WHO says virus strain in India a ‘variant of concern’ as Europe eases curbs Published on Share
Schools and stores reopened in parts of Europe on Monday, easing out of months of Covid-19 lockdowns, but the devastating outbreak raged on across the sub-continent and health experts declared the virus mutation in India a “variant of concern”.
The World Health Organization in Geneva said the B.1.617 variant spreading in India appears to be more contagious and might possibly have some increased resistance to vaccine protections.
“As such, we are classifying this as a variant of concern at the global level,” said WHO’s Covid-19 lead Maria Van Kerkove.
Spain urges responsibility as parties mark ending of virus curfew; Norway recommends dropping AZ; London launches tourism campaign
World
May 11, 2021
London Mayor Sadiq Khan launched a campaign on Monday to bring tourists back to the British capital, ahead of a planned easing of government coronavirus restrictions across England.
The £6 million ($8.4 million, 7 million euro) campaign by Khan’s office with the capital’s tourism and transport bodies will look to drive domestic tourism to hospitality, culture, nightlife and retail venues in the city.
The plans are designed to boost the sectors, which have been badly hit by months of closures and lockdown curbs during the pandemic. Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected on Monday to confirm the next stage of his government’s roadmap out of lockdown from next week, including a return to indoors mixing, and the reopening of cinemas and theatres.
Synopsis
The United States on Monday authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 years old, while the devastating outbreak in India raged on.
Agencies
The United States on Monday authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 years old, while the devastating outbreak in India raged on. The US Food and Drug Administration previously had granted an emergency use authorization for the jab to individuals aged 16 and older. This is a promising development in our fight against the virus, said President Joe Biden. But the World Health Organization in Geneva warned the B.1.617 variant spreading in India appears to be more contagious, classifying it as a variant of concern at the global level.
Pfizer Shot Gets US Drug Regulator Nod For 12-15 Year Olds As India Outbreak Rages By Tori Otten, with AFP Bureaus
05/11/21 AT 4:26 AM
The United States drug regulator authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children aged 12-15 as the country aims to speed up its Covid-19 recovery, but the huge outbreak in India persisted with known coronavirus deaths approaching 250,000 on Tuesday.
With some wealthy nations easing restrictions thanks to rapid inoculation drives but many others struggling to secure doses, the head of the World Health Organization slammed so-called vaccine diplomacy and called for cooperation without strings attached. The World Health Organization said the B.1.517 variant spreading in India appears to be more contagious Photo: AFP / Arun SANKAR
US authorizes Pfizer jab for 12-15 year olds as India outbreak rages
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WASHINGTON, May 11, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – The United States on Monday authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 years old, while the devastating outbreak in India raged on.
The US Food and Drug Administration previously had granted an emergency use authorization for the jab to individuals aged 16 and older.
“This is a promising development in our fight against the virus,” said President Joe Biden.
But the World Health Organization in Geneva warned the B.1.617 variant spreading in India appears to be more contagious, classifying it as a “variant of concern at the global level.”