US Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday gave a go-ahead to Pfizer's Covid pill for its use among high-risk people aged 12 and above.

"Today's authorization introduces the first treatment for Covid-19 that is in the form of a pill that is taken orally -- a major step forward in the fight against this global pandemic," said FDA scientist Patrizia Cavazzoni.

Paxlovid, Pfizer's treatment is a combination of two pills taken over five days. The treatment was shown to be safe and reduced the risk of hospitalizations and deaths among at-risk people by 88 percent. The clinical trial included 2,200 people.

In an unusual move, the FDA did not convene its customary panel of independent experts to review in depth data surrounding Pfizer's pill ahead of authorization.

Also Raed | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/boosters-cannot-be-seen-as-a-ticket-to-go-ahead-says-who-chief-tedros-amid-omicron-threat-439113">Boosters cannot be seen as a ticket to go ahead, says WHO chief Tedros amid Omicron threat</a>

Pfizer's treatment has previously been authorized in the European Union.

The US has already paid for 10 million courses.

The authorization comes as cases are surging across the United States, driven by Omicron, the most infectious variant seen to date.

The highly-mutated variant is better able to bypass immunity conferred by prior infection, and health authorities are urging the public to get boosted with mRNA vaccines in order to restore a higher degree of protection.

Unlike vaccines, the Covid pill does not target the ever-evolving spike protein of the coronavirus, which it uses to invade cells. It should in theory be more variant proof, and Pfizer has said preliminary studies have backed up that hypothesis.

Authorization is still awaited for another Covid pill, developed by Merck, which is also taken over five days and has been shown to reduce the same outcomes by 30 percent among high-risk people.

(With inputs from agencies)

US Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday gave a go-ahead to Pfizer's Covid pill for its use among high-risk people aged 12 and above. "Today's authorization introduces the first treatment for Covid-19 that is in the form of a pill that is taken orally -- a major step forward in the fight against this global pandemic," said FDA scientist Patrizia Cavazzoni.

US Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday gave a go-ahead to Pfizer's Covid pill for its use among high-risk people aged 12 and above. "Today's authorization introduces the first treatment for Covid-19 that is in the form of a pill that is taken orally -- a major step forward in the fight against this global pandemic," said FDA scientist Patrizia Cavazzoni. Paxlovid, Pfizer's treatment is a combination of two pills taken over five days. The treatment was shown to be safe and reduced the risk of hospitalizations and deaths among at-risk people by 88 percent. The clinical trial included 2,200 people. In an unusual move, the FDA did not convene its customary panel of independent experts to review in depth data surrounding Pfizer's pill ahead of authorization. Also Raed | Boosters cannot be seen as a ticket to go ahead, says WHO chief Tedros amid Omicron threat Pfizer's treatment has previously been authorized in the European Union. The US has already paid for 10 million courses. The authorization comes as cases are surging across the United States, driven by Omicron, the most infectious variant seen to date. The highly-mutated variant is better able to bypass immunity conferred by prior infection, and health authorities are urging the public to get boosted with mRNA vaccines in order to restore a higher degree of protection. Unlike vaccines, the Covid pill does not target the ever-evolving spike protein of the coronavirus, which it uses to invade cells. It should in theory be more variant proof, and Pfizer has said preliminary studies have backed up that hypothesis. Authorization is still awaited for another Covid pill, developed by Merck, which is also taken over five days and has been shown to reduce the same outcomes by 30 percent among high-risk people. (With inputs from agencies)

USFDA gives go-ahead to Pfizer's Covid pill

As concerns over the Omicron variant has gripped the world, the UK has recorded over 1 lakh cases in a single day, the highest recorded number of the cases since the pandemic began.

COVID-19: UK breaks single-day surge record with over 100,000 Omicron cases

While the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 is spreading its wings globally, the UK chose to ease isolation rules ahead of Christmas.

UK eases COVID isolation rules ahead of Christmas amid Omicron surge globally

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said that he was looking at all kinds of things to keep the Omicron variant under control as the situation was extremely difficult.

Situation is extremely difficult in UK amid Omicron COVID-19 variant surge, says Boris Johnson

The United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson has faced a string of allegations of partying while Covid restrictions were in place. Recently, Johnson has been pictured with wine and cheese alongside his wife and up to 17 staff in the Downing Street garden during lockdown.

UK PM Boris Johnson faces several allegations of lockdown parties

In a bid to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic South Korea has reimposed curfews on businesses and tightened social distancing rules in the capital Seoul.

