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Covid live: boosters increase protection against death from Omicron in over-50s to 95% – UKHSA; UK records 338 deaths Boosters increase protection against death from Omicron in over-50s to 95% – UKHSA; UK records 338 deaths – as it happened
(32 minutes later)
Protection against death increases to around 95% two weeks after receiving a booster dose, UK health agency says; UK reports another 96,871 Covid casesProtection against death increases to around 95% two weeks after receiving a booster dose, UK health agency says; UK reports another 96,871 Covid cases
Covid boosters increase protection against death from the Omicron variant to 95% in people aged 50 or over, the UK Health Security Agency said on Thursday.Covid boosters increase protection against death from the Omicron variant to 95% in people aged 50 or over, the UK Health Security Agency said on Thursday.
The UKHSA said that about six months after a second dose of any of the Covid vaccines, protection against death with Omicron was about 60% in those aged 50 and over. However, this increased to around 95% two weeks after receiving a booster vaccine dose.The UKHSA said that about six months after a second dose of any of the Covid vaccines, protection against death with Omicron was about 60% in those aged 50 and over. However, this increased to around 95% two weeks after receiving a booster vaccine dose.
UKHSA added that data continued to show high levels of protection against hospitalisation from the booster. Effectiveness against hospitalisation was 90% for the Pfizer/BioNTech shot , dropping to 75% 10-14 weeks after the booster.UKHSA added that data continued to show high levels of protection against hospitalisation from the booster. Effectiveness against hospitalisation was 90% for the Pfizer/BioNTech shot , dropping to 75% 10-14 weeks after the booster.
For Moderna, effectiveness against hospitalisation was 90-95% up to 9 weeks after the booster.For Moderna, effectiveness against hospitalisation was 90-95% up to 9 weeks after the booster.
“The evidence is clear – the vaccine helps to protect us all against the effects of Covid-19 and the booster is offering high levels of protection from hospitalisation and death in the most vulnerable members of our society,” said Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at UKHSA.“The evidence is clear – the vaccine helps to protect us all against the effects of Covid-19 and the booster is offering high levels of protection from hospitalisation and death in the most vulnerable members of our society,” said Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at UKHSA.
The UKHSA also issued an initial analysis of vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron sub-lineage called BA.2, which is growing in the UK and Denmark, finding a similar level of protection against symptomatic disease.The UKHSA also issued an initial analysis of vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron sub-lineage called BA.2, which is growing in the UK and Denmark, finding a similar level of protection against symptomatic disease.
“After two doses effectiveness was 9% and 13% respectively for BA.1 and BA.2, after 25+ weeks,” the UKHSA said. “This increased to 63% for BA.1 and 70% for BA.2 from two weeks following a booster vaccine.”“After two doses effectiveness was 9% and 13% respectively for BA.1 and BA.2, after 25+ weeks,” the UKHSA said. “This increased to 63% for BA.1 and 70% for BA.2 from two weeks following a booster vaccine.”
Thanks for joining us. That’s all from me, Samantha Lock, for today.
We will be launching another live Covid blog a little later today but in the meantime you can catch up with all the latest developments here.
Thanks for following along and, as always, I appreciate your tips and reader insights. You can email me at samantha.lock@theguardian.com or via Twitter @Samantha__Lock
Here’s a quick recap of all the international Covid developments:
Europe:
England is going back to its “Plan A” Covid strategy by lifting virus restrictions, with commuters back to the office, masks no longer required in enclosed places and vaccine passports shelved.
The EU’s drug regulator gave the green light to Pfizer Inc’s antiviral Covid-19 pill for treating adults at risk of severe illness.
Booster shots could reduce future hospitalisations in Europe by at least half a million, the EU’s public health agency said.
Finland will begin gradually easing restrictions from 1 February instead of mid-February as initially planned.
The head of the Paris hospitals system has set off a fierce debate by questioning whether people who refuse to be vaccinated should continue to have their treatment covered by public health insurance.
Spain’s north-eastern Catalonia region drops the need for a Covid passport to enter restaurants, bars and gyms.
