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Covid live: Germany to begin rollout of Novavax’s jab; New Zealand to end vaccine mandates after Omicron peak Covid live: Germany to begin rollout of Novavax’s jab; New Zealand to end vaccine mandates after Omicron peak
(32 minutes later)
Latest updates: Germany hopes protein-based vaccine comparable to flu jabs will help sway people sceptical of mRNA vaccinesLatest updates: Germany hopes protein-based vaccine comparable to flu jabs will help sway people sceptical of mRNA vaccines
Our Berlin bureau chief, Philip Oltermann, reports on the rollout of Novavax’s Covid-19 vaccine in Germany:Our Berlin bureau chief, Philip Oltermann, reports on the rollout of Novavax’s Covid-19 vaccine in Germany:
Germany will offer its population a new protein-based Covid-19 vaccine comparable to conventional flu jabs this week, in the hope of swaying a sizeable minority that remains sceptical of the novel mRNA technology used in the most commonly used vaccines.Germany will offer its population a new protein-based Covid-19 vaccine comparable to conventional flu jabs this week, in the hope of swaying a sizeable minority that remains sceptical of the novel mRNA technology used in the most commonly used vaccines.
About 1.4m doses of the Nuvaxovid vaccine developed by the US biotech company Novavax are to arrive in Germany this week, the country’s health minister, Karl Lauterbach, confirmed last Friday. A further 1m doses are to arrive the week after, with the German government’s total order for the year 2022 amounting to 34m doses.About 1.4m doses of the Nuvaxovid vaccine developed by the US biotech company Novavax are to arrive in Germany this week, the country’s health minister, Karl Lauterbach, confirmed last Friday. A further 1m doses are to arrive the week after, with the German government’s total order for the year 2022 amounting to 34m doses.
Novavax’s product has until now only been used in Indonesia and the Philippines, but was permitted for use in the EU last December. It is still awaiting authorisation in the US, as some concerns about the company’s production capacity persist.Novavax’s product has until now only been used in Indonesia and the Philippines, but was permitted for use in the EU last December. It is still awaiting authorisation in the US, as some concerns about the company’s production capacity persist.
Unlike the novel mRNA vaccines produced by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna or viral vector made by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, Nuvaxovid is a protein subunit vaccine. It contains a non-infectious component on the surface of the Sars-CoV-2 virus, which induces a protective immune response when the body’s immune cells come into contact with it.Unlike the novel mRNA vaccines produced by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna or viral vector made by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, Nuvaxovid is a protein subunit vaccine. It contains a non-infectious component on the surface of the Sars-CoV-2 virus, which induces a protective immune response when the body’s immune cells come into contact with it.
Novavax announced last Junethat its vaccine had proven more than 90% effective against symptomatic infections with the Alpha variant, in trials including nearly 30,000 volunteers in the US and Mexico.Novavax announced last Junethat its vaccine had proven more than 90% effective against symptomatic infections with the Alpha variant, in trials including nearly 30,000 volunteers in the US and Mexico.
The company says its product is similarly effective against the Delta and Omicron variants, especially after a booster shot administered six months after the second jab. Germany’s Paul Ehrlich Institute notes that the data proving the vaccine’s efficacy against more infectious variants remains limited.The company says its product is similarly effective against the Delta and Omicron variants, especially after a booster shot administered six months after the second jab. Germany’s Paul Ehrlich Institute notes that the data proving the vaccine’s efficacy against more infectious variants remains limited.
Surveys in Germany suggest a considerable interest in the Novavax jab among the 19.8 million people in the country who have so far declined to take a jab against Covid-19. Out of 4,000 unvaccinated hospital workers surveyed in Berlin, 1,800 expressed an interest in the protein-based vaccine.Surveys in Germany suggest a considerable interest in the Novavax jab among the 19.8 million people in the country who have so far declined to take a jab against Covid-19. Out of 4,000 unvaccinated hospital workers surveyed in Berlin, 1,800 expressed an interest in the protein-based vaccine.
In the northern states of Lower Saxony, the health ministry said 6,000 people had put their name on a waiting list for Nuvaxovid by early February.In the northern states of Lower Saxony, the health ministry said 6,000 people had put their name on a waiting list for Nuvaxovid by early February.