South Korea tightens COVID restrictions amid spike in cases

Omicron is now the dominant variant of the COVID-19 in the US, federal health officials said, racing ahead of Delta and other variants and accounting for 73% of new infections last week.

Omicron is now dominant COVID-19 variant in US, accounts for 73% of new cases

The Palm Springs International Film Festival has cancelled its star-studded, in-person awards ceremony amid rising concerns around COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. As per Variety, the organisation behind the Palm Springs International Film Festival announced the cancellation on Monday.&nbsp; 
 
The annual awards were planned to be presented at a black-tie ceremony held at the Palm Springs Convention Center on January 6. The organisation made the cancellation announcement in a statement that read, "We are taking this action due to the recent spike in COVID cases and out of an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of the honorees, patrons, and staff." 
 
"The Palm Springs Film Awards are one of the largest events in the film world with 2,500 guests and more than 1,000 staff in the room," the statement continued.&nbsp; 
 
"The Film Awards will partner with 'Entertainment Tonight' to celebrate this year`s honorees with details to follow. Those who purchased tickets for the Film Awards will be reimbursed. We hope to return to the Film Awards to an in-person event in 2023," the statement concluded.&nbsp;

 
The film society also noted that the screening portion Palm Springs Film Festival, which runs January 7-17, will still take place and require proof of vaccination and masks in theatres. Considered a precursor to the Academy Awards and one of the first major award shows of the new year, the festival's 2022 awards honourees are Kristen Stewart (who earned the Spotlight Award, Actress for 'Spencer'), Penelope Cruz (the International Star Award, Actress for 'Parallel Mothers'), Jane Campion (Director of the Year, `The Power of the Dog`), Jessica Chastain (the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress for `The Eyes of Tammy Faye`), Jennifer Hudson (the Chairman`s Award, 'Respect'), Andrew Garfield (the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor for `Tick, Tick ... Boom!`), Lady Gaga (the Icon Award, `House of Gucci`) and Nicole Kidman (the Career Achievement Award,` Being the Ricardos`).The Vanguard Award goes to Sir Kenneth Branagh and the cast of `Belfast` (Caitriona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Ciaran Hinds and Jude Hill), while the cast of `King Richard` (Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Jon Bernthal and Tony Goldwyn) nabbed the Ensemble Performance Award. 
 
This marks the second consecutive year that the Palm Springs Film Awards gala has been cancelled.For 2021, the film festival nominally acknowledged 11 honourees -- Riz Ahmed ('Sound of Metal'), Viola Davis ('Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'), Andra Day ('The United States vs. Billie Holiday'), Anthony Hopkins ('The Father'), Daniel Kaluuya (`Judas and the Black Messiah`), Carey Mulligan (`Promising Young Woman`), Leslie Odom Jr. (`One Night in Miami`), Gary Oldman (`Mank`), Chloe Zhao (`Nomadland`) and the film `The Trial of the Chicago 7`. 
 
All 11 awardees went on to receive Academy Award nominations, with Hopkins, Kaluuya and Zhao nabbing Oscar trophies. Initially planned for January 7 at the Parker Palm Springs, honourees for that event include Javier Bardem (the Creative Impact in Acting award winner) and Asghar Farhadi (Creative Impact in Directing award).

The Palm Springs International Film Festival has cancelled its star-studded, in-person awards ceremony amid rising concerns around COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.

