The United States set a grim double record Wednesday notching more than 3,700 deaths and over 250,000 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours.

The tally marks the third time in the past week that the United States has crossed the 3,000 deaths threshold. The country has seen a spectacular spike in Covid infections for more than a month now.

The previous 24-hour record was set in late April at the height of the country's first wave -- which never totally ended.

Over the last two weeks, the number of new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours has climbed above 200,000 for 11 out of 14 days. Wednesday's exact death toll was 3,784 fatalities over the previous 24 hours leading up to 8:30 pm (0130 GMT Thursday).

Experts now fear the situation will become even more dire following end of year celebrations, including the Christmas holiday.

The latest records were set even as the United States undergoes its first week of a mass vaccination program aimed at stopping the surging pandemic.

On Monday the first Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine injections were administered in the United States.

Also, the US Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that six or even seven doses could be squeezed out of vials that were supposed to contain only five doses to avoid unused vaccine being discarded.&nbsp;

To this end, lawmakers on Capitol Hill said they were nearing a long-elusive bipartisan deal on $900 billion in economic relief to help bolster a US economy ravaged by the pandemic.

Rollout of the first tranche of 2.9 million doses of a newly authorized vaccine from Pfizer Inc and German partner BioNTech SE continued for a third full day, with shipments headed to 66 more distribution hubs nationwide.

A second vaccine from Moderna Inc could win emergency-use approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week.

Express delivery companies FedEx and United Parcel Service, sharing a leading role in vaccine shipments, said they were monitoring the potential impacts of heavy snow and ice that had begun to disrupt transportation systems along the Eastern Seaboard on Wednesday.

President-elect Joe Biden, who has said he would get the vaccine publicly to help instill confidence in its safety, is expected to receive his first injection as soon as next week, according to his transition team.

Biden, 78, is in a high-risk category for the coronavirus due to his age.

Meanwhile, with hospitalisations setting a record for the 18th day in a row -- more than 112,000 patients under treatment on Tuesday -- health experts warn the death toll will rise higher still in the weeks ahead, even as the vaccine campaign steadily expands.

Another 2 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 5.9 million doses of the Moderna vaccine could be allocated next week, US Health Secretary Alex Azar said on a conference call on Wednesday. Two doses of the vaccines, given three or four weeks apart, would be required for each person being inoculated.

The Trump administration was also in talks to secure additional antibody treatment doses from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc and Eli Lilly and Co, Operation Warp Speed chief adviser Moncef Slaoui told the same conference call.

(with inputs from agencies)

The United States set a grim double record Wednesday notching more than 3,700 deaths and over 250,000 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours. The tally marks the third time in the past week that the United States has crossed the 3,000 deaths threshold.

The United States set a grim double record Wednesday notching more than 3,700 deaths and over 250,000 new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours. The tally marks the third time in the past week that the United States has crossed the 3,000 deaths threshold. The country has seen a spectacular spike in Covid infections for more than a month now. The previous 24-hour record was set in late April at the height of the country's first wave -- which never totally ended. Over the last two weeks, the number of new Covid-19 cases in 24 hours has climbed above 200,000 for 11 out of 14 days. Wednesday's exact death toll was 3,784 fatalities over the previous 24 hours leading up to 8:30 pm (0130 GMT Thursday). Experts now fear the situation will become even more dire following end of year celebrations, including the Christmas holiday. The latest records were set even as the United States undergoes its first week of a mass vaccination program aimed at stopping the surging pandemic. On Monday the first Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine injections were administered in the United States. Also, the US Food and Drug Administration said Wednesday that six or even seven doses could be squeezed out of vials that were supposed to contain only five doses to avoid unused vaccine being discarded. To this end, lawmakers on Capitol Hill said they were nearing a long-elusive bipartisan deal on $900 billion in economic relief to help bolster a US economy ravaged by the pandemic. Rollout of the first tranche of 2.9 million doses of a newly authorized vaccine from Pfizer Inc and German partner BioNTech SE continued for a third full day, with shipments headed to 66 more distribution hubs nationwide. A second vaccine from Moderna Inc could win emergency-use approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week. Express delivery companies FedEx and United Parcel Service, sharing a leading role in vaccine shipments, said they were monitoring the potential impacts of heavy snow and ice that had begun to disrupt transportation systems along the Eastern Seaboard on Wednesday. President-elect Joe Biden, who has said he would get the vaccine publicly to help instill confidence in its safety, is expected to receive his first injection as soon as next week, according to his transition team. Biden, 78, is in a high-risk category for the coronavirus due to his age. Meanwhile, with hospitalisations setting a record for the 18th day in a row -- more than 112,000 patients under treatment on Tuesday -- health experts warn the death toll will rise higher still in the weeks ahead, even as the vaccine campaign steadily expands. Another 2 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 5.9 million doses of the Moderna vaccine could be allocated next week, US Health Secretary Alex Azar said on a conference call on Wednesday. Two doses of the vaccines, given three or four weeks apart, would be required for each person being inoculated. The Trump administration was also in talks to secure additional antibody treatment doses from Regeneron Pharmaceuticals Inc and Eli Lilly and Co, Operation Warp Speed chief adviser Moncef Slaoui told the same conference call. (with inputs from agencies)

US sets a grim record with over 3,700 Covid deaths; vaccine campaign grows

US Vice-President Mike Pence and his wife will get the Covid-19 vaccine Friday in a public display designed to boost national confidence.

Pence and his wife Karen Pence "will publicly receive a Covid-19 vaccine to promote the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and build confidence among the American people," the White House said in a statement late Wednesday.

The event, due to be held at the White House, comes in the first week of a mass vaccination program aimed at stopping the surging coronavirus pandemic.

In addition to them, the vaccine will be administered at the same time to Surgeon General Jerome Adams, the lead public health official in the country.

On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters that Trump is also "absolutely open to taking the vaccine."

However, since he recently recovered from a bout of Covid-19, he is thought to be currently immune.

"He will receive the vaccine as soon as his medical team determines it’s best. But his priority is frontline workers, those in long-term care facilities," McEnany said.

President-elect Joe Biden, who won election in November after a campaign heavily critical of Trump's leadership during the pandemic, says he intends to take the vaccine in public soon.

At 78, Biden is in a prime risk category for the disease.

The pandemic has so far killed more than 300,000 Americans.

(with inputs)

US Vice-President Mike Pence and his wife will get the Covid-19 vaccine Friday in a public display designed to boost national confidence. Pence and his wife Karen Pence "will publicly receive a Covid-19 vaccine to promote the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and build confidence among the American people," the White House said in a statement late Wednesday.

US Vice-President Mike Pence and his wife will get the Covid-19 vaccine Friday in a public display designed to boost national confidence. Pence and his wife Karen Pence "will publicly receive a Covid-19 vaccine to promote the safety and efficacy of the vaccine and build confidence among the American people," the White House said in a statement late Wednesday. The event, due to be held at the White House, comes in the first week of a mass vaccination program aimed at stopping the surging coronavirus pandemic. In addition to them, the vaccine will be administered at the same time to Surgeon General Jerome Adams, the lead public health official in the country. On Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters that Trump is also "absolutely open to taking the vaccine." However, since he recently recovered from a bout of Covid-19, he is thought to be currently immune. "He will receive the vaccine as soon as his medical team determines it’s best. But his priority is frontline workers, those in long-term care facilities," McEnany said. President-elect Joe Biden, who won election in November after a campaign heavily critical of Trump's leadership during the pandemic, says he intends to take the vaccine in public soon. At 78, Biden is in a prime risk category for the disease. The pandemic has so far killed more than 300,000 Americans. (with inputs)

US Vice-President Mike Pence to get Covid vaccine Friday

After getting a shot of Pfizer COVID vaccine a health care worker in Alaska developed a allergic reaction, the person recieved the shot on Tuesday and begin feeling flushed and breathing problem, officials ultimately determine the reaction as "Anaphylaxis"

Alaska health worker suffer "Anaphylaxis" ater a shot of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he would receive the Sputnik V coronavirus jab once it is approved for people his age, praising the vaccine as safe and effective. &nbsp;

Putin -- at his annual end-of-year press conference -- said he had not been vaccinated yet, but "will definitely do so as soon as it becomes possible" according to expert advice.

The president held his annual press conference with a "Direct Line" session, and answered dozens of questions from journalists and ordinary people from around the country to mark the end of a turbulent year for Kremlin.

This year, Putin faced questions on his response to the coronavirus crisis, protests and wars in post-Soviet countries and the US cyberhack.

The Russian president has made few public appearances since the start of the Covid crisis, mostly telecommuting from a windowless room that critics have derided as his “bunker.”

"I am a fairly law-abiding person," Putin said, when asked if he had been inoculated against COVID-19 on Thursday.

"I listen to the recommendations of our specialists. So I haven't had the shot yet. But I will absolutely do it as soon as that becomes possible."

Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, said in June that the Russian leader was protected from the coronavirus by special disinfection tunnels that anyone visiting his residence or meeting him in the Kremlin must pass through.

Putin is also regularly tested for the coronavirus, Peskov has said.

Russia has recorded more than 2.7 million infections and 49,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Data published this week found the Sputnik V vaccine, which Russian regulators approved in August after less than two months of human testing, to be 91.4% effective.

Putin further said he doesn’t want to comment on rumours regarding COVID-19 sources.

He said, “As for the origins of the coronavirus, there are a lot of rumours. I wouldn’t like to comment on this speaking to the whole country and the world, even more so since we don’t see any proof of any accusations against anyone."

“We should not now be looking for the guilty [parties], but join efforts to fight the issue, this will be the most appropriate direction of our cooperation," he emphasised.

(with inputs from agencies)

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he would receive the Sputnik V coronavirus jab once it is approved for people his age, praising the vaccine as safe and effective.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Thursday he would receive the Sputnik V coronavirus jab once it is approved for people his age, praising the vaccine as safe and effective. Putin -- at his annual end-of-year press conference -- said he had not been vaccinated yet, but "will definitely do so as soon as it becomes possible" according to expert advice. The president held his annual press conference with a "Direct Line" session, and answered dozens of questions from journalists and ordinary people from around the country to mark the end of a turbulent year for Kremlin. This year, Putin faced questions on his response to the coronavirus crisis, protests and wars in post-Soviet countries and the US cyberhack. The Russian president has made few public appearances since the start of the Covid crisis, mostly telecommuting from a windowless room that critics have derided as his “bunker.” "I am a fairly law-abiding person," Putin said, when asked if he had been inoculated against COVID-19 on Thursday. "I listen to the recommendations of our specialists. So I haven't had the shot yet. But I will absolutely do it as soon as that becomes possible." Dmitry Peskov, Putin's spokesman, said in June that the Russian leader was protected from the coronavirus by special disinfection tunnels that anyone visiting his residence or meeting him in the Kremlin must pass through. Putin is also regularly tested for the coronavirus, Peskov has said. Russia has recorded more than 2.7 million infections and 49,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic. Data published this week found the Sputnik V vaccine, which Russian regulators approved in August after less than two months of human testing, to be 91.4% effective. Putin further said he doesn’t want to comment on rumours regarding COVID-19 sources. He said, “As for the origins of the coronavirus, there are a lot of rumours. I wouldn’t like to comment on this speaking to the whole country and the world, even more so since we don’t see any proof of any accusations against anyone." “We should not now be looking for the guilty [parties], but join efforts to fight the issue, this will be the most appropriate direction of our cooperation," he emphasised. (with inputs from agencies)

Putin says will get vaccine when possible; won't comment on Covid-19 source

At least a fifth of the world's population may not have access to a Covid-19 vaccine until 2022, according to a study published Wednesday, with wealthier nations reserving more than half of next year's potential doses.

With hopes that vaccines can bring an end to a pandemic that has killed some 1.6 million people, countries including the United States, Britain and the United Arab Emirates have already begun rolling out immunisation programmes.

Eager to increase their chances of having access to at least one of the dozens of vaccines in development, many nations have snapped up allocations of several different drugs.

