14th May 2021 https://nfind.uk/lockdown_exit/index.php/newsletter=319 lockdown_exit

Vaccinated Americans can go maskless in most places: CDC

Al Jazeera English The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC took a significant step in moving the United States beyond the COVID19 pandemic by easing indoor and outdoor maskwearing guidelines for fully vaccinated people on Thursday. The new guidance allows those who have been immunised to go maskfree in most places the CDC announced crediting data showing the realworld effectiveness of the vaccines that are being administered across the US. The CDC also no longer recommends that fully vaccinated people wear masks outdoors in crowds. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/13/vaccinated-americans-can-go-maskless-in-most-places-cdc 13th May 2021

CDC’s U-Turn Puts Business in ‘Damned If You Do’ (Or Don’t) Bind

Bloomberg on MSN.com Companies are rushing to assess their mask policies after a sudden announcement by U.S. officials put newly relaxed federal guidelines in conflict with the rules at many businesses. Home Depot Inc. and TJX Cos. said they dont immediately plan to change their policies advising face coverings be worn inside their stores while Macys Inc. Levi Strauss Co. and Gap Inc. said theyre reviewing the new guidance. The National Restaurant Association is also looking at the recommendations and is evaluating its Covid19 operating guidance and best practices for restaurants while some banks are indicating theyll continue to require face coverings at least for now. https://www.msn.com/en-us/finance/other/cdc-e2-80-99s-u-turn-puts-business-in-e2-80-98damned-if-you-do-e2-80-99-or-don-e2-80-99t-bind/ar-BB1gHUyM 14th May 2021

WTO can show ‘relevance’ with vaccine waiver, US trade rep says

Al Jazeera English United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai said on Thursday that World Trade Organization negotiations over intellectual property waivers for COVID19 vaccines are a chance for the deeply divided trade body to make itself relevant to the worlds needs. Tai speaking to the House Ways and Means Committee said she was committed to entering negotiations that take into account concerns from all sides including drug companies. https://www.aljazeera.com/economy/2021/5/13/wto-can-show-relevance-with-vaccine-waiver-us-trade-rep-says 13th May 2021

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy Says Covid-19 Vaccine Waiver Is a Step to Increase Global Supply

Wall Street Journal U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy said the world is in a race to stop Covid19 variants like the one spreading through India saying that a temporary waiver of intellectual property rights for vaccines was one step toward increasing supply and that booster shots might also be needed. Dr. Murthy said during The Wall Street Journals Future of Everything Festival that the three vaccines used in the U.S. have so far proven to be effective against severe infection and death when it comes to variants like the more transmissible B.1.1.7 variant first identified in the U.K. But he said more research was needed to determine the level of protection those vaccines offer against B.1.617 which originated in India and was classified this week by the World Health Organization as a global variant of concern. https://www.wsj.com/articles/surgeon-general-vivek-murphy-says-covid-19-vaccine-waiver-is-a-step-to-increase-global-supply-11620915304 13th May 2021

Double world's coronavirus vaccine production, pleads U.N. chief

Reuters United Nations SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres called on Wednesday for the need to double the capacity of COVID19 vaccine production and for fairer redistribution of the shots in the developing world which faces new waves of the coronavirus. Many countries are experiencing shortages of the vaccine especially India worsening a dire second wave of infections that has left hospitals and morgues overflowing while families scramble for increasingly scarce medicines and oxygen. At the same time the European Union has reserved a surplus of the vaccines. https://www.reuters.com/world/un-chief-calls-doubling-output-capacity-covid-19-vaccines-2021-05-12/ 13th May 2021

When will COVID-19 vaccines be widely available globally?

