EU chief calls for debate on making COVID-19 jabs mandatory
3 years ago

EU chief calls for debate on making COVID-19 jabs mandatory

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The chief of the European Union’s executive arm said Wednesday that EU nations should consider making COVID-19 vaccinations mandatory because too many people still refuse to get shots voluntarily. “It is understandable and appropriate to lead this discussion now - how we can encourage and potentially think about mandatory vaccination within the European Union,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said. Since health policy remains a national prerogative in the EU, and making jabs mandatory remains a highly controversial issue, von der Leyen’s remarks stood out. “This is an enormous health cost coming along.” German Chancellor-designate Olaf Scholz said he would back a proposal to mandate coronavirus vaccines for all next year.

Eu Nations  making  vaccines  variant  jabs  covid19  chief  health  nations  eu  age  calls  omicron  mandatory  debate  remains  european

History of this topic

EU countries destroyed €4 billion worth of Covid-19 vaccines, reveals research
1 year ago

EU countries destroyed €4 billion worth of Covid-19 vaccines, reveals research

Firstpost  

Governments, including the EU’s second-most populous country France, have been reluctant to reveal the scale of the waste, but it is certain that most EU nations have resorted to wasting doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, once a much sought after commodity Nearly 215 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines purchased by EU countries at the height of the pandemic have since …

NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week
1 year, 9 months ago

NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “We are obviously providing financial assistance — budgetary …

EU to try again for coordination on China COVID-19 policies
1 year, 11 months ago

EU to try again for coordination on China COVID-19 policies

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — European Union nations will try again on Wednesday to mold a coordinated approach on if and how authorities should check incoming airline passengers from China for any new COVID-19 variants after several member nations announced individual efforts over the past week. EU nations France, Spain and Italy have already announced independent measures to implement tougher COVID-19 measures for …

EU doesn’t follow Italy with COVID checks on China arrivals
1 year, 11 months ago

EU doesn’t follow Italy with COVID checks on China arrivals

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union is assessing Beijing’s rollback of its strict anti-infection controls but refrained Thursday from immediately following EU member Italy in requiring coronavirus tests for airline passengers coming from China. However, the EU’s executive arm said the BF.7 omicron variant prevalent in China was already circulating in Europe and that its threat had not significantly grown. Even …

WHO says new COVID-19 wave emerging in Europe
2 years, 2 months ago

WHO says new COVID-19 wave emerging in Europe

Al Jazeera  

UN agency’s regional data show only Europe with an increase in coronavirus cases in the week that ended October 2 as infections rose 8 percent from the week before. “Although we are not where we were one year ago, it is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic is still not over,” the WHO’s Europe director, Hans Kluge, and the ECDC’s director, …

EU regulator clears tweaked versions of COVID vaccines
2 years, 3 months ago

EU regulator clears tweaked versions of COVID vaccines

Associated Press  

LONDON — The European Medicines Agency has recommended the authorization of two coronavirus vaccines made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Inc., tweaked to include protection against an early version of the omicron variant. In a statement on Thursday, the EU drug regulator said the two messenger RNA boosters offered protection both against the original version of COVID-19 and the omicron subvariant …

Omicron infections provide protection against new COVID-19 variants, says study
2 years, 3 months ago

Omicron infections provide protection against new COVID-19 variants, says study

India TV News  

Vaccinated people who were infected by the earlier Omicron subvariants have four times greater protection than vaccinated people who were not infected against the new variants like BA.5, finds a new study. The study indicates that previous infection in vaccinated people continues to confer immunity for the variants that are known for their ability to evade the immune response. "Vaccinated …

WHO expert on hurdle in tracking new variants, reducing risk of long Covid
2 years, 4 months ago

WHO expert on hurdle in tracking new variants, reducing risk of long Covid

Hindustan Times  

The World Health Organization has been facing hurdles in tracking known and detecting new coronavirus variants amid reduced surveillance, testing and sequencing globally, a top expert has said days after WHO chief Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warned that “living with Covid” does not mean “living with mounting deaths”. As of August 14, the world health body had registered 587 million …