Wealthy nations -- accounting for just 14 percent of the global population -- have pre-ordered just over half of the vaccine doses expected to be produced by the 13 leading developers next year, researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found.

There are fears that poorer nations will be left behind.

Even if the drug makers all produce effective, safe vaccines and meet their maximum global manufacturing targets, the study said "at least a fifth of the world's population would not have access to vaccines until 2022".

The research, published in the BMJ medical journal, looked at publicly available data and found that as of mid-November, reservations totalled 7.48 billion doses -- equivalent to 3.76 billion immunisation courses, because most vaccines require two jabs.

That is out of a total maximum projected manufacturing capacity of 5.96 billion courses by the end of 2021.

- Pooled purchasing scheme -

The study estimated that up to 40 percent of the vaccine courses from the leading manufacturers might be available for low- and middle-income countries, but said this would depend on how rich countries share what they have bought.

The authors, who cautioned that public information was incomplete, called for "greater transparency and accountability" over support for equitable global access.

They suggested the implications could go well beyond health.

"To varying degrees, trade with and travel to countries might face continued disruption until access to effective preventive or treatment measures, such as Covid-19 vaccines, becomes more widely available," the report said.

Many countries have joined a pooled purchasing mechanism COVAX -- coordinated by the World Health Organisation, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and vaccines alliance Gavi -- aiming to ensure that people across the world have access to a Covid-19 vaccine, regardless of wealth.

The initiative is hoping to have two billion doses available by the end of 2021.

But neither the United States nor Russia have so far joined the programme.

- 'Devastating crisis' -

Jason Schwartz, at the Yale School of Public Health, said US participation in coordination efforts would be "invaluable" in helping ensure people across the world have access to vaccines "that will ultimately help bring an end to this devastating global health crisis".

In a BMJ editorial, Schwartz said the requirement for two doses and the very low temperatures needed to store some of the vaccines added to the challenges for many countries.

"The operational challenges of the global Covid-19 vaccination programme will be at least as difficult as the scientific challenges associated with rapidly developing safe and effective vaccines," he said.

The Johns Hopkins authors said prices for immunisations ranged from $6 per course to as high as $74.

They found that if all the vaccines work as hoped, many richer nations would have already reserved at least one immunisation per person.

Researchers said that Canada had ordered the equivalent of four doses per person, the United States has reserved just enough for one vaccine course per person, while countries like Indonesia have reserved less than one vaccine course for every two people.

At least a fifth of the world's population may not have access to a Covid-19 vaccine until 2022, according to a study published Wednesday, with wealthier nations reserving more than half of next year's potential doses.

At least a fifth of the world's population may not have access to a Covid-19 vaccine until 2022, according to a study published Wednesday, with wealthier nations reserving more than half of next year's potential doses. With hopes that vaccines can bring an end to a pandemic that has killed some 1.6 million people, countries including the United States, Britain and the United Arab Emirates have already begun rolling out immunisation programmes. Eager to increase their chances of having access to at least one of the dozens of vaccines in development, many nations have snapped up allocations of several different drugs. Wealthy nations -- accounting for just 14 percent of the global population -- have pre-ordered just over half of the vaccine doses expected to be produced by the 13 leading developers next year, researchers from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found. There are fears that poorer nations will be left behind. Even if the drug makers all produce effective, safe vaccines and meet their maximum global manufacturing targets, the study said "at least a fifth of the world's population would not have access to vaccines until 2022". The research, published in the BMJ medical journal, looked at publicly available data and found that as of mid-November, reservations totalled 7.48 billion doses -- equivalent to 3.76 billion immunisation courses, because most vaccines require two jabs. That is out of a total maximum projected manufacturing capacity of 5.96 billion courses by the end of 2021. - Pooled purchasing scheme - The study estimated that up to 40 percent of the vaccine courses from the leading manufacturers might be available for low- and middle-income countries, but said this would depend on how rich countries share what they have bought. The authors, who cautioned that public information was incomplete, called for "greater transparency and accountability" over support for equitable global access. They suggested the implications could go well beyond health. "To varying degrees, trade with and travel to countries might face continued disruption until access to effective preventive or treatment measures, such as Covid-19 vaccines, becomes more widely available," the report said. Many countries have joined a pooled purchasing mechanism COVAX -- coordinated by the World Health Organisation, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and vaccines alliance Gavi -- aiming to ensure that people across the world have access to a Covid-19 vaccine, regardless of wealth. The initiative is hoping to have two billion doses available by the end of 2021. But neither the United States nor Russia have so far joined the programme. - 'Devastating crisis' - Jason Schwartz, at the Yale School of Public Health, said US participation in coordination efforts would be "invaluable" in helping ensure people across the world have access to vaccines "that will ultimately help bring an end to this devastating global health crisis". In a BMJ editorial, Schwartz said the requirement for two doses and the very low temperatures needed to store some of the vaccines added to the challenges for many countries. "The operational challenges of the global Covid-19 vaccination programme will be at least as difficult as the scientific challenges associated with rapidly developing safe and effective vaccines," he said. The Johns Hopkins authors said prices for immunisations ranged from $6 per course to as high as $74. They found that if all the vaccines work as hoped, many richer nations would have already reserved at least one immunisation per person. Researchers said that Canada had ordered the equivalent of four doses per person, the United States has reserved just enough for one vaccine course per person, while countries like Indonesia have reserved less than one vaccine course for every two people.

Nearly a fifth of the world's population may not get vaccine until 2022, study says

Indonesia will provide free coronavirus vaccines to its citizens when the world’s fourth most populous nation starts its inoculation programme, President Joko Widodo said on Wednesday, adding he would get the first shot to reassure people on safety.

The sprawling, developing country received its first shipment of vaccines, 1.2 million doses from China’s Sinovac Biotech in early December, but is awaiting emergency use authorisation from its food and drug agency.

Another 1.8 million doses are expected to be delivered in January with the government previously saying that healthcare workers in Java and Bali would be prioritised.

"After receiving many people’s suggestions and after recalculating state financial calculations, I can say that COVID-19 vaccines for citizens will be free," the president said in a video statement from the state palace in Jakarta.

The decision comes as the country of 270 million faces an escalating coronavirus outbreak and also after social media campaigns urging authorities to provide vaccines free of charge.

The president said he had instructed the finance minister to reallocate spending to fund the programme.

Amid concens over vaccine safety and whether shots would be halal, an issue for many in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, the president said he would be the first recipient.

"This to provide assurance and trust to people that the vaccine is safe," he said.

He did not specify which vaccine he would receive but a phase III trial of Sinovac`s CoronaVac is being conducted on 1,620 volunteers in the Indonesian city of Bandung in West Java but the results are yet to be released.

Ten months after officially recording its first case of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, Indonesia has now recorded more than 629,000 confirmed infections and 19,000 deaths, the highest caseload and death toll in Southeast Asia.

Indonesia is looking to secure 246.6 million vaccine doses and has also been in negotiations with Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and global vaccine programme COVAX.

Indonesia will provide free coronavirus vaccines to its citizens when the world’s fourth most populous nation starts its inoculation programme, President Joko Widodo said on Wednesday, adding he would get the first shot to reassure people on safety.

Indonesia will provide free coronavirus vaccines to its citizens when the world’s fourth most populous nation starts its inoculation programme, President Joko Widodo said on Wednesday, adding he would get the first shot to reassure people on safety. The sprawling, developing country received its first shipment of vaccines, 1.2 million doses from China’s Sinovac Biotech in early December, but is awaiting emergency use authorisation from its food and drug agency. Another 1.8 million doses are expected to be delivered in January with the government previously saying that healthcare workers in Java and Bali would be prioritised. "After receiving many people’s suggestions and after recalculating state financial calculations, I can say that COVID-19 vaccines for citizens will be free," the president said in a video statement from the state palace in Jakarta. The decision comes as the country of 270 million faces an escalating coronavirus outbreak and also after social media campaigns urging authorities to provide vaccines free of charge. The president said he had instructed the finance minister to reallocate spending to fund the programme. Amid concens over vaccine safety and whether shots would be halal, an issue for many in the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, the president said he would be the first recipient. "This to provide assurance and trust to people that the vaccine is safe," he said. He did not specify which vaccine he would receive but a phase III trial of Sinovac`s CoronaVac is being conducted on 1,620 volunteers in the Indonesian city of Bandung in West Java but the results are yet to be released. Ten months after officially recording its first case of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus, Indonesia has now recorded more than 629,000 confirmed infections and 19,000 deaths, the highest caseload and death toll in Southeast Asia. Indonesia is looking to secure 246.6 million vaccine doses and has also been in negotiations with Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and global vaccine programme COVAX.

Indonesia pledges free COVID-19 vaccines, with president first in line

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Developers say Sputnik V likely to give 2 years Covid-19 immunity, Pfizer 4-5 months Canada joins US, UK to inoculate people with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 v

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Morning news brief: Immunity from vaccine, Uighur forced labour and more

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Next four to six months could be worst of coronavirus pandemic: Bill Gates Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder and the co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, has warned that the next four to six months could be the worst of the coronavirus pandemic.

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Morning news brief: NYC shootings, Boko Haram and preps for Covid vaccine

Tractor trailers loaded with suitcase-sized containers of COVID-19 vaccine will leave Pfizer Inc`s manufacturing facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Sunday morning - launching the largest and most complex vaccine distribution project in the United States, where the virus is raging.

U.S. regulators late on Friday authorized the vaccine from Pfizer and partner BioNTech for use, and U.S. marshals will accompany the tightly secured shipments from factory to final destination.

"We have spent months strategizing with Operation Warp Speed officials and our healthcare customers on efficient vaccine logistics, and the time has arrived to put the plan into action," Wes Wheeler, president of UPS Healthcare, said on Saturday.

Pfizer`s dry-ice cooled packages can hold as many as 4,875 doses, and the first leg of their journey will be from Kalamazoo to planes positioned nearby. Workers will load the vaccine - which must be kept at sub-Arctic temperatures - onto the aircraft that will shuttle them to United Parcel Service or FedEx air cargo hubs in Louisville, Kentucky, and Memphis, Tennessee, respectively.

From there, they will be trucked or flown to facilities close to the 145 U.S. sites earmarked to receive the first doses.

Familiar UPS and FedEx package delivery drivers, who may also be carrying holiday gifts and other parcels, will deliver many of the "suitcases" into the hands of healthcare providers on Monday. The shipments are the first of three expected this week.

Healthcare workers and elderly residents of long-term care homes are first in line to receive the inoculations.

Pfizer`s inoculations have the most restrictive requirements for shipping and storage temperature, minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94°F).

UPS and FedEx are giving the vaccine top priority, reserving space on planes and trucks at a time when pandemic- and holiday- related e-commerce are creating more demand for deliveries than carriers can handle.

Both companies have expertise handling fragile medical products and are leaving little room for error. They are providing temperature and location tracking to backup devices embedded in the Pfizer boxes, and tracking each shipment throughout its journey.

Tractor trailers loaded with suitcase-sized containers of COVID-19 vaccine will leave Pfizer Inc`s manufacturing facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Sunday morning - launching the largest and most complex vaccine distribution project in the United States, where the virus is raging.

Tractor trailers loaded with suitcase-sized containers of COVID-19 vaccine will leave Pfizer Inc`s manufacturing facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Sunday morning - launching the largest and most complex vaccine distribution project in the United States, where the virus is raging. U.S. regulators late on Friday authorized the vaccine from Pfizer and partner BioNTech for use, and U.S. marshals will accompany the tightly secured shipments from factory to final destination. "We have spent months strategizing with Operation Warp Speed officials and our healthcare customers on efficient vaccine logistics, and the time has arrived to put the plan into action," Wes Wheeler, president of UPS Healthcare, said on Saturday. Pfizer`s dry-ice cooled packages can hold as many as 4,875 doses, and the first leg of their journey will be from Kalamazoo to planes positioned nearby. Workers will load the vaccine - which must be kept at sub-Arctic temperatures - onto the aircraft that will shuttle them to United Parcel Service or FedEx air cargo hubs in Louisville, Kentucky, and Memphis, Tennessee, respectively. From there, they will be trucked or flown to facilities close to the 145 U.S. sites earmarked to receive the first doses. Familiar UPS and FedEx package delivery drivers, who may also be carrying holiday gifts and other parcels, will deliver many of the "suitcases" into the hands of healthcare providers on Monday. The shipments are the first of three expected this week. Healthcare workers and elderly residents of long-term care homes are first in line to receive the inoculations. Pfizer`s inoculations have the most restrictive requirements for shipping and storage temperature, minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94°F). UPS and FedEx are giving the vaccine top priority, reserving space on planes and trucks at a time when pandemic- and holiday- related e-commerce are creating more demand for deliveries than carriers can handle. Both companies have expertise handling fragile medical products and are leaving little room for error. They are providing temperature and location tracking to backup devices embedded in the Pfizer boxes, and tracking each shipment throughout its journey.

