Pfizer, the US pharma giant, is planning to make a new version of its Covid vaccine that can be stored in standard freezer and comes ready for use. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius.

The very low-temperature requirement has been found to be limiting the vaccine's distribution.&nbsp;

But Pfizer's chief executive Albert Bourla told AFP in an interview that a new version is in the pipeline and that he was optimistic the vaccine will also prove effective against new virus variants.

Indian variant

Bourla said Pfizer has large amounts of real-world data from some of the variant outbreaks.

"We have already data for the UK one -- I hate using the countries, but people know them like that -- which is very prominent in Israel... efficiency was 97 percent," he said.&nbsp;

"We have data from South Africa, with the South African variant, and overall the efficacy was 100 percent. And also have data from Brazil. And it looks also this is very well controlled."

Pfizer has not yet compiled sufficient data on the efficiency of its vaccine against the so-called Indian variant, the latest to raise concerns that a new wave of infections could overcome the immunisation drive.

But he said he was "optimistic" the vaccine would prove effective, and that the firm's mRNA technology can be adapted to counter new strains.

"The thing that makes me feel more comfortable is that we have developed a process that once a variant becomes a variant of concern, we should be able to have a new vaccine within 100 days," he said.&nbsp;

"It's a tough target, but I am very comfortable that we should be able to do it.&nbsp;

"And because of the effectiveness of this mRNA technology, I believe that variants will not become an issue, we'll be able to control them."

(With inputs from agencies)

Pfizer, the US pharma giant, is planning to make a new version of its Covid vaccine that can be stored in standard freezer and comes ready for use. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius.

Pfizer, the US pharma giant, is planning to make a new version of its Covid vaccine that can be stored in standard freezer and comes ready for use. Currently, the Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius. The very low-temperature requirement has been found to be limiting the vaccine's distribution. But Pfizer's chief executive Albert Bourla told AFP in an interview that a new version is in the pipeline and that he was optimistic the vaccine will also prove effective against new virus variants. Indian variant Bourla said Pfizer has large amounts of real-world data from some of the variant outbreaks. "We have already data for the UK one -- I hate using the countries, but people know them like that -- which is very prominent in Israel... efficiency was 97 percent," he said. "We have data from South Africa, with the South African variant, and overall the efficacy was 100 percent. And also have data from Brazil. And it looks also this is very well controlled." Pfizer has not yet compiled sufficient data on the efficiency of its vaccine against the so-called Indian variant, the latest to raise concerns that a new wave of infections could overcome the immunisation drive. But he said he was "optimistic" the vaccine would prove effective, and that the firm's mRNA technology can be adapted to counter new strains. "The thing that makes me feel more comfortable is that we have developed a process that once a variant becomes a variant of concern, we should be able to have a new vaccine within 100 days," he said. "It's a tough target, but I am very comfortable that we should be able to do it. "And because of the effectiveness of this mRNA technology, I believe that variants will not become an issue, we'll be able to control them." (With inputs from agencies)

New version of Pfizer Covid vaccine won't need ultra-low temperature for storage

One shot of the Oxford/AstraZeneca or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine reduces coronavirus infections by nearly two-thirds and protects older and more vulnerable people as much as younger, healthy individuals, a study has found.

The results from Oxford University and the Office for National Statistics are a welcome boost to the vaccination programme and the first to show the impact on new infections and immune responses in a large group of adults in the general population.

By driving down rates of infection the vaccines will not only prevent hospitalisations and deaths but help break chains of transmission and so reduce the risk of a damaging resurgence of disease as the UK reopens.

The researchers analysed Covid test results from more than 350,000 people in the UK between December and April. They found that 21 days after a first jab – the time it takes the immune system to mount a decent response – new Covid infections dropped by 65 per cent.

The vaccines were more effective against symptomatic than asymptomatic infections, reducing rates by 72&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;and 57&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;respectively, compared with those seen in the unvaccinated population.

A second shot of the&nbsp;Pfizer&nbsp;vaccine boosted protection further, causing symptomatic infections to fall by 90&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;and asymptomatic infections by 70 per cent. Because the Oxford vaccine was approved and rolled out later, it is too early to assess the impact of those second doses.

Scientists on the team said the findings supported the UK’s decision to prioritise giving first shots to elderly and more vulnerable people by delaying second doses. “There was no evidence that the vaccines were less effective among older adults or those with long-term health conditions,” said Dr Koen Pouwels, a researcher on the team.

The results, released in a preprint on Friday, are particularly important because they demonstrate the protective effect of the vaccines in the real world against the highly infectious and more lethal Kent variant, which was not around during the original clinical trials.

Further work by the team, reported in a second preprint, analysed antibody responses to the vaccines. Antibodies rose faster and to a higher level with one shot of Pfizer vaccine, but then dropped back down, particularly in older people, to a similar level reached with the Oxford shot. Although the immune responses differed, Dr David Eyre at Oxford’s Big Data Institute said a strong antibody response was achieved in 95&nbsp;per cent&nbsp;of people.

In younger people, one shot of vaccine raised antibodies to levels seen after infection with Covid, while in older people this took two doses. “Our findings highlight the importance of individuals getting the second vaccine for increased protection,” Eyre said.

The results build on other positive findings from the vaccine rollout, which began in December. In February&nbsp;Public Health Scotland revealed&nbsp;that a month after receiving a shot of Pfizer or Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, the risk of hospitalisation from Covid-19 fell by up to 85% and 94% respectively.

In a&nbsp;separate report&nbsp;released on Thursday, the ONS said that in recent weeks the percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus appeared to have levelled off, both in those who deal with patients and those who don’t. Adults and school-age children were having more contact with people outside their households as schools reopened and some restrictions eased, it added.

