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UK donates over 4 million vaccine doses to Bangladesh

This vaccine donation by the UK is a powerful demonstration of Brit Bangla Bondhon between two countries. The UK will do everything we can to support Bangladesh to save lives and defeat the pandemic…reports Asian Lite News.

The UK donated over 4 million doses of the University of Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, made by Oxford Bio-medical in Oxford and packaged in Wrexham, North Wales, to Bangladesh through the COVAX vaccine sharing mechanism.

Bangladesh’s fight against the coronavirus pandemic, and the country’s economic recovery, will be reinforced by this donation from the UK. The vaccine consignment arrived in Bangladesh on 13 December. While welcoming the donation, the British High Commissioner HE Robert Chatterton Dickson said, “We welcome the arrival of over 4 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine from the UK to Bangladesh. Like the rest of the world, the UK and Bangladesh have experienced difficult times because of the pandemic. And we are both in it together in building back better, safer, greener.”

This vaccine donation by the UK is a powerful demonstration of Brit Bangla Bondhon between two countries. The UK will do everything we can to support Bangladesh to save lives and defeat the pandemic.

On the afternoon of 15 December, Zahid Maleque, MP, Minister, Bangladesh Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, received the donations officially in an event held at the Bangladesh government’s guest house Padma. Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh HE Ito Naoki, UNICEF Representative to Bangladesh, Sheldon Yett, and senior officials from the government of Bangladesh were present at the event.

At the G7 this year, the UK committed to donate 100 million doses by June 2022. 80% of those UK doses will be distributed through the COVAX facility.

The UK has been at the forefront of the global response to Covid-19, including through investing £90 million to support the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Over half a billion doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine have been delivered at a non-profit price globally, with two-thirds going to lower and middle-income countries.

The UK also kick-started efforts to establish COVAX in 2020, providing a total of £548 million to fund vaccines for lower-income countries. The scheme has delivered more than 152 million vaccine doses to over 137 countries and territories, including in 83 lower-middle-income countries. 65% of the initial vaccine doses have been Oxford-AstraZeneca. COVAX aims to deliver 1.8 billion vaccines to lower-income countries around the world by early 2022.

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-Top News COVID-19 UK News

UK approves Covid jab for under-12s

The “overwhelming majority” of reported side-effects from the two-shot “age-appropriate” jab related to mild symptoms, such as a sore arm or a flu-like illness, she added…reports Asian Lite News.

British regulators on Wednesday approved Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine for use in children aged five to 11, as the country reported more than 100,000 new daily cases for the first time as Omicron surged.

The developments came after the government said it was cutting the isolation period required for positive cases while Wales and Northern Ireland followed Scotland in unveiling new post-Christmas curbs, primarily around hospitality and large events.

Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said it had approved a new lower-dose formulation of the Pfizer-BioNTech shot after finding it was “safe and effective” for children aged five to 11.

MHRA chief executive June Raine said there was “robust evidence to support a positive benefit risk for children in this age group”.

The “overwhelming majority” of reported side-effects from the two-shot “age-appropriate” jab related to mild symptoms, such as a sore arm or a flu-like illness, she added.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, which advises UK health departments on immunisation, said it was now recommending a primary course of the vaccination be offered to some within the age group.

Britain is in the midst of a stepped-up booster campaign, as it tries to minimise the impact of weeks of rising Omicron infections.

On Wednesday the country surpassed 30 million third doses administered as it aims to offer the additional jab to all adults before the end of the year.

Record infections

The variant is now the dominant strain of the virus across the UK — already one of the hardest hit in Europe, with a death toll of nearly 148,000 — as daily cases reach record levels.

It announced 106,122 new infections Wednesday, the highest figure since mass testing began in the summer of last year.

Earlier, the government said people who have tested positive can stop self-isolating after seven days instead of 10 if they have taken two negative lateral flow tests.