Historic US COVID vaccine campaign launches with convoy of trucks

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Morning news brief: Brexit talks, pro-Trump rally and preps for Covid vaccine

Peru has temporarily suspended clinical trials of a COVID vaccine made by Chinese drug giant Sinopharm after detecting neurological problems in one of its test volunteers.

Peru temporarily suspends Chinese Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccine

The Brazilian government unveiled its long-awaited national vaccination plan against COVID-19 on Saturday with an initial goal of vaccinating 51 million people, or about one-fourth of the population, in the first half of 2021.

In a document sent to the Supreme Court, which had given the government a deadline to draw up the plan, the Health Ministry said 108 million doses will be available for priority vaccination of vulnerable groups that include health workers, elderly people and indigenous communities.

The plan says 70% of the population - or about 148 million of Brazil`s 212 million people - need to be immunized to stop the virus spreading. The current plan covers just about one third of that goal.

Researchers said the plan was hastily drawn up and had mistaken details about the potential vaccines.

The plan, which says each person will need two doses, does not mention a starting date for vaccination of the population nor does it detail the supplies of vaccines that it will need.

Brazil is in the midst of the world`s second-deadliest coronavirus outbreak after the United States, with more than 180,000 deaths.

On Thursday, Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello pledged to vaccinate Brazil`s entire population against COVID-19 next year.

The government of right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro has been under pressure from state governors and city mayors for failing to prepare in time for mass immunization or secure a diverse enough supply of vaccines.

Brazil reported 43,900 additional confirmed coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours and 686 fatalities from COVID-19, bringing total cases to 6,880,127 and the death toll to 181,123, the ministry said on Saturday.

Although Brazil has an enviable record for national vaccination campaigns and a strong public health system, Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied the gravity of the virus and is a vaccine skeptic who has said he will not take a COVID-19 shot.

He has also said his government will not buy the vaccine made by China`s Sinovac Biotech Ltd that will likely be the first to complete late stage trials in Brazil. AstraZeneca, Pfizer Inc, and Johnson &amp; Johnson`s pharmaceutical subsidiary Janssen also have vaccines in Phase 3 trials in Brazil.

Microbiologist Natalia Pasternak, a critic of the government`s handling of the pandemic, tweeted that there was no provision for extreme cold-storage required by Pfizer`s vaccine and China`s CoronVac was ignored in the plan.

Epidemiologist Ethel Maciel said that she and other scientist who were advising the government said they had not seen the plan before it was published and learned about it in the media.

Bolsonaro`s government is planning to set aside 20 billion reais ($4 billion) from its budget to buy COVID-19 vaccines.

A poll by DataFolha published on Saturday showed that a growing number of Brazilians - 22% - say they are unwilling to take any COVID-19 vaccine, and most said they would not accept one made by China, as Bolsonaro`s comments stoke skepticism.

The Brazilian government unveiled its long-awaited national vaccination plan against COVID-19 on Saturday with an initial goal of vaccinating 51 million people, or about one-fourth of the population, in the first half of 2021.

The Brazilian government unveiled its long-awaited national vaccination plan against COVID-19 on Saturday with an initial goal of vaccinating 51 million people, or about one-fourth of the population, in the first half of 2021. In a document sent to the Supreme Court, which had given the government a deadline to draw up the plan, the Health Ministry said 108 million doses will be available for priority vaccination of vulnerable groups that include health workers, elderly people and indigenous communities. The plan says 70% of the population - or about 148 million of Brazil`s 212 million people - need to be immunized to stop the virus spreading. The current plan covers just about one third of that goal. Researchers said the plan was hastily drawn up and had mistaken details about the potential vaccines. The plan, which says each person will need two doses, does not mention a starting date for vaccination of the population nor does it detail the supplies of vaccines that it will need. Brazil is in the midst of the world`s second-deadliest coronavirus outbreak after the United States, with more than 180,000 deaths. On Thursday, Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello pledged to vaccinate Brazil`s entire population against COVID-19 next year. The government of right-wing President Jair Bolsonaro has been under pressure from state governors and city mayors for failing to prepare in time for mass immunization or secure a diverse enough supply of vaccines. Brazil reported 43,900 additional confirmed coronavirus cases in the past 24 hours and 686 fatalities from COVID-19, bringing total cases to 6,880,127 and the death toll to 181,123, the ministry said on Saturday. Although Brazil has an enviable record for national vaccination campaigns and a strong public health system, Bolsonaro has repeatedly denied the gravity of the virus and is a vaccine skeptic who has said he will not take a COVID-19 shot. He has also said his government will not buy the vaccine made by China`s Sinovac Biotech Ltd that will likely be the first to complete late stage trials in Brazil. AstraZeneca, Pfizer Inc, and Johnson & Johnson`s pharmaceutical subsidiary Janssen also have vaccines in Phase 3 trials in Brazil. Microbiologist Natalia Pasternak, a critic of the government`s handling of the pandemic, tweeted that there was no provision for extreme cold-storage required by Pfizer`s vaccine and China`s CoronVac was ignored in the plan. Epidemiologist Ethel Maciel said that she and other scientist who were advising the government said they had not seen the plan before it was published and learned about it in the media. Bolsonaro`s government is planning to set aside 20 billion reais ($4 billion) from its budget to buy COVID-19 vaccines. A poll by DataFolha published on Saturday showed that a growing number of Brazilians - 22% - say they are unwilling to take any COVID-19 vaccine, and most said they would not accept one made by China, as Bolsonaro`s comments stoke skepticism.

Brazil rolls out COVID-19 vaccination plan

Vaccines may not put an end to the pandemic. As for the virus- it may be here to stay. Past pandemics, present numbers, and experts- all corroborate this. Listen in to WION's Palki Sharma.

Gravitas Plus: Will the entry of vaccines spell the exit of the pandemic?

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lodged a complaint with the State Election Commission against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for violating the code of conduct amid local body elections and promising voters of free Covid-19 vaccine, said party`s Kerala president K Surendran on Sunday.

This comes a day after Vijayan announced that coronavirus vaccine will be provided free of cost in the state. The announcement comes at a time when local body elections are going on in the state.

"By announcing that free vaccine will be provided, Vijayan has violated the election code of conduct. The Central Government had already announced that the Covid-19 vaccine will be provided free of cost to the entire country. Kerala Chief Minister is trying to take credit of the Centre`s project," Surendran said while addressing a press conference.

BJP`s Kerala unit chief also alleged that the stand taken by Chief Minister in the gold smuggling case is to derail the probe by central investigation agencies.

"Chief Minister had earlier written to the Prime Minister asking him to let the central agencies investigate gold smuggling case. Now, when investigation agencies are making progress and probe is being carried out against those involved in Chief Minister`s office, he is turning against investigation agencies," he said.

BJP state president said that Pinarayi Vijayan is trying to challenge the legal system.

"The stand of the Chief Minister is ridiculous. When the CM is about to be caught in the gold smuggling case, he is trying to intimidate the central agencies. This cannot be allowed," he added.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lodged a complaint with the State Election Commission against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for violating the code of conduct amid local body elections and promising voters of free Covid-19 vaccine, said party`s Kerala president K Surendran on Sunday.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has lodged a complaint with the State Election Commission against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for violating the code of conduct amid local body elections and promising voters of free Covid-19 vaccine, said party`s Kerala president K Surendran on Sunday. This comes a day after Vijayan announced that coronavirus vaccine will be provided free of cost in the state. The announcement comes at a time when local body elections are going on in the state. "By announcing that free vaccine will be provided, Vijayan has violated the election code of conduct. The Central Government had already announced that the Covid-19 vaccine will be provided free of cost to the entire country. Kerala Chief Minister is trying to take credit of the Centre`s project," Surendran said while addressing a press conference. BJP`s Kerala unit chief also alleged that the stand taken by Chief Minister in the gold smuggling case is to derail the probe by central investigation agencies. "Chief Minister had earlier written to the Prime Minister asking him to let the central agencies investigate gold smuggling case. Now, when investigation agencies are making progress and probe is being carried out against those involved in Chief Minister`s office, he is turning against investigation agencies," he said. BJP state president said that Pinarayi Vijayan is trying to challenge the legal system. "The stand of the Chief Minister is ridiculous. When the CM is about to be caught in the gold smuggling case, he is trying to intimidate the central agencies. This cannot be allowed," he added.

BJP lodges complaint against Kerala CM for announcing free Covid-19 vaccine amid local polls

Pakistan has increased the funds allocated for purchasing COVID-19 vaccine to USD 250 million from the earlier approved amount of USD 150 million.

It has also signed non-disclosure agreements with various multinational companies under which the recipient country will not make details of the vaccine public, the Dawn News reported.

Parliamentary Secretary on National Health Services (NHS) Nausheen Hamid told the daily that the allocation for vaccine purchase had been enhanced to USD 250 million.

"We will sign a purchase agreement with more than one company to ensure that we get a vaccine. Russia had also offered us its vaccine recently. However, we are looking into its safety and efficacy as public health is our top priority," she was quoted as saying.

When asked when the vaccine will be available, Hamid said it was hoped that the delivery of the vaccine would start by the end of the first quarter of next year.

She said that in the initial phase of vaccinations, frontline health workers attending to COVID-19 patients and people over 65 years will be vaccinated.

In the second phase, the remaining healthcare workers and people over 60 years of age will get preference, she said, adding that the vaccine alliance GAVI has also pledged to provide vaccines for the 20 per cent population.

By the end of 2021, it would be available to the masses, Hamid added.

Replying to another question, the parliamentary secretary said Pfizer had offered special containers to maintain the cold chain, adding that the vaccine could be kept in normal freezers for five days.

A senior official of the ministry of National Health Services (NHS) told the paper that there were six potential companies and the ministry was not only engaged with them but had signed non-disclosure agreements with some of them due to which they were sharing data and progress of vaccine trials.

"The Chinese vaccine is also under trial in Pakistan so we will get the vaccine on a priority basis. As per assurances given by the companies we may get between 100,000 and 500,000 doses by the end of February or in March. The vaccine will be administered to the most vulnerable people such as healthcare professionals working with Covid-19 patients," he was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases jumped to 438,425 on Sunday after 3,369 new cases were reported.

Another 72 patients died in the last one day, taking the COVID-19 death toll to 8,796, while at least 2,471 patients were in critical condition, according to the NHS ministry, which added that 3,83,000 people have recovered so far.

Pakistan has increased the funds allocated for purchasing COVID-19 vaccine to USD 250 million from the earlier approved amount of USD 150 million. It has also signed non-disclosure agreements with various multinational companies under which the recipient country will not make details of the vaccine public, the Dawn News reported.