Sarah Crofts, a senior statistician at the ONS, said: “It’s good news that infection rates in both patient-facing and non-patient-facing job roles have remained low since decreasing from the start of the year, but it’s critical that we continue to monitor Covid-19 infection levels in these roles as more restrictions ease.”

One shot of the Oxford/AstraZeneca or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine reduces coronavirus infections by nearly two-thirds and protects older and more vulnerable people as much as younger, healthy individuals, a study has found.

One shot of the Oxford/AstraZeneca or Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine reduces coronavirus infections by nearly two-thirds and protects older and more vulnerable people as much as younger, healthy individuals, a study has found. The results from Oxford University and the Office for National Statistics are a welcome boost to the vaccination programme and the first to show the impact on new infections and immune responses in a large group of adults in the general population. By driving down rates of infection the vaccines will not only prevent hospitalisations and deaths but help break chains of transmission and so reduce the risk of a damaging resurgence of disease as the UK reopens. The researchers analysed Covid test results from more than 350,000 people in the UK between December and April. They found that 21 days after a first jab – the time it takes the immune system to mount a decent response – new Covid infections dropped by 65 per cent. The vaccines were more effective against symptomatic than asymptomatic infections, reducing rates by 72 per cent and 57 per cent respectively, compared with those seen in the unvaccinated population. A second shot of the Pfizer vaccine boosted protection further, causing symptomatic infections to fall by 90 per cent and asymptomatic infections by 70 per cent. Because the Oxford vaccine was approved and rolled out later, it is too early to assess the impact of those second doses. Scientists on the team said the findings supported the UK’s decision to prioritise giving first shots to elderly and more vulnerable people by delaying second doses. “There was no evidence that the vaccines were less effective among older adults or those with long-term health conditions,” said Dr Koen Pouwels, a researcher on the team. The results, released in a preprint on Friday, are particularly important because they demonstrate the protective effect of the vaccines in the real world against the highly infectious and more lethal Kent variant, which was not around during the original clinical trials. Further work by the team, reported in a second preprint, analysed antibody responses to the vaccines. Antibodies rose faster and to a higher level with one shot of Pfizer vaccine, but then dropped back down, particularly in older people, to a similar level reached with the Oxford shot. Although the immune responses differed, Dr David Eyre at Oxford’s Big Data Institute said a strong antibody response was achieved in 95 per cent of people. In younger people, one shot of vaccine raised antibodies to levels seen after infection with Covid, while in older people this took two doses. “Our findings highlight the importance of individuals getting the second vaccine for increased protection,” Eyre said. The results build on other positive findings from the vaccine rollout, which began in December. In February Public Health Scotland revealed that a month after receiving a shot of Pfizer or Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine, the risk of hospitalisation from Covid-19 fell by up to 85% and 94% respectively. In a separate report released on Thursday, the ONS said that in recent weeks the percentage of people testing positive for coronavirus appeared to have levelled off, both in those who deal with patients and those who don’t. Adults and school-age children were having more contact with people outside their households as schools reopened and some restrictions eased, it added. Sarah Crofts, a senior statistician at the ONS, said: “It’s good news that infection rates in both patient-facing and non-patient-facing job roles have remained low since decreasing from the start of the year, but it’s critical that we continue to monitor Covid-19 infection levels in these roles as more restrictions ease.”

One dose of Pfizer or Oxford jab reduces coronavirus infection rate by 65%, says study

Australia&nbsp;will reduce the number of its citizens able to return&nbsp;from&nbsp;India&nbsp;and other red-zone countries to&nbsp;contain&nbsp;the&nbsp;risk&nbsp;of more virulent strains of COVID-19 spreading, the government said on Thursday as it announced changes in its vaccination programme.

The restrictions will result in a 30% reduction in direct&nbsp;flights&nbsp;from&nbsp;India&nbsp;to Sydney and chartered&nbsp;flights&nbsp;that land in the Northern Territory.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, speaking to reporters after a meeting of the National Cabinet, said that he would announce in the next 24 hours when the new restrictions would come into place.

"We're in the middle of a global pandemic that is raging. And&nbsp;Australia&nbsp;has been successful throughout this pandemic ... to have very effective border arrangements," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. "There will continue to be the opportunity for those to return&nbsp;from&nbsp;places like&nbsp;India&nbsp;but in very controlled circumstances."

Australia&nbsp;currently allows about 5,800 citizens or permanent residents to enter its territory each week before quarantining for two weeks in hotels. It is not clear how many of these are typically&nbsp;from&nbsp;India&nbsp;each week.

In a massive surge of new&nbsp;virus&nbsp;cases,&nbsp;India&nbsp;registered a record number of new daily infections for anywhere in the world on Thursday, eclipsing even the United States at the height of its pandemic last year.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-new-daily-covid-cases-top-300000-highest-in-the-world-379187">India's new daily Covid cases top 300,000, highest in the world</a>

Australia&nbsp;will be adopting a model more like that of the United Kingdom, Morrison said, which bans arrivals if they have visited any countries on its red-zone list of some 40 countries in the past 10 days.

"While we're not adopting that list, it gives you somewhat of an idea of the type of approach we'll be seeking to put in place&nbsp;from&nbsp;those high&nbsp;risk&nbsp;countries," Morrison said.

Morrison's comments come as two&nbsp;Australian states urged staff and guests in COVID-19 quarantine hotels to get tested immediately and fully self-isolate, launching investigations into three suspected cases of travellers contracting the&nbsp;virus&nbsp;from&nbsp;other residents.