The Associated Press When will COVID19 vaccines be widely available globally Experts say it could be 2023 or later before the shots are widely available in some countries. The United States Israel and the United Kingdom are among the nations where about half or more of the population has gotten at least one shot. In some countries including South Africa Pakistan and Venezuela less than 1 of people have been vaccinated. In nearly a dozen countries mostly in Africa there have been no jabs at all. The differences reflect a mix of factors including purchasing power domestic production capacity access to raw materials and global intellectual property laws. The U.S. has supported waiving intellectual property protection for the vaccines. But its not clear whether there will be global agreement on the issue and if so whether that would help speed up production. https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-government-and-politics-health-1f85aaff6cddeac2be6aa50b40003d76 13th May 2021

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine seeks to incentivize coronavirus vaccines with chance to win $1 million

The Washington Post As demand for the coronavirus vaccine plateaus Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is giving state residents a shot to win 1 million. The Republican governor announced Wednesday night that vaccinated adults will be eligible to enter a lottery that will pay out 1 million each to five winners beginning May 26. Separately DeWine is offering five vaccinated teenagers fullride scholarships to the states public universities which includes all four years of tuition room board and textbooks. I know that some may say DeWine youre crazy This milliondollar drawing idea of yours is a waste of money. But truly the real waste at this point in the pandemic when the vaccine is readily available to anyone who wants it is a life lost to covid19 DeWine said in a statewide address. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/05/12/ohio-gov-mike-dewine-seeks-incentivize-covid-vaccines-with-chance-win-1-million/ 13th May 2021

COVID-19 vaccination drive again exposes India’s digital divide

AlJazeera For anyone aged between 18 and 44 getting a slot in Indias expanded vaccination drive already plagued by shortages and political squabbles has been like buying tickets for a rock concert where popular bands sell out in minutes. The expansion came with restrictions including only online registrations for the 1844yearolds locking out up to half of Indias population particularly in poor and rural areas who do not have smartphones or internet access. A report by The Indian Express newspaper on Thursday said 85 percent of those who got vaccinated since May 1 belong to just seven of the 28 states raising critical questions on vaccine equity. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/13/covid-19-vaccination-drive-again-exposes-indias-digital-divide 13th May 2021

Pediatricians primed to lead Covid vaccination efforts as kids become eligible

NBC News Now that both the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have greenlighted Pfizers Covid19 vaccine for emergency use in kids ages 12 to 15 pediatricians will soon find themselves on the front lines of the countrys vaccination efforts playing an essential role in communicating to parents the safety and importance of getting their kids the shot. Thats a tall order for pediatricians who say theyre facing skyrocketing vaccine hesitancy among families. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/pediatricians-primed-lead-covid-vaccination-efforts-kids-become-eligible-n1266876 13th May 2021

As pediatricians, we say please don’t use precious coronavirus vaccines on healthy children

The Washington Post In March three months after its coronavirus vaccine was authorized in the United States and Europe Pfizer and BioNTech reported the successful results of a trial in adolescents. The companies also initiated studies in children as young as 6 months old. Vaccine maker Moderna has also performed studies in adolescents and younger children. On Monday the Food and Drug Administration granted authorization of PfizerBioNTechs vaccine for 12 to 15yearolds. An application for children ages 2 to 11 may be forthcoming in September. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2021/05/12/pediatricians-we-say-please-dont-use-precious-coronavirus-vaccines-healthy-children/ 13th May 2021

New Zealand sets out plans to reconnect with post-pandemic world

AlJazeera New Zealands Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said her government will explore more travel bubbles and lead trade delegations later this year to reconnect with a postpandemic world. With a majority of New Zealands essential workers vaccinated against COVID19 and inoculation for the wider population set to start in July Ardern said on Thursday that her government was now ready to rebuild contact with the rest of the world. Arderns plan for a partial and phased reopening comes after more than a year of a tough border closure which has helped New Zealand a Pacific nation of five million people eliminate the coronavirus within its borders. The first step in New Zealands reopening was a travel bubble with Australia which began last month. Ardern said her government will also allow quarantine free travel with South Pacifics Cook Islands on Monday. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/13/new-zealand-sets-out-plans-to-re-connect-with-post-pandemic-world 13th May 2021

'Covid Zero' Havens Find Reopening Harder Than Containing Virus

Bloomberg A smattering of places mainly across the Asia Pacific region have posted breathtaking victories in the battle against Covid19 by effectively wiping it out within their borders. Now they face a fresh test rejoining the rest of the world which is still awash in the pathogen. In some ways the success of Covid Zero locations is becoming a straitjacket. As cities like New York and London return to inperson dealmaking and business as usual tolerating hundreds of daily cases as vaccination gathers pace financial hubs like Singapore and Hong Kong risk being left behind as they maintain stringent border curbs and try to stamp out singledigit flareups. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-13/-covid-zero-havens-find-reopening-harder-than-containing-virus 13th May 2021

