" COVID-19 Lockdown Exit Analysis" 3rd Sep 2021
One Minute Overview
Vaccine Hesitancy/Vaccine Passports
Enforcing Vaccine Mandates Is Messy Business - U.S. companies of all sizes have enacted vaccine requirements for employees in recent weeks. They are finding that setting a policy is more straightforward than enforcing it. Questions and complications are popping up as employees and managers apply the new rules to once-routine business activities such as travel, trade shows, office socializing and interactions with vendors and clients, executives say. The consulting and accounting firm Deloitte LLP recently told employees they will need to be vaccinated to attend voluntary workshops and events at the firm’s leadership training facility near Dallas, called Deloitte University.
Opinion | We Work at the A.C.L.U. Here’s What We Think About Vaccine Mandates. - Do vaccine mandates violate civil liberties? Some who have refused vaccination claim as much. We disagree. At the A.C.L.U., we are not shy about defending civil liberties, even when they are very unpopular. But we see no civil liberties problem with requiring Covid-19 vaccines in most circumstances. While the permissibility of requiring vaccines for particular diseases depends on several factors, when it comes to Covid-19, all considerations point in the same direction. The disease is highly transmissible, serious and often lethal; the vaccines are safe and effective; and crucially there is no equally effective alternative available to protect public health.
US university students face back-to-campus vaccine mandates -Legal precedent suggests that universities can mandate vaccinations, but not every COVID-19 vaccine has received full approval from the US Food and Drug Administration, leaving a legal grey area.
Draghi Says Italy Will Eventually Make Vaccine Compulsory - Italy will eventually make vaccination compulsory, Prime Minister Mario Draghi said at a press conference in Rome on Thursday. Italy will also start administering a third vaccine shot from later this month, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said, adding that the campaign will start from those with a weak immune system. Speranza stressed that vaccination is already required for health workers, and that this requirement could be expanded to other groups.
Vaccinations Mandatory for Barclays Staff in New York - Barclays Plc is the latest bank in the U.S. to keep unvaccinated staff at home for the time being. “As we continue inviting our colleagues back to our offices in New York, we made a decision to focus initially on those already vaccinated,” Barclays said in an emailed statement. Banks are bringing more staff back to their premises around the world after more than a year of working from home.
What can employers do if workers avoid COVID-19 vaccines? - What can employers do if workers avoid COVID-19 vaccines? They can require vaccination and fire employees who don't comply, or take other actions such as withholding company perks or charging extra for health insurance. Businesses for months have been encouraging workers to get vaccinated, in some cases offering incentives like time off or gift cards. But more are taking a harder stance and requiring vaccinations for any remaining holdouts, a push that has gained momentum since Pfizer’s vaccine recently received full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Coronavirus vaccine mandates are causing people to search for religious exemptions -The rules around religious exemptions for coronavirus vaccines vary widely, state by state, institution by institution. But experts on religious freedom court cases believe lawsuits will become more common as vaccine mandates become more prevalent. With no nationally consistent way of navigating religious exemptions, some churches have offered parishioners templates to download. Other leaders, however, have said they will not provide exemptions.
Vaccine passports linked to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in UK and Israel - A new study from Imperial College London has found a link between COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and a perceived lack of free will over vaccine passports. The findings, taken from surveys of 1,358 people across the UK and Israel – two highly vaccinated countries – found that people who feel their sense of autonomy, or free will, is unmet by government incentives like vaccine passports are less likely to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Mu Variant is a Variant of Interest
Is Mu variant of coronavirus vaccine resistant? WHO says it could be possible - The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the new coronavirus variant 'Mu' showed signs of possible resistance to vaccines. The global health body designated 'Mu' as a 'variant of interest' and is monitoring it closely, the UN health body said on Tuesday in its weekly bulletin.
New Covid strain Mu lands in UK with 55 cases in England so far - A new Covid mutation has found its way to the UK with 55 cases identified in England so far. The new strain, called Mu, was first detected in South America and has been labelled a variant of interest by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Mu, or B.1.621, was first identified in Colombia and cases have been recorded in South America and various European countries. The WHO said the variant has mutations suggesting it could be more resistant to vaccines but that more studies would be needed to examine this further.
Enforcing Vaccine Mandates Is Messy Business
Enforcing Vaccine Mandates Is Messy Business
U.S. companies of all sizes have enacted vaccine requirements for employees in recent weeks. They are finding that setting a policy is more straightforward than enforcing it. Questions and complications are popping up as employees and managers apply the new rules to once-routine business activities such as travel, trade shows, office socializing and interactions with vendors and clients, executives say. The consulting and accounting firm Deloitte LLP recently told employees they will need to be vaccinated to attend voluntary workshops and events at the firm’s leadership training facility near Dallas, called Deloitte University.