Australia&nbsp;closed its borders to non-citizens and permanent residents more than a year ago to&nbsp;contain&nbsp;the pandemic, and travellers arriving&nbsp;from&nbsp;overseas are required to undergo a two-week hotel quarantine at their own expense.

While the country has fared much better than many other developed nations during the pandemic, with just over 29,500 cases and 910 deaths, its vaccination rollout programme has hit major roadblocks.

The government is battling with a shortage of vaccines, after delays to imports and is now unlikely to finish vaccinating its population before the end of 2021 while domestic ramp-up of the AstraZeneca vaccine has been sluggish.

Australia&nbsp;will now prioritise Pfizer vaccines for those under 50 with underlying health issues, in residential aged care and remote communities, Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said, leaving older people to take the AstraZeneca vaccine or to wait.

"With a few exceptions, Pfizer is now restricted to those under 50," he said.

"We recommend AstraZeneca. The&nbsp;risk&nbsp;benefit for over 50 is vastly in favour of being vaccinated. But people always have a choice and more Pfizer will be available later in the year."

Australia will reduce the number of its citizens able to return from India and other red-zone countries to contain the risk of more virulent strains of COVID-19 spreading, the government said on Thursday as it announced changes in its vaccination programme.

Australia will reduce the number of its citizens able to return from India and other red-zone countries to contain the risk of more virulent strains of COVID-19 spreading, the government said on Thursday as it announced changes in its vaccination programme. The restrictions will result in a 30% reduction in direct flights from India to Sydney and chartered flights that land in the Northern Territory. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, speaking to reporters after a meeting of the National Cabinet, said that he would announce in the next 24 hours when the new restrictions would come into place. "We're in the middle of a global pandemic that is raging. And Australia has been successful throughout this pandemic ... to have very effective border arrangements," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said. "There will continue to be the opportunity for those to return from places like India but in very controlled circumstances." Australia currently allows about 5,800 citizens or permanent residents to enter its territory each week before quarantining for two weeks in hotels. It is not clear how many of these are typically from India each week. In a massive surge of new virus cases, India registered a record number of new daily infections for anywhere in the world on Thursday, eclipsing even the United States at the height of its pandemic last year. Also Read | India's new daily Covid cases top 300,000, highest in the world Australia will be adopting a model more like that of the United Kingdom, Morrison said, which bans arrivals if they have visited any countries on its red-zone list of some 40 countries in the past 10 days. "While we're not adopting that list, it gives you somewhat of an idea of the type of approach we'll be seeking to put in place from those high risk countries," Morrison said. Morrison's comments come as two Australian states urged staff and guests in COVID-19 quarantine hotels to get tested immediately and fully self-isolate, launching investigations into three suspected cases of travellers contracting the virus from other residents. Australia closed its borders to non-citizens and permanent residents more than a year ago to contain the pandemic, and travellers arriving from overseas are required to undergo a two-week hotel quarantine at their own expense. While the country has fared much better than many other developed nations during the pandemic, with just over 29,500 cases and 910 deaths, its vaccination rollout programme has hit major roadblocks. The government is battling with a shortage of vaccines, after delays to imports and is now unlikely to finish vaccinating its population before the end of 2021 while domestic ramp-up of the AstraZeneca vaccine has been sluggish. Australia will now prioritise Pfizer vaccines for those under 50 with underlying health issues, in residential aged care and remote communities, Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy said, leaving older people to take the AstraZeneca vaccine or to wait. "With a few exceptions, Pfizer is now restricted to those under 50," he said. "We recommend AstraZeneca. The risk benefit for over 50 is vastly in favour of being vaccinated. But people always have a choice and more Pfizer will be available later in the year."

Australia to cut flights from India to contain virus risk

The coronavirus variant discovered in South Africa can break through the protection provided by Pfizer Inc and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine to some extent, a real-world data study in Israel found. However, the variant's prevalence in Israel is very low and the vaccine remains highly effective.

The study was released on the medRxiv pre-print site on April 9 and has not been peer-reviewed. It compared almost 400 people who had tested positive for COVID-19, after they received one or two doses of the vaccine, against the same number of unvaccinated patients with the disease. It matched age and gender, among other characteristics. 
&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pfizer-ceo-albert-bourla-raises-possibility-of-annual-revaccination-378408/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The South African variant, B.1.351, was found to make up about 1% of all the COVID-19 cases across all the people studied, according to the study by Tel Aviv University and Israel's largest healthcare provider, Clalit. But among patients who had received two doses of the vaccine, the variant's prevalence rate was eight times higher than those unvaccinated - 5.4% versus 0.7%.

This suggests the vaccine is less effective against the South African variant, compared with the original coronavirus and a variant first identified in Britain that has come to comprise nearly all COVID-19 cases in Israel, the researchers said.

The researchers said the study was not intended to assess overall vaccine effectiveness against any variant, since it only looked at people who had already tested positive for COVID-19, not at overall infection rates.

Separate real-world Israeli studies on the vaccine's overall effectiveness, including by Clalit, have shown the Pfizer shot to be more than 90% effective.

"We found a disproportionately higher rate of the South African variant among people vaccinated with a second dose, compared to the unvaccinated group. This means that the South African variant is able, to some extent, to break through the vaccine's protection," said Tel Aviv University's Adi Stern.

In an update to the study posted on April 16, the researchers noted that within the group of people who received two doses, which comprised eight people, all of the B.1.351 infections occurred within a week to 13 days after the second shot. None of them tested positive for it 14 days or more after the second dose.

"This may imply that there is a short window of susceptibility to B.1.351 infection limited to the immediate two weeks after the second dose - but we cannot be confident that this is indeed the case," Stern and Clalit's Ran Balicer said in an email to Reuters on Sunday.