Some scientists question whether the new vaccine will prove a game changer in a country whose overall vaccination rate has been flatlining around 75% for months. Lars Korn, co-author of a current survey of anti-vaxxer attitudes conducted by the University of Erfurt, told public broadcaster ZDF that two-thirds of respondents would continue to completely reject any form of vaccination.Some scientists question whether the new vaccine will prove a game changer in a country whose overall vaccination rate has been flatlining around 75% for months. Lars Korn, co-author of a current survey of anti-vaxxer attitudes conducted by the University of Erfurt, told public broadcaster ZDF that two-thirds of respondents would continue to completely reject any form of vaccination.
Here’s the full story on how tensions between the UK’s chancellor, Rishi Sunak, and the health secretary, Sajid Javid, have led to delays over signing off the government’s strategy to end all remaining Covid regulations in England, by my colleagues Jessica Elgot and Rowena Mason:
Plans to sign off the government’s strategy to end all remaining Covid regulations in England have been delayed at the last minute amid tensions between the chancellor, Rishi Sunak, and the health secretary, Sajid Javid, over funds for free Covid testing.
Cabinet ministers were told of the delay as they arrived at No 10 on Monday morning amid the final wrangling over the “living with Covid” strategy expected to be announced to the House of Commons in the afternoon.
A government source said there was still no agreement between the Treasury and the Department of Health and Social Care on the extent of the testing cutbacks, although another source at the DHSC insisted Javid had accepted the fiscal position that most testing must end.
The source denied Javid was seeking new money and said that instead he wanted to “reprioritise” his existing budgets by moving funds from other areas within the department to cover the additional testing.
“DHSC are absolutely not asking for additional funding, they want to reprioritise within the existing budget,” the source said.
Last week, the Guardian reported that the Treasury was driving efforts to reduce costs from an estimated annual £15bn, with an opening suggestion of cutting the budget by more than 90%, to £1.3bn.
Javid is said to want to fund enough testing to ensure the survival of the Panoramic antiviral drugs trial, which officials believe would need free lateral flow tests for over-50s and vulnerable adults under 50 until at least September.
The Scottish unit of French vaccine-maker Valneva has received a grant of up to £20m to partly fund the research and development (R&D) of manufacturing its Covid-19 vaccine VLA2001, the company said.
Valneva will receive the funds from Scotland’s national economic development agency Scottish Enterprise. The first grant of up to £12.5m will support the company’s efforts on its inactivated, whole virus coronavirus vaccine candidate. The second round of up to £7.5m will be used for Valneva’s other vaccines.
The announcement comes after the UK government decided to scrap its agreement to buy 100m doses of Valneva’s Covid vaccine, amid allegations of a breach of agreement that the company has strenuously denied.
“Rogue” antibodies that attack the lining of blood vessels may contribute to deadly blood-clotting in some coronavirus patients, according to a new study.
Researchers at the University of Michigan studied the blood samples of nearly 250 patients hospitalised for Covid-19. They found higher-than-expected levels of “antiphospholipid autoantibodies”, which can trigger blood clots in the arteries and veins of patients with autoimmune disorders, in about half of the patients.
While antibodies typically help the body neutralise infections, autoantibodies are antibodies produced by the immune system that mistakenly target and sometimes damage the body’s own systems and organs. In patients with autoimmune disorders, they can trigger blood clots in the arteries and veins.
In Covid-19 patients, these clots can block vessels, triggering strokes, causing long-term damage to organs and lung problems that impair patients’ ability to breathe.
More research is indeed but researchers say the study may lead to screening and treatment for Covid-19 patients at greatest risk of blood clots, both during the initial infection and later, among those who suffer from long Covid symptoms.
We’re gonna have to individualise treatment for long Covid patients, Dr Jason Knight, a rheumatologist at Michigan Medicine and co-author of the study, said:
Our education correspondent, Sally Weale, looks at Covid-19 figures in nurseries in England:Our education correspondent, Sally Weale, looks at Covid-19 figures in nurseries in England:
Nurseries in England continue to be severely affected by the pandemic, with latest official data showing record numbers of early years and childcare settings reporting Covid cases at the end of last month.Nurseries in England continue to be severely affected by the pandemic, with latest official data showing record numbers of early years and childcare settings reporting Covid cases at the end of last month.
As the government prepared to lift remaining Covid restrictions, government statistics published on Monday revealed more than 5,000 settings reported one or more cases of Covid in the week beginning the 24 January.As the government prepared to lift remaining Covid restrictions, government statistics published on Monday revealed more than 5,000 settings reported one or more cases of Covid in the week beginning the 24 January.
