Higher dose flu vaccine

Staff at Norway's Bergen Aquarium this week began vaccinating a group of Gentoo penguins that has been living under quarantine for months. Cases of a highly infectious bird flu strain, H5N8, were detected in the country in December. The type had not been registered in Norway before, but scientists say it has a 90% mortality for birds. Though devastating for birds, transmission to humans is rare, but not impossible. "Because of this, the Food Health Authority enacted a curfew: all birds in captivity must be kept under a roof," aquarium director Aslak Sverdrup told AFP on Thursday. So far, none of the birds at the Bergen Aquarium caught the flu. A colony of emperor penguines in Antarctica Which penguines will get vaccinated first? Twelve penguins have to be vaccinated. The birds in the highest risk group, the oldest, received their first doses on Wednesday. Thursday was the youngest's turn. The zoo posted a video of a few of the penguines getting vaccinated on … [Read more...] about Norwegian penguins get vaccinated and can end isolation

The European Commission and Italy have blocked a shipment of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine destined for Australia after the pharmaceutical company did not fulfil its European Union contract commitments, sources said on Thursday. It is the first time the EU has employed an export control mechanism it set up to ensure drug manufacturers respect their contracts. The sources said AstraZeneca had reportedly requested authorization from the Italian government to export some 250,000 doses from its Anagni plant, close to Rome. The site is owned by US group Catalent. Italy reportedly refused the request, and the European Commission backed its decision. According to the Associated Press, an EU official, who asked to remain anonymous, confirmed the vaccine block, which was first reported by the Financial Times . Watch video 02:09 Share EU-AstraZeneca dispute Send Facebook Twitter reddit EMail Facebook Messenger Web Whatsapp Web … [Read more...] about EU blocks export of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines to Australia

Australia's prime minister on Friday said he "understands" why Italy blocked the planned export of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine . Nevertheless, Australia asked the European Commission on Friday to review the decision. Italy, backed by the European Union's executive arm, used export controls to stop around 250,000 doses leaving for Australia earlier this week, after the drug manufacturer failed to fulfill its European Union order. "Australia has raised the issue with the European Commission through multiple channels," Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt told reporters on Friday. Watch video 05:39 Share EU vaccination shortfall Send Facebook Twitter reddit EMail Facebook Messenger Web Whatsapp Web Telegram linkedin Permalink https://p.dw.com/p/3prGQ EU vaccine export ban 'must be on the table,' says MEP Manfred Weber Morrison acknowledges greater urgency in Italy Despite the hold-up, … [Read more...] about Coronavirus: Australia wants EU to ‘review’ Italy’s vaccine block

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro said on Thursday that people needed to "stop whining" about COVID-19 in his latest outburst against the protective measures to contain the crisis. The far-right leader's comments come as Brazil goes through its deadliest week of the coronavirus pandemic, with more than 1,300 deaths per day. "Stop whining. How long are you going to keep crying about it?" Bolsonaro said as he called for easing restrictions. "We regret the deaths ... But where's Brazil going to end up if we just close everything?" The South American country of 212 million people has had an outbreak of cases, partly due to a variant of the virus detected in the Amazon rainforest. Bolsonaro previously compared COVID-19 to a "little flu" and promoted hydroxychloroquine as medication, despite studies showing its inefficiency against the virus. At least 260,000 people died in Brazil because of COVID-19. Watch video 03:04 Share Virus runs rampant … [Read more...] about Coronavirus digest: Brazil’s Bolsonaro tells people ‘stop whining’

Society will need to learn to live with a "substantial" degree of coronavirus mortality but the worst appears to be over, a government scientific adviser has said. Professor Andrew Hayward, from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), said the number of deaths will continue to drop as vaccination kicks in. He added death rates could begin to look more like those for flu. Other experts including Professor Paul Hunter, from the University of East Anglia, have said the UK can expect a wave of deaths next winter, mostly among the unvaccinated and those for whom vaccines do not provide total protection. Prof Hayward told Times Radio: "I think given the societal trade-offs, we are going to have to live with a degree of mortality that will be substantial. Advertisement "I think it will get less over time as more people get vaccinated, and as more people get immune, and I do believe that we've been through the worst of this." Prof … [Read more...] about COVID-19: Society will have to live with ‘substantial’ coronavirus mortality but ‘worst is over’, SAGE expert says