The researchers cautioned, though, that the study only had a small sample size of people infected with the South African variant because of its rarity in Israel.

"The B.1.351 incidence in Israel to date remains low and vaccine effectiveness remains high among those fully vaccinated," the study said.

Pfizer declined to comment on the Israeli study. Pfizer and BioNTech said on April 1 that their vaccine was around 91% effective at preventing COVID-19, citing updated trial data that included participants inoculated for up to six months.

They have been testing the third dose of their shot as a booster, and have said they could modify the shot to specifically address new variants if needed.

In respect to the South African variant, they said that among a group of 800 study volunteers in South Africa, where B.1.351 is widespread, there were nine cases of COVID-19, all of which occurred among participants who got the placebo. Of those nine cases, six were among individuals infected with the South African variant.

Some previous studies have indicated that the Pfizer/BioNTech shot was less potent against the B.1.351 variant than against other variants of the coronavirus, but still offered a powerful defence.

While the results of the study may cause concern, the low prevalence of the South African strain was encouraging, according to Stern.

"Even if the South African variant does break through the vaccine's protection, it has not spread widely through the population," said Stern, adding that the British variant may be "blocking" the spread of the South African strain.

More than half of Israel's 9.3 million population has received both Pfizer doses. Israel has largely reopened its economy in recent weeks while the pandemic appears to be receding with a sharp drop in infections and hospitalizations.

The coronavirus variant discovered in South Africa can break through the protection provided by Pfizer Inc and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine to some extent, a real-world data study in Israel found.

The coronavirus variant discovered in South Africa can break through the protection provided by Pfizer Inc and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine to some extent, a real-world data study in Israel found. However, the variant's prevalence in Israel is very low and the vaccine remains highly effective. The study was released on the medRxiv pre-print site on April 9 and has not been peer-reviewed. It compared almost 400 people who had tested positive for COVID-19, after they received one or two doses of the vaccine, against the same number of unvaccinated patients with the disease. It matched age and gender, among other characteristics. The South African variant, B.1.351, was found to make up about 1% of all the COVID-19 cases across all the people studied, according to the study by Tel Aviv University and Israel's largest healthcare provider, Clalit. But among patients who had received two doses of the vaccine, the variant's prevalence rate was eight times higher than those unvaccinated - 5.4% versus 0.7%. This suggests the vaccine is less effective against the South African variant, compared with the original coronavirus and a variant first identified in Britain that has come to comprise nearly all COVID-19 cases in Israel, the researchers said. The researchers said the study was not intended to assess overall vaccine effectiveness against any variant, since it only looked at people who had already tested positive for COVID-19, not at overall infection rates. Separate real-world Israeli studies on the vaccine's overall effectiveness, including by Clalit, have shown the Pfizer shot to be more than 90% effective. "We found a disproportionately higher rate of the South African variant among people vaccinated with a second dose, compared to the unvaccinated group. This means that the South African variant is able, to some extent, to break through the vaccine's protection," said Tel Aviv University's Adi Stern. In an update to the study posted on April 16, the researchers noted that within the group of people who received two doses, which comprised eight people, all of the B.1.351 infections occurred within a week to 13 days after the second shot. None of them tested positive for it 14 days or more after the second dose. "This may imply that there is a short window of susceptibility to B.1.351 infection limited to the immediate two weeks after the second dose - but we cannot be confident that this is indeed the case," Stern and Clalit's Ran Balicer said in an email to Reuters on Sunday. The researchers cautioned, though, that the study only had a small sample size of people infected with the South African variant because of its rarity in Israel. "The B.1.351 incidence in Israel to date remains low and vaccine effectiveness remains high among those fully vaccinated," the study said. Pfizer declined to comment on the Israeli study. Pfizer and BioNTech said on April 1 that their vaccine was around 91% effective at preventing COVID-19, citing updated trial data that included participants inoculated for up to six months. They have been testing the third dose of their shot as a booster, and have said they could modify the shot to specifically address new variants if needed. In respect to the South African variant, they said that among a group of 800 study volunteers in South Africa, where B.1.351 is widespread, there were nine cases of COVID-19, all of which occurred among participants who got the placebo. Of those nine cases, six were among individuals infected with the South African variant. Some previous studies have indicated that the Pfizer/BioNTech shot was less potent against the B.1.351 variant than against other variants of the coronavirus, but still offered a powerful defence. While the results of the study may cause concern, the low prevalence of the South African strain was encouraging, according to Stern. "Even if the South African variant does break through the vaccine's protection, it has not spread widely through the population," said Stern, adding that the British variant may be "blocking" the spread of the South African strain. More than half of Israel's 9.3 million population has received both Pfizer doses. Israel has largely reopened its economy in recent weeks while the pandemic appears to be receding with a sharp drop in infections and hospitalizations.

South African variant may 'break through' Pfizer vaccine protection, says study

Have you received both your doses of the Wuhan Virus vaccine? The CEO of Pfizer says you'll likely need a 3rd dose. Will other vaccine-makers follow suit? Watch this report by WION's Palki Sharma to find out.

Gravitas: Why do we need a third vaccine dose?

If you have been administered the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, you might need a third dose, as per the company’s CEO Albert Bourla.

The CEO has claimed that people may need a booster shot within 12 months of fully getting vaccinated.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-why-do-we-need-a-third-vaccine-dose-378064/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Bourla has also raised the possibility of an annual re-vaccination which basically means that you might need injections every six months.

ALso read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-ceo-says-third-dose-of-covid-19-vaccine-likely-needed-within-12-months-377860">Pfizer CEO says third dose of COVID-19 vaccine 'likely' needed within 12 months</a>

Pfizer is the world's leading vaccine manufacturer and more than 44 countries are already using its shot.