The Palm Springs International Film Festival has cancelled its star-studded, in-person awards ceremony amid rising concerns around COVID-19 and the Omicron variant. As per Variety, the organisation behind the Palm Springs International Film Festival announced the cancellation on Monday. The annual awards were planned to be presented at a black-tie ceremony held at the Palm Springs Convention Center on January 6. The organisation made the cancellation announcement in a statement that read, "We are taking this action due to the recent spike in COVID cases and out of an abundance of caution to ensure the health and safety of the honorees, patrons, and staff." "The Palm Springs Film Awards are one of the largest events in the film world with 2,500 guests and more than 1,000 staff in the room," the statement continued. "The Film Awards will partner with 'Entertainment Tonight' to celebrate this year`s honorees with details to follow. Those who purchased tickets for the Film Awards will be reimbursed. We hope to return to the Film Awards to an in-person event in 2023," the statement concluded. The film society also noted that the screening portion Palm Springs Film Festival, which runs January 7-17, will still take place and require proof of vaccination and masks in theatres. Considered a precursor to the Academy Awards and one of the first major award shows of the new year, the festival's 2022 awards honourees are Kristen Stewart (who earned the Spotlight Award, Actress for 'Spencer'), Penelope Cruz (the International Star Award, Actress for 'Parallel Mothers'), Jane Campion (Director of the Year, `The Power of the Dog`), Jessica Chastain (the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress for `The Eyes of Tammy Faye`), Jennifer Hudson (the Chairman`s Award, 'Respect'), Andrew Garfield (the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor for `Tick, Tick ... Boom!`), Lady Gaga (the Icon Award, `House of Gucci`) and Nicole Kidman (the Career Achievement Award,` Being the Ricardos`).The Vanguard Award goes to Sir Kenneth Branagh and the cast of `Belfast` (Caitriona Balfe, Jamie Dornan, Ciaran Hinds and Jude Hill), while the cast of `King Richard` (Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Jon Bernthal and Tony Goldwyn) nabbed the Ensemble Performance Award. This marks the second consecutive year that the Palm Springs Film Awards gala has been cancelled.For 2021, the film festival nominally acknowledged 11 honourees -- Riz Ahmed ('Sound of Metal'), Viola Davis ('Ma Rainey's Black Bottom'), Andra Day ('The United States vs. Billie Holiday'), Anthony Hopkins ('The Father'), Daniel Kaluuya (`Judas and the Black Messiah`), Carey Mulligan (`Promising Young Woman`), Leslie Odom Jr. (`One Night in Miami`), Gary Oldman (`Mank`), Chloe Zhao (`Nomadland`) and the film `The Trial of the Chicago 7`. All 11 awardees went on to receive Academy Award nominations, with Hopkins, Kaluuya and Zhao nabbing Oscar trophies. Initially planned for January 7 at the Parker Palm Springs, honourees for that event include Javier Bardem (the Creative Impact in Acting award winner) and Asghar Farhadi (Creative Impact in Directing award).

Palm Springs Film Awards cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns

The COVID-19 infections seem to have broken records in several parts of Europe in recent weeks. Governments are scrambling to bolster up their defenses against fast spreading of Omicron variant.

COVID-19 infections have broken records in parts of Europe

Despite a rapid rise in the country's Omicron cases, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned people to take precautions and ruled out Christmas lockdown plans for now.

UK PM Boris Johnson: No Christmas lockdown for Britain yet, but looking at all kinds of options

The Omicron variant of the COVID-19 has spread its wings globally, with cases rising rapidly in the US. In the latest, Omicron has become the dominant strain in the US.

The Omicron variant has spurred a new wave of infections in the US

South Korea reimposes COVID-19 curfew amid spike in cases

As COVID-19 shows no signs of stopping governments are taking strict measures to stop its rapid spread. The WHO has issued a warning ahead of the festive season. Here is the report on how the newly found Omicron COVID-19 variant is forcing governments to act.

Omicron variant surge across world, govts taking strict measures to curb spread

Omicron variant surge across world, governments taking strict measures to curb spread

The European Commission said on Sunday that European Union countries will get additional 20 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine to fight Omicron virus that is fast spreading. The vaccines will be made available in first three months of year 2022.

Europe is currently bracing for a new Covid-19 wave driven by Omicron variant which is highly transmissible and mutated. The festive season of Christmas is fast approaching.

Many countries are ramping up their vaccination drives and reimposing travel restrictions and other curbs to try to put a break on infections weeks after the variant was first detected in South Africa.

Member states will get an additional five million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech jab in January, five million in February and 10 million in March, the Commission said in a statement.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-health-minister-says-it-may-be-too-late-to-react-to-omicron-as-covid-19-cases-continue-to-rise-438158">UK health minister says it may be 'too late to react' to Omicron as COVID-19 cases continue to rise</a>

"These doses come on top of the already scheduled 195 million doses from Pfizer-BioNTech, bringing the total number of deliveries in the first quarter to 215 million."

Full vaccination and boosters are "now even more urgent than ever" given the "expected rapid increase in infections due to the Omicron variant".

The EU is due to receive 650 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech jabs in total in 2022.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-germany-imposes-restrictions-on-uk-travellers-to-check-omicron-spread-438104">Now, Germany imposes restrictions on UK travellers to check Omicron spread</a>

Omicron is expected to become the dominant strain by mid January in the EU, where 67 percent of the population is fully vaccinated.

(With inputs from agencies)

The European Commission said on Sunday that European Union countries will get additional 20 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine to fight Omicron virus that is fast spreading.