Sweden’s health authority says it will not recommend Covid-19 jabs for all five to 11 year olds, the country again choosing a different Covid policy to much of Europe.
Many more Covid restrictions are being lifted on Friday in Wales, allowing nightclubs to reopen and some rules on social distancing to be scrapped.
Asia:
Hong Kong will shorten its 21-day quarantine requirement to 14 days for incoming travellers starting from 5 February.
New Delhi ends a weekend curfew, reopens restaurants and allows markets to operate at full capacity, as the Omicron variant outbreak slows.
Americas:
Canadian truck drivers are meeting in Ottawa to protest a federal government vaccine mandate.
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau says he has been exposed to Covid-19 and will isolate for five days, in accordance with health rules for vaccinated people.
The US government’s main health agency is failing to meet its responsibilities for leading the national response to public health emergencies, including the coronavirus pandemic, a federal watchdog said Thursday.
Middle East:
A United Arab Emirates medical convoy of one million Covid-19 vaccines reached the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing, state news agency WAM said.
Morocco will reopen its airspace for international flights starting Feb. 7, the state news agency (MAP) reported on Thursday.
Covid-19 boosters increase protection against death from the Omicron variant to 95% in people aged 50 or over, the UK Health Security Agency said.
China’s Walvax Biotechnology has recruited most of the 28,000 participants needed for a large clinical trial of its mRNA Covid-19 vaccine candidate, a senior company official said.
British prime minister Boris Johnson has been accused of taking a reckless approach to public health by lifting all plan B Covid restrictions in England while failing to take enough action to get jabs to 3 billion unvaccinated people in poorer countries.British prime minister Boris Johnson has been accused of taking a reckless approach to public health by lifting all plan B Covid restrictions in England while failing to take enough action to get jabs to 3 billion unvaccinated people in poorer countries.
The PM has robustly defended his record on the pandemic this week while awaiting the findings of the Sue Gray report on the “partygate” scandal, insisting he “got the big calls right” on the biggest global health crisis in a century.The PM has robustly defended his record on the pandemic this week while awaiting the findings of the Sue Gray report on the “partygate” scandal, insisting he “got the big calls right” on the biggest global health crisis in a century.
But now more than 300 leading scientists, health experts and academics have said his failure to take sufficient action to boost vaccination levels worldwide means it is more likely new variants will put thousands of lives at risk across the UK.But now more than 300 leading scientists, health experts and academics have said his failure to take sufficient action to boost vaccination levels worldwide means it is more likely new variants will put thousands of lives at risk across the UK.
“We write to you as scientists, academics, and public health experts concerned about the emergence of the Omicron variant and the threat that future variants may pose to public health, the NHS, and the UK’s vaccination programme,” they said in a two-page letter delivered to 10 Downing Street.“We write to you as scientists, academics, and public health experts concerned about the emergence of the Omicron variant and the threat that future variants may pose to public health, the NHS, and the UK’s vaccination programme,” they said in a two-page letter delivered to 10 Downing Street.
Read the full story here.Read the full story here.
The US government’s main health agency is failing to meet its responsibilities for leading the national response to public health emergencies – including the coronavirus pandemic – extreme weather disasters and even potential bioterrorist attacks, a federal watchdog said Thursday.The US government’s main health agency is failing to meet its responsibilities for leading the national response to public health emergencies – including the coronavirus pandemic – extreme weather disasters and even potential bioterrorist attacks, a federal watchdog said Thursday.
The nonpartisan Government Accountability Office said it is designating the Health and Human Services Department’s (HHS) leadership and coordination of public health emergencies as a “high risk” area for the government.The nonpartisan Government Accountability Office said it is designating the Health and Human Services Department’s (HHS) leadership and coordination of public health emergencies as a “high risk” area for the government.
While that designation carries no immediate penalties, it signals to Congress that lawmakers need to pay special attention to the agency’s operations.While that designation carries no immediate penalties, it signals to Congress that lawmakers need to pay special attention to the agency’s operations.