The vaccines, especially Pfizer's, was called a game-changer. "I think this could possibly be the one game-changer that we've all been waiting for," said Dr Andrew Preston, reader in microbial pathogenesis, University of Bath.

However, they seem to have changed the rules now. "A likely scenario is that there will be likely a need for a third dose, somewhere between 6 &amp; 12 months and then from there, there will be an annual revaccination, but all of that needs to be confirmed," Bourla said. Although confirmation is still awaited.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/rare-blood-clot-risk-higher-from-coronavirus-than-vaccine-says-uk-study-377861">Rare blood clot risk higher from coronavirus than vaccine, says UK study</a>

Health officials say the emergence of new variants is the primary reason for the third dose of the vaccine.

Coronavirus has more than 12,700 new identified mutations, and they are still increasing. As the virus mutates further, the protection from two doses could likely wane over time. In such a scenario a booster shot could ensure the immune response persists.

Now, several vaccine makers are conducting clinical trials for a third dose.

In January, Moderna announced that it would develop an upgrade to its two-shot vaccine. The third dose is likely to be available by the third quarter of 2021.

Bharat biotech is also conducting clinical trials for the third dose of Covaxin. Once approved, the booster dose could be given six months after the two doses have been administered.

However, researchers still haven’t been able to come up with a time frame for how long will vaccine-induced immunity last.

Vaccines for diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella generally confer lifetime immunity. However, vaccines against long-established diseases such as Hepatitis-A, Pneumonia and tetanus need booster shots.

Researchers are still not clear about the coronavirus in this case. They say when we have a better idea of the duration of immunity provided and of the way the virus mutates, only then can booster shots be tailored to ensure consistent immunity.

If you have been administered the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, you might need a third dose, as per the company’s CEO Albert Bourla. The CEO has claimed that people may need a booster shot within 12 months of fully getting vaccinated.

If you have been administered the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine, you might need a third dose, as per the company’s CEO Albert Bourla. The CEO has claimed that people may need a booster shot within 12 months of fully getting vaccinated. Watch | Bourla has also raised the possibility of an annual re-vaccination which basically means that you might need injections every six months. ALso read | Pfizer CEO says third dose of COVID-19 vaccine 'likely' needed within 12 months Pfizer is the world's leading vaccine manufacturer and more than 44 countries are already using its shot. The vaccines, especially Pfizer's, was called a game-changer. "I think this could possibly be the one game-changer that we've all been waiting for," said Dr Andrew Preston, reader in microbial pathogenesis, University of Bath. However, they seem to have changed the rules now. "A likely scenario is that there will be likely a need for a third dose, somewhere between 6 & 12 months and then from there, there will be an annual revaccination, but all of that needs to be confirmed," Bourla said. Although confirmation is still awaited. Also read | Rare blood clot risk higher from coronavirus than vaccine, says UK study Health officials say the emergence of new variants is the primary reason for the third dose of the vaccine. Coronavirus has more than 12,700 new identified mutations, and they are still increasing. As the virus mutates further, the protection from two doses could likely wane over time. In such a scenario a booster shot could ensure the immune response persists. Now, several vaccine makers are conducting clinical trials for a third dose. In January, Moderna announced that it would develop an upgrade to its two-shot vaccine. The third dose is likely to be available by the third quarter of 2021. Bharat biotech is also conducting clinical trials for the third dose of Covaxin. Once approved, the booster dose could be given six months after the two doses have been administered. However, researchers still haven’t been able to come up with a time frame for how long will vaccine-induced immunity last. Vaccines for diseases such as measles, mumps and rubella generally confer lifetime immunity. However, vaccines against long-established diseases such as Hepatitis-A, Pneumonia and tetanus need booster shots. Researchers are still not clear about the coronavirus in this case. They say when we have a better idea of the duration of immunity provided and of the way the virus mutates, only then can booster shots be tailored to ensure consistent immunity.

Two's not the end: Pfizer CEO hints at need for third dose of coronavirus vaccine

Top U.N., financial and vaccine officials on Thursday urged rich countries to donate excess COVID-19 vaccine doses to a program supplying lower-income countries in a bid to end the pandemic and get the global economy back on track.

At an event organised by the Gavi Vaccine Alliance to boost support for the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative, the officials appealed for another $2 billion by June for the programme, which aims to buy up to 1.8 billion doses in 2021.

COVAX has shipped more than 38 million vaccine doses to 111 countries in seven weeks, most of them AstraZeneca's shot.

"Global supply is incredibly tight right now. But we also know that many high-income countries have ordered more vaccines than they need," said Gavi Chief Executive Seth Berkley.

He urged them to share excess doses "as soon as possible to cover the high-risk populations during this supply-constrained period."

Berkley later told a news briefing that he expected more countries to donate excess doses. "That's going to depend...upon when they feel comfortable politically to be able to do that."

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a donation of enough doses to inoculate more than 800,000 people to COVAX, which is run by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF).

Nearly $400 million was pledged on Thursday, a statement said, including from Denmark, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden.

The United States, which this year donated half of a pledged $4 billion to COVAX, did not make new commitments.

"As we’re getting to that point where we're confident that every American can be vaccinated, we will be leaning into doing more around the world," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told NBC's Meet The Press on Sunday.

Blinken, addressing the Gavi event, noted that the U.S. Congress had recently provided more than $11 billion for America's global COVID-19 response.