Omicron BA.5 dominant subvariant, Covid hospitalisations rising, says WHO expert
2 years, 4 months ago

Omicron BA.5 dominant subvariant, Covid hospitalisations rising, says WHO expert

Hindustan Times  

Omicron, the latest variant of concern, is dominant worldwide, the World Health Organization’s infectious disease epidemiologist, Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, has said, underlining that about half of the cases are linked to BA.5 sublineage. It’s the fifth or sixth week in a row where we’re seeing increases in the reported number of cases,” the world health body expert said in …

COVID cases triple across Europe and hospitalizations double, WHO says
2 years, 5 months ago

COVID cases triple across Europe and hospitalizations double, WHO says

LA Times  

The World Health Organization said Tuesday that coronavirus cases have tripled across Europe in the last six weeks, accounting for nearly half of all infections globally. “Just because a mask isn’t mandated doesn’t mean it’s prohibited.” The 53 countries in the WHO’s European region, which stretches to central Asia, reported nearly 3 million new coronavirus infections last week. “With rising …

WHO: COVID-19 cases rising nearly everywhere in the world
2 years, 5 months ago

WHO: COVID-19 cases rising nearly everywhere in the world

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The number of new coronavirus cases rose by 18% in the last week, with more than 4.1 million cases reported globally, according to the World Health Organization. The biggest weekly rise in new COVID-19 cases was seen in the Middle East, where they increased by 47%, according to the report released late Wednesday. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus …

Coronavirus infections rise 70% as fears of a new wave grow
2 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus infections rise 70% as fears of a new wave grow

Dutch News  

The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the Netherlands has risen for the third week in a row, and more people have been admitted to a hospital intensive care ward, public health institute RIVM said on Tuesday. Warnings On Monday, the Netherlands’ two biggest employers’ organisations made a public appeal to get people to start keeping to the basic coronavirus …

Coronavirus infections rise 70% as fears of a new wave grow
2 years, 6 months ago

Coronavirus infections rise 70% as fears of a new wave grow

Dutch News  

The number of confirmed coronavirus infections in the Netherlands has risen for the third week in a row, and more people have been admitted to a hospital intensive care ward, public health institute RIVM said on Tuesday. Warnings On Monday, the Netherlands’ two biggest employers’ organisations made a public appeal to get people to start keeping to the basic coronavirus …

Portugal’s COVID deaths grow as tourism season kicks off
2 years, 6 months ago

Portugal’s COVID deaths grow as tourism season kicks off

Al Jazeera  

COVID-19 cases and deaths are climbing in Portugal’s popular tourist hotspots like Lisbon, Porto and the Algarve region. “I was meant to start a new job this week, it’s come at the worst possible time.” Braud is one of thousands of citizens in the country of 10 million people who has recently tested positive for COVID-19, leaving health officials across …

Germany seeks to avoid school closures if COVID surges again
2 years, 6 months ago

Germany seeks to avoid school closures if COVID surges again

Associated Press  

BERLIN — Germany’s federal and state leaders agreed Thursday to try to avoid closing schools and child care facilities if there is another surge in coronavirus cases this fall. Chancellor Olaf Scholz said after meeting with the governors of Germany’s 16 states that the goal would be to prevent “another blanket closure” of schools and kindergartens like what happened during …

WHO Says Second Booster Jab Beneficial For Vulnerable Population
2 years, 7 months ago

WHO Says Second Booster Jab Beneficial For Vulnerable Population

News 18  

An expert group convened by the World Health Organization says there may be some benefit in giving a second booster dose of coronavirus vaccine to the most vulnerable people amid the continuing global spread of omicron and its subvariants. The WHO said its expert group had assessed the limited data from seven studies for second booster doses of messenger RNA …

Netherlands not prepared for Covid-19 outbreak in the fall: experts
2 years, 7 months ago