Amid the skyrocketing case numbers, it could potentially allow many more to join family Christmas celebrations.

Hours later, devolved governments in Cardiff and Belfast announced new curbs from December 26 — leaving just England with no imminent restrictions unveiled.

In Wales, socialising in pubs, cinemas and restaurants will be limited to groups of six people or less, while mandatory table service and providing contract tracing details will return.

In Northern Ireland, nightclubs will have to close at 8 pm, alongside guidance to limit contacts with different households.

It follows Scotland announcing renewed rules there Tuesday, which also come into force on December 26 for at least three weeks, and cap attendance at outdoor events at 500.

The move means the pandemic has forced the cancellation of Edinburgh’s hugely popular New Year’s Eve street party for the second successive year.

Antiviral drugs deal

However, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has resisted calls to impose stricter rules in England over Christmas.

The embattled leader, reeling from weeks of scandals and setbacks — plus growing discontent in his own party — has said he wants more evidence on Omicron’s severity and ability to evade vaccines.

Meanwhile his government has signed deals to buy more than 4 million courses of two new antiviral drugs– Pfizer’s ritonavir and US rival Merck/MSD’s molnupiravir — to treat Covid-19.

Molnupiravir, sold as Lagevrio, is part of a national trial run by the University of Oxford that people can join if they have virus symptoms.

S.African govt welcomes removal of travel curbs by UK

Britain was the first country in the world to approve it last month and the authorities will make it available to those at high risk of severe illness, such as people with cancer.

Pfizer’s pill, marketed as Paxlovid, has yet to be authorised anywhere in the world.

The company said Tuesday that clinical trials showed it reduced hospital admissions and deaths among at-risk people by almost 90 percent, when taken a few days after symptoms began.

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-Top News COVID-19 EU News

EU to supply 20mn additional vaccine doses to fight Omicron

These doses come on top of the already scheduled 195 million doses from BioNTech-Pfizer, bringing the total number of deliveries in Q1 to 215 million…reports Asian Lite News.

The member states of the European Union (EU) will receive an additional 20 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in the first three months of next year to hasten the pace against the fast-spreading Omicron variant, the European Commission has said.

“The Commission has today agreed with BioNTech-Pfizer to accelerate the delivery of its mRNA vaccine to Member States, starting in a few weeks,” it has said in an announcement on Sunday.

Five million doses will be delivered in January, another five million in February and an extra ten million doses in March.

These doses come on top of the already scheduled 195 million doses from BioNTech-Pfizer, bringing the total number of deliveries in Q1 to 215 million.

Australians require annual booster vaccines for the foreseeable future

The announcement came after the European Commission announced on Thursday that Moderna had agreed to accelerate the delivery of its mRNA vaccine to EU countries.

“In view of the deteriorating epidemiological situation in the European Union over the past months, full vaccination and the roll-out of boosters remains one of the EU’s top health priorities,” said the executive arm of the EU.

Being the world’s Covid-19 epicenter for a second time, Europe is bracing for a new wave of the pandemic.

On December 16, 529 new Omicron cases were reported in the European Union and European Economic Area (EU/EEA), contributing to an overall total of 3,158 cases caused by the variant, said the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

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Omicron reduces vaccine efficacy, says WHO

Early evidence suggests Omicron causes “a reduction in vaccine efficacy against infection and transmission”, the WHO said in a technical brief…reports Asian Lite News.

The Omicron coronavirus variant is more transmissible than the Delta strain and reduces vaccine efficacy but causes less severe symptoms according to early data, the World Health Organization said Sunday.

The Delta variant, first identified in India earlier this year, is responsible for most of the world’s coronavirus infections.

But South Africa’s discovery of Omicron — which has a large number of mutations — last month prompted countries around the world to impose travel bans on southern African countries and reintroduce domestic restrictions to slow its spread.

The WHO said Omicron had spread to 63 countries as of December 9. Faster transmission was noted in South Africa, where Delta is less prevalent, and in Britain, where Delta is the dominant strain.

