Covid vaccinations: No reason to stop using AstraZeneca jab, says WHO - BBC News

Reuters

Countries should not stop using AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine over fears it causes blood clots as there is no indication this is true, the World Health Organization says.

Bulgaria, Denmark and Norway are among the countries that have paused its use.

But on Friday a WHO spokeswoman said there was no link between the jab and an increased risk of developing a clot.

Margaret Harris said it was an "excellent vaccine" and should continue to be used.

Around 5 million Europeans have already received the AstraZeneca jab.

There have been about 30 cases in Europe of "thromboembolic events" - or developing blood clots - after the vaccine was administered. There were also reports that a 50-year-old man had died in Italy after developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

The WHO is investigating the reports, as it does any safety questions, Ms Harris said.

But no causal relationship had been established between the shot and the health problems reported, she said.

• What you need to know about vaccine safety
• YouTube deletes 30,000 vaccine misinfo videos
• Covid vaccine tracker: How's my country doing?

On Friday, AstraZeneca said the recorded number of blood clots in vaccinated people was "significantly lower... than would be expected among the general population".

"An analysis of our safety data of more than 10 million records has shown no evidence of an increased risk of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis," a spokesperson said.

Bulgaria's decision to pause its rollout followed similar steps by Denmark, Iceland and Norway as well as Thailand. Italy and Austria have stopped using certain batches of the drug as a precautionary measure.

The European Medicines Agency, the EU's medicines regulator, said earlier there was no indication the jab was causing the blood clots.

Other countries, including the UK, Germany, Australia and Mexico, have said they are continuing their rollout.

No evidence of a link

While vast numbers of people are being vaccinated at pace around the world, some of them will still get sick with other things unrelated to the vaccine.

These pauses for the AstraZeneca vaccine are not because it is unsafe to give. It's to allow time for experts to explore why a small number of people who were recently give the shot also developed blood clots.

When an illness occurs shortly after vaccination, it is right to question whether the shot might have contributed in any way.

There is no indication or evidence, however, that the vaccine was linked or responsible.

In the UK, more than 11 million people have already received at least one dose of the vaccine and there has been no sign of excess deaths or blood clots occurring. Europe's drug regulator has also backed the vaccine, saying its benefits are clear. Covid can be deadly and vaccination saves lives.

Germany's Health Minister Jens Spahn said he disagreed with the countries suspending the vaccinations.

"From what we know so far, the benefit... is far greater than the risk," he said.

The temporary suspensions come as a setback for a European vaccination campaign that has stuttered into life, partly due to delays in delivery of the doses.

In the latest upset, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz complained that the EU was not distributing coronavirus vaccines fairly among member states - according to population size, as agreed.

He said some countries were striking side deals with vaccine makers instead of leaving procurement to the European Commission.

The German health ministry acknowledged in January that Germany had signed a deal for 30 million doses with Pfizer BioNTech in September.

Also on Friday, the WHO approved Johnson & Johnson's single-shot vaccine. It followed EU approval which was given on Thursday, while regulators in the United States, Canada and South Africa have also backed the drug.

What's the situation in Europe?

After cases declined in recent months, several European countries are now seeing a resurgence of the virus. France, Italy, Poland and Turkey have seen the highest numbers in recent weeks.

The whole of Italy is braced to enter the country's strictest lockdown measures over the Easter weekend, 3 to 5 April.

Under rules set to be confirmed by the government, residents will only be allowed to leave home for work, health reasons, essential shopping or emergencies. All non-essential shops will be closed as will bars and restaurants. School lessons must be held online.

The total number of deaths in Italy rose to 100,000 on Monday - the highest toll in Europe after the UK. Officials say infection rates are rising as new variants of the virus take hold.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiKWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3dvcmxkLTU2MzcwNjM20gEtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3dvcmxkLTU2MzcwNjM2?oc=5

2021-03-12 18:01:40Z
52781429124065

Covid vaccinations: No reason to stop using AstraZeneca jab, says WHO - BBC News

Reuters

Countries should not stop using AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine over fears it causes blood clots as there is no indication this is true, the World Health Organization says.

Bulgaria, Denmark and Norway are among the countries that have paused its use.

But on Friday a WHO spokeswoman said there was no link between the jab and an increased risk of developing a clot.

Margaret Harris said it was an "excellent vaccine" and should continue to be used.

Around 5 million Europeans have already received the AstraZeneca jab.

There have been about 30 cases in Europe of "thromboembolic events" - or developing blood clots - after the vaccine was administered. There were also reports that a 50-year-old man had died in Italy after developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

The WHO is investigating the reports, as it does any safety questions, Ms Harris said.