Long-standing “persistent deficiencies” at HHS “have hindered the nation’s response to the current Covid-19 pandemic and a variety of past threats,” the GAO said in its report. “If left unaddressed, these deficiencies will continue to hamper the nation’s ability to be prepared for, and effectively respond to, future threats.”Long-standing “persistent deficiencies” at HHS “have hindered the nation’s response to the current Covid-19 pandemic and a variety of past threats,” the GAO said in its report. “If left unaddressed, these deficiencies will continue to hamper the nation’s ability to be prepared for, and effectively respond to, future threats.”
Read the full story here.Read the full story here.
Hello it’s Samantha Lock with you on the blog for today as my colleague Tom Ambrose calls it a night in London.Hello it’s Samantha Lock with you on the blog for today as my colleague Tom Ambrose calls it a night in London.
The week has culminated in quite a few changes across Europe as England reverts back to Plan A and other countries throughout the region loosen Covid restrictions.The week has culminated in quite a few changes across Europe as England reverts back to Plan A and other countries throughout the region loosen Covid restrictions.
On the other side of the world it’s a different story as China continues to pursue a zero Covid strategy and local lockdowns could be on the horizon in Beijing.On the other side of the world it’s a different story as China continues to pursue a zero Covid strategy and local lockdowns could be on the horizon in Beijing.
Over in Australia, at least 74 Covid deaths have been recorded across NSW and Victoria.Over in Australia, at least 74 Covid deaths have been recorded across NSW and Victoria.
Pfizer booster shots have also been approved for teenagers aged 16-17 as states urge more people to come forward and get their booster shots amid the Omicron Covid variant outbreak.Pfizer booster shots have also been approved for teenagers aged 16-17 as states urge more people to come forward and get their booster shots amid the Omicron Covid variant outbreak.
Brazil reported 228,954 new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours and 672 Covid deaths, the health ministry said on Thursday.Brazil reported 228,954 new cases of coronavirus in the past 24 hours and 672 Covid deaths, the health ministry said on Thursday.
The South American country has now registered 24,764,838 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, while the official death toll has risen to 625,085, according to ministry data.The South American country has now registered 24,764,838 confirmed cases since the pandemic began, while the official death toll has risen to 625,085, according to ministry data.
Many more Covid restrictions are being lifted on Friday in Wales, allowing nightclubs to reopen and some rules on social distancing to be scrapped.Many more Covid restrictions are being lifted on Friday in Wales, allowing nightclubs to reopen and some rules on social distancing to be scrapped.
But people will still be obliged to wear masks in most indoor places and on public transport while Covid passes will be needed for larger indoor events and gatherings.But people will still be obliged to wear masks in most indoor places and on public transport while Covid passes will be needed for larger indoor events and gatherings.
The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, said Wales was moving fully into alert level zero because the country had passed the peak of the Omicron wave. He said:The Welsh first minister, Mark Drakeford, said Wales was moving fully into alert level zero because the country had passed the peak of the Omicron wave. He said:
Morocco will reopen its airspace for international flights starting 7 February, the state news agency (MAP) reported on Thursday.Morocco will reopen its airspace for international flights starting 7 February, the state news agency (MAP) reported on Thursday.
Morocco banned all inbound international passenger flights in November due to concerns over the Omicron Covid variant.Morocco banned all inbound international passenger flights in November due to concerns over the Omicron Covid variant.
The European Medicines Agency has recommended that Pfizer’s coronavirus antiviral drug be authorised for use in the European Union, the first time the agency has recommended a pill for treating Covid.The European Medicines Agency has recommended that Pfizer’s coronavirus antiviral drug be authorised for use in the European Union, the first time the agency has recommended a pill for treating Covid.
In a statement on Thursday, the EU drug regulator said giving the green light to Pfizer’s Paxlovoid could help people infected with Covid avoid more serious disease and being hospitalised.In a statement on Thursday, the EU drug regulator said giving the green light to Pfizer’s Paxlovoid could help people infected with Covid avoid more serious disease and being hospitalised.
The EMA’s expert committee recommended the pill be given to adults who don’t require oxygen and who are at higher risk of severe disease.The EMA’s expert committee recommended the pill be given to adults who don’t require oxygen and who are at higher risk of severe disease.