Pakistan has increased the funds allocated for purchasing COVID-19 vaccine to USD 250 million from the earlier approved amount of USD 150 million. It has also signed non-disclosure agreements with various multinational companies under which the recipient country will not make details of the vaccine public, the Dawn News reported. Parliamentary Secretary on National Health Services (NHS) Nausheen Hamid told the daily that the allocation for vaccine purchase had been enhanced to USD 250 million. "We will sign a purchase agreement with more than one company to ensure that we get a vaccine. Russia had also offered us its vaccine recently. However, we are looking into its safety and efficacy as public health is our top priority," she was quoted as saying. When asked when the vaccine will be available, Hamid said it was hoped that the delivery of the vaccine would start by the end of the first quarter of next year. She said that in the initial phase of vaccinations, frontline health workers attending to COVID-19 patients and people over 65 years will be vaccinated. In the second phase, the remaining healthcare workers and people over 60 years of age will get preference, she said, adding that the vaccine alliance GAVI has also pledged to provide vaccines for the 20 per cent population. By the end of 2021, it would be available to the masses, Hamid added. Replying to another question, the parliamentary secretary said Pfizer had offered special containers to maintain the cold chain, adding that the vaccine could be kept in normal freezers for five days. A senior official of the ministry of National Health Services (NHS) told the paper that there were six potential companies and the ministry was not only engaged with them but had signed non-disclosure agreements with some of them due to which they were sharing data and progress of vaccine trials. "The Chinese vaccine is also under trial in Pakistan so we will get the vaccine on a priority basis. As per assurances given by the companies we may get between 100,000 and 500,000 doses by the end of February or in March. The vaccine will be administered to the most vulnerable people such as healthcare professionals working with Covid-19 patients," he was quoted as saying. Meanwhile, the number of coronavirus cases jumped to 438,425 on Sunday after 3,369 new cases were reported. Another 72 patients died in the last one day, taking the COVID-19 death toll to 8,796, while at least 2,471 patients were in critical condition, according to the NHS ministry, which added that 3,83,000 people have recovered so far.

Pakistan increases funds for COVID-19 vaccine to USD 250 mn

Mexico's health regulator has granted emergency authorisation to the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine.

Health Undersecretary Hugo Lopez-Gatell, to this end, told a news conference: "Mexico's health regulatory agency, Cofepris, has granted emergency use authorisation to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine."

Britain, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have already given the vaccine emergency approval, making Mexico the fifth country to do so.&nbsp;

The Mexican government announced this week it would begin vaccinations against the coronavirus at the end of December, with a first batch of 250,000 doses to immunise 125,000 people, since the vaccine requires two shots.&nbsp;

Medical staff battling on the front lines of the pandemic will be the first priority of the immunisation programme, and doses will be administered only in Mexico City and in the northern state of Coahuila, due to the specialist deep freeze and logistics requirements of the vaccine.&nbsp;

Mexico signed an agreement to purchase 34.4 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine. After the initial round of vaccinations, it hopes to reach a rate of one million a month between January and March, and 12 million in April, the government said.&nbsp;

Mexico also has preliminary purchase agreements with the Chinese-Canadian project CanSinoBio for 35 million doses of its vaccine candidate, and with the British firm AstraZeneca for 77.4 million doses of its candidate. It is also part of the international Covax mechanism, which allows it to buy another 51.6 million doses.&nbsp;

Mexico is the fourth worst hit country in the world with more than 113,000 deaths and 1.22 million cases of Covid-19 as of Friday.&nbsp;

Mexico's health regulator has granted emergency authorisation to the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine. Health Undersecretary Hugo Lopez-Gatell, to this end, told a news conference: "Mexico's health regulatory agency, Cofepris, has granted emergency use authorisation to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.

Mexico's health regulator has granted emergency authorisation to the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine. Health Undersecretary Hugo Lopez-Gatell, to this end, told a news conference: "Mexico's health regulatory agency, Cofepris, has granted emergency use authorisation to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine." Britain, Canada, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have already given the vaccine emergency approval, making Mexico the fifth country to do so. The Mexican government announced this week it would begin vaccinations against the coronavirus at the end of December, with a first batch of 250,000 doses to immunise 125,000 people, since the vaccine requires two shots. Medical staff battling on the front lines of the pandemic will be the first priority of the immunisation programme, and doses will be administered only in Mexico City and in the northern state of Coahuila, due to the specialist deep freeze and logistics requirements of the vaccine. Mexico signed an agreement to purchase 34.4 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine. After the initial round of vaccinations, it hopes to reach a rate of one million a month between January and March, and 12 million in April, the government said. Mexico also has preliminary purchase agreements with the Chinese-Canadian project CanSinoBio for 35 million doses of its vaccine candidate, and with the British firm AstraZeneca for 77.4 million doses of its candidate. It is also part of the international Covax mechanism, which allows it to buy another 51.6 million doses. Mexico is the fourth worst hit country in the world with more than 113,000 deaths and 1.22 million cases of Covid-19 as of Friday.

Mexico regulator approves Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine

US Food & Drug Administration has approved emergency authorisation of the Pfizer vaccine. WION brings you the US FDA's briefs on Pfizer vaccine.

US FDA on Pfizer vaccine approval: Americans can trust this clinical review

United States' Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against the infection of COVID-19 for emergency use. This will be the first Coronavirus vaccine to get an approval in the United States of America.

United States' FDA authorises Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for emergency use

The US Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) has granted the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine an emergency use authorisation.

The approval, given on Friday, paves the way for its imminent rollout across the country.

"I am authorising the emergency use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID‑19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19," Denise Hinton, the agency's chief scientist wrote in a letter to a Pfizer executive.

President Donald Trump, to this end, said the US would&nbsp;start administering the vaccine "in less than 24 hours."

"The first vaccine will be administered in less than 24 hours," Trump said in a televised address released on Twitter.

"Through our partnership with FedEx and UPS, we have already begun shipping the vaccine to every state and zip code in the country," he said, adding that governors would decide who would receive the shots first in their states.

"We want our senior citizens, health care workers and first responders to be first in line," said Trump. "This will quickly and dramatically reduce deaths and hospitalisations."

Earlier on Friday,&nbsp;Trump had piled pressure on the US drug regulator to quickly approve the vaccine as America readied to roll out mass immunisations.

The Washington Post reported that the White House told the FDA chief Stephen Hahn to submit his resignation if the agency does not clear the vaccine by the end of the day.

The country hopes to have 20 million people inoculated this month.&nbsp;

The government also said Friday that it is buying 100 million more doses of the Moderna vaccine candidate, amid reports the government passed on the opportunity to secure more supply of the Pfizer jab.

The purchase brings its total supply of Moderna doses to 200 million, enough to immunize 100 million people with the two-shot regimen, which is yet to be green-lighted by authorities.

The World Health Organisation warned Friday that Christmas celebrations could turn to tears if people fail to keep up their guard against Covid-19 during the festive season.

Britain this week became the first Western country to roll out the Pfizer-BioNTech jab, which Canada, Mexico, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have also approved.&nbsp;

The FDA said the vaccine can be given to people aged 16 and older. Healthcare workers and elderly people in long-term care facilities are expected to be the main recipients of a first round of 2.9 million doses.

The US government has said it will begin distributing the vaccine around the country immediately after FDA authorization, and that the first inoculations would happen early next week.

The FDA authorisation comes at a time when infections, hospitalisations and deaths are soaring to record levels in the United States, which has failed to mount a coordinated effort to slow the spread of the virus. Earlier this week, the one-day COVID-19 death total topped 3,000, while hospital intensive care units across the country are nearing capacity, threatening to overwhelm healthcare systems.

BioNTech began developing the vaccine in January, using a technology called synthetic messenger RNA (mRNA) that had yet to produce an approved product. The technology uses a chemical messenger to instruct cells to make proteins that mimic part of the new coronavirus, which the immune system learns to recognise as an invader. BioNTech struck a development deal with Pfizer in March.

The vaccine comes with complex distribution challenges as it must be shipped and stored at -70 Celsius (-94 F), requiring specialised ultra-cold freezers or supplies of dry ice.

(with inputs from agencies)

The US Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) has granted the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine an emergency use authorisation. The approval, given on Friday, paves the way for its imminent rollout across the country.

The US Food and Drug Adminstration (FDA) has granted the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine an emergency use authorisation. The approval, given on Friday, paves the way for its imminent rollout across the country. "I am authorising the emergency use of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID‑19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19," Denise Hinton, the agency's chief scientist wrote in a letter to a Pfizer executive. President Donald Trump, to this end, said the US would start administering the vaccine "in less than 24 hours." "The first vaccine will be administered in less than 24 hours," Trump said in a televised address released on Twitter. "Through our partnership with FedEx and UPS, we have already begun shipping the vaccine to every state and zip code in the country," he said, adding that governors would decide who would receive the shots first in their states. "We want our senior citizens, health care workers and first responders to be first in line," said Trump. "This will quickly and dramatically reduce deaths and hospitalisations." Earlier on Friday, Trump had piled pressure on the US drug regulator to quickly approve the vaccine as America readied to roll out mass immunisations. The Washington Post reported that the White House told the FDA chief Stephen Hahn to submit his resignation if the agency does not clear the vaccine by the end of the day. The country hopes to have 20 million people inoculated this month. The government also said Friday that it is buying 100 million more doses of the Moderna vaccine candidate, amid reports the government passed on the opportunity to secure more supply of the Pfizer jab. The purchase brings its total supply of Moderna doses to 200 million, enough to immunize 100 million people with the two-shot regimen, which is yet to be green-lighted by authorities. The World Health Organisation warned Friday that Christmas celebrations could turn to tears if people fail to keep up their guard against Covid-19 during the festive season. Britain this week became the first Western country to roll out the Pfizer-BioNTech jab, which Canada, Mexico, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia have also approved. The FDA said the vaccine can be given to people aged 16 and older. Healthcare workers and elderly people in long-term care facilities are expected to be the main recipients of a first round of 2.9 million doses. The US government has said it will begin distributing the vaccine around the country immediately after FDA authorization, and that the first inoculations would happen early next week. The FDA authorisation comes at a time when infections, hospitalisations and deaths are soaring to record levels in the United States, which has failed to mount a coordinated effort to slow the spread of the virus. Earlier this week, the one-day COVID-19 death total topped 3,000, while hospital intensive care units across the country are nearing capacity, threatening to overwhelm healthcare systems. BioNTech began developing the vaccine in January, using a technology called synthetic messenger RNA (mRNA) that had yet to produce an approved product. The technology uses a chemical messenger to instruct cells to make proteins that mimic part of the new coronavirus, which the immune system learns to recognise as an invader. BioNTech struck a development deal with Pfizer in March. The vaccine comes with complex distribution challenges as it must be shipped and stored at -70 Celsius (-94 F), requiring specialised ultra-cold freezers or supplies of dry ice. (with inputs from agencies)

US authorises Pfizer jab; first vaccine to be administered 'in less than 24 hours'

The next few months will be terrible. Several thousand Americans are now dying from COVID-19 every day; given the lag between cases and deaths, the daily toll will almost certainly rise through the end of this year, and if people are careless over Christmas it could surge even higher in the new year. Economic recovery has stalled, with employment still down almost 10 million from pre-pandemic levels.

The most we can hope for at this point are policies that mitigate the suffering, getting us through the horror while we wait for widespread vaccination. And a few days ago it seemed possible that we would in fact get some good news on the economic front. A bipartisan group of senators seemed close to agreement on a COVID relief bill that would fall far short of what we should be doing, but would be much better than nothing.

Then the lame-duck Trump administration intervened — destructively.

Before I get to what’s wrong with the administration’s proposal and why it may do a great deal of harm, let’s talk about what the goal of economic policy ought to be right now.

I still keep seeing news reports that frame congressional arguments about relief bills as a debate about “stimulus.” But stimulus is what you do when unemployment is high because people aren’t spending enough. And that’s not the problem we face.

Think about it. Why are there still 2 million fewer workers in “food services and drinking places” than there were before the coronavirus struck? It’s not because people can’t afford to eat out or go to bars. It’s because eating out and gathering in bars are dangerous activities. In many parts of the country these activities are, rightly, either banned or sharply restricted; even where they’re allowed, many people, understanding the risks, choose to stay home.

The role of economic policy in this situation isn’t to bring those jobs back while the pandemic is still raging — we actually don’t want a resurgence of employment in high-risk sectors until vaccines are widely available. What we should be doing, instead, is minimizing the suffering while we wait. That is, the issue isn’t stimulus, it’s disaster relief.