Brazil to pause production of AstraZeneca vaccine due to lack of ingredients

Nasdaq Brazils Fiocruz biomedical institute said on Thursday it would interrupt production of the AstraZeneca AZN.L vaccine for certain days next week due to a lack of ingredients until new supplies arrive on May 22. Fiocruz a governmentbacked center in Rio de Janeiro said on Twitter that production based on current supplies would allow it to continue delivering vaccines through the first week of June with additional supplies to sustain production beyond that. https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/brazil-to-pause-production-of-astrazeneca-vaccine-due-to-lack-of-ingredients-2021-05-13 14th May 2021

Japan's coronavirus vaccine booking system crashes

Reuters Technical problems derailed Japans coronavirus vaccination booking system on Wednesday compounding frustration over the governments handling of new outbreaks of infections and an inoculation drive that critics say has been woefully slow. The online system to book a vaccine crashed in many places including parts of Tokyo and the western city of Minoh because of a global problem with U.S. cloud computing vendor Salesforce.com Inc public broadcaster NHK reported. Salesforce chief technology officer Parker Harris said on Twitter that the company was experiencing a major disruption later updating to say services had been mostly restored. https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/japans-coronavirus-vaccine-booking-system-crashes-2021-05-12/ 13th May 2021

Thousands of Cambodians go hungry in strict lockdown zones

The Guardian Tens of thousands of Cambodians are going hungry under the countrys strict lockdown as Covid cases continue to rise amid criticism from human rights groups that the government and the UN are being too slow to act. The southeast Asian country had recorded one of the worlds smallest coronavirus caseloads but infections have climbed from about 500 in late February to 20695 this week with 136 deaths. A threeweek blanket lockdown in the capital Phnom Penh was lifted last week but more than 150000 people are still living in designated red zones in cities across Cambodia forbidden from leaving their homes other than for specific medical reasons. Many have been living under the countrys most restrictive lockdown measures since midApril and have not been able to work or get food medicine and other necessities for weeks. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2021/may/13/thousands-of-cambodians-go-hungry-in-strict-lockdown-zones 13th May 2021

COVID-19: Delaying second dose of coronavirus vaccine could cut deaths by up to 20%, study suggests

Sky News Delaying the second dose of a COVID vaccine so more people can get a first dose could cut deaths by up to 20 a study suggests. The UK chose to use this strategy at the start of its rollout in December with most people getting their second dose around 12 weeks after their first. Thats despite a recommended interval of three weeks for the Pfizer jab and four to 12 weeks for the AstraZeneca vaccine. The peerreviewed paper published in the British Medical Journal used a simulation model to test a daily rollout rate of 0.1 0.3 and 1 of the population. Researchers found estimated deaths per 100000 people fell from 442 to 402 241 to 204 and 86 to 50 respectively comparing standard dosing with a delayed strategy. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-delaying-second-dose-of-coronavirus-vaccine-could-cut-deaths-by-up-to-20-study-suggests-12305188 13th May 2021

New study finds delaying the second dose of vaccine can save lives

The Hill Researchers measured the health outcomes of individuals who waited more than three weeks to get their second shot. For vaccines with an efficacy rate of more than 70 percent cumulative mortalities fell. This could help countries struggling to rollout the vaccines in a timely manner. https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/longevity/553307-new-study-finds-delaying-the-second-dose-of-vaccine-can 13th May 2021

Coronavirus: Over-50s and vulnerable in Indian variant hotspots will get second jabs rushed through

Daily Mail Older people living in areas of high infection to be offered second dose of the vaccine early to protect them. The JCVI also been asked to examine the case for targeted vaccinations of all over17s in the worsthit areas. Surge testing for the new coronavirus variant will also be deployed in areas where it is now spreading rapidly. Boris Johnson said he was anxious about variant and refused to rule out local lockdowns to try to contain it. Government sources played down the risk that outbreaks of the variant of concern could derail June 21 plans https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9575747/Coronavirus-UK-records-2-657-cases-11-deaths.html 13th May 2021