But it stressed that a lack of data meant it could not say if Omicron’s rate of transmission was because it was less prone to immune responses, higher transmissibility or a combination of both.

Early evidence suggests Omicron causes “a reduction in vaccine efficacy against infection and transmission”, the WHO said in a technical brief.

“Given the current available data, it is likely that Omicron will outpace the Delta variant where community transmission occurs,” it added.

Omicron infections have so far caused “mild” illness or asymptomatic cases, but the WHO said the data was insufficient to establish the variant’s clinical severity.

South Africa reported Omicron to the WHO on November 24. Vaccine manufacturers Pfizer/BioNTech last week said three doses of their jabs were still effective against Omicron.

Countries with sufficient vaccine supplies such as Britain and France have encouraged their populations to receive a third “booster” jab to fight Omicron.

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Telangana man climbs on tree to avoid getting vaccinated

According to the director of public health, out of 2.77 crore targeted population, 2.58 crore (93 per cent) have taken the first dose. Only 1.37 crore (49 per cent) have taken the second dose…reports Asian Lite News.

With the health authorities going door to door to expedite Covid-19 vaccination and achieve 100 per cent target in Telangana by the end of December, incidents of vaccine hesitancy are coming to light.

In one such incident in Telangana’s Sangareddy district on Tuesday, a man climbed on a tree to avoid vaccination. When the health workers reached the house of Ghousuddin at Rejinthal village in Nyalkal mandal of Sangareddy district, he refused to take the vaccine.

Though Ghousuddin’s father Sardar Ali and other family members tried to persuade him to take the jab, the 33-year-old refused to budge. When the locals insisted, the man climbed on a tree. According to eye-witnesses, he sat on the tree for one hour and got down only after the health workers had left the place.

In another incident in Sangareddy town, a group of residents refused to take the vaccine and even tried to attack the health employees who were going door to door to administer the doses. Some people in the Nalsabgadda area raised objection to the visit by the team of health workers and refused to take the vaccine. They entered into an argument with the officials and asked if it was compulsory to take the vaccine.

This led to tension in the area. The health staff informed the police that a man tried to attack them. They also staged a protest demanding action against him. A police officer who rushed there said a case would be registered if the health employees lodge a written complaint. The police officer later succeeded in persuading the residents to take the vaccine.

The health workers are going door to door across the state to ensure 100 per cent vaccination. Since 51 per cent of the eligible people have not taken the second dose despite completing the gap time between two doses, the department is trying to administer the dose by going to their doorsteps.

According to the director of public health, out of 2.77 crore targeted population, 2.58 crore (93 per cent) have taken the first dose. Only 1.37 crore (49 per cent) have taken the second dose.

Of the 33 districts, the percentage of eligible people who have taken the second dose is 40 or less in 16 districts. Kumaram Bheem district has the lowest percentage (16) of people who have taken the second dose. Only 19 per cent have received the second dose in Vikarabad and Jogu Lamba Gadwal districts.

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-Top News COVID-19 India News

Poonawalla warns about vaccine hesitancy

The company is also likely to start supplying the Covid vaccines to the Covax after India resumed Vaccine Maitri to export vaccines starting from October 2021, said a source…reports Asian Lite News.

The vaccine hesitancy is now the greatest threat in overcoming the Covid pandemic, said Pune based Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla on Wednesday. He urged all adults to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Poonawalla said that the vaccine industry has worked tirelessly to provide enough stocks for the nation. “Today there are over 200 million doses available with states. I urge all adults to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Vaccine hesitancy is now the greatest threat in overcoming this pandemic”, he said in a tweet.

The company is also likely to start supplying the Covid vaccines to the Covax after India resumed Vaccine Maitri to export vaccines starting from October 2021, said a source.