The drug was cleared by regulators in the US and Britain in late December, although authorities noted that supplies would be extremely limited.The drug was cleared by regulators in the US and Britain in late December, although authorities noted that supplies would be extremely limited.
An antiviral pill from Merck also is expected to soon be authorised. But Pfizer’s drug is all but certain to be the preferred option because of its mild side effects and superior effectiveness as suggested by studies, including a nearly 90% reduction in hospitalisations and deaths among patients most likely to get severely ill.An antiviral pill from Merck also is expected to soon be authorised. But Pfizer’s drug is all but certain to be the preferred option because of its mild side effects and superior effectiveness as suggested by studies, including a nearly 90% reduction in hospitalisations and deaths among patients most likely to get severely ill.
Finland will begin gradually easing Covid restrictions from 1 February instead of mid-February as initially planned as the burden on its hospitals eases, the government said late on Thursday.Finland will begin gradually easing Covid restrictions from 1 February instead of mid-February as initially planned as the burden on its hospitals eases, the government said late on Thursday.
Prime Minister Sanna Marin had said Finland would begin scaling back restrictions from mid-February, but signs of stabilisation in the infection rate caused by the Omicron variant of the virus led the government to alter its plan.Prime Minister Sanna Marin had said Finland would begin scaling back restrictions from mid-February, but signs of stabilisation in the infection rate caused by the Omicron variant of the virus led the government to alter its plan.
“The burden on intensive care units has taken a turn in a better direction,” Finland’s minister for health and social affairs Hanna Sarkkinen told reporters.“The burden on intensive care units has taken a turn in a better direction,” Finland’s minister for health and social affairs Hanna Sarkkinen told reporters.
The government decided to start the cautious easing by loosening restrictions on the hours restaurants can remain open to 9 p.m. from a mandatory 6pm closure currently in place, Sarkkinen said.The government decided to start the cautious easing by loosening restrictions on the hours restaurants can remain open to 9 p.m. from a mandatory 6pm closure currently in place, Sarkkinen said.
It also recommended local authorities allow reopening of cultural and sports venues such as gyms, swimming pools and theatres from the beginning of February.It also recommended local authorities allow reopening of cultural and sports venues such as gyms, swimming pools and theatres from the beginning of February.
A United Arab Emirates medical convoy of one million Covid vaccines reached the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing on Wednesday, state news agency WAM said on Thursday.A United Arab Emirates medical convoy of one million Covid vaccines reached the Gaza Strip via the Rafah border crossing on Wednesday, state news agency WAM said on Thursday.
The report said the Sputnik shots were the biggest medical support convoy from the UAE to the Palestinian strip since the start of the pandemic.The report said the Sputnik shots were the biggest medical support convoy from the UAE to the Palestinian strip since the start of the pandemic.
Hello. Tom Ambrose here, I’ll be bringing you all the latest Covid news over the next couple of hours.
Let’s begin with news from France that the head of the Paris hospitals system has set off a fierce debate by questioning whether people who refuse to be vaccinated against Covid should continue to have their treatment covered by public health insurance.
Under France’s universal healthcare system, all Covid patients who end up in intensive care are fully covered for their treatment, which costs about 3,000 euros per day and typically lasts a week to 10 days.
“When free and efficient drugs are available, should people be able to renounce it without consequences ... while we struggle to take care of other patients?” Paris AP-HP hospitals system chief Martin Hirsch said on French television on Wednesday.
Hirsch said he raised the issue because health costs are exploding and that the irresponsible behaviour of some should not jeopardise the availability of the system for everyone else.
Here is a quick recap of some of the main developments from today so far:
Covid boosters increase protection against death from the Omicron variant to 95% in people aged 50 or over, the UK Health Security Agency said. The UKHSA said that around six months after a second dose of any of the Covid vaccines, protection against death with Omicron was around 60% in those aged 50 and over. However, this increased to around 95% two weeks after receiving a booster vaccine dose. UKHSA added that data continued to show high levels of protection against hospitalisation from the booster. Effectiveness against hospitalisation was around 90% for the Pfizer/BioNTech shot , dropping to 75% 10-14 weeks after the booster.For Moderna, effectiveness against hospitalisation was 90-95% up to 9 weeks after the booster. “The evidence is clear - the vaccine helps to protect us all against the effects of Covid-19 and the booster is offering high levels of protection from hospitalisation and death in the most vulnerable members of our society,” said Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at UKHSA. [see 5.17pm.].