What should this relief involve? It should provide support for the unavoidably unemployed, sustain businesses through the dark months ahead and aid state and local governments that are suffering severe declines in revenues and that will otherwise be forced to make drastic cuts in essential services.

And no, this last problem isn’t restricted to blue states. In fact, six of the seven states expected to face the biggest revenue declines have Republican governors.

House Democrats have always been willing to pass a relief bill along the lines I’ve described. And as I said, until a few days ago the Senate appeared to be moving toward a bill that, while much smaller than Democrats wanted, would be better than nothing. The main obstacle seemed to be the determination of Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, to include a poison pill — a blanket exemption of businesses from any liabilities related to exposing their workers to COVID-19 risks. But observers were hopeful that an agreement could still be reached.

Then came the Trump administration intervention — a proposal from Steven Mnuchin, the treasury secretary, that McConnell quickly endorsed even though it was disastrously wrongheaded.

I’m not sure whether the coverage of this discussion has fully explained just how bad Mnuchin’s proposal is. Many headlines emphasized the cost, a bit over $900 billion, which was similar to that of the emerging bipartisan bill, suggesting that the administration was weighing in with something positive.

In fact, however, the administration proposal completely eliminated the most important piece of any relief deal — expanded benefits for the unemployed — replacing it with one-time $600 checks that would be sent to everyone.

Again, think about it. For Americans who won’t be able to return to work while the pandemic is still raging, a one-time payment of $600 is grossly inadequate, while for those who haven’t lost their jobs it’s unnecessary. It’s true that people might spend some of the grant, boosting overall demand — but overall lack of demand isn’t the main problem right now.

So what is Mnuchin thinking? We can’t rule out sheer ignorance. It is, sad to say, entirely possible that, nine months into the pandemic slump, administration officials still don’t understand the basic logic of relief. Or they may be in thrall to the thoroughly debunked myth that unemployment benefits actually cause high unemployment.

Or maybe this proposal reflects the expiring administration’s special combination of delusion and cynicism. President Donald Trump is still trying, in ever more desperate and destructive ways, to overturn the results of the election. And in his madness he may imagine that he will gain more politically from sending everyone another check with his name on it than from helping those truly in need.

Whatever the motivation, Mnuchin’s proposal couldn’t have come at a worse time. It may well undermine the economic relief millions of Americans need.

The next few months will be terrible. Several thousand Americans are now dying from COVID-19 every day; given the lag between cases and deaths, the daily toll will almost certainly rise through the end of this year, and if people are careless over Christmas it could surge even higher in the new year.

The next few months will be terrible. Several thousand Americans are now dying from COVID-19 every day; given the lag between cases and deaths, the daily toll will almost certainly rise through the end of this year, and if people are careless over Christmas it could surge even higher in the new year. Economic recovery has stalled, with employment still down almost 10 million from pre-pandemic levels. The most we can hope for at this point are policies that mitigate the suffering, getting us through the horror while we wait for widespread vaccination. And a few days ago it seemed possible that we would in fact get some good news on the economic front. A bipartisan group of senators seemed close to agreement on a COVID relief bill that would fall far short of what we should be doing, but would be much better than nothing. Then the lame-duck Trump administration intervened — destructively. Before I get to what’s wrong with the administration’s proposal and why it may do a great deal of harm, let’s talk about what the goal of economic policy ought to be right now. I still keep seeing news reports that frame congressional arguments about relief bills as a debate about “stimulus.” But stimulus is what you do when unemployment is high because people aren’t spending enough. And that’s not the problem we face. Think about it. Why are there still 2 million fewer workers in “food services and drinking places” than there were before the coronavirus struck? It’s not because people can’t afford to eat out or go to bars. It’s because eating out and gathering in bars are dangerous activities. In many parts of the country these activities are, rightly, either banned or sharply restricted; even where they’re allowed, many people, understanding the risks, choose to stay home. The role of economic policy in this situation isn’t to bring those jobs back while the pandemic is still raging — we actually don’t want a resurgence of employment in high-risk sectors until vaccines are widely available. What we should be doing, instead, is minimizing the suffering while we wait. That is, the issue isn’t stimulus, it’s disaster relief. What should this relief involve? It should provide support for the unavoidably unemployed, sustain businesses through the dark months ahead and aid state and local governments that are suffering severe declines in revenues and that will otherwise be forced to make drastic cuts in essential services. And no, this last problem isn’t restricted to blue states. In fact, six of the seven states expected to face the biggest revenue declines have Republican governors. House Democrats have always been willing to pass a relief bill along the lines I’ve described. And as I said, until a few days ago the Senate appeared to be moving toward a bill that, while much smaller than Democrats wanted, would be better than nothing. The main obstacle seemed to be the determination of Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, to include a poison pill — a blanket exemption of businesses from any liabilities related to exposing their workers to COVID-19 risks. But observers were hopeful that an agreement could still be reached. Then came the Trump administration intervention — a proposal from Steven Mnuchin, the treasury secretary, that McConnell quickly endorsed even though it was disastrously wrongheaded. I’m not sure whether the coverage of this discussion has fully explained just how bad Mnuchin’s proposal is. Many headlines emphasized the cost, a bit over $900 billion, which was similar to that of the emerging bipartisan bill, suggesting that the administration was weighing in with something positive. In fact, however, the administration proposal completely eliminated the most important piece of any relief deal — expanded benefits for the unemployed — replacing it with one-time $600 checks that would be sent to everyone. Again, think about it. For Americans who won’t be able to return to work while the pandemic is still raging, a one-time payment of $600 is grossly inadequate, while for those who haven’t lost their jobs it’s unnecessary. It’s true that people might spend some of the grant, boosting overall demand — but overall lack of demand isn’t the main problem right now. So what is Mnuchin thinking? We can’t rule out sheer ignorance. It is, sad to say, entirely possible that, nine months into the pandemic slump, administration officials still don’t understand the basic logic of relief. Or they may be in thrall to the thoroughly debunked myth that unemployment benefits actually cause high unemployment. Or maybe this proposal reflects the expiring administration’s special combination of delusion and cynicism. President Donald Trump is still trying, in ever more desperate and destructive ways, to overturn the results of the election. And in his madness he may imagine that he will gain more politically from sending everyone another check with his name on it than from helping those truly in need. Whatever the motivation, Mnuchin’s proposal couldn’t have come at a worse time. It may well undermine the economic relief millions of Americans need.

Trump tries to kill COVID relief

Peru has temporarily suspended clinical trials of a Covid vaccine made by Chinese drug giant Sinopharm after detecting neurological problems in one of its test volunteers.

The National Institute of Health said Friday that it had decided to interrupt the trial after a volunteer had difficulty moving their arms, according to local media.

"Several days ago we signaled, as we are required, to the regulatory authorities that one of our participants (in trials) presented neurological symptoms which could correspond to a condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome," said chief researcher German Malaga in comments to the press.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare and non-contagious disorder which affects the movement of the arms and legs. Peru declared a temporary health emergency in five regions in June last year following multiple cases.&nbsp;

In the 1970s a campaign to innoculate Americans against a supposedly devastating strain of swine flu ground to a halt after some 450 of those vaccinated developed the syndrome, which can also cause paralysis.

Peru's clinical trials for the Sinopharm vaccine were due to conclude this week, after testing around 12,000 people.&nbsp;

If they are successful -- which won't be known until mid-2021 -- the Peruvian government was expected to buy up to 20 million doses to inoculate two-thirds of its population.

60,000 across the globe have already taken the Sinopharm vaccine, including volunteers in Argentina, Russia and Saudi Arabia.&nbsp;

Peru has one of the world's highest per capita death rate from the virus, which as of Friday had caused 36,499 deaths and 979,111 infections.&nbsp;

The pandemic has hit the South American country's economy hard, with GDP plunging more than 30 percent in the second quarter.

Peru has temporarily suspended clinical trials of a Covid vaccine made by Chinese drug giant Sinopharm after detecting neurological problems in one of its test volunteers.

Peru has temporarily suspended clinical trials of a Covid vaccine made by Chinese drug giant Sinopharm after detecting neurological problems in one of its test volunteers. The National Institute of Health said Friday that it had decided to interrupt the trial after a volunteer had difficulty moving their arms, according to local media. "Several days ago we signaled, as we are required, to the regulatory authorities that one of our participants (in trials) presented neurological symptoms which could correspond to a condition called Guillain-Barre syndrome," said chief researcher German Malaga in comments to the press. Guillain-Barre syndrome is a rare and non-contagious disorder which affects the movement of the arms and legs. Peru declared a temporary health emergency in five regions in June last year following multiple cases. In the 1970s a campaign to innoculate Americans against a supposedly devastating strain of swine flu ground to a halt after some 450 of those vaccinated developed the syndrome, which can also cause paralysis. Peru's clinical trials for the Sinopharm vaccine were due to conclude this week, after testing around 12,000 people. If they are successful -- which won't be known until mid-2021 -- the Peruvian government was expected to buy up to 20 million doses to inoculate two-thirds of its population. 60,000 across the globe have already taken the Sinopharm vaccine, including volunteers in Argentina, Russia and Saudi Arabia. Peru has one of the world's highest per capita death rate from the virus, which as of Friday had caused 36,499 deaths and 979,111 infections. The pandemic has hit the South American country's economy hard, with GDP plunging more than 30 percent in the second quarter.

Peru suspends clinical trials of Chinese Covid vaccine

France's Sanofi and Britain's GSK said Friday their Covid-19 vaccines will not be ready until the end of 2021, after interim results showed a low immune response in older adults.

The announcement is a huge setback in efforts to fight the pandemic, which emerged in China last December and has killed over 1.5 million people worldwide.

Sanofi and GSK said the delay in their adjuvanted recombinant protein-based COVID-19 vaccine programme was to "improve immune response in older adults."&nbsp;

The vaccine's potential availability had been pushed back "from mid-2021 to Q4 2021," they said in a statement.

American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech have said their vaccine had proven 90 percent effective in preventing Covid-19 infections in ongoing Phase 3 trials involving more than 40,000 people.

The vaccine candidate, developed by Sanofi in partnership with GSK, is based on technology that Sanofi has used to produce seasonal influenza vaccines and on immunological agents developed by GSK.

"Phase 1/2 study interim results showed an immune response comparable to patients who recovered from COVID-19 in adults aged 18 to 49 years, but a low immune response in older adults likely due to an insufficient concentration of the antigen," the statement said.

It said a recent study in non-human primates "performed with an improved antigen formulation demonstrated that the vaccine candidate could protect against lung pathology and lead to rapid viral clearance from the nasal passages and lungs, within 2 to 4 days.&nbsp;

"These results increase the companies' confidence in the capacity of the adjuvanted recombinant platform to deliver a highly efficient vaccine for all adults," it said.

The hunt for a vaccine brings up questions like whether unexpected safety issues may arise when the number of people vaccinated grows to millions and possibly billions of people.

- 'More than one vaccine needed' -

Also unknown is whether more side effects will emerge with longer follow-up, how long the vaccine remains effective, whether it will limit transmission and how it will work in children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised patients.

"We care greatly about public health which is why we are disappointed by the delay announced today, but all our decisions are and will always be driven by science and data," said Thomas Triomphe, Executive Vice President and Head of Sanofi Pasteur.

"We have identified the path forward and remain confident and committed to bringing a safe and efficacious COVID-19 vaccine," he said.

Both Russia and China have already begun inoculation campaigns with domestically produced vaccines despite far less vetting as several other vaccines are being developed in the West.

"No single pharma company can make it alone; the world needs more than one vaccine to fight the pandemic," Triomphe said.

Roger Connor, President of GSK Vaccines added: "The results of the study are not as we hoped. Based on previous experience and other collaborations, we are confident that GSK's pandemic adjuvant system, when coupled with a COVID-19 antigen, can elicit a robust immune response."

The companies plan a Phase 2b study expected to start in February. If the data is positive, a global Phase 3 study could start in the second quarter of next year.

"Positive results from this study would lead to regulatory submissions in the second half of 2021, hence delaying the vaccine's potential availability from mid-2021 to Q4 2021," the statement said.