Opinion | We Work at the A.C.L.U. Here’s What We Think About Vaccine Mandates.
Opinion | We Work at the A.C.L.U. Here’s What We Think About Vaccine Mandates.
Do vaccine mandates violate civil liberties? Some who have refused vaccination claim as much. We disagree. At the A.C.L.U., we are not shy about defending civil liberties, even when they are very unpopular. But we see no civil liberties problem with requiring Covid-19 vaccines in most circumstances. While the permissibility of requiring vaccines for particular diseases depends on several factors, when it comes to Covid-19, all considerations point in the same direction. The disease is highly transmissible, serious and often lethal; the vaccines are safe and effective; and crucially there is no equally effective alternative available to protect public health.
US university students face back-to-campus vaccine mandates
US university students face back-to-campus vaccine mandates
Legal precedent suggests that universities can mandate vaccinations, but not every COVID-19 vaccine has received full approval from the US Food and Drug Administration, leaving a legal grey area.
Draghi Says Italy Will Eventually Make Vaccine Compulsory
Draghi Says Italy Will Eventually Make Vaccine Compulsory
Italy will eventually make vaccination compulsory, Prime Minister Mario Draghi said at a press conference in Rome on Thursday. Italy will also start administering a third vaccine shot from later this month, Health Minister Roberto Speranza said, adding that the campaign will start from those with a weak immune system. Speranza stressed that vaccination is already required for health workers, and that this requirement could be expanded to other groups.
Vaccinations Mandatory for Barclays Staff in New York
Vaccinations Mandatory for Barclays Staff in New York
Barclays Plc is the latest bank in the U.S. to keep unvaccinated staff at home for the time being. “As we continue inviting our colleagues back to our offices in New York, we made a decision to focus initially on those already vaccinated,” Barclays said in an emailed statement. Banks are bringing more staff back to their premises around the world after more than a year of working from home.
What can employers do if workers avoid COVID-19 vaccines?
What can employers do if workers avoid COVID-19 vaccines?
What can employers do if workers avoid COVID-19 vaccines? They can require vaccination and fire employees who don't comply, or take other actions such as withholding company perks or charging extra for health insurance. Businesses for months have been encouraging workers to get vaccinated, in some cases offering incentives like time off or gift cards. But more are taking a harder stance and requiring vaccinations for any remaining holdouts, a push that has gained momentum since Pfizer’s vaccine recently received full approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Coronavirus vaccine mandates are causing people to search for religious exemptions
Coronavirus vaccine mandates are causing people to search for religious exemptions
The rules around religious exemptions for coronavirus vaccines vary widely, state by state, institution by institution. But experts on religious freedom court cases believe lawsuits will become more common as vaccine mandates become more prevalent. With no nationally consistent way of navigating religious exemptions, some churches have offered parishioners templates to download. Other leaders, however, have said they will not provide exemptions.
Vaccine passports linked to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in UK and Israel
Vaccine passports linked to COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy in UK and Israel
A new study from Imperial College London has found a link between COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and a perceived lack of free will over vaccine passports. The findings, taken from surveys of 1,358 people across the UK and Israel – two highly vaccinated countries – found that people who feel their sense of autonomy, or free will, is unmet by government incentives like vaccine passports are less likely to take the COVID-19 vaccine.
Is Mu variant of coronavirus vaccine resistant? WHO says it could be possible
Is Mu variant of coronavirus vaccine resistant? WHO says it could be possible
The Health Organization (WHO) has said that the new coronavirus variant 'Mu' showed signs of possible resistance to vaccines. The global health body designated 'Mu' as a 'variant of interest' and is monitoring it closely, the UN health body said on Tuesday in its weekly bulletin.
New Covid strain Mu lands in UK with 55 cases in England so far
New Covid strain Mu lands in UK with 55 cases in England so far
A new Covid mutation has found its way to the UK with 55 cases identified in England so far. The new strain, called Mu, was first detected in South America and has been labelled a variant of interest by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Mu, or B.1.621, was first identified in Colombia and cases have been recorded in South America and various European countries. The WHO said the variant has mutations suggesting it could be more resistant to vaccines but that more studies would be needed to examine this further.
One in four young adults in UK still to receive first coronavirus vaccine dose
One in four young adults in UK still to receive first coronavirus vaccine dose
Around one in four young adults in the UK are yet to receive their first dose of a coronavirus vaccine, new government figures show. In total, 2.76 million people aged between 18 and 29 years old were yet to receive a first dose on Wednesday – down only slightly from an estimated 2.81 million the previous week, according to figures released by the UK’s four national health agencies.
EU agency says to focus on vaccines first not booster shots
EU agency says to focus on vaccines first not booster shots
The European Union’s infectious diseases agency on Thursday urged countries to push ahead with their primary coronavirus vaccination programs and played down the need for booster shoots to ward off the delta variant among the general public.
