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Coronavirus live: Biden urges vaccine mandates; Papua New Guinea faces worst wave yet Coronavirus live: Biden urges vaccine mandates; Papua New Guinea faces worst wave yet
(32 minutes later)
Biden said the unvaccinated have “put our economy at risk”; Papua New Guinea hospitals hit by worst Covid wave yetBiden said the unvaccinated have “put our economy at risk”; Papua New Guinea hospitals hit by worst Covid wave yet
“In my daughter’s school there are no signs of vaccines so far. No consent forms received either,” said Arancha Bueno, who lives in Kent in the UK and has two children.
She is not alone. Many parents who contacted the Guardian in response to a call-out about the Covid vaccine programme for 12- 15-year-olds were still waiting to hear when their child might be vaccinated, their schools left often in the dark too.
Bueno said: “The school sent a message earlier this week asking parents to stop asking the school for information on when the vaccination programme will commence as they hadn’t received any information on it yet.
“I would like my daughter to be vaccinated as soon as possible as the number of cases in the community are still very high. My son had Covid a few weeks ago after an outbreak in his class. So I’m in fear she will be next.”
An ITU nurse in Suffolk was similarly worried. “My daughter was due to have her vaccine at school last week. Thanks to the fuel crisis, explained away as ‘unforeseen circumstances’, that didn’t happen, and the vaccinations have been cancelled until further notice.
“Over a third of my daughter’s classmates have now tested positive via lateral flow tests and are now isolating. I worked in ITU over the height of the second wave, and having seen the very worst of the pandemic I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemies.”
Read more of our education correspondent Sally Weale’s report here: ‘I’d like to get my daughter vaccinated soon – I fear she will be next to get Covid’
The two main areas that UK transport minister Grant Shapps was quizzed about on Sky News this morning that concern us on this live blog were testing requirements for international travel, and the flu booster jab programme in the UK.
On the former he confirmed that the government is intending to reduce the testing requirements for travel from a PCR test down to a lateral flow test, and were aiming to do so before school half-term in England, which is a couple of weeks away. He said:
Shapps also touted that the US government was on course to ease travel restrictions from the UK to the US in November, and was keen to state that the UK government has also now recognised the vaccination programmes of an additional 37 countries, making travel easier for people coming to the UK.
On flu booster jabs he said:
A couple of vaccine updates from Reuters. Malaysia’s health ministry has granted conditional approval for the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine to be used as a booster shot.
Authorities had earlier said booster shots would not be compulsory but were highly recommended for those in vulnerable and high-risk groups.
Panama, meanwhile, has said it is purchasing 3m additional doses of the Pfizer vaccine against Covid-19 for its inoculation efforts next year.
While I’m waiting to bring you what transport minister Grant Shapps is saying today, here’s an excerpt from our lead story at the moment, that in the UK ministers have been criticised for a ‘haphazard’ Covid jab rollout for teenagers in England:While I’m waiting to bring you what transport minister Grant Shapps is saying today, here’s an excerpt from our lead story at the moment, that in the UK ministers have been criticised for a ‘haphazard’ Covid jab rollout for teenagers in England:
Nadhim Zahawi, the education secretary, admitted he had no idea how many 12- to 15-year-olds in the UK had had their jabs, with early figures suggesting the government has little hope of hitting its target of vaccinating them all by half-termNadhim Zahawi, the education secretary, admitted he had no idea how many 12- to 15-year-olds in the UK had had their jabs, with early figures suggesting the government has little hope of hitting its target of vaccinating them all by half-term
New data has shown that fewer than one in 10 (9%) in the age group had been vaccinated by last Sunday, but this includes those who are either clinically vulnerable or living with people who are vulnerable and who were prioritised for vaccination earlier in the summer.New data has shown that fewer than one in 10 (9%) in the age group had been vaccinated by last Sunday, but this includes those who are either clinically vulnerable or living with people who are vulnerable and who were prioritised for vaccination earlier in the summer.
The government set half-term as a target for what ministers hoped would be a speedy rollout in schools, but with just over two weeks to go until the autumn break, anxious parents have told the Guardian they are seeing Covid infections rise in their children’s school but have still not been given a vaccination date.The government set half-term as a target for what ministers hoped would be a speedy rollout in schools, but with just over two weeks to go until the autumn break, anxious parents have told the Guardian they are seeing Covid infections rise in their children’s school but have still not been given a vaccination date.