France's Sanofi and Britain's GSK said Friday their Covid-19 vaccines will not be ready until the end of 2021, after interim results showed a low immune response in older adults.

France's Sanofi and Britain's GSK said Friday their Covid-19 vaccines will not be ready until the end of 2021, after interim results showed a low immune response in older adults. The announcement is a huge setback in efforts to fight the pandemic, which emerged in China last December and has killed over 1.5 million people worldwide. Sanofi and GSK said the delay in their adjuvanted recombinant protein-based COVID-19 vaccine programme was to "improve immune response in older adults." The vaccine's potential availability had been pushed back "from mid-2021 to Q4 2021," they said in a statement. American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech have said their vaccine had proven 90 percent effective in preventing Covid-19 infections in ongoing Phase 3 trials involving more than 40,000 people. The vaccine candidate, developed by Sanofi in partnership with GSK, is based on technology that Sanofi has used to produce seasonal influenza vaccines and on immunological agents developed by GSK. "Phase 1/2 study interim results showed an immune response comparable to patients who recovered from COVID-19 in adults aged 18 to 49 years, but a low immune response in older adults likely due to an insufficient concentration of the antigen," the statement said. It said a recent study in non-human primates "performed with an improved antigen formulation demonstrated that the vaccine candidate could protect against lung pathology and lead to rapid viral clearance from the nasal passages and lungs, within 2 to 4 days. "These results increase the companies' confidence in the capacity of the adjuvanted recombinant platform to deliver a highly efficient vaccine for all adults," it said. The hunt for a vaccine brings up questions like whether unexpected safety issues may arise when the number of people vaccinated grows to millions and possibly billions of people. - 'More than one vaccine needed' - Also unknown is whether more side effects will emerge with longer follow-up, how long the vaccine remains effective, whether it will limit transmission and how it will work in children, pregnant women, and immunocompromised patients. "We care greatly about public health which is why we are disappointed by the delay announced today, but all our decisions are and will always be driven by science and data," said Thomas Triomphe, Executive Vice President and Head of Sanofi Pasteur. "We have identified the path forward and remain confident and committed to bringing a safe and efficacious COVID-19 vaccine," he said. Both Russia and China have already begun inoculation campaigns with domestically produced vaccines despite far less vetting as several other vaccines are being developed in the West. "No single pharma company can make it alone; the world needs more than one vaccine to fight the pandemic," Triomphe said. Roger Connor, President of GSK Vaccines added: "The results of the study are not as we hoped. Based on previous experience and other collaborations, we are confident that GSK's pandemic adjuvant system, when coupled with a COVID-19 antigen, can elicit a robust immune response." The companies plan a Phase 2b study expected to start in February. If the data is positive, a global Phase 3 study could start in the second quarter of next year. "Positive results from this study would lead to regulatory submissions in the second half of 2021, hence delaying the vaccine's potential availability from mid-2021 to Q4 2021," the statement said.

Sanofi, GSK Covid vaccine delayed until end of 2021

South Korea Superfreeze Inc's coldest warehouse is being prepared for the tonnes of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines that will soon make their way to the country.

Located 65 km (40 miles) below Seoul and boasting temperatures frostier than an Antarctic winter, the facility would be the best, perhaps only, place in South Korea suitable for bulk storage of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, says company CEO Kim Jin-ha.

Some rooms in the warehouse are so frigid that a cup of warm water thrown into one will immediately turn into snow.

The warehouse uses liquefied natural gas (LNG) to keep temperatures cool trumped electricity.

The agency has asked Korea Superfreeze to provide plans and cost estimates for storing and distributing vaccines, including how it would handle a scenario where vaccines would be shipped to 260 different locations.

South Korea has arranged to buy 20 million doses of the vaccine developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech.

The country also has deals for 20 million doses each for the vaccines developed by Moderna Inc and AstraZeneca Plc/Oxford University and for another 4 million doses from Johnson &amp; Johnson.

To accommodate Pfizer's vaccine, Korea Superfreeze is planning a dedicated passageway and elevator so there is no interference from outside temperatures. Once it confirms, it has a contract, it will begin construction which may take two-three months. The warehouse also has 220 closed-circuit cameras that monitor resting cargo round the clock.

The company has been in talks with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency since early November and while nothing is yet decided, expectations are high it will land a contract.

(with inputs)

South Korea Superfreeze Inc's coldest warehouse is being prepared for the tonnes of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines that will soon make their way to the country. Located 65 km (40 miles) below Seoul and boasting temperatures frostier than an Antarctic winter, the facility would be the best, perhaps only, place in South Korea suitable for bulk storage of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, says company CEO Kim Jin-ha.

South Korea Superfreeze Inc's coldest warehouse is being prepared for the tonnes of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines that will soon make their way to the country. Located 65 km (40 miles) below Seoul and boasting temperatures frostier than an Antarctic winter, the facility would be the best, perhaps only, place in South Korea suitable for bulk storage of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine, says company CEO Kim Jin-ha. Some rooms in the warehouse are so frigid that a cup of warm water thrown into one will immediately turn into snow. The warehouse uses liquefied natural gas (LNG) to keep temperatures cool trumped electricity. The agency has asked Korea Superfreeze to provide plans and cost estimates for storing and distributing vaccines, including how it would handle a scenario where vaccines would be shipped to 260 different locations. South Korea has arranged to buy 20 million doses of the vaccine developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech. The country also has deals for 20 million doses each for the vaccines developed by Moderna Inc and AstraZeneca Plc/Oxford University and for another 4 million doses from Johnson & Johnson. To accommodate Pfizer's vaccine, Korea Superfreeze is planning a dedicated passageway and elevator so there is no interference from outside temperatures. Once it confirms, it has a contract, it will begin construction which may take two-three months. The warehouse also has 220 closed-circuit cameras that monitor resting cargo round the clock. The company has been in talks with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency since early November and while nothing is yet decided, expectations are high it will land a contract. (with inputs)

South Korean ultra-cold warehouse prepares to store Pfizer Covid vaccine

A panel of outside advisors to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has&nbsp;voted to endorse the emergency use of Pfizer Inc's coronavirus vaccine. Among other things, the overwhelming vote has paved the way for the agency to authorise the shot for the nation.

The United States has so far lost more than 285,000 lives to COVID-19.

Pfizer and BioNTech last month said a two-dose regimen of the vaccine was 95% effective in preventing illness from COVID-19, and detailed data released in the agency's documents showed the vaccine began showing some protection even before volunteers received a second dose.

The FDA committee voted 17-4 that the known benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risks of taking the shot for individuals 16 and older, with 1 member of the panel abstaining.

The FDA is now expected to authorise the vaccine, developed with German partner BioNTech SE, for emergency use in the United States within days.

Pfizer has asked that the two-dose vaccine be approved for use in people aged 16 to 85.&nbsp; 
Several advisory panel members discussed whether 16 and 17 year olds should be included in the recommendation because the risk to these individuals is low, and the evidence in the trial was scant.

In the end, they voted on the question as put them by the FDA, which included 16 to 17 year olds. The FDA typically follows the advice of its expert panels, but is not bound to do so.

The panel also discussed concerns raised by two reports of serious allergic reactions among vaccine recipients in Britain and spent a large portion of the discussion on Pfizer's plan to give volunteers who received a placebo in its trial the option to get the vaccine when they become eligible for it under recommendations set by state and local health officials.

Britain's health regulator on Wednesday advised some people with a history of anaphylaxis, an overreaction of the body's immune system related to medicine or food, to avoid the getting the vaccine.

FDA Commissioner Steven Hahn, ahead of Thursday's meeting, said the agency was carefully reviewing all the data on Pfizer's vaccine, including potential allergic reactions following the UK warning.

He said the vaccine's label would include details about who the vaccine was recommended for - and who should not get it - if it is ultimately approved.

(with inputs)

A panel of outside advisors to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has voted to endorse the emergency use of Pfizer Inc's coronavirus vaccine. Among other things, the overwhelming vote has paved the way for the agency to authorise the shot for the nation.

A panel of outside advisors to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has voted to endorse the emergency use of Pfizer Inc's coronavirus vaccine. Among other things, the overwhelming vote has paved the way for the agency to authorise the shot for the nation. The United States has so far lost more than 285,000 lives to COVID-19. Pfizer and BioNTech last month said a two-dose regimen of the vaccine was 95% effective in preventing illness from COVID-19, and detailed data released in the agency's documents showed the vaccine began showing some protection even before volunteers received a second dose. The FDA committee voted 17-4 that the known benefits of the vaccine outweighed the risks of taking the shot for individuals 16 and older, with 1 member of the panel abstaining. The FDA is now expected to authorise the vaccine, developed with German partner BioNTech SE, for emergency use in the United States within days. Pfizer has asked that the two-dose vaccine be approved for use in people aged 16 to 85. Several advisory panel members discussed whether 16 and 17 year olds should be included in the recommendation because the risk to these individuals is low, and the evidence in the trial was scant. In the end, they voted on the question as put them by the FDA, which included 16 to 17 year olds. The FDA typically follows the advice of its expert panels, but is not bound to do so. The panel also discussed concerns raised by two reports of serious allergic reactions among vaccine recipients in Britain and spent a large portion of the discussion on Pfizer's plan to give volunteers who received a placebo in its trial the option to get the vaccine when they become eligible for it under recommendations set by state and local health officials. Britain's health regulator on Wednesday advised some people with a history of anaphylaxis, an overreaction of the body's immune system related to medicine or food, to avoid the getting the vaccine. FDA Commissioner Steven Hahn, ahead of Thursday's meeting, said the agency was carefully reviewing all the data on Pfizer's vaccine, including potential allergic reactions following the UK warning. He said the vaccine's label would include details about who the vaccine was recommended for - and who should not get it - if it is ultimately approved. (with inputs)

US FDA advisors recommend authorisation of Pfizer Covid vaccine

South Africa and India have petitioned the World Trade Organization to suspend some intellectual property protections from Covid-19 drugs, vaccines and diagnostic technologies. In support of the effort, Doctors Without Borders began a social media campaign urging governments to “put lives over profits,” warning of “pharma profiteering” and urging support for “#NoCovidMonopolies.” The W.T.O., which governs trade rules among its 164 member nations, will consider the proposal at its Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights meeting today.

The activists lobbying to end Covid-19 patents do so out of a legitimate concern. Now that we have tools to end the pandemic, what if they aren’t distributed fairly? My colleagues in the pharmaceutical industry share this worry. Global inequality will only worsen if rich nations vaccinate themselves and leave the rest of the world to fend for itself.

It is unclear how suspending patent protections would ensure fair distribution. But what is clear is that if successful, the effort would jeopardize future medical innovation, making us more vulnerable to other diseases.

Intellectual property rights, including patents, grant inventors a period of exclusivity to make and market their creations. By affording these rights to those who create intangible assets, such as musical compositions, software or drug formulas — people will invent more useful new things.

Development of a new medicine is risky and costly. Consider that scientists have spent decades — and billions of dollars — working on Alzheimer’s treatments, but still have little to show for it. The companies and investors who fund research shoulder so much risk because they have a shot at a reward. Once a patent expires, generic companies are free to produce the same product. Intellectual property rights underpin the system that gives us all new medicines, from psychiatric drugs to cancer treatments.

In trying to defend these rights, the drug industry has made mistakes in the past that have lost people’s trust. More than 22 years ago, for example, a group of drug companies sued the South African government for trying to import cheaper anti-AIDS drugs amid an epidemic. With price standing between patients and survival, the suit, which the companies eventually dropped, was a terrible misjudgment. The current situation is not parallel.

Several major drug companies, including AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and Johnson &amp; Johnson, have pledged to offer their vaccines on a not-for-profit basis during the pandemic. Others are considering differential pricing for different countries. As of last month, four major pharmaceutical companies had already agreed to eventually produce at least three billion vaccine doses for low- and middle-income nations, according to one analysis.