The total was slightly lower a week later, dropping from 5189 to 4559, but the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) said the figures showed that staff and children were still catching and becoming ill with Covid.The total was slightly lower a week later, dropping from 5189 to 4559, but the National Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) said the figures showed that staff and children were still catching and becoming ill with Covid.
Purnima Tanuku, NDNA chief executive, said NDNA survey data for the second week in February showed absence rates for staff and children beginning to drop. “This will be a major relief for nurseries and parents but with absence still around 9% this shows the impact of the pandemic is not completely over for settings or children.”Purnima Tanuku, NDNA chief executive, said NDNA survey data for the second week in February showed absence rates for staff and children beginning to drop. “This will be a major relief for nurseries and parents but with absence still around 9% this shows the impact of the pandemic is not completely over for settings or children.”
It was also confirmed by Ofsted that as of today nurseries and childminders will no longer be required to report to the watchdog if there is a confirmed case of Covid. “While settings will be relieved that the administrative burden of reporting cases will be eased … it shows that staff and children are still catching and being ill with Covid-19,” said Tanuku.It was also confirmed by Ofsted that as of today nurseries and childminders will no longer be required to report to the watchdog if there is a confirmed case of Covid. “While settings will be relieved that the administrative burden of reporting cases will be eased … it shows that staff and children are still catching and being ill with Covid-19,” said Tanuku.
“Nurseries are still telling us that Covid is impacting on how they staff and resource their setting and this must be taken into account by Ofsted inspectors when any visits take place; either by allowing deferrals or taking into account the pressures that settings and staff are under.”“Nurseries are still telling us that Covid is impacting on how they staff and resource their setting and this must be taken into account by Ofsted inspectors when any visits take place; either by allowing deferrals or taking into account the pressures that settings and staff are under.”
The Queen is expected to speak by telephone with Boris Johnson and conduct virtual audiences this week, a day after testing positive for coronavirus.The Queen is expected to speak by telephone with Boris Johnson and conduct virtual audiences this week, a day after testing positive for coronavirus.
The 95-year-old monarch, who is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms, is self-isolating at Windsor Castle where she expects to be at her desk continuing “light duties” over the coming days, Buckingham Palace has said.The 95-year-old monarch, who is experiencing mild cold-like symptoms, is self-isolating at Windsor Castle where she expects to be at her desk continuing “light duties” over the coming days, Buckingham Palace has said.
She is due to speak to the prime minister on Wednesday for her regular weekly update and is planning to go ahead with other virtual diplomatic audiences scheduled with foreign ambassadors, the palace said.She is due to speak to the prime minister on Wednesday for her regular weekly update and is planning to go ahead with other virtual diplomatic audiences scheduled with foreign ambassadors, the palace said.
Here’s an interesting thread from Dr Adam Kucharski, an associate professor in infectious disease epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, on where the pandemic goes from here.Here’s an interesting thread from Dr Adam Kucharski, an associate professor in infectious disease epidemiology at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, on where the pandemic goes from here.
A post-infection so-called “honeymoon period” can follow after an epidemic has peaked and begins to decline, he writes. As immunity accumulates in a population, we may end up in a situation where R (the effective reproduction number) drops considerably below one.A post-infection so-called “honeymoon period” can follow after an epidemic has peaked and begins to decline, he writes. As immunity accumulates in a population, we may end up in a situation where R (the effective reproduction number) drops considerably below one.
In short, we shouldn’t assume that post-Omicron levels of infection are where things will stay for good, he writes.In short, we shouldn’t assume that post-Omicron levels of infection are where things will stay for good, he writes.
In the UK, a cabinet meeting where the prime minister’s plan to lift all remaining domestic Covid restrictions in England was set to be rubber-stamped has been delayed, PA news agency reports.In the UK, a cabinet meeting where the prime minister’s plan to lift all remaining domestic Covid restrictions in England was set to be rubber-stamped has been delayed, PA news agency reports.
The meeting, due to take place on Monday morning, has reportedly been shifted to the afternoon while Boris Johnson receives more briefings. The plan is still expected to be signed off, the agency understands.The meeting, due to take place on Monday morning, has reportedly been shifted to the afternoon while Boris Johnson receives more briefings. The plan is still expected to be signed off, the agency understands.
As part of Johnson’s “Living with Covid” plan, the legal requirement for anyone with Covid to isolate will be ditched a month earlier than planned. Free PCR and lateral flow tests for all will be axed to rein in public spending, which could be a point of contention between senior ministers. The tests will reportedly be kept for the over-80s.As part of Johnson’s “Living with Covid” plan, the legal requirement for anyone with Covid to isolate will be ditched a month earlier than planned. Free PCR and lateral flow tests for all will be axed to rein in public spending, which could be a point of contention between senior ministers. The tests will reportedly be kept for the over-80s.