Read more here: Ministers criticised for ‘haphazard’ Covid jab rollout for teenagers in EnglandRead more here: Ministers criticised for ‘haphazard’ Covid jab rollout for teenagers in England
Good morning, it is Martin Belam here in London. I’ll be with you for the next few hours. Grant Shapps the UK transport secretary is doing the morning media round today, and I’ll have the relevant quotes from that in a bit. He is up on Sky News first. The appearance comes as the government is talking up holiday bookings for half-term following a huge reduction of the number of countries on England’s travel red-list.Good morning, it is Martin Belam here in London. I’ll be with you for the next few hours. Grant Shapps the UK transport secretary is doing the morning media round today, and I’ll have the relevant quotes from that in a bit. He is up on Sky News first. The appearance comes as the government is talking up holiday bookings for half-term following a huge reduction of the number of countries on England’s travel red-list.
The NHS aims to immunise more than half the population of the UK amid fears of a particularly deadly flu season.The NHS aims to immunise more than half the population of the UK amid fears of a particularly deadly flu season.
The health service said it planned to immunise a record 35 million people in what would be the most ambitious programme of flu jabs in its history. Experts fear the coming flu season could be particularly deadly because the population will have lost much of its immunity to the virus and have warned of up to 60,000 deaths.The health service said it planned to immunise a record 35 million people in what would be the most ambitious programme of flu jabs in its history. Experts fear the coming flu season could be particularly deadly because the population will have lost much of its immunity to the virus and have warned of up to 60,000 deaths.
It will be the first winter the country faces with Covid and flu circulating at the same time.It will be the first winter the country faces with Covid and flu circulating at the same time.
Read the full story here:Read the full story here:
Long Covid definition finalisedLong Covid definition finalised
The World Health Organization finalised a clinical case definition for post-Covid-19 condition, often called Long Covid.The World Health Organization finalised a clinical case definition for post-Covid-19 condition, often called Long Covid.
The definition states that symptoms appear within three months of infection, last for at least two months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis.The definition states that symptoms appear within three months of infection, last for at least two months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis.
Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and cognitive dysfunction. They may appear following recovery from acute-stage Covid-19, or persist from the initial illness. Symptoms may also fluctuate over time.Common symptoms include fatigue, shortness of breath and cognitive dysfunction. They may appear following recovery from acute-stage Covid-19, or persist from the initial illness. Symptoms may also fluctuate over time.
“This standardised definition will help clinicians to identify patients more easily and provide them the appropriate care, and is crucial for advancing recognition and research,” director-general of the World Health Organization Tedros said.“This standardised definition will help clinicians to identify patients more easily and provide them the appropriate care, and is crucial for advancing recognition and research,” director-general of the World Health Organization Tedros said.
Hi, I’m Samantha Lock and I’ll be giving you a rundown of all the coronavirus key developments from across the world.Hi, I’m Samantha Lock and I’ll be giving you a rundown of all the coronavirus key developments from across the world.
Here is a round-up of all the day’s leading stories.Here is a round-up of all the day’s leading stories.
US president Joe Biden has talked up vaccine mandates, saying the unvaccinated have “put our economy at risk”.US president Joe Biden has talked up vaccine mandates, saying the unvaccinated have “put our economy at risk”.
Speaking in Illinois on Thursday, he said: “vaccination requirements are good for the economy” and called on more business owners to enact them.Speaking in Illinois on Thursday, he said: “vaccination requirements are good for the economy” and called on more business owners to enact them.
Meanwhile, hospitals in Papua New Guinea are being pushed to the brink and morgues are overflowing, as the country suffers what health authorities say is the worst surge in Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began.Meanwhile, hospitals in Papua New Guinea are being pushed to the brink and morgues are overflowing, as the country suffers what health authorities say is the worst surge in Covid-19 cases since the pandemic began.
The country’s health care system has long been plagued by shortages of drugs, funding, an ailing infrastructure and a severe lack of health workers.The country’s health care system has long been plagued by shortages of drugs, funding, an ailing infrastructure and a severe lack of health workers.
England’s latest ‘red list’ restrictions have confounded many South Americans. Strict Covid travel rules remain in place for seven South American and Caribbean countries in a move which has prompted further fury and confusion in the nations which remain on the ‘red list’.England’s latest ‘red list’ restrictions have confounded many South Americans. Strict Covid travel rules remain in place for seven South American and Caribbean countries in a move which has prompted further fury and confusion in the nations which remain on the ‘red list’.