In South Africa and India, pharmaceutical companies are already working with local partners to make their vaccines available. Johnson &amp; Johnson has entered into a technology transfer partnership for its candidate vaccine with South Africa’s Aspen Pharmacare, and AstraZeneca has reached a licensing agreement with the Serum Institute of India to develop up to 1 billion doses of its vaccine for low-and-middle-income countries.

Companies can afford to license patents for free, or sell drugs at cost, precisely because they know that their intellectual property will be protected. That’s not a flaw in the system; it’s how the system ensures that pharmaceutical research will continue to be funded.

Eroding patent protections has far-reaching consequences.

Take “messenger RNA,” the technology platform that supports the vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. Ozlem Tureci and Ugur Sahin, the wife-and-husband team at the helm of BioNTech, began exploring the use of mRNA more than 25 years ago and founded their company in 2008. Theoretically, mRNA can instruct the body to engineer proteins, including ones that increase immunity against infectious pathogens, cancers and rare genetic conditions. But the Covid-19 vaccines are the first truly successful applications of this technology. Scientists eager to explore future uses of mRNA will struggle to find investment if intellectual property protections are snatched away when others deem it necessary.

Critics of intellectual property rights cite public investment in research as a reason to waive patent protections. They correctly point out that governments bankroll important, early-stage research across the sciences. It’s true that without public funds from agencies like the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority or the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, global drug companies might not have developed Covid-19 vaccines so quickly. But here, the funding principally helped reduce risk and accelerate production timelines — the research and development were still driven by scientists in the private sector. Further, governments have neither the money nor the risk tolerance to take over the role of businesses in developing pharmacy-ready medicines.

There is no available substitute for private funding in bringing new medicines to market. Directing government labs to manufacture medicines, for example, would politicize drug development, empowering politicians and their appointees to decide which research lines were worth funding.

There is also no reason to fear a Covid-19 vaccine monopoly. According to the World Health Organization, there are 214 Covid-19 vaccine projects around the world; 52 are in clinical trials, with 13 in the most advanced phase of testing. Seven have been approved for emergency or limited use in various countries. In short, we are rapidly headed for a competitive marketplace, the opposite of a monopoly.

There are, to be sure, serious obstacles to distributing Covid-19 vaccines quickly and fairly around the world. But they have nothing to do with intellectual property. The challenge, rather, is speedy manufacturing. A study from the U.S. Defense Department estimated that it would cost $1.56 billion over 25 years to build and operate a facility producing three vaccines. Facilities cost less in developing countries like India, but only marginally. The equipment required to manufacture vaccines — bioreactors, centrifuges, cold storage and the like — is expensive everywhere. That’s why Covid-19 vaccine production is taking place almost exclusively in existing facilities.

Dismantling patent protection would do nothing to expand access to vaccines or to boost global manufacturing capacity. Research scientists develop vaccines in record time because they have the security and resources that come with a robust system of protection for their intellectual property. That system is crucial to allowing companies to create the vaccines we need for wide distribution.

(Thomas Cueni is director-general of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations.)

South Africa and India have petitioned the World Trade Organization to suspend some intellectual property protections from Covid-19 drugs, vaccines and diagnostic technologies.

South Africa and India have petitioned the World Trade Organization to suspend some intellectual property protections from Covid-19 drugs, vaccines and diagnostic technologies. In support of the effort, Doctors Without Borders began a social media campaign urging governments to “put lives over profits,” warning of “pharma profiteering” and urging support for “#NoCovidMonopolies.” The W.T.O., which governs trade rules among its 164 member nations, will consider the proposal at its Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights meeting today. The activists lobbying to end Covid-19 patents do so out of a legitimate concern. Now that we have tools to end the pandemic, what if they aren’t distributed fairly? My colleagues in the pharmaceutical industry share this worry. Global inequality will only worsen if rich nations vaccinate themselves and leave the rest of the world to fend for itself. It is unclear how suspending patent protections would ensure fair distribution. But what is clear is that if successful, the effort would jeopardize future medical innovation, making us more vulnerable to other diseases. Intellectual property rights, including patents, grant inventors a period of exclusivity to make and market their creations. By affording these rights to those who create intangible assets, such as musical compositions, software or drug formulas — people will invent more useful new things. Development of a new medicine is risky and costly. Consider that scientists have spent decades — and billions of dollars — working on Alzheimer’s treatments, but still have little to show for it. The companies and investors who fund research shoulder so much risk because they have a shot at a reward. Once a patent expires, generic companies are free to produce the same product. Intellectual property rights underpin the system that gives us all new medicines, from psychiatric drugs to cancer treatments. In trying to defend these rights, the drug industry has made mistakes in the past that have lost people’s trust. More than 22 years ago, for example, a group of drug companies sued the South African government for trying to import cheaper anti-AIDS drugs amid an epidemic. With price standing between patients and survival, the suit, which the companies eventually dropped, was a terrible misjudgment. The current situation is not parallel. Several major drug companies, including AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline and Johnson & Johnson, have pledged to offer their vaccines on a not-for-profit basis during the pandemic. Others are considering differential pricing for different countries. As of last month, four major pharmaceutical companies had already agreed to eventually produce at least three billion vaccine doses for low- and middle-income nations, according to one analysis. In South Africa and India, pharmaceutical companies are already working with local partners to make their vaccines available. Johnson & Johnson has entered into a technology transfer partnership for its candidate vaccine with South Africa’s Aspen Pharmacare, and AstraZeneca has reached a licensing agreement with the Serum Institute of India to develop up to 1 billion doses of its vaccine for low-and-middle-income countries. Companies can afford to license patents for free, or sell drugs at cost, precisely because they know that their intellectual property will be protected. That’s not a flaw in the system; it’s how the system ensures that pharmaceutical research will continue to be funded. Eroding patent protections has far-reaching consequences. Take “messenger RNA,” the technology platform that supports the vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna. Ozlem Tureci and Ugur Sahin, the wife-and-husband team at the helm of BioNTech, began exploring the use of mRNA more than 25 years ago and founded their company in 2008. Theoretically, mRNA can instruct the body to engineer proteins, including ones that increase immunity against infectious pathogens, cancers and rare genetic conditions. But the Covid-19 vaccines are the first truly successful applications of this technology. Scientists eager to explore future uses of mRNA will struggle to find investment if intellectual property protections are snatched away when others deem it necessary. Critics of intellectual property rights cite public investment in research as a reason to waive patent protections. They correctly point out that governments bankroll important, early-stage research across the sciences. It’s true that without public funds from agencies like the U.S. Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority or the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, global drug companies might not have developed Covid-19 vaccines so quickly. But here, the funding principally helped reduce risk and accelerate production timelines — the research and development were still driven by scientists in the private sector. Further, governments have neither the money nor the risk tolerance to take over the role of businesses in developing pharmacy-ready medicines. There is no available substitute for private funding in bringing new medicines to market. Directing government labs to manufacture medicines, for example, would politicize drug development, empowering politicians and their appointees to decide which research lines were worth funding. There is also no reason to fear a Covid-19 vaccine monopoly. According to the World Health Organization, there are 214 Covid-19 vaccine projects around the world; 52 are in clinical trials, with 13 in the most advanced phase of testing. Seven have been approved for emergency or limited use in various countries. In short, we are rapidly headed for a competitive marketplace, the opposite of a monopoly. There are, to be sure, serious obstacles to distributing Covid-19 vaccines quickly and fairly around the world. But they have nothing to do with intellectual property. The challenge, rather, is speedy manufacturing. A study from the U.S. Defense Department estimated that it would cost $1.56 billion over 25 years to build and operate a facility producing three vaccines. Facilities cost less in developing countries like India, but only marginally. The equipment required to manufacture vaccines — bioreactors, centrifuges, cold storage and the like — is expensive everywhere. That’s why Covid-19 vaccine production is taking place almost exclusively in existing facilities. Dismantling patent protection would do nothing to expand access to vaccines or to boost global manufacturing capacity. Research scientists develop vaccines in record time because they have the security and resources that come with a robust system of protection for their intellectual property. That system is crucial to allowing companies to create the vaccines we need for wide distribution. (Thomas Cueni is director-general of the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations.)

The risk in suspending vaccine patent rules

Britain`s AstraZeneca said on Friday it would investigate combining its experimental COVID-19 vaccine with Russia`s Sputnik V vaccine candidate, a move Russian scientists have suggested could sharply boost efficacy.

The developers of Sputnik V suggested on Twitter last month that AstraZeneca try the combination.

"Sputnik V is happy to share one of its two human adenoviral vectors with AstraZeneca to increase the efficacy of (the) AstraZeneca vaccine. Using two different vectors for two vaccine shots will result in higher efficacy than using the same vector for two shots," they said on Nov. 23.

In its statement on Friday, AstraZeneca said it was considering how it could assess combinations of different vaccines, and would soon begin exploring with Russia`s Gamaleya Institute, which developed Sputnik V, whether two common cold virus-based vaccines could be successfully combined.

Data published in a journal this week showed that AstraZeneca`s vaccine, being developed along with The University of Oxford, has average efficacy of 70.4%, based on a pooled analysis of interim data from late stage trials.

Russia has claimed Sputnik V is 92% effective at protecting people from COVID-19, according to interim trial results.

Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia`s RDIF sovereign wealth fund, which has funded Sputnik V, said: "This shows the strength of Sputnik V technology and our willingness and desire to partner with other vaccines to fight against COVID together."

Britain`s AstraZeneca said on Friday it would investigate combining its experimental COVID-19 vaccine with Russia`s Sputnik V vaccine candidate, a move Russian scientists have suggested could sharply boost efficacy.

Britain`s AstraZeneca said on Friday it would investigate combining its experimental COVID-19 vaccine with Russia`s Sputnik V vaccine candidate, a move Russian scientists have suggested could sharply boost efficacy. The developers of Sputnik V suggested on Twitter last month that AstraZeneca try the combination. "Sputnik V is happy to share one of its two human adenoviral vectors with AstraZeneca to increase the efficacy of (the) AstraZeneca vaccine. Using two different vectors for two vaccine shots will result in higher efficacy than using the same vector for two shots," they said on Nov. 23. In its statement on Friday, AstraZeneca said it was considering how it could assess combinations of different vaccines, and would soon begin exploring with Russia`s Gamaleya Institute, which developed Sputnik V, whether two common cold virus-based vaccines could be successfully combined. Data published in a journal this week showed that AstraZeneca`s vaccine, being developed along with The University of Oxford, has average efficacy of 70.4%, based on a pooled analysis of interim data from late stage trials. Russia has claimed Sputnik V is 92% effective at protecting people from COVID-19, according to interim trial results. Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia`s RDIF sovereign wealth fund, which has funded Sputnik V, said: "This shows the strength of Sputnik V technology and our willingness and desire to partner with other vaccines to fight against COVID together."

AstraZeneca to test combining COVID-19 vaccine with Russian shot

UK travellers will be barred from visiting EU countries in the new year when the Brexit transition period ends.

The current Brexit transition period ends on December 31 and these travel restrictions will still apply even if the UK and EU strike a trade deal.

January 1 onwards, travellers from the UK will be subject to the same travel restrictions as all other non-EU countries which -- due to the coronavirus pandemic -- bars all but essential travel to Europe.

Travellers from a limited number of countries with low coronavirus rates are allowed to visit EU countries for non-essential travel.

Eight non-EU countries, including Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, are on the list of "safe" third nations.

According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 18 EU countries have higher rates of Covid-19 than Britain.

The UK has so far recorded the highest number of coronavirus deaths in Europe, with more than 62,000 fatalities.

UK travellers will be barred from visiting EU countries in the new year when the Brexit transition period ends. The current Brexit transition period ends on December 31 and these travel restrictions will still apply even if the UK and EU strike a trade deal.