"Many countries now have dollars available to spend on doses, but rapid deliveries aren't available. I would like to underline here the importance for countries that have the prospect of excess vaccine supplies to release them as soon as possible," said World Bank President David Malpass.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said some countries that signed up to COVAX had yet to receive any doses, none had received enough and some were not receiving their second-round vaccine allocations on time.

"There remains a shocking and expanding disparity in the global distribution of vaccines," he warned.

UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore urged wealthier countries to invest generously in COVAX and donate surplus doses because it was the only way to end the pandemic and get "the global economy back on track."

Top U.N., financial and vaccine officials on Thursday urged rich countries to donate excess COVID-19 vaccine doses to a program supplying lower-income countries in a bid to end the pandemic and get the global economy back on track.

Top U.N., financial and vaccine officials on Thursday urged rich countries to donate excess COVID-19 vaccine doses to a program supplying lower-income countries in a bid to end the pandemic and get the global economy back on track. At an event organised by the Gavi Vaccine Alliance to boost support for the COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative, the officials appealed for another $2 billion by June for the programme, which aims to buy up to 1.8 billion doses in 2021. COVAX has shipped more than 38 million vaccine doses to 111 countries in seven weeks, most of them AstraZeneca's shot. "Global supply is incredibly tight right now. But we also know that many high-income countries have ordered more vaccines than they need," said Gavi Chief Executive Seth Berkley. He urged them to share excess doses "as soon as possible to cover the high-risk populations during this supply-constrained period." Berkley later told a news briefing that he expected more countries to donate excess doses. "That's going to depend...upon when they feel comfortable politically to be able to do that." New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced a donation of enough doses to inoculate more than 800,000 people to COVAX, which is run by Gavi, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF). Nearly $400 million was pledged on Thursday, a statement said, including from Denmark, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden. The United States, which this year donated half of a pledged $4 billion to COVAX, did not make new commitments. "As we’re getting to that point where we're confident that every American can be vaccinated, we will be leaning into doing more around the world," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told NBC's Meet The Press on Sunday. Blinken, addressing the Gavi event, noted that the U.S. Congress had recently provided more than $11 billion for America's global COVID-19 response. "Many countries now have dollars available to spend on doses, but rapid deliveries aren't available. I would like to underline here the importance for countries that have the prospect of excess vaccine supplies to release them as soon as possible," said World Bank President David Malpass. WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said some countries that signed up to COVAX had yet to receive any doses, none had received enough and some were not receiving their second-round vaccine allocations on time. "There remains a shocking and expanding disparity in the global distribution of vaccines," he warned. UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore urged wealthier countries to invest generously in COVAX and donate surplus doses because it was the only way to end the pandemic and get "the global economy back on track."

Global officials urge rich countries to donate excess COVID-19 vaccines, money to help end the pandemic

The head of Pfizer said in an interview aired Thursday that people will "likely" need a third dose of his company's Covid-19 vaccine within a year of being fully vaccinated.

CEO Albert Bourla also said annual vaccinations against the coronavirus may well be required.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/covid-vaccines-face-blood-clot-concerns-377510/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"We need to see what would be the sequence, and for how often we need to do that, that remains to be seen," Bourla told CNBC in an interview recorded on April 1.

"A likely scenario is that there will be likely a need for a third dose, somewhere between six and 12 months and then from there, there will be an annual revaccination, but all of that needs to be confirmed," he said, adding that variants will play a "key role."

"It is extremely important to suppress the pool of people that can be susceptible to the virus," he said.

Researchers currently don't know how long vaccines provide protection against the coronavirus.

Pfizer published a study earlier this month that said its jab is more than 91 percent effective at protecting against the coronavirus, and more than 95 percent effective against severe cases of Covid-19 up to six months after the second dose.

But researchers say more data is needed to determine whether protection lasts after six months.

David Kessler, the head of US President Joe Biden's Covid-19 response team, warned a congressional committee on Thursday that Americans should expect to receive booster shots to defend against coronavirus variants.

"We don't know everything at this moment," he told the House Coronavirus Crisis Subcommittee. "We are studying the durability of the antibody response.

"It seems strong but there is some waning of that and no doubt the variants challenge," he said.

"I think for planning purposes, planning purposes only, I think we should expect that we may have to boost."

The Pfizer vaccine, developed in partnership with German firm BioNTech, currently plays a leading role in American and European vaccination campaigns.

The pharmaceutical giant announced in February that it was testing a third dose of its vaccine to better combat the emerging variants.

(With inputs from agencies)

The head of Pfizer said in an interview aired Thursday that people will "likely" need a third dose of his company's Covid-19 vaccine within a year of being fully vaccinated.

The head of Pfizer said in an interview aired Thursday that people will "likely" need a third dose of his company's Covid-19 vaccine within a year of being fully vaccinated. CEO Albert Bourla also said annual vaccinations against the coronavirus may well be required. "We need to see what would be the sequence, and for how often we need to do that, that remains to be seen," Bourla told CNBC in an interview recorded on April 1. "A likely scenario is that there will be likely a need for a third dose, somewhere between six and 12 months and then from there, there will be an annual revaccination, but all of that needs to be confirmed," he said, adding that variants will play a "key role." "It is extremely important to suppress the pool of people that can be susceptible to the virus," he said. Researchers currently don't know how long vaccines provide protection against the coronavirus. Pfizer published a study earlier this month that said its jab is more than 91 percent effective at protecting against the coronavirus, and more than 95 percent effective against severe cases of Covid-19 up to six months after the second dose. But researchers say more data is needed to determine whether protection lasts after six months. David Kessler, the head of US President Joe Biden's Covid-19 response team, warned a congressional committee on Thursday that Americans should expect to receive booster shots to defend against coronavirus variants. "We don't know everything at this moment," he told the House Coronavirus Crisis Subcommittee. "We are studying the durability of the antibody response. "It seems strong but there is some waning of that and no doubt the variants challenge," he said. "I think for planning purposes, planning purposes only, I think we should expect that we may have to boost." The Pfizer vaccine, developed in partnership with German firm BioNTech, currently plays a leading role in American and European vaccination campaigns. The pharmaceutical giant announced in February that it was testing a third dose of its vaccine to better combat the emerging variants. (With inputs from agencies)