Netherlands not prepared for Covid-19 outbreak in the fall: experts

NL Times  

With hardly any restrictions in place, the coronavirus seems to have slipped from public consciousness. I don’t think that new structure will be in place this fall,” Anja Schreijer, former Outbreak Management Team member and former Head of the Infectious Disease Control Department at the GGD Amsterdam explained. “The demand is 600 million euros, the Cabinet has promised 300 million.” …

Booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine needed to fight against Omicron, says study
2 years, 8 months ago

Booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine needed to fight against Omicron, says study

Firstpost  

New Delhi: Neutralising antibody levels waned after six months in those who were fully vaccinated against the coronavirus with Covishield, Covaxin and a mix of both — Covishield as the first dose and Covaxin as the second dose with regard to Omicron variant, a study done by the National Institute of Virology in Pune has indicated. The heterologous vaccination regimen …

New Covid variants complicate the question of vaccine mandates
2 years, 10 months ago

New Covid variants complicate the question of vaccine mandates

Hindustan Times  

Post-infection immunity might be a strange topic for political strife, but it touches on Covid vaccine mandates and whether those who’ve had the virus should be exempt. “But I think it’s more nuanced now, and a lot of people think natural immunity gives you a substantial level of protection.” But how much protection, compared to vaccination? “That’s not clear.” Barouch …

Coronavirus live |
2 years, 10 months ago

Coronavirus live |

The Hindu  

It is too early to say anything definite on the COVID-19 pandemic becoming an endemic, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Wednesday while inaugurating the revamped canteen of the Ministry. National India adds 30,757 COVID-19 cases, tally increased to 4,27,54,315 With 30,757 people testing positive for the coronavirus infection in a day, India’s total tally of cases rose to …

WHO Europe warns of Covid rise in east, flags lagging vaccination rates
2 years, 10 months ago

WHO Europe warns of Covid rise in east, flags lagging vaccination rates

India Today  

The head of the World Health Organization’s Europe office said Tuesday that health officials are turning their attention to growing rates of COVID-19 infection in Eastern Europe, where six countries — including Russia and Ukraine — have seen a doubling in case counts over the last two weeks. Dr. Hans Kluge said the 53-country region, which stretches to former Soviet …

As COVID curbs are lifted, experts call for clear messaging
2 years, 10 months ago

As COVID curbs are lifted, experts call for clear messaging

Al Jazeera  

The Netherlands, Germany, South Africa and the United Kingdom are among several countries which have announced plans to lift the majority of COVID restrictions, despite the continuing spread of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus variant. The raft of announcements, including plans to scrap COVID self-isolation for those who test positive in England and an end to social distancing rules in …

Britain scraps all testing requirements for vaccinated travelers
2 years, 10 months ago

Britain scraps all testing requirements for vaccinated travelers

LA Times  

Vaccinated travelers can enter Britain without taking any coronavirus tests starting Friday, after the government scrapped one of the final restrictions imposed over the past two years in response to COVID-19. Andrew Flintham, managing director of travel group Tui UK, said there was “a huge pent-up demand for international travel,” and people were rushing to book getaways for the February …

Global Covid case load decline 17 per cent in last week, says WHO
2 years, 10 months ago

Global Covid case load decline 17 per cent in last week, says WHO

India TV News  

Highlights World Health Organisation says coronavirus case counts fell 17 per cent worldwide over the last week Countries which reported early rise in cases after Omicron outbreak now reporting less infections Case counts fell in each of WHO's six regions except its eastern Mediterranean zone The World Health Organisation says coronavirus case counts fell 17 per cent worldwide over the …

EU proposes to extend COVID certificates by 1 year
2 years, 10 months ago

EU proposes to extend COVID certificates by 1 year

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Commission proposed Thursday to extend by a year the use of COVID certificates aimed at facilitating travel across the 27-nation bloc during the pandemic, until the end of June 2023. The COVID-19 certificates entered into force in July last year and have been a successful tool to help EU citizens travel in the region in coronavirus …

WHO: Europe entering ‘plausible endgame’ to COVID pandemic
2 years, 10 months ago