But no causal relationship had been established between the shot and the health problems reported, she said.

• What you need to know about vaccine safety
• YouTube deletes 30,000 vaccine misinfo videos
• Covid vaccine tracker: How's my country doing?

On Friday, AstraZeneca said the recorded number of blood clots in vaccinated people was "significantly lower... than would be expected among the general population".

"An analysis of our safety data of more than 10 million records has shown no evidence of an increased risk of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis," a spokesperson said.

Bulgaria's decision to pause its rollout followed similar steps by Denmark, Iceland and Norway as well as Thailand. Italy and Austria have stopped using certain batches of the drug as a precautionary measure.

The European Medicines Agency, the EU's medicines regulator, said earlier there was no indication the jab was causing the blood clots.

Other countries, including the UK, Germany, Australia and Mexico, have said they are continuing their rollout.

No evidence of a link

While vast numbers of people are being vaccinated at pace around the world, some of them will still get sick with other things unrelated to the vaccine.

These pauses for the AstraZeneca vaccine are not because it is unsafe to give. It's to allow time for experts to explore why a small number of people who were recently give the shot also developed blood clots.

When an illness occurs shortly after vaccination, it is right to question whether the shot might have contributed in any way.

There is no indication or evidence, however, that the vaccine was linked or responsible.

In the UK, more than 11 million people have already received at least one dose of the vaccine and there has been no sign of excess deaths or blood clots occurring. Europe's drug regulator has also backed the vaccine, saying its benefits are clear. Covid can be deadly and vaccination saves lives.

Germany's Health Minister Jens Spahn said he disagreed with the countries suspending the vaccinations.

"From what we know so far, the benefit... is far greater than the risk," he said.

The temporary suspensions come as a setback for a European vaccination campaign that has stuttered into life, partly due to delays in delivery of the doses.

In the latest upset, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz complained that the EU was not distributing coronavirus vaccines fairly among member states - according to population size, as agreed.

He said some countries were striking side deals with vaccine makers instead of leaving procurement to the European Commission.

The German health ministry acknowledged in January that Germany had signed a deal for 30 million doses with Pfizer BioNTech in September.

Also on Friday, the WHO approved Johnson & Johnson's single-shot vaccine. It followed EU approval which was given on Thursday, while regulators in the United States, Canada and South Africa have also backed the drug.

What's the situation in Europe?

After cases declined in recent months, several European countries are now seeing a resurgence of the virus. France, Italy, Poland and Turkey have seen the highest numbers in recent weeks.

The whole of Italy is braced to enter the country's strictest lockdown measures over the Easter weekend, 3 to 5 April.

Under rules set to be confirmed by the government, residents will only be allowed to leave home for work, health reasons, essential shopping or emergencies. All non-essential shops will be closed as will bars and restaurants. School lessons must be held online.

The total number of deaths in Italy rose to 100,000 on Monday - the highest toll in Europe after the UK. Officials say infection rates are rising as new variants of the virus take hold.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiKWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3dvcmxkLTU2MzcwNjM20gEtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3dvcmxkLTU2MzcwNjM2?oc=5

2021-03-12 15:52:35Z
52781429124065

Fire breaks out on board cruise ship docked off the coast of Corfu - Daily Mail

Fire breaks out on board huge cruise ship docked off the coast of Corfu

• Fire broke out on board cruise liner MSC Lirica around 3.30pm local time 
• Videos showed two lifeboats on fire and smoke billowing from side of vessel 
• Fire crews were called and brought the blaze under control around an hour later
• Ship had been in port since January 30 on a winter break, local media reported

By Chris Pleasance for MailOnline

Published: 15:35 GMT, 12 March 2021 | Updated: 16:09 GMT, 12 March 2021

A fire has broken out on board a cruise ship docked off the coast of Corfu.

Videos showed flames and black smoke billowing from the side of the MSC Lirica around 3.30pm local time on Friday.

There were 51 members of the ship's crew on board at the time the fire started, local news sites reported, but no injuries were reported.

The ship was not carrying any passengers due to Covid shutdowns and had been idle in the port since January 30, Greek news site Kathimerini reported. 

A fire has broken out on board the MSC Lirica as it sat docked off the coast of Corfu on Friday, with smoke billowing from the side of the vessel

Video showed two lifeboats attached to the side of the ship had caught fire around 3.30pm local time, before firefighting vessels arrived

Footage showed two lifeboats being engulfed by flames as well as smoke streaming from inside the vessel.

Initial reports have suggested that the fire broke out in a passenger cabin, but that information has not been confirmed. It is unclear how the fire started. 