On Sunday, the prime minister told the BBC the UK spent two billion on testing in January alone and that such high expenditure did not need to continue.On Sunday, the prime minister told the BBC the UK spent two billion on testing in January alone and that such high expenditure did not need to continue.
The national contact tracing service is also expected to be wound down and schoolchildren will no longer be told to get tested twice a week.The national contact tracing service is also expected to be wound down and schoolchildren will no longer be told to get tested twice a week.
Our Berlin bureau chief, Philip Oltermann, reports on the rollout of Novavax’s Covid-19 vaccine in Germany:Our Berlin bureau chief, Philip Oltermann, reports on the rollout of Novavax’s Covid-19 vaccine in Germany:
Germany will offer its population a new protein-based Covid-19 vaccine comparable to conventional flu jabs this week, in the hope of swaying a sizeable minority that remains sceptical of the novel mRNA technology used in the most commonly used vaccines.Germany will offer its population a new protein-based Covid-19 vaccine comparable to conventional flu jabs this week, in the hope of swaying a sizeable minority that remains sceptical of the novel mRNA technology used in the most commonly used vaccines.
About 1.4m doses of the Nuvaxovid vaccine developed by the US biotech company Novavax are to arrive in Germany this week, the country’s health minister, Karl Lauterbach, confirmed last Friday. A further 1m doses are to arrive the week after, with the German government’s total order for the year 2022 amounting to 34m doses.About 1.4m doses of the Nuvaxovid vaccine developed by the US biotech company Novavax are to arrive in Germany this week, the country’s health minister, Karl Lauterbach, confirmed last Friday. A further 1m doses are to arrive the week after, with the German government’s total order for the year 2022 amounting to 34m doses.
Novavax’s product has until now only been used in Indonesia and the Philippines, but was permitted for use in the EU last December. It is still awaiting authorisation in the US, as some concerns about the company’s production capacity persist.Novavax’s product has until now only been used in Indonesia and the Philippines, but was permitted for use in the EU last December. It is still awaiting authorisation in the US, as some concerns about the company’s production capacity persist.
Unlike the novel mRNA vaccines produced by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna or viral vector made by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, Nuvaxovid is a protein subunit vaccine. It contains a non-infectious component on the surface of the Sars-CoV-2 virus, which induces a protective immune response when the body’s immune cells come into contact with it.Unlike the novel mRNA vaccines produced by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna or viral vector made by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson, Nuvaxovid is a protein subunit vaccine. It contains a non-infectious component on the surface of the Sars-CoV-2 virus, which induces a protective immune response when the body’s immune cells come into contact with it.
Novavax announced last Junethat its vaccine had proven more than 90% effective against symptomatic infections with the Alpha variant, in trials including nearly 30,000 volunteers in the US and Mexico.Novavax announced last Junethat its vaccine had proven more than 90% effective against symptomatic infections with the Alpha variant, in trials including nearly 30,000 volunteers in the US and Mexico.
The company says its product is similarly effective against the Delta and Omicron variants, especially after a booster shot administered six months after the second jab. Germany’s Paul Ehrlich Institute notes that the data proving the vaccine’s efficacy against more infectious variants remains limited.The company says its product is similarly effective against the Delta and Omicron variants, especially after a booster shot administered six months after the second jab. Germany’s Paul Ehrlich Institute notes that the data proving the vaccine’s efficacy against more infectious variants remains limited.
Surveys in Germany suggest a considerable interest in the Novavax jab among the 19.8 million people in the country who have so far declined to take a jab against Covid-19. Out of 4,000 unvaccinated hospital workers surveyed in Berlin, 1,800 expressed an interest in the protein-based vaccine.Surveys in Germany suggest a considerable interest in the Novavax jab among the 19.8 million people in the country who have so far declined to take a jab against Covid-19. Out of 4,000 unvaccinated hospital workers surveyed in Berlin, 1,800 expressed an interest in the protein-based vaccine.
In the northern states of Lower Saxony, the health ministry said 6,000 people had put their name on a waiting list for Nuvaxovid by early February.In the northern states of Lower Saxony, the health ministry said 6,000 people had put their name on a waiting list for Nuvaxovid by early February.