WHO: Europe entering ‘plausible endgame’ to COVID pandemic

Associated Press  

COPENHAGEN — The director of the World Health Organization’s Europe office said Thursday the continent is now entering a “plausible endgame” to the pandemic and that the number of coronavirus deaths is starting to plateau. Dr. Hans Kluge said at a media briefing that there is a “singular opportunity” for countries across Europe to take control of COVID-19 transmission due …

A dose of realism: The Hindu Editorial on COVID-19 surge post Omicron
2 years, 10 months ago

A dose of realism: The Hindu Editorial on COVID-19 surge post Omicron

The Hindu  

The World Health Organization chief, Dr. Tedros Ghebreyesus, in a recent briefing, noted that 90 million cases of coronavirus have been reported since the Omicron variant was first identified 10 weeks ago. From WHO’s perspective, the blanket lifting of restrictions poses a problem as most people appear to believe that Omicron is less threatening compared to previous variants and that …

More countries in Europe, recently the pandemic’s epicenter, ease COVID restrictions
2 years, 10 months ago

More countries in Europe, recently the pandemic’s epicenter, ease COVID restrictions

LA Times  

Passengers ride maskless on the subway in Denmark, one of the first European countries to scrap most pandemic restrictions. Bit by bit, many countries that have been hard-hit by the coronavirus are opening up and easing their tough, and often unpopular, restrictive measures aimed at fighting COVID-19 even as the Omicron variant — deemed highly contagious but less severe — …

WHO: In 10 weeks, omicron surge causes COVID cases to soar
2 years, 10 months ago

WHO: In 10 weeks, omicron surge causes COVID cases to soar

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The World Health Organization chief said Tuesday that 90 million cases of coronavirus have been reported since the omicron variant was first identified 10 weeks ago — amounting to more than in all of 2020, the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. With many countries easing their restrictive measures amid public fatigue about them, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom …

Coronavirus cases since Omicron exceed those in all of 2020, WHO says
2 years, 10 months ago

Coronavirus cases since Omicron exceed those in all of 2020, WHO says

LA Times  

The head of the World Health Organization says 90 million coronavirus cases have been reported since the Omicron variant was first identified 10 weeks ago. The World Health Organization chief said Tuesday that 90 million coronavirus cases have been reported since the Omicron variant was first identified 10 weeks ago — amounting to more cases than in all of 2020, …

EU ombudsman slams executive arm over vaccine communication
2 years, 10 months ago

EU ombudsman slams executive arm over vaccine communication

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union’s executive arm is responsible of “maladministration” for mishandling a request for access to text messages between its president and the CEO of pharmaceutical company Pfizer regarding COVID-19 vaccine purchases, the bloc’s ombudsman said Friday. In April last year, a story published by the New York Times revealed that EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen …

England lifts Covid restrictions as Omicron threat recedes
2 years, 10 months ago

England lifts Covid restrictions as Omicron threat recedes

India Today  

Most coronavirus restrictions including mandatory face masks were lifted in England on Thursday, after Britain's government said its vaccine booster rollout successfully reduced serious illness and Covid-19 hospitalisations. Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the government's vaccine rollout, testing and development of antiviral treatments combine to make "some of the strongest defences in Europe", allowing a "cautious return" to normalcy. Officials …

EU seeks to streamline cross-border travel during pandemic
2 years, 10 months ago

EU seeks to streamline cross-border travel during pandemic

Associated Press  

BRUSSELS — The European Union is seeking to streamline the sometimes chaotic travel between its member states during the pandemic by relying more clearly on a person’s vaccine or infection status rather than where a traveler came from. The EU’s 27 Europe ministers agreed Tuesday on such a recommendation to avoid the endless second-guessing on planning trips to and from …

Belgium Okays Fourth Vaccine Shot for Immunocompromised People
2 years, 11 months ago

Belgium Okays Fourth Vaccine Shot for Immunocompromised People

News 18  

Belgium’s health ministers have approved a recommendation to use the fourth dose of coronavirus vaccine to better protect people with a weakened immune system against the virus. About 77% of Belgium’s nearly 11.5 million people are now fully vaccinated, and some 6.3 million Belgians have received a booster dose, according to the latest figures from health authorities. On Sunday, police …