The ancestor of SARS-CoV-2’s Wuhan strain was circulating in late October 2019

News-Medical.Net The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 SARSCoV2 was first reported in a case from Wuhan China in December 2019 and subsequently became the cause of the coronavirus disease 2019 COVID19 pandemic that is ravaging the world today. A new study in the journal Molecular Biology and Evolution tracks its variants all over the world since the onset of the pandemic. Genomic sequencing has occurred using hundreds of thousands of viral genomic samples. The researchers used the best of these sequences to reveal how the virus has mutated and changed in different periods and regions of the pandemic. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20210507/The-ancestor-of-SARS-CoV-2e28099s-Wuhan-strain-was-circulating-in-late-October-2019.aspx 13th May 2021

Covid-19: Fever, chills, and aches more common when AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines are mixed, early data show

The BMJ Mixing doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca and the Pfizer BioNTech covid19 vaccine leads to more frequent mild to moderate reactions compared with standard dosing schedules researchers have reported. Researchers running the University of Oxford led ComCOV studywhich is investigating the reactogenicity and immunogenicity from mixing doses of the two vaccinesreported their preliminary results in a peer reviewed research letter in the Lancet. Matthew Snape associate professor in paediatrics and vaccinology at the University of Oxford and chief investigator on the trial said While this is a secondary part of what we are trying to explore through these studies it is important that we inform people about these data especially as these mixed doses schedules are being considered in several countries. The results from this study suggest that mixed dose schedules could result in an increase in work absences the day after immunisation and this is important to consider when planning immunisation of healthcare workers. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1216 13th May 2021

Mixing Covid-19 vaccines may lead to increased symptoms, study suggests

The Scotsman Mixing coronavirus vaccines increased the frequency of mild to moderate symptoms in those who received different jabs for the first and second dose preliminary data suggests. The ComCov study was launched in February to investigate alternating doses of the OxfordAstraZeneca and Pfizer Covid19 jabs with either being given as the first dose and then the other as the second. https://www.scotsman.com/read-this/mixing-covid-19-vaccines-may-lead-to-increased-symptoms-study-suggests-3234795 13th May 2021

Period changes could be a harmless side effect of the Covid vaccine

Evening Standard A survey has been launched to probe whether or not menstrual changes could be a side effect of the Covid19 vaccine. The survey started last month came after Dr Kate Clancy a medical anthropologist shared on Twitter her experience of an unusually heavy period following the Moderna jab. Her post was met with dozens of similar accounts in response and one woman claimed she had not stopped bleeding since she got her second Pfizer vaccine back in January. https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/period-changes-covid-vaccine-side-effect-b934899.html 13th May 2021

COVID-19: Delaying second dose of coronavirus vaccine could cut deaths by up to 20%, study suggests

Sky News Delaying the second dose of a COVID vaccine so more people can get a first dose could cut deaths by up to 20 a study suggests. The UK chose to use this strategy at the start of its rollout in December with most people getting their second dose around 12 weeks after their first. Thats despite a recommended interval of three weeks for the Pfizer jab and four to 12 weeks for the AstraZeneca vaccine. The peerreviewed paper published in the British Medical Journal used a simulation model to test a daily rollout rate of 0.1 0.3 and 1 of the population. Researchers found estimated deaths per 100000 people fell from 442 to 402 241 to 204 and 86 to 50 respectively comparing standard dosing with a delayed strategy. https://news.sky.com/story/covid-19-delaying-second-dose-of-coronavirus-vaccine-could-cut-deaths-by-up-to-20-study-suggests-12305188 13th May 2021

CureVac-GSK coronavirus variant vaccine generates good immune response in rats

Yahoo Finance UK A secondgeneration COVID19 vaccine developed by CureVac and GlaxoSmithKline designed to protect against coronavirus variants produced a high level of immune response in a trial in rats the companies said on Thursday. CureVac in February said it would team up with GlaxoSmithKline on a COVID19 vaccine aimed at targeting several variants with one shot. The shot uses messenger RNA technology similar to successful vaccines made by PfizerBioNTech and Moderna and clinical trials of the shot in humans are expected to start in the third quarter of this year. The mRNA backbone of the shot differs from CureVacs first COVID19 vaccine candidate and it is designed to work well at lower doses. https://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/curevac-gsk-coronavirus-variant-vaccine-145746698.html 13th May 2021