 Fire crews were called and by around 4.30pm appeared to have brought the blaze under control, though the side of the ship was heavily damaged. 

Europe's cruise industry has been shuttered for months as countries combat the Covid pandemic. 

More to follow... 

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiZmh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5bWFpbC5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FydGljbGUtOTM1NTY4OS9GaXJlLWJyZWFrcy1ib2FyZC1jcnVpc2Utc2hpcC1kb2NrZWQtY29hc3QtQ29yZnUuaHRtbNIBamh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmRhaWx5bWFpbC5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FydGljbGUtOTM1NTY4OS9hbXAvRmlyZS1icmVha3MtYm9hcmQtY3J1aXNlLXNoaXAtZG9ja2VkLWNvYXN0LUNvcmZ1Lmh0bWw?oc=5

2021-03-12 15:35:49Z
52781431342766

Covid vaccinations: No reason to stop using AstraZeneca jab, says WHO - BBC News

Reuters

Countries should not stop using AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine over fears it causes blood clots as there is no indication this is true, the World Health Organization says.

Bulgaria is the latest country to suspend use of the vaccine.

But a WHO spokeswoman told a briefing on Friday there was no link between the jab and developing a clot.

Margaret Harris said it was an "excellent vaccine" and should continue to be used.

Around 5 million Europeans have already received the AstraZeneca jab.

There have been about 30 cases in Europe of "thromboembolic events" - or developing blood clots - after the vaccine was administered. There were also reports that a 50-year-old man had died in Italy after developing deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

The WHO is investigating the reports, as it does any safety questions, Ms Harris said.

But no causal relationship had been established between the shot and the health problems reported, she said.

• What you need to know about vaccine safety
• Why is the EU having vaccine problems?
• Covid vaccine tracker: How's my country doing?

Bulgaria's decision to pause its rollout follows similar steps by Denmark, Iceland and Norway as well as Thailand. Italy and Austria have stopped using certain batches of the drug as a precautionary measure.

"I order a halt in vaccinations with the AstraZeneca vaccine until the European Medicines Agency dismisses all doubts about its safety," Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov said.

The European Medicines Agency, the EU's medicines regulator, said earlier there was no indication the jab was causing the blood clots, adding that its "benefits continue to outweigh its risks".

AstraZeneca said the drug's safety had been studied extensively in clinical trials.

Other countries, including the UK, Germany, Australia and Mexico, have said they are continuing their rollout.

'Safety first'

While vast numbers of people are being vaccinated at pace around the world, some of them will still get sick with other things unrelated to the vaccine.

These pauses for the AstraZeneca vaccine are not because it is unsafe to give. It's to allow time for experts to explore why a small number of people who were recently give the shot also developed blood clots.

When an illness occurs shortly after vaccination, it is right to question whether the shot might have contributed in any way.

There is no indication or evidence, however, that the vaccine was linked or responsible.

In the UK, more than 11 million people have already received at least one dose of the vaccine and there has been no sign of excess deaths or blood clots occurring. Europe's drug regulator has also backed the vaccine, saying its benefits are clear. Covid can be deadly and vaccination saves lives.

Germany's Health Minister Jens Spahn said he disagreed with the countries suspending the vaccinations.

"From what we know so far, the benefit... is far greater than the risk," he said.

The temporary suspensions come as a setback for a European vaccination campaign that has stuttered into life, partly due to delays in delivery of the doses.

In the latest upset, Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz complained that the EU was not distributing coronavirus vaccines fairly among member states - according to population size, as agreed.

He said some countries were striking side deals with vaccine makers instead of leaving procurement to the European Commission.

The German health ministry acknowledged in January that Germany had signed a deal for 30 million doses with Pfizer BioNTech in September.

After cases declined in recent months, several European countries are now seeing a resurgence. France, Italy, Poland and Turkey have seen the highest numbers in recent weeks.

The whole of Italy is braced to enter the country's strictest lockdown measures over the Easter weekend, 3 to 5 April.

Under rules set to be confirmed by the government, residents will only be allowed to leave home for work, health reasons, essential shopping or emergencies. All non-essential shops will be closed as will bars and restaurants. School lessons must be held online.

The total number of deaths in Italy rose to 100,000 on Monday - the highest toll in Europe after the UK. Officials say infection rates are rising as new variants of the virus take hold.

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiKWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3dvcmxkLTU2MzcwNjM20gEtaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuYmJjLmNvLnVrL25ld3MvYW1wL3dvcmxkLTU2MzcwNjM2?oc=5

2021-03-12 13:31:56Z
52781429124065

You should quit Hong Kong's top court now, UK judges are told - The Times

British judges on Hong Kong’s top court could withdraw in protest at Beijing’s latest crackdown, senior figures have warned.

