Benefits of AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine outweigh its risks and vaccinations should continue, WHO says
From CNN s Jamie Gumbrecht
A health worker in Rome shows how she prepares a dose of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine on March 8. Alessandra Tarantino/AP
After several European Union countries temporarily suspended the use of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine, the World Health Organization said Wednesday that the vaccine’s benefits outweigh its risks and vaccinations should continue.
The statement follows reports of rare blood clotting disorders in people who have received the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. WHO notes that it’s routine for countries to signal potential adverse events during extensive vaccination campaigns, and it doesn’t necessarily mean the events are linked to the vaccination.
Iceland will allow vaccinated tourists
From Sharon Braithwaite in Pisa, Italy
Iceland will open its borders to vaccinated visitors, including those from non-Schengen countries, the government said Tuesday in a statement.
The government announced that all those who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will be allowed to travel to Iceland without being subject to border measures, such as testing and quarantine
Until now, this exemption has only applied to those presenting certificates from the EU/EEA Area but will now apply equally to everyone who can provide proof of a full vaccination with a vaccine that has been certified for use by the European Medical Agency as well as requirements defined by the Chief Epidemiologist of Iceland and Icelandic regulations. Certificates from the World Health Organization (WHO) are also accepted for vaccines the WHO has validated.
Covid-19 cases rising significantly in 14 US states over past week
From CNN’s Brandon Miller
Covid-19 cases are rising by more than 10% in 14 states this week compared to last week, with half of those states rising by more than 20%.
While nationally the number of new cases has continued to decline – though at a much slower rate over the past three weeks compared to late January and February – the trend is not down for all states.
One month ago, on Feb. 17, there were only 3 states showing increases of 10% or more (North Dakota, South Dakota, and Nebraska).
Michigan cases are increasing the fastest, at more than 50% this week compared to last, with Delaware (39%), Montana (34%), Alabama (31%) and West Virginia (29%) in the Top 5.
UK considers vaccine passports to allow summer travel, says minister
From CNN s Chloe Adams
UK Business Minister Kwasi Kwarteng arrives at Downing Street in London on March 16. Wiktor Szymanowicz/Barcroft Media/Getty Images
The UK is considering the implementation of vaccine passports to allow summer travel, says UK Business Minister Kwasi Kwarteng.
Kwarteng told the BBC on Wednesday that debates and discussions were taking place around the best way to proceed in terms of fairness and to maintain public confidence. “It s really important that people can travel safely, but I think we also have to be driven by the data, we ve got to see how the Coronavirus develops.”
Sweden moves towards eliminating upper age limit on AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine
From CNN’s James Frater and Henrik Pettersson
Syringes are loaded with the AstraZeneca Covid-19 Vaccine at the Skane University Hospital vaccination centre in Malmo, Sweden, on February 17. Johan Nilsson/TT News Agency/AFP/Getty Images
The Swedish Health Authority, Folkhälsomyndigheten, recommended eliminating the upper age limit for use of the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine. This would allow it to be used on people over age 65.
“New data from the UK confirms that AstraZeneca s vaccine has a good protective effect even for people over 65 years of age,” the Health Authority said in a statement Thursday.