Some scientists question whether the new vaccine will prove a game changer in a country whose overall vaccination rate has been flatlining around 75% for months. Lars Korn, co-author of a current survey of anti-vaxxer attitudes conducted by the University of Erfurt, told public broadcaster ZDF that two-thirds of respondents would continue to completely reject any form of vaccination.Some scientists question whether the new vaccine will prove a game changer in a country whose overall vaccination rate has been flatlining around 75% for months. Lars Korn, co-author of a current survey of anti-vaxxer attitudes conducted by the University of Erfurt, told public broadcaster ZDF that two-thirds of respondents would continue to completely reject any form of vaccination.
Our Berlin correspondent, Kate Connolly, reports on how recent analysis of autopsies in Germany show how most people whose deaths were attributed to Covid-19 died of the virus.Our Berlin correspondent, Kate Connolly, reports on how recent analysis of autopsies in Germany show how most people whose deaths were attributed to Covid-19 died of the virus.
Analysis of autopsies in Germany carried out on Covid-19 patients has shown that 86% of people died as a direct result of the virus, rather than from other causes.Analysis of autopsies in Germany carried out on Covid-19 patients has shown that 86% of people died as a direct result of the virus, rather than from other causes.
Data from 1,129 autopsies on Germany’s DeRegCOVID register which was started in April 2020, have come to the definitive conclusion that most people whose deaths were attributed to Covid – even those of a higher age who would be more likely to have other conditions – died of Covid rather than with Covid.Data from 1,129 autopsies on Germany’s DeRegCOVID register which was started in April 2020, have come to the definitive conclusion that most people whose deaths were attributed to Covid – even those of a higher age who would be more likely to have other conditions – died of Covid rather than with Covid.
The data has been collected from 29 different locations, most of them university clinics or hospitals, throughout Germany, of deaths that occurred up to October 2021.The data has been collected from 29 different locations, most of them university clinics or hospitals, throughout Germany, of deaths that occurred up to October 2021.
The number of men who died considerably outweighed the number of women by 1.8 to 1. Among men, the majority were aged 65-69 and 80-84, while the majority of women who died were over 85.The number of men who died considerably outweighed the number of women by 1.8 to 1. Among men, the majority were aged 65-69 and 80-84, while the majority of women who died were over 85.
Pathologists said they hoped the analysis would help them to gain more information about the illnesses’ development.Pathologists said they hoped the analysis would help them to gain more information about the illnesses’ development.
The evidence shows that during the first two waves of the virus, half of the patients who died, according to those who underwent a postmortem did so within two weeks of their first symptoms appearing. In the third wave, this had reduced to 41%.The evidence shows that during the first two waves of the virus, half of the patients who died, according to those who underwent a postmortem did so within two weeks of their first symptoms appearing. In the third wave, this had reduced to 41%.
The main cause of death was irreversible damage to lungs due to acute adult respiratory distress syndrome (DAD/ARDS) followed by multiple organ failure. DAD/ARDS was frequently responsible for those deaths which occurred in the first two weeks, while multiple organ failure was more likely to occur in those patients who died from two to five weeks after their first symptoms occurred.The main cause of death was irreversible damage to lungs due to acute adult respiratory distress syndrome (DAD/ARDS) followed by multiple organ failure. DAD/ARDS was frequently responsible for those deaths which occurred in the first two weeks, while multiple organ failure was more likely to occur in those patients who died from two to five weeks after their first symptoms occurred.
The third most likely cause of death was bacterial or fungal infections in the lungs. In the remaining 14% of patients, Covid 19 accompanied other conditions.The third most likely cause of death was bacterial or fungal infections in the lungs. In the remaining 14% of patients, Covid 19 accompanied other conditions.
However, the researchers stressed their results were a conservative estimate. The fatal heart attacks and heart failure that killed patients with coronavirus may well have been a direct result of the infection, they said.However, the researchers stressed their results were a conservative estimate. The fatal heart attacks and heart failure that killed patients with coronavirus may well have been a direct result of the infection, they said.
In a statement, Saskia von Stillfried from the Institute for Pathology at the University Hospital RWTH Aachen said:In a statement, Saskia von Stillfried from the Institute for Pathology at the University Hospital RWTH Aachen said:
She said this was in line with data collected by the government disease control agency, the Robert Koch Institute.She said this was in line with data collected by the government disease control agency, the Robert Koch Institute.
Hello everyone. It’s Léonie Chao-Fong here again, taking over the live blog from Tom Ambrose to bring you all the latest global developments on the coronavirus pandemic. Feel free to get in touch on Twitter or via email.Hello everyone. It’s Léonie Chao-Fong here again, taking over the live blog from Tom Ambrose to bring you all the latest global developments on the coronavirus pandemic. Feel free to get in touch on Twitter or via email.