India resumed the vaccine export under Vaccine Maitri in the fourth quarter starting from October to fulfill the commitment towards COVAX in line with the motto Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (World is one family). India had stopped vaccine exports in April amid second Covid surge to jab its own population.

Meanwhile, India’s Covid 19 vaccination coverage has crossed 114 crore landmark as more than 65 lakh vaccine doses were administered till 7 p.m. on Wednesday.

India’s Covid cases are also on declining trajectory. The country on Wednesday reported 10,197 new Covid cases and 301 deaths in a day.

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US govt pressuring India to restart Covid-19 vaccine exports

Early this year, India halted vaccine exports as coronavirus cases surged in the country….reports Asian Lite News

The US is quietly pressuring India to restart COVID-19 vaccine exports, Axios reported citing sources.

According to the report, the Biden administration is planning to offer a higher-profile role for Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the COVID-19 global summit in New York if he agrees to release vaccines soon.

Early this year, India halted vaccine exports as coronavirus cases surged in the country.

According to Axios, convincing PM Modi to resume vaccine supply, is an important part of the Biden administration’s strategy to mitigate the international spread of the virus.

An administration official acknowledged discussing vaccine exports but denied they are tied to Modi’s upcoming participation.

“We have regularly been communicating with [the] government of India in bilateral and multilateral channels to discuss vaccine supply and inquire about the timeline for exports, and these conversations are not tied to a specific summit or engagement,” the U.S. official said on the condition of anonymity.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit the US later this month to participate along with Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga of Japan and US President Joseph R Biden, in the Leaders’ Summit of the Quadrilateral Framework.

Prime Minister is scheduled to address the General Debate of the High-Level Segment of the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) on 25 September 2021 in New York. The theme for this year’s General Debate is ‘Building Resilience through hope to recover from COVID-19, rebuild sustainably, respond to the needs of the planet, respect the rights of people, and revitalise the United Nations.

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Vaccines to be compulsory for frontline NHS staff

The decision comes just days before rules requiring staff working in care homes to be fully vaccinated – including GPs visiting patients – come into effect…reports Asian Lite News.

Under regulations to be brought forward imminently, providers of CQC-regulated activity – including GP practices, hospitals, and services delivering care in patients’ homes – will only be allowed to employ staff in roles involving interaction with patients if they are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

The regulations will cover not only frontline clinical staff, but also ‘non-clinical workers not directly involved in patient care but who nevertheless may have direct, face to-face contact with patients, such as receptionists, ward clerks, porters and cleaners’, guidance published by the government confirms.

Only a handful of staff will be exempt – including those aged under 18, those who are medically exempt, and those who do not have face-to-face contact with patients – such as staff providing remote care or management support ‘in sites apart from patient areas’.

The decision comes just days before rules requiring staff working in care homes to be fully vaccinated – including GPs visiting patients – come into effect.

Announcing the decision in parliament, health and social care secretary Sajid Javid said the government had taken into account concerns that mandatory vaccination could further undermine an already-depleted NHS workforce.

He told MPs: “Support for making vaccination a condition of deployment was tempered with concerns that some people may choose to leave their posts if we went ahead with this. I have concluded that the scales tip clearly to one side. Only those colleagues who can show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can be employed or engaged in those settings. There will be only two exceptions – for those who do not have face-to-face contact with patients and those who are exempt.

These requirements will apply across health and wider social care settings that are regulated by the CQC. We are not the only country in the world that has taken such steps. We also consulted on flu vaccines, but having considered views that we should focus on COVID-19 we will not be introducing any requirements on flu jabs at this stage – but we will keep this under review.”

Official data show that 90% of NHS staff have now received at least two doses of COVID-19 vaccine, although in some NHS trusts coverage falls to around 80%.

Among staff working in care homes, numbers of staff who remain unvaccinated had more than halved to around 30,000 over the past month as the deadline for mandatory vaccination approached, the health and social care secretary said.