The European Commission said on Sunday that European Union countries will get additional 20 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine to fight Omicron virus that is fast spreading. The vaccines will be made available in first three months of year 2022. Europe is currently bracing for a new Covid-19 wave driven by Omicron variant which is highly transmissible and mutated. The festive season of Christmas is fast approaching. Many countries are ramping up their vaccination drives and reimposing travel restrictions and other curbs to try to put a break on infections weeks after the variant was first detected in South Africa. Member states will get an additional five million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech jab in January, five million in February and 10 million in March, the Commission said in a statement. Also Read | UK health minister says it may be 'too late to react' to Omicron as COVID-19 cases continue to rise "These doses come on top of the already scheduled 195 million doses from Pfizer-BioNTech, bringing the total number of deliveries in the first quarter to 215 million." Full vaccination and boosters are "now even more urgent than ever" given the "expected rapid increase in infections due to the Omicron variant". The EU is due to receive 650 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech jabs in total in 2022. Also Read | Now, Germany imposes restrictions on UK travellers to check Omicron spread Omicron is expected to become the dominant strain by mid January in the EU, where 67 percent of the population is fully vaccinated. (With inputs from agencies)

To fight Omicron, EU to get 20 million extra vaccines

Indonesia has reported its first Omicron infection. The variant was detected on Wednesday evening in an employee at a hospital in the capital Jakarta. The patient infected has no history of overseas travel.

Indonesia reports first case of Omicron COVID-19 variant

According to Chief Medical Advisor to US President Dr Anthony Fauci, the initial reports on the Omicron variant of coronavirus indicate that it may be less dangerous than Delta which continues to drive a surge in hospitalisations.

Early indications suggest Omicron may be less dangerous than Delta, says Fauci

US President Joe Biden has announced a pandemic strategy to protect Americans from the newly found Omicron COVID-19 variant over the winter.

Biden lays out winter plan to protect against Omicron COVID-19 variant

The US President Joe Biden laid out a pandemic strategy to fight the spread of the newly found Omicron COVID-19 variant that includes hundreds of vaccination sites, boosters for all adults, new testing requirements for international travellers and free at-home tests.

US President Biden lays out plans to fight spread of Omicron COVID-19 variant

Two people from India's Karnataka have been tested positive for the newly found Omicron variant of COVID-19. The variant was first detected in South Africa and was recently declared 'Variant of Concern' by World Health Organisation (WHO).

Two Cases Of Omicron variant detected in India's Karnataka

In the latest study, researchers found out that antibodies developed by COVID-19 vaccines reduce more than 50 percent after six months of the second jab. The study further says that the number of antibodies developed in response to the vaccine will be determined by a person’s age or sex.

COVID-19 Vaccine: Antibodies reduce 57% after 6 months of second jab, says study

The omicron strain of the coronavirus is cropping up across Europe. The European Commission chief said that the world is in a race against time to understand the new COVID-19 variant.

Omicron adds to Europe’s growing Covid woes, Britain to convene urgent meeting

As Delta variant continues to wreak havoc across the US, top health experts have now warned of a looming Omicron wave in the country. Experts have warned that the Omicron variant will dominate the newly registered cases in the coming weeks due to its high transmissibility.

US experts say Omicron will dominate new cases in coming weeks

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USFDA gives go-ahead to Pfizer's Covid pill

COVID-19: UK breaks single-day surge record with over 100,000 Omicron cases

UK eases COVID isolation rules ahead of Christmas amid Omicron surge globally

UK eases COVID isolation rules ahead of Christmas amid Omicron surge globally

Situation is extremely difficult in UK amid Omicron COVID-19 variant surge, says Boris Johnson

UK PM Boris Johnson faces several allegations of lockdown parties

South Korea tightens COVID restrictions amid spike in cases

Omicron is now dominant COVID-19 variant in US, accounts for 73% of new cases

Palm Springs Film Awards cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns

COVID-19 infections have broken records in parts of Europe

UK PM Boris Johnson: No Christmas lockdown for Britain yet, but looking at all kinds of options

The Omicron variant has spurred a new wave of infections in the US

South Korea reimposes COVID-19 curfew amid spike in cases

Omicron variant surge across world, govts taking strict measures to curb spread

Omicron variant surge across world, governments taking strict measures to curb spread

To fight Omicron, EU to get 20 million extra vaccines

Indonesia reports first case of Omicron COVID-19 variant

Early indications suggest Omicron may be less dangerous than Delta, says Fauci

Biden lays out winter plan to protect against Omicron COVID-19 variant

US President Biden lays out plans to fight spread of Omicron COVID-19 variant

Two Cases Of Omicron variant detected in India's Karnataka

COVID-19 Vaccine: Antibodies reduce 57% after 6 months of second jab, says study

Omicron adds to Europe’s growing Covid woes, Britain to convene urgent meeting

US experts say Omicron will dominate new cases in coming weeks