We start with some breaking news. Jordan’s prime minister, Bisher al-Khasawneh, has tested positive for Covid-19 during an official visit to Egypt, state news agency Petra news agency reports.We start with some breaking news. Jordan’s prime minister, Bisher al-Khasawneh, has tested positive for Covid-19 during an official visit to Egypt, state news agency Petra news agency reports.
The agency quotes Jordan’s information minister as saying coronavirus tests after a meeting between Khasawneh and his Egyptian counterpart proved positive.The agency quotes Jordan’s information minister as saying coronavirus tests after a meeting between Khasawneh and his Egyptian counterpart proved positive.
All other official meetings have been cancelled, the minister added, including a scheduled meeting with Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.All other official meetings have been cancelled, the minister added, including a scheduled meeting with Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi.
The prime minister will isolate at home after returning to Jordan, the report said.The prime minister will isolate at home after returning to Jordan, the report said.
Here is a round-up of the day’s top Covid news stories so far:Here is a round-up of the day’s top Covid news stories so far:
South Africa’s health department says it is changing Covid vaccination rules to try to increase uptake, as inoculations have slowed and the country has ample vaccine stocks.South Africa’s health department says it is changing Covid vaccination rules to try to increase uptake, as inoculations have slowed and the country has ample vaccine stocks.
Hong Kong confirmed on Monday that its vaccine bubble will be expanded to include shopping malls and supermarkets, but said exemptions and random inspections would happen at some sites.Hong Kong confirmed on Monday that its vaccine bubble will be expanded to include shopping malls and supermarkets, but said exemptions and random inspections would happen at some sites.
International tourists and business travellers began arriving in Australia with few restrictions today.Australia closed its borders to tourists in March 2020 in a bid to reduce the local spread of Covid, but on Monday removed its final travel restrictions for fully vaccinated passengers.International tourists and business travellers began arriving in Australia with few restrictions today.Australia closed its borders to tourists in March 2020 in a bid to reduce the local spread of Covid, but on Monday removed its final travel restrictions for fully vaccinated passengers.
New Zealand will lift Covid vaccine mandates and social distancing measures after the Omicron peak has passed, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.New Zealand will lift Covid vaccine mandates and social distancing measures after the Omicron peak has passed, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.
In the UK, anti-vaxxers will be banned from “harmful and disruptive” protests outside schools and vaccination clinics after Priti Patel accepted an amendment to a bill due to be debated in parliament this week.In the UK, anti-vaxxers will be banned from “harmful and disruptive” protests outside schools and vaccination clinics after Priti Patel accepted an amendment to a bill due to be debated in parliament this week.
Boris Johnson will proclaim that the lifting of all remaining Covid restrictions in England this week marks a “moment of pride” when he unveils the government’s long-term strategy for living with the virus, despite concerns from scientists, health experts and Labour that the move is premature.Boris Johnson will proclaim that the lifting of all remaining Covid restrictions in England this week marks a “moment of pride” when he unveils the government’s long-term strategy for living with the virus, despite concerns from scientists, health experts and Labour that the move is premature.
Companies will have to pay for testing and decide policies on self-isolation for staff, a business minister has said in advance of Boris Johnson’s formal announcement that all remaining domestic Covid restrictions in England will end.Companies will have to pay for testing and decide policies on self-isolation for staff, a business minister has said in advance of Boris Johnson’s formal announcement that all remaining domestic Covid restrictions in England will end.
A vast majority of Japanese people think the rollout of booster shots against Covid is too slow and give mixed reviews to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s handling of the pandemic, polls show.A vast majority of Japanese people think the rollout of booster shots against Covid is too slow and give mixed reviews to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s handling of the pandemic, polls show.
That’s it from me, Tom Ambrose. I’ll be back tomorrow but, for now, I’m handing over to my colleague, Léonie Chao-Fong, who will be along shortly to continue bringing you all the latest coronavirus news from around the world.That’s it from me, Tom Ambrose. I’ll be back tomorrow but, for now, I’m handing over to my colleague, Léonie Chao-Fong, who will be along shortly to continue bringing you all the latest coronavirus news from around the world.
South Africa’s health department says it is changing Covid vaccination rules to try to increase uptake, as inoculations have slowed and the country has ample vaccine stocks.