Biotech company pushing to begin Australian production of mRNA coronavirus vaccines

ABC News An international biotech company says it could manufacture mRNA COVID19 vaccines including Pfizers in Australia but would need support and investment from the federal government. BioCina last year purchased Pfizers former manufacturing plant at Thebarton in Adelaides west and said it had the capability to develop key ingredients for coranavirus vaccines. We already have a really good facility in Thebarton that is commercially approved to manufacture microbial products BioCinas chief executive Ian Wisenberg told ABC Radio Adelaide. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-12/australian-production-of-mrna-coronavirus-vaccines/100133234 13th May 2021

LA Times owner offers $210million to create new Covid vaccines in South Africa

The Independent A US billionaire has announced he will offer 3bn South African rand 152m to South Africa where he was born to help create coronavirus vaccines. The New York Times reports that Dr Patrick SoonShiong who owns The Los Angeles Times said on Wednesday that his business and philanthropic foundation would donate the money. The money will be used to send the technology for producing vaccines and biological therapies to get ahead of the pandemic and make shots that will combat the new variants of the disease. Our goal and our commitment is to come back to South Africa and transfer this kind of technology Dr SoonShiong reportedly said at an international meeting on the equitable distribution of coronavirus vaccines. Referring to South Africa he said Not only do we have the science we have the human capital and the capacity and the desire. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/la-times-covid-vaccine-south-africa-b1846842.html 13th May 2021

Covid-19: Fever, chills, and aches more common when AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines are mixed, early data show

The BMJ Mixing doses of the Oxford AstraZeneca and the Pfizer BioNTech covid19 vaccine leads to more frequent mild to moderate reactions compared with standard dosing schedules researchers have reported. Researchers running the University of Oxford led ComCOV studywhich is investigating the reactogenicity and immunogenicity from mixing doses of the two vaccinesreported their preliminary results in a peer reviewed research letter in the Lancet. Matthew Snape associate professor in paediatrics and vaccinology at the University of Oxford and chief investigator on the trial said While this is a secondary part of what we are trying to explore through these studies it is important that we inform people about these data especially as these mixed doses schedules are being considered in several countries. The results from this study suggest that mixed dose schedules could result in an increase in work absences the day after immunisation and this is important to consider when planning immunisation of healthcare workers. https://www.bmj.com/content/373/bmj.n1216 13th May 2021

Blood Expert Says He Found Why Some Covid-19 Vaccines Trigger Rare Clots

Wall Street Journal Scientists worldwide are racing to understand why Covid19 vaccines from AstraZeneca and Johnson Johnson are causing rare but potentially deadly blood clots. Determining the connection would help patients doctors and health agencies better assess any risks posed by the vaccines and safely calibrate their use. In recent weeks the U.S. the Canadian province of Ontario and several European countries including Norway and Denmark either paused or completely halted rollouts involving these vaccines. Understanding the cause is of highest importance for the nextgeneration vaccines because the novel coronavirus will stay with us and vaccination will likely become seasonal said Eric van Gorp a professor at Erasmus University in the Netherlands who heads a group of scientists studying the condition. https://www.wsj.com/articles/inside-the-hunt-for-a-link-between-some-covid-19-vaccines-and-rare-blood-clots-11620898201 13th May 2021

Indian states turn to anti-parasitic drug to fight COVID-19 against WHO advice

Reuters India At least two Indian states have said they plan to dose their populations with the antiparasitic drug ivermectin to protect against severe COVID19 infections as their hospitals are overrun with patients in critical condition. The move by the coastal state of Goa and northern state of Uttarakhand come despite the World Health Organization and others warning against such measures. The current evidence on the use of ivermectin to treat COVID19 patients is inconclusive WHO said in a statement in late March. Until more data is available WHO recommends that the drug only be used within clinical trials. https://www.reuters.com/world/india/indian-states-turn-anti-parasitic-drug-fight-covid-19-against-who-advice-2021-05-13/ 13th May 2021