The UK recorded another 96,871 new cases of Covid and a further 338 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to the government’s coronavirus dashboard.
Greece will allow music in restaurants and bars again and extend their operating hours as it lifts some of the restrictions imposed last month now that Covid infections and the pressure on hospitals are easing. “We have decided to scale back the restrictions, taking into consideration the course of the pandemic in terms of cases which have been declining in recent weeks,” the health minister Thanos Plevris said in a televised statement. He said that despite ongoing pressure on the health system, the rate of hospital admissions and discharges and a shorter duration and less severe illness for the Omicron variant compared to Delta allowed authorities to ease the curbs. Capacity restrictions will remain in place for sport events, while a double mask is mandatory in supermarkets and transport.
India’s capital announced the end of a weekend curfew and eased other stringent Covid restrictions on Thursday, with government data suggesting the country’s recent Omicron variant outbreak had slowed. Local officials in Delhi decided to reopen restaurants, allow markets to operate at full capacity and lift an all-weekend curfew imposed at the start of January that kept nearly all residents confined to their homes. “In view of the decline in positive cases, it was decided to gradually ease restrictions while ensuring adherence to Covid appropriate behaviour,” Delhi lieutenant governor, Anil Baijal, said. “In the last five to seven days there is an early indication of Covid cases plateauing … but we need to observe and take precautions,” the health ministry official Lav Agarwal told a Thursday press conference. An overnight curfew will remain in effect for all the capital’s residents except essential workers.
The Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau has gone into isolation for five days after being exposed to someone with Covid. “I feel fine and will be working from home. Stay safe, everyone – and please get vaccinated,” Trudeau tweeted, adding that a rapid test result had come back negative.
More than half of all patients with Covid-19 in hospital trusts in England are being treated primarily for something else. New figures show that of the 13,023 patients reported as having the virus on 25 January, 6,767 (52%) were not being treated principally for Covid. This is the highest proportion since these figures were first published in June 2021, and is up from 26% at the start of December. All hospital patients who have tested positive for Covid need to be treated separately from those who do not have the virus, regardless of whether they are in hospital primarily for Covid or not. But the growing proportion of patients who are in hospital “with” Covid rather than “for” Covid is another sign that the current wave of the virus has not led to the same sort of pressure on critical care as in previous waves. [see 1.27pm.].
Booster shots could reduce future hospitalisations in Europe by at least half a million, the European Union’s public health agency said, even as the Omicron variant spreads at an unprecedented pace. “The current uptake of a booster dose achieved by early January may reduce future Omicron hospital admissions by 500,000-800,000 [in Europe],” the European Centre for Disease prevention and Control (ECDC) said. The figures cover the 27-nation EU plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Currently about 70% of the EU’s population of 450 million has had two doses of a Covid vaccine and half of them have received a booster.“ Extending the booster programme to all previously vaccinated individuals could reduce admissions by another 300,000-500,000,” the ECDC said. [see 12.53pm.].
Although wearing a face mask was no longer a legal requirement in England, many travellers and shoppers in London and Birmingham chose to continue covering up as they went about their morning business on Thursday.
Commuters at Birmingham New Street committed to widespread mask-wearing, with almost half still wearing them around the station and many saying they would put one on when they got on a train.
Of 100 people passing through the station entrance on Thursday morning, 48 were wearing masks, with a variety of different reasons for doing so – on the day not wearing one stopped being an offence in England.
“I think I’ll keep wearing one for the foreseeable. The number of colds and coughs I’ve had over the past couple of years has gone right down, and wearing a mask is not that bad,” said salesman Stuart Whitman, 50.
Jessica Murray and Georgina Quach report: ‘I’ll wear one for the forseeable’: masks abound despite England rule change
Covid boosters increase protection against death from the Omicron variant to 95% in people aged 50 or over, the UK Health Security Agency said on Thursday.