Pfizer CEO says third dose of COVID-19 vaccine 'likely' needed within 12 months

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced plans on Wednesday for a major contract extension for Covid-19 vaccines with Pfizer stretching to 2023.&nbsp;

In a sign of confidence in a company that has been a mainstay of Europe's vaccination drive so far, von der Leyen said the EU will start negotiating to buy 1.8 billion doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine through 2023.&nbsp;

Von der Leyen expressed full confidence in the technology used for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is different from the technology behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine.&nbsp;

"We need to focus on the technologies that have proven their worth," von der Leyen said.&nbsp;

Pfizer-BioNTech plans to provide the EU with an extra 50 million dozes in the second quarter of this year, on top of 200 million doses already earmarked for the bloc. The deliveries will be especially welcomed by the EU's 27 member nations considering supply delays and concerns over rare blood clots potentially linked to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. &nbsp;

Denmark decided on Wednesday not to resume use of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine after putting it on hold last month following reports of rare blood clots in some recipients. The bulk of the shots given in the Scandinavian country so far have been the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine.&nbsp;

The European Commission currently has a portfolio of 2.3 billion doses from a half dozen companies and is negotiating more contracts.&nbsp;

The planned negotiations with Pfizer left in the middle what the EU would do about any new contracts with AstraZeneca, which has had massive delivery problems during the first quarter and expects to send far fewer vaccines than its contract with the EU called for during the second quarter. &nbsp;

The European Commission said in a statement, "We keep all options open to be prepared for the next stages of the pandemic, for 2022 and beyond. We can, however, not comment on contractual issues." Von der Leyen, however, showed her full support for Pfizer-BioNTech, with the announcement for the massive order. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced plans on Wednesday for a major contract extension for Covid-19 vaccines with Pfizer stretching to 2023. In a sign of confidence in a company that has been a mainstay of Europe's vaccination drive so far, von der Leyen said the EU will start negotiating to buy 1.

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen announced plans on Wednesday for a major contract extension for Covid-19 vaccines with Pfizer stretching to 2023. In a sign of confidence in a company that has been a mainstay of Europe's vaccination drive so far, von der Leyen said the EU will start negotiating to buy 1.8 billion doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine through 2023. Von der Leyen expressed full confidence in the technology used for the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, which is different from the technology behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. "We need to focus on the technologies that have proven their worth," von der Leyen said. Pfizer-BioNTech plans to provide the EU with an extra 50 million dozes in the second quarter of this year, on top of 200 million doses already earmarked for the bloc. The deliveries will be especially welcomed by the EU's 27 member nations considering supply delays and concerns over rare blood clots potentially linked to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Denmark decided on Wednesday not to resume use of AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine after putting it on hold last month following reports of rare blood clots in some recipients. The bulk of the shots given in the Scandinavian country so far have been the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. The European Commission currently has a portfolio of 2.3 billion doses from a half dozen companies and is negotiating more contracts. The planned negotiations with Pfizer left in the middle what the EU would do about any new contracts with AstraZeneca, which has had massive delivery problems during the first quarter and expects to send far fewer vaccines than its contract with the EU called for during the second quarter. The European Commission said in a statement, "We keep all options open to be prepared for the next stages of the pandemic, for 2022 and beyond. We can, however, not comment on contractual issues." Von der Leyen, however, showed her full support for Pfizer-BioNTech, with the announcement for the massive order. (With inputs from agencies)

EU looks to buy 1.8 billion doses of Pfizer vaccine through 2023 

As countries all over the globe are racing to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccinate</a> citizens against the deadly <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>, researchers in London are trying a new idea.

The University of Oxford has launched a so-called Com-Cov study to assess the benefits of mixing and matching coronavirus vaccines. Experts have now decided to include Moderna and Novavax vaccines in this study now.

Since February, experts have been studying the immune response on volunteers if they are inoculated with the first dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca and the second dose of Pfizer vaccine, and vice versa.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/moderna-says-protection-from-its-covid-19-vaccine-still-strong-six-months-on-377482" hreflang="en">Moderna says protection from its COVID-19 vaccine still strong six months on</a>

Now, the expanded study is set to recruit new volunteers over the age of 50 who have been inoculated with the first dose of vaccine in the past eight to 12 weeks, who will now be inoculated with the second dose of some other vaccine.

"The focus of both this and the original Com-Cov study is to explore whether the multiple COVID-19 vaccines that are available can be used more flexibly, with different vaccines being used for the first and second dose," said Matthew Snape, associate professor in paediatrics and vaccinology at the University of Oxford and chief investigator on the trial.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/blood-clots-are-latest-curse-of-coronavirus-vaccines-all-you-need-to-know-377437" hreflang="en">Blood clots are latest curse of coronavirus vaccines. All you need to know</a>

"If we can show that these mixed schedules generate an immune response that is as good as the standard schedules, and without a significant increase in the vaccine reactions, this will potentially allow more people to complete their COVID-19 immunisation course more rapidly. This would also create resilience within the system in the event of a shortfall in the availability of any of the vaccines in use."

The study aims to prove that mixing is not worse than not mixing. However, it does not aim to prove if the vaccines are effective at preventing diseases.