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said that approved vaccines are “currently highly effective” in limiting the impact of COVID-19. “The priority now should be to vaccinate all those eligible individuals who have not yet completed their recommended vaccination course,” it said.
More Than 80 Percent of Seniors Are Vaccinated. That’s ‘Not Safe Enough.’
More Than 80 Percent of Seniors Are Vaccinated. That’s ‘Not Safe Enough.’
The older cohort had a head start on getting immunized against Covid-19, but too many remain unprotected, experts say.
EU to Return Millions of Doses of J&J’s Covid-19 Vaccine Imported From Africa
EU to Return Millions of Doses of J&J’s Covid-19 Vaccine Imported From Africa
The European Union will return to Africa millions of doses of Johnson & Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine that it received from a plant in South Africa, following criticism by health activists that the bloc was taking away shots from a continent that has the lowest immunization rate in the world. Strive Masiyiwa, who heads the African Union’s Vaccine Acquisition Task Team, said the decision to return the shots produced at Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd. was made at a meeting between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa last week. As part of the deal, the EU will also not take doses from the Aspen plant it was expecting in September, Mr. Masiyiwa said.
South African train brings COVID-19 vaccines closer to people
South African train brings COVID-19 vaccines closer to people
At Springs train station in South Africa's biggest city Johannesburg, Simphiwe Dyantyi and her partner wait their turn to board. But they are not going anywhere, instead they are getting COVID-19 jabs inside a stationary train. The initiative by South African state logistics firm Transnet is meant to bring vaccines closer to people and save them from travelling long distances as the government ramps up its COVID-19 vaccination drive.
Covid-19 Australia: NSW to hit 70 per cent single vaccine dose today
Covid-19 Australia: NSW to hit 70 per cent single vaccine dose today
NSW is on track to hit 70 per cent single dose vaccinations on Thursday as Premier Gladys Berejiklian hints about what life will be like once residents are double-jabbed.
Current modelling suggests NSW will reach that double vaccination target by October 21, whereby residents will finally be afforded freedoms to visit the pub, restaurants and stadium events. NSW is the first state in Australia to reach the 70 per cent first dose target and will likely be the first to reach the second dose target as well.
Kosovo to destroy 133,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines
Kosovo to destroy 133,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines
The Kosovo government decided to destroy 133,000 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines over their expired date of use as the country faces a sharp rise in the coronavirus death rate. The vaccines that will be destroyed were part of a donation from Norway with August 31 seen as an expiration date. The decision to destroy vaccines triggered criticism, with some people calling for the resignation of the health minister on the health ministry's Facebook page.
More vaccine donations are urgently needed in the Americas: PAHO
More vaccine donations are urgently needed in the Americas: PAHO
More coronavirus vaccine donations are urgently needed in the Americas, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) says of a region that has been hard-hit by the pandemic and where three-quarters of the population has yet to be fully immunised. During a weekly news briefing, PAHO Director Carissa Etienne said 540 million doses are required to ensure that every country in the Americas can vaccinate at least 60 percent of their population.
Vaccines made in South Africa to stay in Africa, says envoy
Vaccines made in South Africa to stay in Africa, says envoy
Vaccine doses produced by a plant in South Africa will no longer be exported to Europe following the intervention of South Africa’s government, the African Union’s COVID-19 vaccine envoy said Thursday. South African drug manufacturer Aspen Pharmacare, which has a contract with Johnson & Johnson to assemble the ingredients of its COVID-19 vaccine, will produce for the African continent and millions of doses that had been shipped to European countries but remain in warehouses will be returned, Strive Masiyiwa told reporters. J&J doses produced in South Africa “will stay in Africa and will be distributed in Africa,” he said
'Mass-scale misinformation' to blame for Covid vaccine hesitancy, says Prince Harry – video
'Mass-scale misinformation' to blame for Covid vaccine hesitancy, says Prince Harry – video
Prince Harry gave a speech about Covid vaccine hesitancy in a virtual appearance at the GQ Men of the Year awards, where he presented a prize to Prof Dame Sarah Gilbert, Prof Catherine Green and the team behind the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine
New Zealand says fall in COVID-19 cases shows Delta lockdown working
New Zealand says fall in COVID-19 cases shows Delta lockdown working
New Zealand reported a drop in new COVID-19 infections on Thursday, which authorities said was a sign that a nationwide lockdown was helping to limit spread of the infectious Delta variant.
Covid-19: UK will offer third vaccine dose to severely immunosuppressed people
Covid-19: UK will offer third vaccine dose to severely immunosuppressed people
The UK’s Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has recommended that people with severely weakened immune systems should have a third vaccine dose as part of their primary vaccination schedule against covid-19.