The NHS also aims to issue 35m flu jabs in a bid to immunise a record 35 million people – more than half the UK’s population.It would be the most ambitious programme of flu jabs in NHS history as the country prepares to face its first winter with Covid and flu circulating at the same time. Experts have warned there could be up to 60,000 deaths.The NHS also aims to issue 35m flu jabs in a bid to immunise a record 35 million people – more than half the UK’s population.It would be the most ambitious programme of flu jabs in NHS history as the country prepares to face its first winter with Covid and flu circulating at the same time. Experts have warned there could be up to 60,000 deaths.
A coronavirus report warned of the impact on the UK four years before the pandemic began, the Guardian can reveal. Senior health officials who war-gamed the impact of a coronavirus hitting the UK, warned of the need for stockpiles of PPE, a computerised contact tracing system and screening for foreign travellers.A coronavirus report warned of the impact on the UK four years before the pandemic began, the Guardian can reveal. Senior health officials who war-gamed the impact of a coronavirus hitting the UK, warned of the need for stockpiles of PPE, a computerised contact tracing system and screening for foreign travellers.
Italy has increased the maximum attendance capacity allowed at cultural and sporting venues for those who can show documents of immunity. As of 11 October, cinemas, theatres and concert venues will be able to fill all their seats, scrapping the current limit of 50%, the government said, following advice from its panel of public health advisors. The maximum capacity of sports stadiums will be raised to 60% from 35% for indoor venues and to 75% from 50% outdoors.Italy has increased the maximum attendance capacity allowed at cultural and sporting venues for those who can show documents of immunity. As of 11 October, cinemas, theatres and concert venues will be able to fill all their seats, scrapping the current limit of 50%, the government said, following advice from its panel of public health advisors. The maximum capacity of sports stadiums will be raised to 60% from 35% for indoor venues and to 75% from 50% outdoors.
Children could be forced to wear masks in schools across England again as part of the government’s back-up plan if the country’s Covid situation deteriorates significantly, the education secretary has admitted.Children could be forced to wear masks in schools across England again as part of the government’s back-up plan if the country’s Covid situation deteriorates significantly, the education secretary has admitted.
Meanwhile, a Covid vaccine for children aged five to 11 is another step closer to authorisation in the US, with Pfizer-BioNTech announcing that the full application has been submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).Meanwhile, a Covid vaccine for children aged five to 11 is another step closer to authorisation in the US, with Pfizer-BioNTech announcing that the full application has been submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
US president Joe Biden advocated for Covid-19 vaccination requirements, calling on more business owners to enact them. Speaking in Illinois, he said: “vaccination requirements are good for the economy”.US president Joe Biden advocated for Covid-19 vaccination requirements, calling on more business owners to enact them. Speaking in Illinois, he said: “vaccination requirements are good for the economy”.
Finland announced it will pause the use of Moderna’s vaccine for men under-30 due to reports of a rare cardiovascular side effect. It follows similar moves by Swedish and Danish health officials after a pan-Nordic study.Finland announced it will pause the use of Moderna’s vaccine for men under-30 due to reports of a rare cardiovascular side effect. It follows similar moves by Swedish and Danish health officials after a pan-Nordic study.
More than 140,000 US children lost a parent or caregiver to Covid, a study found. Published on Thursday in the journal Pediatrics, the study estimated that from April 2020 through June 30 this year, more than 140,000 children under the age of 18 lost their mother, father, or grandparent who provided their housing, basic needs and daily care to the disease.More than 140,000 US children lost a parent or caregiver to Covid, a study found. Published on Thursday in the journal Pediatrics, the study estimated that from April 2020 through June 30 this year, more than 140,000 children under the age of 18 lost their mother, father, or grandparent who provided their housing, basic needs and daily care to the disease.
In the UK, a further 40,701 Covid infections were reported in the past 24 hours – the highest daily figure since 6 September.In the UK, a further 40,701 Covid infections were reported in the past 24 hours – the highest daily figure since 6 September.
UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has appealed for $8 billion to help vaccinate 40% of people in all countries by the end of the year. It comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a plan that aims to inoculate 70% of the world by mid-2022.UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has appealed for $8 billion to help vaccinate 40% of people in all countries by the end of the year. It comes as the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a plan that aims to inoculate 70% of the world by mid-2022.