Europe could be headed for pandemic \'endgame\': WHO
2 years, 11 months ago

Europe could be headed for pandemic \'endgame\': WHO

Deccan Chronicle  

COPENHAGEN: The Omicron variant has moved the Covid-19 pandemic into a new phase and could bring it to an end in Europe, the WHO Europe director said Sunday. "It's plausible that the region is moving towards a kind of pandemic endgame," Hans Kluge told AFP in an interview, adding that Omicron could infect 60 percent of Europeans by March. "We …

Europe could be headed for pandemic ’endgame’: WHO
2 years, 11 months ago

Europe could be headed for pandemic ’endgame’: WHO

Live Mint  

The Omicron variant has moved the Covid-19 pandemic into a new phase and could bring it to an end in Europe, the WHO Europe director said Sunday. "It's plausible that the region is moving towards a kind of pandemic endgame," Hans Kluge told AFP in an interview, adding that Omicron could infect 60 percent of Europeans by March. "We anticipate …

Europe considers new COVID-19 strategy: Accepting the virus
2 years, 11 months ago

Europe considers new COVID-19 strategy: Accepting the virus

Associated Press  

MADRID — When the coronavirus pandemic was first declared, Spaniards were ordered to stay home for more than three months. Speaking at a World Economic Forum panel on Monday, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top infectious diseases doctor in the U.S., said COVID-19 could not be considered endemic until it drops to “a level that it doesn’t disrupt society.” The European …

WHO counts 18 million Covid-19 cases last week as Omicron spread slows
2 years, 11 months ago

WHO counts 18 million Covid-19 cases last week as Omicron spread slows

India Today  

The number of new coronavirus cases globally rose by 20 per cent last week to more than 18 million, marking a slowdown in the surge caused by the Omicron variant's spread, according to the World Health Organization. In its weekly report on the pandemic, the UN health agency said the number of new Covid-19 infections increased in every world region …

US 'exhausted'; France, Germany break case records as Covid threat persists across nations | Top developments
2 years, 11 months ago

US 'exhausted'; France, Germany break case records as Covid threat persists across nations | Top developments

India Today  

As Covid, driven by the Omicron variant of coronavirus, continues to ravage nations across the world, US President Joe Biden on Wednesday acknowledged that the pandemic has left Americans exhausted and demoralised. In a major move, Britain, which was dealing with a severe coronavirus wave, has decided to lift all the additional restrictions imposed to contain the spread of the …

Omicron In Europe: UK May Relax Curbs, France and Germany Battle Record Covid Surges
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron In Europe: UK May Relax Curbs, France and Germany Battle Record Covid Surges

News 18  

Omicron variant of Covid-19 continues to wreak havoc on the healthcare systems of UK and Europe as several nations report record surge in new infections. French health authorities said that the nation recorded a huge surge of daily reported new coronavirus cases with the nation recording 464,769 new cases between Monday and Tuesday. France was reporting at least 300,000 cases …

Austria to Make Covid Vaccines Compulsory for Adults from February, Says Chancellor
2 years, 11 months ago

Austria to Make Covid Vaccines Compulsory for Adults from February, Says Chancellor

News 18  

Austria will become the first European country to make Covid-19 vaccination compulsory for adults in February, Chancellor Karl Nehammer said Sunday, acknowledging that it was a “sensitive topic”. Since plans for compulsory jabs were first announced last year, Austria has seen impassioned debate both in parliament and beyond on the issue. Nehammer acknowledged the decision covered “a totally sensitive topic” …

Omicron Updates: Govt Panel Seeks More Data for Granting Complete License to Covishield, Covaxin; Maharashtra Sees 43,211 Cases, Delhi 24,383
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron Updates: Govt Panel Seeks More Data for Granting Complete License to Covishield, Covaxin; Maharashtra Sees 43,211 Cases, Delhi 24,383