Lord Reed, president of the UK Supreme Court and one of ten British judges on the Hong Kong bench, has indicated to The Times that a decision will be made soon.

Hong Kong’s final court of appeal was founded as part of the 1997 agreement that handed over the former colony to China.

In a statement from the Supreme Court, made as shadow ministers said that the judges should quit, officials said “Lord Reed has been in close contact with the foreign secretary and lord chancellor on matters for some time and, together with them, is reviewing the operation of the agreement under which UK

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiVWh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LnRoZXRpbWVzLmNvLnVrL2FydGljbGUvaG9uZy1rb25nLXRvcC1jb3VydC11ay1qdWRnZXMtcXVpdC1jaGluYS1temYzY2Y2ZnLSAQA?oc=5

2021-03-12 12:00:00Z
52781430269950

Covid pandemic: Biden eyes 4 July as ‘Independence Day’ from virus - BBC News

President Joe Biden has said he is hopeful that America can "mark independence" from Covid-19 on 4 July if people get vaccinated.

In his first primetime address as president, Mr Biden said he would order states to make all adults eligible for vaccinations by 1 May.

Current measures prioritise people by age or health condition.

Mr Biden was speaking exactly a year to the day after the outbreak was classified a global pandemic.

Half a million Americans have since died - more than the death toll from World War One, World War Two, and the Vietnam War combined.

Schools have been closed, businesses shuttered and people kept apart.

• What 500,000 US deaths look like
• Unemployed in the US: 'I don’t know what to do'

Last year many Americans were forced to forgo the elaborate parades, fireworks displays and parties that feature in the national holiday on 4 July, which marks independence from Britain.

In his speech, President Biden said he did not expect large events to be able to go ahead, but he hoped small groups could meet again.

"If we do this together, by 4 July, there is a good chance you, your family and friends can get together in your backyard or in your neighbourhood and have a cookout or a barbecue and celebrate Independence Day," he said.

"After a long, hard year, that will make this Independence Day truly special - where we not only mark our independence as a nation but we begin to mark our independence from this virus."

Getty Images

Getty Images

The US has by far the highest death toll in the world from the virus, but death and infection rates have been declining in recent weeks as the vaccine programme picks up.

The country's health system is complex and individual states are in charge of public health policy. While the federal government is responsible for getting the vaccine distributed to the states, it has largely relied on them to handle the distribution.

But as part of the plans to expand vaccinations, President Biden said the number of places where people could be immunised would be increased, with veterinarians and dentists among those also allowed to vaccinate people.

Mobile units will travel into local communities to provide vaccinations in underserved communities, he said.

Mr Biden previously set a target of 100 million vaccinations by his 100th day in office. But in his address on Thursday, he said this target would be reached on day 60, which is 20 March.

He was speaking shortly after signing a $1.9tn (£1.4tn) economic relief bill, which marks an early legislative victory for his administration. It includes a $1,400 direct payment to most Americans, along with other measures to help people out of poverty and provide additional funding to local and state governments.

• What's in Biden's $1.9tn Covid stimulus plan?
• Is Texas ending lockdown too soon?

Despite the good news on vaccinations, Mr Biden warned that the "fight is far from over".

He called on people to maintain social distancing measures, hand washing and wear a mask.

"Beating the virus and getting back to normal relies on national unity," he said.

Mr Biden said last month he hoped that life would return to "normal" by Christmas 2021. Dr Anthony Fauci, the top US infectious diseases expert, described this timetable as "reasonable".

The president's caution is at odds with some states such as Texas and Mississippi, which are relaxing restrictions in order to boost their economies.

One year ago, the United States joined the world in facing a brutal truth. The coronavirus pandemic was going to fundamentally alter everyday life. Businesses shuttered. Citizens sheltered in their home. Life ground to a halt.

On Thursday night, in his first prime-time televised address to the nation, President Joe Biden said there was light at the end of the tunnel.

The big news from his speech was that all adult Americans would be eligible for a vaccine by the beginning of May - a pace, he boasted, that was the best in the world.

His most important message, however, may have been his urging that all Americans should get the jab when it's their turn. "I know they're safe," he said.

A recent opinion poll showed that nearly half of Republicans are sceptical of the vaccine. If their doubt becomes inaction, Mr Biden's promises - widespread school openings, an ability to travel and Independence Day celebrations - will go unrealised.

His speech was part promise, part warning. Get vaccinated, continue social distancing, wear masks - or else.

