Hungary and Poland are just two of the EU countries experiencing a third wave of COVID-19 cases. France is reporting a resurgence of infections and more restrictions have been imposed in Germany as new cases rose again due to a greater dominance of the B.1.1.7 variant. Elsewhere, the PAHO director warned on Mar 22 that the region is experiencing an active public health emergency as the pandemic accelerates across the Americas. The situation in South America was described as ‘particularly dire … where infection is reported to be spiking in Chile, Paraguay and Uruguay’ and cases are surging ‘dangerously’ in all areas of Brazil since the emergence of the more transmissible P1 variant. In our region, the WHO reported three consecutive weeks of increasing case numbers (29 percent more over the past seven days) with a fresh spike in cases in the Philippines that has led to the re-introduction of curfews and tighter restrictions. More global news in the Mar 23 WHO epi update.
More COVID-19 news:
-CIDRAP reported last week on the Novavax vaccine candidate, stating ‘Efficacy was 86.3% against the B117 variant. Results of a phase 2b trial in South Africa showed an efficacy of 48.6% against the B1351 strain. But, similar to the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, the Novavax vaccine demonstrated 100% protection against hospitalization in both trials, regardless of variant’. A Mar 11 company press release announced that the data is expected ‘to serve as the basis for submission for authorization to various regulatory agencies worldwide’.
- The WHO has listed a fourth vaccine for emergency use – the Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine – which will pave the way for its inclusion in the COVAX facility. Read more
-STAT News article summarising preliminary data from an AstraZeneca vaccine study carried out on more than 32,000 subjects in the US, Peru and Chile and the subsequent US NIAID’s response to the inclusion of what may have been outdated data. AstraZeneca has indicated that the numbers represented ‘pre-specified interim analysis’ and it would issue further results within 48 hours.
-COVID-19 tests carried out in Denmark have provided data on the duration of post-infection immunity, with people aged under 65yo conferred around 80 percent protection for at least six months, but that figure was closer to 49 percent for the over 65s. Read more in a new Lancet study.
-The decision has been made not to allow international visitors to attend Japan’s postponed summer Olympic Games or the Paralympic Games. Read more
-A day after the EU proposed a digital green certificate as a type of vaccine passport, a WHO official revealed that the agency is developing a ‘smart digital certificate’, which would differ from a vaccine passport to reconcile the inherent ethical, practical and scientific issues. Read more
Before you travel, call Travelvax Australia’s telephone advisory service on 1300 360 164 (toll-free from landlines) for country-specific advice and information. You can also make an appointment at your nearest Travelvax clinic to obtain vaccinations, medication to prevent or treat illness, and accessories for your journey.