The government is shortening the interval between the first and second doses of the Pfizer vaccine from 42 to 21 days and will allow people who have received two doses to get a booster three months after their second shot as opposed to six months previously, Reuters reported.
It will also offer the option of “mixing and matching” booster jabs, with adults who were given one dose of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine being offered either a J&J or Pfizer booster two months after their J&J shot. Adults who received two doses of Pfizer will be allowed J&J as well as Pfizer as a third dose.
“The decision regarding which vaccine to administer as a booster should be guided by vaccine availability,” the health department said, adding that if both vaccines were available at a vaccination site, then using the same vaccine was preferred.
An exception could be made if somebody requests a different booster dose or has a history of experiencing an adverse event following immunisation.
South Africa has recorded the most coronavirus infections and deaths on the African continent.
International tourists and business travellers began arriving in Australia with few restrictions today.
Australia closed its borders to tourists in March 2020 in a bid to reduce the local spread of Covid, but on Monday removed its final travel restrictions for fully vaccinated passengers.
Tearful British tourist Sue Witton hugged her adult son Simon Witton when he greeted her at Melbourne’s airport, the Associated Press reported.
“Seven hundred and twenty-four (days) apart and he’s my only son, and I’m alone, so this means the world to me,” she told reporters.
Travellers were greeted at Sydney’s airport by jubilant well-wishers waving toy koalas and favourite Australian foods including Tim Tams chocolate cookies and jars of Vegemite spread.
Federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan was on hand to welcome the first arrivals on a Qantas flight from Los Angeles which landed at 6.20am local time.
“I think there’ll be a very strong rebound in our tourism market. Our wonderful experiences haven’t gone away,” Tehan said.
Danielle Vogl, who lives in Canberra, and her Florida-based partner Eric Lochner have been separated since October 2019 by the travel restrictions.
She said she burst into tears when she heard about the lifting of the restrictions, which will allow them to reunite in April.
“I actually woke him up to tell him, because I thought it was big enough news to do that,” Vogl told Australian Broadcasting Corp.
“He couldn’t believe it. He was like ‘Are you sure, is this true?’ and I’m like ‘Yes, it’s happening. This is over now; we can be together again’,” she added.
Lochner was not eligible for an exemption from the travel ban because the couple weren’t married or living together.
“It’s been a very long and very cruel process for us,” Vogl said.
Tourism Australia managing director Phillipa Harrison said she expected tourist numbers would take two years to rebound to pre-pandemic levels.
“This is a really great start,” Harrison said. “This is what the industry had been asking us for, you know, just give us our international guests back and we will take it from there.”
Companies will have to pay for testing and decide policies on self-isolation for staff, a business minister has said in advance of Boris Johnson’s formal announcement that all remaining domestic Covid restrictions in England will end.
Ahead of the prime minister’s scheduled statement on the government’s long-term strategy for living with coronavirus, Paul Scully said free testing would be phased out, arguing the money spent on it could be used better elsewhere.
“We don’t test for flu, we don’t test for other diseases, and if the variants continue to be as mild as Omicron then there’s a question mark as to whether people will go through that regular testing anyway,” Scully told Times Radio.
“But if employers want to be paying (for) tests and continuing a testing regime within their workplace, then that will be for them to pay at that point,” he said, adding that while the impact on the virus on clinically vulnerable people was a concern, “we’re not going to be having a testing regime for the next 50 years”.
Under a plan being rubber-stamped by the cabinet on Monday morning, and outlined by Johnson in a Commons statement and subsequent press conference, the legal requirement for anyone with Covid to isolate will be ditched a month earlier than planned.
Hong Kong confirmed on Monday that its vaccine bubble will be expanded to include shopping malls and supermarkets, but said exemptions and random inspections would happen at some sites.
The government will launch a controversial “vaccine passport” on Thursday that allows only inoculated people to enter places such as supermarkets and clubhouses, a move some critics say raises privacy concerns in the Asian financial hub.
The plan requires those aged 12 and above, except for those with medical exemptions, to have taken at least one dose of a vaccine in order to enter the specified premises.
The final stage of the scheme, by the end of June, will see those older than 18 required to have had three vaccine doses, authorities said.
Amid concerns over how the system will be policed and implemented, authorities said certain exemptions would be granted those who must pass through shopping malls during commutes and also for those ordering takeaway food.
Random inspections will also be performed at some venues, amid limited resources.
In the UK, anti-vaxxers will be banned from “harmful and disruptive” protests outside schools and vaccination clinics after Priti Patel accepted an amendment to a bill due to be debated in parliament this week.
