovering strongly, poorer regions with mostly unvaccinated populations were lagging behind, she said. | While regions with access to Covid jabs and sufficient fiscal space were recovering strongly, poorer regions with mostly unvaccinated populations were lagging behind, she said. |
| The WTO’s 12th ministerial conference is to be held in Geneva from 30 November to 3 December. | The WTO’s 12th ministerial conference is to be held in Geneva from 30 November to 3 December. |
| Okonjo-Iweala has said that one of her main objectives is to push long-blocked trade talks on fishery subsidies across the finish line. | Okonjo-Iweala has said that one of her main objectives is to push long-blocked trade talks on fishery subsidies across the finish line. |
| The Nigerian former finance and foreign minister started her four-year term at the WTO helm in March. She dismissed as “fake news” the reports that she was threatening to resign if no progress was made on major logjams at the global trade body. | The Nigerian former finance and foreign minister started her four-year term at the WTO helm in March. She dismissed as “fake news” the reports that she was threatening to resign if no progress was made on major logjams at the global trade body. |
| The US has seen a dramatic drop in the number of Covid cases and hospitalisations in recent weeks, a trend that epidemiologists see as an encouraging sign that the country’s wave of the Delta variant has peaked. | The US has seen a dramatic drop in the number of Covid cases and hospitalisations in recent weeks, a trend that epidemiologists see as an encouraging sign that the country’s wave of the Delta variant has peaked. |
| The seven-day average of daily new cases in the US dropped from about 151,000 on 14 September to about 106,000 on 29 September, a 29% fall, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. | The seven-day average of daily new cases in the US dropped from about 151,000 on 14 September to about 106,000 on 29 September, a 29% fall, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. |
| The number of people admitted to hospital with Covid, after some intensive care units were filled to capacity at the peak of the Delta surge, has followed a similar downward trajectory in recent weeks. | The number of people admitted to hospital with Covid, after some intensive care units were filled to capacity at the peak of the Delta surge, has followed a similar downward trajectory in recent weeks. |
| However, while those experts said they did not expect another surge as big as previous ones during the pandemic, they emphasised that the virus remained a significant threat because of the large number of people who have not been vaccinated and the risk of a new variant, possibly even emerging from the unvaccinated population. | However, while those experts said they did not expect another surge as big as previous ones during the pandemic, they emphasised that the virus remained a significant threat because of the large number of people who have not been vaccinated and the risk of a new variant, possibly even emerging from the unvaccinated population. |
| “Will the next surges be as big as this current one? It’s not likely, but it’s possible,” said Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. | “Will the next surges be as big as this current one? It’s not likely, but it’s possible,” said Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. |
| The number of vaccinations in the US has slowed at a rate below many of its industrialised peers where the vaccine is widely available. Reasons vary, but include a mix of rightwing and religious opposition and scepticism, fears over safety, and concerns from communities of colour wary of previous racist treatment by American healthcare institutions. | The number of vaccinations in the US has slowed at a rate below many of its industrialised peers where the vaccine is widely available. Reasons vary, but include a mix of rightwing and religious opposition and scepticism, fears over safety, and concerns from communities of colour wary of previous racist treatment by American healthcare institutions. |
| The downward trend in the number of cases can be attributed to increased immunity in the US population because of vaccination or natural infection and because of behaviour change, such as people again wearing masks and avoiding travel or the large gatherings that they participated in before the recent surge, said Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University. | The downward trend in the number of cases can be attributed to increased immunity in the US population because of vaccination or natural infection and because of behaviour change, such as people again wearing masks and avoiding travel or the large gatherings that they participated in before the recent surge, said Jennifer Nuzzo, an epidemiologist at Johns Hopkins University. |
| The full story is here: | The full story is here: |
| Johnson & Johnson is planning to ask US federal regulators this week to authorise a booster shot of its Covid vaccine, the New York Times reported on Monday, citing officials familiar with the company’s plans. | Johnson & Johnson is planning to ask US federal regulators this week to authorise a booster shot of its Covid vaccine, the New York Times reported on Monday, citing officials familiar with the company’s plans. |
| While scientists are divided over the need for booster shots when so many people in the US and other countries remain unvaccinated, the Biden administration announced the push for an extra dose in August as part of an effort to shore up protection against the highly transmissible Delta variant. | While scientists are divided over the need for booster shots when so many people in the US and other countries remain unvaccinated, the Biden administration announced the push for an extra dose in August as part of an effort to shore up protection against the highly transmissible Delta variant. |
| The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week scheduled a 15 October meeting of its expert advisory committee to discuss whether to grant emergency use authorisation for a booster shot of J&J’s vaccine. | The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) last week scheduled a 15 October meeting of its expert advisory committee to discuss whether to grant emergency use authorisation for a booster shot of J&J’s vaccine. |
| More than 15 million Americans have received J&J’s vaccine, which is administered as a single dose, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. | More than 15 million Americans have received J&J’s vaccine, which is administered as a single dose, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. |
| The healthcare conglomerate last month said an additional second shot of its vaccine given about two months after the first increased its effectiveness to 94%, compared with 70% protection after the single dose. | The healthcare conglomerate last month said an additional second shot of its vaccine given about two months after the first increased its effectiveness to 94%, compared with 70% protection after the single dose. |
| J&J declined to comment on the New York Times report and pointed to its press release dated 21 September, saying the company had submitted available data to the US health regulator and intended to submit the data to other regulators. | J&J declined to comment on the New York Times report and pointed to its press release dated 21 September, saying the company had submitted available data to the US health regulator and intended to submit the data to other regulators. |
| The FDA has already authorised a booster dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab for those aged 65 and over, people at high risk of severe disease, and others who are regularly exposed to the virus. | The FDA has already authorised a booster dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab for those aged 65 and over, people at high risk of severe disease, and others who are regularly exposed to the virus. |
| Moderna also submitted its application seeking authorisation for a booster shot of its two-dose vaccine last month, and the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee panel will hold a meeting on 14 October to discuss the additional dose. | Moderna also submitted its application seeking authorisation for a booster shot of its two-dose vaccine last month, and the FDA’s Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee panel will hold a meeting on 14 October to discuss the additional dose. |