News 18  

In the past 24 hours, India reported 2,64,202 fresh COVID cases, as per the health ministry’s data. The government aims to cover around 80-85% of the estimated 7.40 crore youngsters in the 15-17 years age group by January end, The Times of India reported. Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said sero surveillance in Rajasthan has found that 90 percent of …

Coronavirus updates | January 14, 2022
2 years, 11 months ago

Coronavirus updates | January 14, 2022

The Hindu  

India saw a single day jump of 2,64,202 new coronavirus infections, the highest in 239 days, taking the total tally of COVID-19 cases to 3,65,82,129 which includes 5,753 cases of the Omicron variant, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. -PTI National Daily rise in COVID-19 cases highest in 239 days India saw a single day jump …

Say goodbye to self-isolating, WFH mandates, mass testing
2 years, 11 months ago

Say goodbye to self-isolating, WFH mandates, mass testing

Live Mint  

The balance of power between human and virus is shifting. And data from South Africa and elsewhere confirm early indications that the latest variant, while far more transmissible, is causing less severe disease — with lower levels of hospitalization, shorter hospital stays and fewer deaths. A study published Monday by London’s Imperial College, while limited by a small sample size …

Omicron is not common cold, warns Centre
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron is not common cold, warns Centre

The Hindu  

Omicron infection is not common cold, the Union Health Ministry warned on Wednesday, adding that fully vaccinated people were 78% less likely to develop COVID-19 infection than unvaccinated people. Quoting a study by the New York State Health Department, Lav Agarwal, Joint Secretary, Health Ministry, said the report, based on analysis since May 2021, also showed that fully vaccinated people …

Omicron: Britain reports drop in daily Covid cases amid record surge in US
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron: Britain reports drop in daily Covid cases amid record surge in US

Hindustan Times  

More than 313 million coronavirus disease cases and over 5.5 million related fatalities have been confirmed so far globally amid the rapid spread of the Omicron variant. Scientists are seeing signals that Covid-19′s alarming omicron wave may have peaked in Britain and is about to do the same in the US, at which point cases may start dropping off dramatically. …

Omicron pushing COVID out of pandemic phase: EU agency
2 years, 11 months ago

Omicron pushing COVID out of pandemic phase: EU agency

Raw Story  

The spread of the Omicron variant is pushing Covid towards being an endemic disease that humanity can live with, although it remains a pandemic for now, the EU's drug watchdog said Tuesday. The European Medicines Agency also expressed doubts about giving a fourth vaccine shot to the general population, saying repeated boosters were not a "sustainable" strategy. "Nobody knows exactly …

WHO warns of virus surge in Europe
2 years, 11 months ago

WHO warns of virus surge in Europe

The Hindu  

More than half of people in Europe are on track to contract the Omicron coronavirus variant in the next two months if infections continue at current rates, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday. Speaking at a press conference, regional director Hans Kluge warned that the Omicron variant represented a “new west-to-east tidal wave sweeping across” the European region. The …

Half of population in Europe to be infected with Omicron in coming weeks: WHO expert
2 years, 11 months ago

Half of population in Europe to be infected with Omicron in coming weeks: WHO expert

India Today  

There were more than 7 million new cases of the omicron variant of Covid-19 across Europe in the first week of January, more than doubling in just two weeks, the World Health Organization said. WHO Europe director Dr. Hans Kluge said at a media briefing on Tuesday that 26 countries in its region reported that more than 1% of their …

Vaccine skeptics slammed across Europe as Omicron rages
2 years, 11 months ago

Vaccine skeptics slammed across Europe as Omicron rages

Deccan Chronicle  

From Boris Johnson to Emmanuel Macron, Europe’s leaders are increasingly going after anti-vaxxers as the battle against the fast-spreading omicron variant deepens the region’s pandemic fatigue. French President Macron took the rhetoric to a new level this week when he said his government’s strategy was to “p--- off” those who have refused shots. In the U.K., Johnson accused anti-vaxxers of …

Discover Related