An opposition motion to grant councils the power to take tougher action to dispel anti-vaxx campaigners was passed by peers in the House of Lords last month. On Monday, the home secretary signalled that she would not seek to strike out the amendment when the police, crime, sentencing and courts bill returns to the Commons this week.
The bill is undergoing “ping-pong”, whereby changes to the proposed legislation are debated by each house until MPs and peers come to an agreement.
Patel will also table her own amendment, requiring a report on the nature and prevalence of “spiking” to be produced by the government. The practice has been a particular concern of ministers in light of warnings that drink and drug spiking have reached “epidemic” levels in the UK. Recent evidence submitted to the home affairs select committee showed that up to 15% of women and 7% of men had been spiked with alcohol or drugs.
An amendment by Lord Coaker, a Labour peer, requires a similar report and has already been passed, but Patel will not accept it because she says it is too narrow, in that it only covers incidents related to sexual assault.
Hong Kong was set to report 7,533 new Covid cases on Monday, a new record high, broadcaster TVB reported.
It comes as the city battles to contain a surge in cases that has overwhelmed its healthcare facilities.
A vast majority of Japanese people think the rollout of booster shots against Covid is too slow and give mixed reviews to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s handling of the pandemic, polls show.
Anger over the Japanese government’s handling of the pandemic helped sink the administration of Kishida predecessor Yoshihide Suga, and Kishida faces a crucial election for the upper house of parliament in July, Reuters reported.
About 73% of respondents to a Kyodo news agency opinion poll over the weekend felt Japan’s rollout of booster shots has been far two slow, though 54.1% approved of how it had tackled coronavirus overall.
As of Friday, only some 12% of the population had received booster shots even though nearly 30% of the country is 65 or older and at greater risk without the protection of the booster, even with Kishida repeatedly promising to accelerate the programme.
Kishida told a news conference last week that he has yet to receive the booster, but should get one early in March.
Nearly half of respondents to the two-day telephone survey said it was “too early” to loosen border controls, which have among been the strictest among wealthy nations but were slammed by businesses and educators, a move set to take place in stages from 1 March.
About 45.7% said the decision, which will open borders to foreigners except for tourists, came too early, Kyodo said, while 34.9% said it was “appropriate” and 16.3% saw it as too late.
Boris Johnson will proclaim that the lifting of all remaining Covid restrictions in England this week marks a “moment of pride” when he unveils the government’s long-term strategy for living with the virus, despite concerns from scientists, health experts and Labour that the move is premature.
The legal requirement for anyone with Covid to isolate will be ditched a month earlier than planned, while free PCR and lateral flow tests for everyone will be axed to rein in public spending and attempt to restore people’s confidence that life can return to normality. The tests will reportedly be kept for the over-80s.
The national contact tracing service is expected to be wound down and schoolchildren will no longer be told to get tested twice a week.
Fresh guidance is expected to be issued, similar to that already published about seasonal flu, designed to let individuals make their own judgments about the risk of catching or transmitting Covid.
Following meetings over the weekend the cabinet will be assembled to rubber stamp the plans on Monday before a Commons statement by the prime minister and a press conference in the evening, likely to feature the government’s two leading pandemic advisers, Chris Whitty and Patrick Vallance.
The changes will be announced on Monday and start to come into effect from later in the week.
Hello and welcome to the global Covid live blog. My name is Tom Ambrose and I will be bringing you all the latest coronavirus headlines from around the world over the next couple of hours.
We start with the news that New Zealand will lift Covid vaccine mandates and social distancing measures after the Omicron peak has passed, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said on Monday.
The announcement comes as protesters occupying the parliament grounds again clashed with police.
Inspired by truckers’ demonstrations in Canada, thousands of protesters have blocked streets near the parliament in the capital Wellington for two weeks with trucks, cars and motorcycles, piling pressure on the government to scrap vaccine mandates.
Ardern refused to set a hard date, but said there would be a narrowing of vaccine requirements after Omicron reaches a peak, which is expected in mid to late March.
“We all want to go back to the way life was. And we will, I suspect sooner than you think,” Ardern said at a weekly news conference.
“But when that happens, it will be because easing restrictions won’t compromise the lives of thousands of people – not because you demanded it,” she said, addressing protesters.
The demonstrations began as a stand against the vaccine mandates but have since spread to become a wider movement against Ardern and her government.
On Monday, eight people were arrested for disorderly behaviour and obstruction, with human waste thrown over some police officers.