The UKHSA said that about six months after a second dose of any of the Covid vaccines, protection against death with Omicron was about 60% in those aged 50 and over. However, this increased to around 95% two weeks after receiving a booster vaccine dose.
UKHSA added that data continued to show high levels of protection against hospitalisation from the booster. Effectiveness against hospitalisation was 90% for the Pfizer/BioNTech shot , dropping to 75% 10-14 weeks after the booster.
For Moderna, effectiveness against hospitalisation was 90-95% up to 9 weeks after the booster.
“The evidence is clear – the vaccine helps to protect us all against the effects of Covid-19 and the booster is offering high levels of protection from hospitalisation and death in the most vulnerable members of our society,” said Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at UKHSA.
The UKHSA also issued an initial analysis of vaccine effectiveness against the Omicron sub-lineage called BA.2, which is growing in the UK and Denmark, finding a similar level of protection against symptomatic disease.
“After two doses effectiveness was 9% and 13% respectively for BA.1 and BA.2, after 25+ weeks,” the UKHSA said. “This increased to 63% for BA.1 and 70% for BA.2 from two weeks following a booster vaccine.”
A vaccine expert has said the UK’s Covid focus should shift away from the booster programme and move towards urging the unvaccinated to get first doses, Nicola Davis reports.
Efforts to increase uptake of Covid jabs in the UK should be concentrated on reducing the number of unvaccinated people rather than booster jabs, a leading expert has said.
As Omicron spread rapidly around the country towards the end of 2021, health advisers and government ministers stressed that two doses “are not enough” to protect against the new variant, urging those eligible to take up a booster dose as soon as possible.
The message hit home: in an attempt to avert another dismal Christmas and protect their loved ones people dashed to get jabbed, with 968,665 booster or third vaccinations reported on 21 December alone. But uptake subsequently fell dramatically, with booster doses now bobbing about 50,000 a day.
Now a leading vaccine expert has said the focus should be placed on reducing the numbers of those who have yet to have even their first jab.
“I think the booster programme might have reached saturation and [it is] best to concentrate on those who had no vaccine at all – as their chance of dying is 11 times higher than vaccinated folks,” said Prof Beate Kampmann, director of the vaccine centre at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine.
More on this story here: UK Covid efforts should target unvaccinated, says expert
A very quick snap from Reuters.
Kuwait’s deputy prime minister and defence minister, Sheikh Hamad Jaber al-Ali al-Sabah, has contracted Covid, the Gulf state’s army said on Thursday. He was self-isolating at home and working remotely, it added.
The UK has recorded another 96,871 new cases of Covid and a further 338 deaths within 28 days of a positive test, according to the government’s coronavirus dashboard.
That compares with 102,292 infections and 346 fatalities reported in the 24 hours prior.
Greece will allow music in restaurants and bars again and extend their operating hours as it lifts some of the restrictions imposed last month now that Covid infections and the pressure on hospitals are easing, Reuters reports.
The country last month forced bars, nightclubs and restaurants to close at midnight, with no standing customers and no music, following a surge of cases over the Christmas holidays due to the fast-spreading Omicron variant.
“We have decided to scale back the restrictions, taking into consideration the course of the pandemic in terms of cases which have been declining in recent weeks,” the health minister Thanos Plevris said in a televised statement.
He said that despite ongoing pressure on the health system, the rate of hospital admissions and discharges and a shorter duration and less severe illness for the Omicron variant compared to Delta allowed authorities to ease the curbs.
Capacity restrictions will remain in place for sport events, while a double mask is mandatory in supermarkets and transport.
Greece reported 19,712 new cases on Thursday. Infections have been easing since a record high of around 50,000 in early January.
A total of 23,083 deaths linked to Covid have been reported since February 2020 and 1,867,935 cases out of a population of 11 million people.
A group of vaccine-sceptic writers are generating revenues of at least $2.5m (£1.85m) a year from publishing newsletters for tens of thousands of followers on the online publishing platform Substack, according to research.
My colleague Dan Milmo has the story: Anti-vaxxers making ‘at least $2.5m’ a year from publishing on Substack