S.Africa's COVID-19 death toll much higher than official tally - report

Reuters A South African report into excess deaths over the past year suggests more than 133000 people in the country have died from COVID19 far more than the official tally of nearly 55000. The South African Medical Research Council SAMRC has been monitoring excess deaths since May 2020. In its latest report published on Wednesday the SAMRC said South Africa had seen 157000 excess deaths in the past 12 months and estimated that 85 of them were caused by COVID19 which means just over 133000 people have died from the disease. https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/safricas-covid-19-death-toll-much-higher-than-official-tally-report-2021-05-13/ 13th May 2021

COVID cases across India being traced to weeks-long Kumbh Mela

AlJazeera As a second wave of the coronavirus began in India in early April millions of Hindus congregated at Haridwar a Himalayan city in Uttarakhand state to take a holy dip in the Ganges. When the devotees returned home in crowded buses and trains they spread the infection in villages and towns prompting officials in some states to track and quarantine them. But many did not turn up for coronavirus tests despite officials making public announcements urging devotees to report and be screened. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/13/covid-cases-across-india-being-traced-to-weeks-long-kumbh-mela 13th May 2021

Thai prisoners at ‘grave risk’ amid record surge in COVID cases

AlJazeera Thailand has posted a record jump in COVID19 cases following a spike in infections at the countrys overcrowded prisons and detention facilities that has affected several young activists held on charges of insulting the monarchy. Health authorities on Thursday reported a total of 4887 cases in a new daily record for Thailand since the pandemic began. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/13/thai-prisoners-at-grave-risk-amid-record-surge-in-covid-cases 13th May 2021

As India’s Covid Crisis Rages, Nearby Countries Brace for the Worst

The New York Times Most of Nepal is under lockdown its hospitals overwhelmed. Bangladesh suspended vaccination signups after promised supplies were cut off. Sri Lankas hopes of a tourismled economic revival have collapsed. As India battles a horrific surge of the coronavirus the effects have spilled over to its neighbors. Most nearby countries have sealed their borders. Several that had been counting on Indianmade vaccines are pleading with China and Russia instead. The question is whether that will be enough in a region that shares many of the risk factors that made India so vulnerable densely populated cities heavy air pollution fragile health care systems and large populations of poor workers who must weigh the threat of the virus against the possibility of starvation. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/05/13/world/asia/covid19-india-nepal-bangladesh-sri-lanka.html 13th May 2021

COVID-19 kills more than 4,000 Indians amid clamour for vaccines

Reuters India recorded more than 4000 COVID19 deaths for a second straight day on Thursday as infections stayed below 400000 and extended the interval between doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to up to 16 weeks amid a dire shortage of shots in the country. Experts remain unsure when numbers will peak and concern is growing about the transmissibility of the variant that is driving infections in India and spreading worldwide. Bhramar Mukherjee a professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan said most models had predicted a peak this week and that the country could be seeing signs of that trend. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/more-than-4000-indians-die-covid-19-second-straight-day-2021-05-13/ 13th May 2021

Top scientists question the need for COVID-19 booster shots

Reuters Vaccine makers Moderna Inc and Pfizer Inc with its German partner BioNTech have been vocal in their view that the world will soon need COVID19 booster shots to maintain high levels of immunity. What is less clear however is who should make that decision and based on what evidence. https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/top-scientists-question-need-covid-19-booster-shots-2021-05-13/ 13th May 2021

Wealthy nations once lauded as successes lag in vaccinations

The Associated Press Some wealthy nations that were most praised last year for controlling the coronavirus are now lagging far behind in getting their people vaccinated and some especially in Asia are seeing COVID19 cases grow. In Japan South Korea and New Zealand the vaccination rates are languishing in the single figures. That is in sharp contrast to the U.S. where nearly half of all people have gotten at least one shot and Britain and Israel where rates are even higher. Not only do those three Pacific countries rank worst among all developed nations in vaccinating against COVID19 they also rank below many developing countries such as Brazil and India according to national figures and the online scientific publication Our World in Data. Australia which isnt providing a full breakdown of its vaccination numbers is also performing comparatively poorly as are several other places initially considered standout successes in battling the virus including Thailand Vietnam and Taiwan. https://apnews.com/article/world-news-europe-middle-east-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-7f53b3dc08949cb7c7f11bfc58a23af0 13th May 2021