UK travellers will be barred from visiting EU countries in the new year when the Brexit transition period ends. The current Brexit transition period ends on December 31 and these travel restrictions will still apply even if the UK and EU strike a trade deal. January 1 onwards, travellers from the UK will be subject to the same travel restrictions as all other non-EU countries which -- due to the coronavirus pandemic -- bars all but essential travel to Europe. Travellers from a limited number of countries with low coronavirus rates are allowed to visit EU countries for non-essential travel. Eight non-EU countries, including Singapore, Australia and New Zealand, are on the list of "safe" third nations. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 18 EU countries have higher rates of Covid-19 than Britain. The UK has so far recorded the highest number of coronavirus deaths in Europe, with more than 62,000 fatalities.

Britons could be banned from EU after January 1 under Covid rules

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Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine safe and effective against COVID: Latest study confirms As UK begins vaccination, COVID-19 cases in Europe top 20 million Hopeful I'l

Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine safe and effective against COVID: Latest study confirms As UK begins vaccination, COVID-19 cases in Europe top 20 million Hopeful I'll remain US president, says Trump on same day of legal defeat in US Supreme Court

Morning news brief: Covid vaccine, US polls and more

United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that prioritises Americans' access to COVID-19 vaccines before the country potentially begins helping other nations.

If necessary, Trump said, he is ready to invoke the Defence Production Act to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines first get to the Americans.&nbsp;

The Defence Production Act allows a president to force private manufacturers to ramp up production and give the federal government priority on any orders it places.

American companies, he said, were the first to produce a verifiably safe and effective vaccine.

"Together, we will defeat the virus, and we will soon end the pandemic, and we will save millions and millions of lives, both in our country and all over the world. And we've already started," Trump said during signing the executive order on Tuesday at a White House event celebrating 'Operation Warp Speed', his administration's effort to produce and distribute safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19.

Trump told reporters that his administration provided a total of USD 14 billion to accelerate coronavirus vaccine development and to manufacture all of the top candidates long in advance.

As a result of this "unprecedented investment", both Pfizer and Moderna have announced that their vaccines are approximately 95 per cent effective, he said.

Pfizer has developed its vaccine outside of 'Operation Warp Speed', but is collaborating with the US government on manufacturing and distribution.

The UK on Tuesday began its vaccinations with the first set of people injected with their first of two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab.

The deadly virus has so far killed more than 285,000 Americans and some 1.5 million people worldwide.

As per the executive order, the Secretary of Health and Human Services is directed to provide priority access to COVID-19 vaccines to Americans.

"Through this action, Trump is putting the health and safety of Americans, the viability of our economy and the security of our nation first," the White House said.

The US has led and will continue to lead the world's public health and humanitarian response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it said.

The Trump administration is prepared to ship COVID-19 vaccine doses to every corner of America within 48 hours of the issuance of an Emergency Use Authorisation by the US Food and Drug Administration, the White House said.

Trump said more companies are in the pipeline of the vaccine announcement soon. 
"We have some companies like Johnson &amp; Johnson and others. They are all coming in, and they're coming in very quickly. We expect to have some news on that very shortly. We have worked very well with the companies, but if for any reason we have any problems, we will be instituting the Defence Production Act, and we will make sure that we don't have any problems for very long," he said.

Johnson &amp; Johnson is a one-dose, one-shot vaccine, he said, adding that all the vaccines are showing tremendous promise.

Trump said he is hopeful that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will authorise the Pfizer vaccine within days and Moderna vaccine almost immediately thereafter.

If these vaccines are authorised, tens of millions of vaccine doses will be available this month. "We will get it distributed very quickly. We have that all set. And hundreds of millions more will quickly follow," he said.

"Every American who wants the vaccine will be able to get the vaccine," Trump said, asserting that the plan put forward by his administration prioritises the elderly and patients with underlying conditions, as well as healthcare workers and first responders.

This will quickly and dramatically reduce deaths and hospitalisations, he noted.

"And within a short period of time, I think we want to get back to normal... Get back to where we were a little more than nine months ago. We were doing incredibly. And in many respects, we're still doing incredibly with our stock markets and everything else, which are hitting all new highs," Trump said.

The president said his administration has already finalised a partnership with Walgreens and CVS and they will deliver vaccines directly to nursing homes as soon as the states request them to do so.

Asserting that the US is more prepared than ever before to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, the White House said the country will soon deliver vaccines that will help defeat the pandemic and help support the global return to prosperity.

In just seven months since the President coalesced the full power of the federal government, private sector and scientific community into 'Operation Warp Speed', this once-in-a-generation effort has developed vaccines five times faster than any other vaccine in history, it said.

"Without cutting corners in safety or effectiveness, our nation is now on track to receive emergency use authorisation for two lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines by the end of the year," the White House said.

Notably, officials from US President-elect Joe Biden's transition team, which will oversee the bulk of the vaccination programme in the US once he takes office on January 20, were not invited to the White House event.

When asked why no member from the Biden team was invited, Trump said, "Hopefully the next administration will be the Trump administration, a continuation -- which has led us to the highest stock markets we've ever had, the best employment numbers we've ever had, a rebuilt military."

(with inputs from agencies)

United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that prioritises Americans' access to COVID-19 vaccines before the country potentially begins helping other nations.

United States President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that prioritises Americans' access to COVID-19 vaccines before the country potentially begins helping other nations. If necessary, Trump said, he is ready to invoke the Defence Production Act to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines first get to the Americans. The Defence Production Act allows a president to force private manufacturers to ramp up production and give the federal government priority on any orders it places. American companies, he said, were the first to produce a verifiably safe and effective vaccine. "Together, we will defeat the virus, and we will soon end the pandemic, and we will save millions and millions of lives, both in our country and all over the world. And we've already started," Trump said during signing the executive order on Tuesday at a White House event celebrating 'Operation Warp Speed', his administration's effort to produce and distribute safe and effective vaccines for COVID-19. Trump told reporters that his administration provided a total of USD 14 billion to accelerate coronavirus vaccine development and to manufacture all of the top candidates long in advance. As a result of this "unprecedented investment", both Pfizer and Moderna have announced that their vaccines are approximately 95 per cent effective, he said. Pfizer has developed its vaccine outside of 'Operation Warp Speed', but is collaborating with the US government on manufacturing and distribution. The UK on Tuesday began its vaccinations with the first set of people injected with their first of two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab. The deadly virus has so far killed more than 285,000 Americans and some 1.5 million people worldwide. As per the executive order, the Secretary of Health and Human Services is directed to provide priority access to COVID-19 vaccines to Americans. "Through this action, Trump is putting the health and safety of Americans, the viability of our economy and the security of our nation first," the White House said. The US has led and will continue to lead the world's public health and humanitarian response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it said. The Trump administration is prepared to ship COVID-19 vaccine doses to every corner of America within 48 hours of the issuance of an Emergency Use Authorisation by the US Food and Drug Administration, the White House said. Trump said more companies are in the pipeline of the vaccine announcement soon. "We have some companies like Johnson & Johnson and others. They are all coming in, and they're coming in very quickly. We expect to have some news on that very shortly. We have worked very well with the companies, but if for any reason we have any problems, we will be instituting the Defence Production Act, and we will make sure that we don't have any problems for very long," he said. Johnson & Johnson is a one-dose, one-shot vaccine, he said, adding that all the vaccines are showing tremendous promise. Trump said he is hopeful that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will authorise the Pfizer vaccine within days and Moderna vaccine almost immediately thereafter. If these vaccines are authorised, tens of millions of vaccine doses will be available this month. "We will get it distributed very quickly. We have that all set. And hundreds of millions more will quickly follow," he said. "Every American who wants the vaccine will be able to get the vaccine," Trump said, asserting that the plan put forward by his administration prioritises the elderly and patients with underlying conditions, as well as healthcare workers and first responders. This will quickly and dramatically reduce deaths and hospitalisations, he noted. "And within a short period of time, I think we want to get back to normal... Get back to where we were a little more than nine months ago. We were doing incredibly. And in many respects, we're still doing incredibly with our stock markets and everything else, which are hitting all new highs," Trump said. The president said his administration has already finalised a partnership with Walgreens and CVS and they will deliver vaccines directly to nursing homes as soon as the states request them to do so. Asserting that the US is more prepared than ever before to confront the COVID-19 pandemic, the White House said the country will soon deliver vaccines that will help defeat the pandemic and help support the global return to prosperity. In just seven months since the President coalesced the full power of the federal government, private sector and scientific community into 'Operation Warp Speed', this once-in-a-generation effort has developed vaccines five times faster than any other vaccine in history, it said. "Without cutting corners in safety or effectiveness, our nation is now on track to receive emergency use authorisation for two lifesaving COVID-19 vaccines by the end of the year," the White House said. Notably, officials from US President-elect Joe Biden's transition team, which will oversee the bulk of the vaccination programme in the US once he takes office on January 20, were not invited to the White House event. When asked why no member from the Biden team was invited, Trump said, "Hopefully the next administration will be the Trump administration, a continuation -- which has led us to the highest stock markets we've ever had, the best employment numbers we've ever had, a rebuilt military." (with inputs from agencies)

Trump signs executive order prioritising COVID-19 vaccine for Americans

Israel received its first batch of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring the pandemic's end was "in sight" and vowing to get the first jab.&nbsp;

"This is a great celebration for Israel," he said on the tarmac at Ben Gurion airport, near Tel Aviv, as a fork-lift truck started unloading the cargo from a red and yellow DHL air freighter.

The shipment was the first of eight million doses ordered from US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer BioNTech.&nbsp;

It came ahead of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, which begins on Thursday.

"The end is in sight," Netanyahu said referring to the disease which has infected 348,948 Israelis, 2,932 of them fatally, according to a Wednesday update.

"What is important to me is that Israeli citizens get vaccinated," he added.

"I want to serve as an example to them and I intend to be the first to be injected with this vaccine in the state of Israel."&nbsp;

The Pfizer vaccine has yet to receive the necessary regulatory approvals for use in Israel but Netanyahu said he expected it to receive clearance "in the very near" future.

The results of third-phase clinical trials showed that the vaccine was 90 percent effective in preventing Covid-19 symptoms and did not produce adverse side effects among thousands of volunteers.

Britain started inoculating its citizens with the vaccine on Tuesday.

Israel has also contracted to buy six million Covid-19 vaccine doses from US biotech firm Moderna which are expected to be delivered in 2021, giving a total of 14 million shots for its populaton of nine million.

The Jewish state imposed a second nationwide lockdown in September, when the country had one of the world's highest per capita infection rates.

Restrictions have since been gradually eased but infection rates are again on the rise.

On Monday, Netanyahu's office&nbsp;announced a sweeping night-time curfew but it has so far not received the cabinet approval required for its implementation and no details have been published.

Israel received its first batch of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring the pandemic's end was "in sight" and vowing to get the first jab.

Israel received its first batch of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring the pandemic's end was "in sight" and vowing to get the first jab. "This is a great celebration for Israel," he said on the tarmac at Ben Gurion airport, near Tel Aviv, as a fork-lift truck started unloading the cargo from a red and yellow DHL air freighter. The shipment was the first of eight million doses ordered from US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer BioNTech. It came ahead of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, which begins on Thursday. "The end is in sight," Netanyahu said referring to the disease which has infected 348,948 Israelis, 2,932 of them fatally, according to a Wednesday update. "What is important to me is that Israeli citizens get vaccinated," he added. "I want to serve as an example to them and I intend to be the first to be injected with this vaccine in the state of Israel." The Pfizer vaccine has yet to receive the necessary regulatory approvals for use in Israel but Netanyahu said he expected it to receive clearance "in the very near" future. The results of third-phase clinical trials showed that the vaccine was 90 percent effective in preventing Covid-19 symptoms and did not produce adverse side effects among thousands of volunteers. Britain started inoculating its citizens with the vaccine on Tuesday. Israel has also contracted to buy six million Covid-19 vaccine doses from US biotech firm Moderna which are expected to be delivered in 2021, giving a total of 14 million shots for its populaton of nine million. The Jewish state imposed a second nationwide lockdown in September, when the country had one of the world's highest per capita infection rates. Restrictions have since been gradually eased but infection rates are again on the rise. On Monday, Netanyahu's office announced a sweeping night-time curfew but it has so far not received the cabinet approval required for its implementation and no details have been published.

Israel gets first delivery of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine

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