The third dose of either the Moderna or the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine should be offered to people over age 12 who were severely immunosuppressed at the time of their first or second dose, including those with leukaemia, advanced HIV, or recent organ transplants. For 12-17 year olds the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is preferred. The JCVI is still deciding on the benefits of booster doses for the rest of the population and is awaiting further evidence to inform this decision.
COVID-19: Chances of long COVID almost halved by having both jabs, study finds
COVID-19: Chances of long COVID almost halved by having both jabs, study finds
Professor Tim Spector from King's College says vaccinations are "massively reducing" the chances of people getting long COVID by cutting the risk of any symptoms and by halving the chances of any infection turning into the condition.
Moderna submits preliminary data to FDA for Covid-19 booster shot
Moderna submits preliminary data to FDA for Covid-19 booster shot
Moderna has commenced its submission to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the assessment of a booster shot of its Covid-19 vaccine, mRNA-1273, at the 50µg dose level. The company plans to make similar submissions to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), as well as other global regulatory agencies soon. In December last year, the FDA authorised the emergency use of this messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine for people aged 18 years or above.
Entos to commence Phase II Covid-19 vaccine trial in South Africa
Entos to commence Phase II Covid-19 vaccine trial in South Africa
Entos Pharmaceuticals has obtained approval from the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) to commence a Phase II clinical trial of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate, Covigenix VAX-001, in the country. Made using the Entos’ Fusogenix proteolipid vehicle (PLV) nucleic acid delivery platform, the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) vaccine encodes the SARS-CoV-2 Spike protein.
It also includes two genetic adjuvants to induce the innate and adaptive immune systems, offering efficient and long-term protection from Covid-19.
Sputnik Adrift: Lessons From Russia's Covid-19 Vaccine Stumble
Sputnik Adrift: Lessons From Russia's Covid-19 Vaccine Stumble
Russia claimed victory in the Covid-19 vaccine race a year ago, but is still waiting to reap the glory. At home, hesitancy means only about one in four Russians is fully inoculated and the pace of vaccination has slowed even as deaths hover around daily records. Abroad, production hiccups have hampered deliveries to countries such as Argentina. Over the entire enterprise hangs a long list of unanswered questions. There’s still time for Moscow to secure a measure of success and help a vaccine-starved, variant-afflicted world as well. Every shot is needed. But first the Kremlin needs to recognize the benefits of vaccine glasnost.
JCVI advises booster COVID-19 jab for severely immunosuppressed
JCVI advises booster COVID-19 jab for severely immunosuppressed
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has advised that people with severely weakened immune systems should have a third vaccine dose as part of their primary COVID-19 vaccination schedule.
Pfizer launches later-stage study of pill to treat COVID-19
Pfizer launches later-stage study of pill to treat COVID-19
Pfizer on Wednesday announced that it had initiated a later-stage clinical trial for a pill that could potentially treat COVID-19. If proven to be safe and effective, the drug could fill an unmet need for a widespread, easier-to-use treatment, as opposed to an infusion like remdesivir, another treatment. Pfizer is beginning a trial that will enroll 1,140 participants, the company said.
More than 500,000 children tested positive for Covid-19 in 3 weeks. Experts say school mask mandates are needed
More than 500,000 children tested positive for Covid-19 in 3 weeks. Experts say school mask mandates are needed
US states that saw some of the country's worst Covid-19 case rates over the past week also reported the highest number of new vaccinations per capita, data published Thursday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows.
Tennessee, which reported the country's worst Covid-19 cases rate, had the sixth-best rate of new vaccinations per capita in the US over the past week. The state's hospitals are "under increasing strain from the highly contagious Delta variant," Tennessee's health department wrote on Twitter Thursday, adding in a statement that the strain was continuing to fuel an increase in infections.
India records most COVID cases in two months, Kerala worst-hit
India records most COVID cases in two months, Kerala worst-hit
India has reported the biggest single-day rise in COVID-19 cases in two months, as the government worries about the virus spreading from the most-affected Kerala state, schools reopening, and the start of the festival season. Densely populated Kerala, on India’s southern tip, accounted for nearly 70 percent of the 47,092 new infections and a third of deaths, a week after it celebrated its biggest festival during which family and social gatherings were common.
NSW families fear COVID-19 outbreak in prisons leaving unvaccinated inmates like 'sitting ducks'
NSW families fear COVID-19 outbreak in prisons leaving unvaccinated inmates like 'sitting ducks'
The growing COVID-19 outbreak across multiple New South Wales prisons has Kylie Hughes fearing for her son. The 24-year-old Wiradjuri man is currently at the Metropolitan Remand and Reception Centre (MRRC) at Silverwater, where multiple positive patients are being treated.