"America is coming back," he said. But, he added, Americans needed to do their part.

This time last year, there were 1,000 confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the US and about 30 people had died.

All US major sport was cancelled and then-President Donald Trump suspended travel from Europe, saying he hoped the US would be open again for Easter 2020. This prediction was repeatedly revised.

The pandemic has now left more than 530,000 people dead in the US and has infected more than 29 million.

In his speech, President Biden criticised the Trump administration by saying the virus was initially met with "denials for days, weeks, then months, that led to more deaths, more infections, more stress, more loneliness".

He also denounced "vicious hate crimes" against Asian Americans, who he said had been "attacked, harassed, blamed and scapegoated" for the pandemic. Mr Trump repeatedly referred to coronavirus as the "China virus".

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMiM2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL3dvcmxkLXVzLWNhbmFkYS01NjM2ODMyONIBN2h0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmJiYy5jby51ay9uZXdzL2FtcC93b3JsZC11cy1jYW5hZGEtNTYzNjgzMjg?oc=5

2021-03-12 09:45:53Z
52781417987811

COVID-19: AstraZeneca defends vaccine as Thailand joins countries to suspend jabs over blood clot fears - Sky News

Thailand has said it will delay use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine after several European countries temporarily suspended the jabs following a small number of reports of blood clots.

Officials have insisted the delay, pending an investigation into the cause of reported side-effects, will not have a big impact on the country's rollout.

Live COVID updates from the UK and around the world

Image: AstraZeneca insists its vaccine is safe

The decision comes despite AstraZeneca - which produced the vaccine with Oxford University - insisting there is no evidence of an increased risk of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis.

The drugs firm said in a statement that the occurrence is in actual fact "significantly lower" in those who have been vaccinated than what would be expected among the general population.

Advertisement

The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has said there is no evidence to suggest the vaccine causes blood clot problems, and that people should still get their coronavirus jab when invited to do so.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has also backed the jab's safety and said there have been only 30 reports of blood clots among close to five million people given the vaccine across Europe.

More from Covid-19

It said in a statement: "The vaccine's benefits continue to outweigh its risks and the vaccine can continue to be administered while investigation of cases of thromboembolic events is ongoing."

Moves by several European countries to suspend the vaccine's use marked yet another twist in the story of its bumpy rollout on the continent, which has been marred by repeated supply problems and controversial - and unfounded - doubts over its efficacy.

On Thursday, Denmark, Norway and Iceland said they were temporarily halting all AstraZeneca vaccinations to investigate reports of blood clots among people who have had the jab.

Italy also followed Austria, Estonia, Latvia, Luxembourg and Lithuania in banning jabs from one particular batch of one million AstraZeneca vaccines, which was sent to 17 countries, after reports of a death.

AstraZeneca said in a statement on Friday: "An analysis of our safety data of more than 10 million records has shown no evidence of an increased risk of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis in any defined age group, gender, batch or in any particular country with COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca.

"In fact, the observed number of these types of events are significantly lower in those vaccinated than what would be expected among the general population."

Earlier this week, the EMA reported that one person in Austria was diagnosed with blood clots and died 10 days after vaccination, but stressed there is "currently no indication that vaccination has caused these conditions".

Another person was admitted to hospital with pulmonary embolism (blockage in arteries in the lungs) after being vaccinated.

Professor Anthony Harnden, deputy chairman of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation, said: "Vaccine safety is critically important.

"The public should have confidence that both vaccines used in the UK vaccination programme are safe and highly effective at preventing severe disease, including the prevention of blood clots caused by COVID."

Let's block ads! (Why?)

https://news.google.com/__i/rss/rd/articles/CBMigQFodHRwczovL25ld3Muc2t5LmNvbS9zdG9yeS9hc3RyYXplbmVjYS1kZWZlbmRzLXZhY2NpbmUtYXMtdGhhaWxhbmQtam9pbnMtY291bnRyaWVzLXRvLXN1c3BlbmQtamFicy1vdmVyLWJsb29kLWNsb3QtZmVhcnMtMTIyNDM0NjDSAYUBaHR0cHM6Ly9uZXdzLnNreS5jb20vc3RvcnkvYW1wL2FzdHJhemVuZWNhLWRlZmVuZHMtdmFjY2luZS1hcy10aGFpbGFuZC1qb2lucy1jb3VudHJpZXMtdG8tc3VzcGVuZC1qYWJzLW92ZXItYmxvb2QtY2xvdC1mZWFycy0xMjI0MzQ2MA?oc=5

2021-03-12 10:14:28Z
52781429124065