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-Top News Health UK News

PRE-BOOK BOOSTER JABS

People can now pre-book their booster jab appointment five months after their second jab, enabling them get their booster faster and more easily. It will allow eligible people to arrange to have their vaccine from the day they reach the six month milestone, rather than booking once they hit six months… reports Asian Lite News

The National Booking System has updated today to allow people to pre-book their booster appointment a month before they are eligible.

People can now pre-book their booster jab appointment five months after their second jab, enabling them get their booster faster and more easily. It will allow eligible people to arrange to have their vaccine from the day they reach the six month milestone, rather than booking once they hit six months.

Everyone aged over 50 and all those most at risk from COVID-19 should get a booster six months after their second dose. Over 10 million people have received their booster, ensuring the vital protection they have secured from their first two doses is maintained over the winter months.

People can also book by calling 119 or visit one of the hundreds of walk-in sites across the country without an appointment. Eligible individuals can use the NHS online walk-in finder to locate the most convenient site.

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “Our national mission is to roll out boosters ahead of what will be a difficult winter.

“Today we’re making it easier and more convenient for people to book their jab, so they can top-up their protection as soon as they become eligible.

“We know immunity will fade over time, especially among older and more vulnerable groups so I urge everyone who is eligible to get online now.”

Vaccines Minister Maggie Throup said: “This winter will be tough and so we’re accelerating the booster programme to make it easier for people to book their jabs, ensuring everyone has the best possible protection against COVID-19.

“If it has been five months since you had your second dose – log onto the National Booking Service or call 119 to book in your top-up vaccine.”

Vaccines grant high levels of protection but immunity reduces over time, particularly for older adults and at-risk groups, so it is vital that vulnerable people come forward to get their COVID-19 booster vaccine to top-up their defences and protect themselves this winter.

The latest evidence from SAGE shows that protection against symptomatic disease falls from 65%, up to three months after the second dose, to 45% six months after the second dose for the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, and from 90% to 65% for the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Protection against hospitalisation falls from 95% to 75% for Oxford/AstraZeneca and 99% to 90% for Pfizer/BioNTech.

While vaccine effectiveness against severe disease remains high, a small drop in protection can generate a major shift in hospital admissions – change from 95% to 90% protection against hospitalisation would lead to doubling of admissions in those vaccinated.

The booster programme is designed to top up this waning immunity. Early results from Pfizer show that a booster following a full dose of the same vaccine restores protection back up to 95.6% against symptomatic infection.

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Australia COVID-19 World

Australians require annual booster vaccines for foreseeable future

Australians will require annual Covid-19 booster vaccines for the foreseeable future…reports Asian Lite News

Pharmacy Guild president Trent Twomey said annual booster vaccines will be necessary “for the foreseeable future” to protect Australians from the virus, reports Xinhua news agency.

“The question is what booster and what interval we need to get that booster, whether it’s every six, nine or 12 months. Those decisions need to be based on evidence and facts and at the moment that is an evolving space,” he was quoted by Nine Entertainment newspapers as saying on Sunday.

Australians require annual booster vaccines for foreseeable future

“In time we will treat Covid like many other viruses that have been around for decades, and a Covid-19 shot will just be another element of the Australian vaccination program.”

From Monday any Australian who has their second coronavirus vaccine at least six months ago will be eligible for a third booster shot.

So far about 89.3 per cent of Australians aged 16 and over have received one vaccine dose and 80.5 per cent were fully inoculated, according to the Department of Health.

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On Sunday, Australia reported more than 1,400 new locally-acquired Covid-19 cases and 10 deaths as the country continues to battle the third wave of infections.

Polling conducted for the Pharmacy Guild found that 57 per cent of Australians who do not intend to get vaccinated cited long-term side effects as a reason.

“These people aren’t necessarily anti-vaxxers, they are hesitant. We need to communicate with these people differently, it can’t be emotive, it has to be factual,” Twomey said.