"The purpose of this trial is to see how well people’s immune systems respond when their second ‘boost’ dose is a different type of vaccine to their first 'prime' dose," the study reads.

"We will also be looking at how common vaccine reactions, such as fever, are after such ‘mixed’ schedules. This is important, as being able to use different vaccines in this way creates a more flexible immunisation programme; potentially allowing more people to be immunised more quickly."

As countries all over the globe are racing to vaccinate citizens against the deadly coronavirus, researchers in London are trying a new idea. The University of Oxford has launched a so-called Com-Cov study to assess the benefits of mixing and matching coronavirus vaccines.

As countries all over the globe are racing to vaccinate citizens against the deadly coronavirus, researchers in London are trying a new idea. The University of Oxford has launched a so-called Com-Cov study to assess the benefits of mixing and matching coronavirus vaccines. Experts have now decided to include Moderna and Novavax vaccines in this study now. Since February, experts have been studying the immune response on volunteers if they are inoculated with the first dose of Oxford-AstraZeneca and the second dose of Pfizer vaccine, and vice versa. Also read | Moderna says protection from its COVID-19 vaccine still strong six months on Now, the expanded study is set to recruit new volunteers over the age of 50 who have been inoculated with the first dose of vaccine in the past eight to 12 weeks, who will now be inoculated with the second dose of some other vaccine. "The focus of both this and the original Com-Cov study is to explore whether the multiple COVID-19 vaccines that are available can be used more flexibly, with different vaccines being used for the first and second dose," said Matthew Snape, associate professor in paediatrics and vaccinology at the University of Oxford and chief investigator on the trial. Also read | Blood clots are latest curse of coronavirus vaccines. All you need to know "If we can show that these mixed schedules generate an immune response that is as good as the standard schedules, and without a significant increase in the vaccine reactions, this will potentially allow more people to complete their COVID-19 immunisation course more rapidly. This would also create resilience within the system in the event of a shortfall in the availability of any of the vaccines in use." The study aims to prove that mixing is not worse than not mixing. However, it does not aim to prove if the vaccines are effective at preventing diseases. "The purpose of this trial is to see how well people’s immune systems respond when their second ‘boost’ dose is a different type of vaccine to their first 'prime' dose," the study reads. "We will also be looking at how common vaccine reactions, such as fever, are after such ‘mixed’ schedules. This is important, as being able to use different vaccines in this way creates a more flexible immunisation programme; potentially allowing more people to be immunised more quickly."

UK adds COVID-19 vaccines from two more companies to its 'mix and match' trial

From the killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of Al-Qaeda to the Russian invasion of Ukraine that has triggered a global food crisis, there is a lot happening across the world. Separately, the Capitol hill rioter who threatened Nany Pelosi has been sentenced seven years in jail.&nbsp;

<meta charset="utf-8" />

Click on the headlines to read more&nbsp;

<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-is-ayman-al-zawahiri-the-al-qaeda-chief-killed-by-us-strike-502755">Who is Ayman al-Zawahiri, the al Qaeda chief killed by U.S. strike?</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/08/02/283797-zaweri.png" />In the biggest blow to Al-Qaeda since its founder Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011, the United States killed the group's leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a strike in Afghanistan, President Joe Biden revealed on Monday. Zawahiri helped execute the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. that killed nearly 3,000 people.

<meta charset="utf-8" />

<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/developing-countries-facing-major-food-inflation-due-to-ukraine-crisis-says-world-bank-502744">Developing countries facing major food inflation due to Ukraine crisis, says World Bank</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/07/22/281050-russias-attack-on-ukraine.png" />The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has been devastating for the global economy with severe impacts on food security as well as the supply chain. With Ukraine amounting for a huge amount of food grain exports in the world, the crisis has resulted in a temporary stoppage of supply, and this has resulted in major food shortages.

<meta charset="utf-8" />

<meta charset="utf-8" /><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/capitol-hill-rioter-who-threatened-nancy-pelosi-gets-more-than-7-years-in-prison-502761">Capitol Hill rioter who threatened Nancy Pelosi gets more than 7 years in prison</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2022/07/30/283075-untitled-design-8.png" />A number of Chinese warplanes were spotted flying dangerously close to the median line which divides the Taiwan Strait just ahead of United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit on Tuesday. Along with the warplanes, China has also positioned a number of warships near the region, according to Reuters.

China exempts Afghanistan from taxes, new move to exploit Afghan resources?

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/china-exempts-afghanistan-from-taxes-new-move-to-exploit-afghan-resources-502753/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">&nbsp;</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo">US airstrike kills Al-Qaeda chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Taliban condemns attack</div>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-airstrike-kills-al-qaeda-chief-ayman-al-zawahiri-taliban-condemns-attack-502765/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

From the killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of Al-Qaeda to the Russian invasion of Ukraine that has triggered a global food crisis, there is a lot happening across the world.

From the killing of Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of Al-Qaeda to the Russian invasion of Ukraine that has triggered a global food crisis, there is a lot happening across the world. Separately, the Capitol hill rioter who threatened Nany Pelosi has been sentenced seven years in jail. Click on the headlines to read more Who is Ayman al-Zawahiri, the al Qaeda chief killed by U.S. strike? In the biggest blow to Al-Qaeda since its founder Osama bin Laden was killed in 2011, the United States killed the group's leader Ayman al-Zawahiri in a strike in Afghanistan, President Joe Biden revealed on Monday. Zawahiri helped execute the 9/11 attacks in the U.S. that killed nearly 3,000 people. Developing countries facing major food inflation due to Ukraine crisis, says World Bank The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has been devastating for the global economy with severe impacts on food security as well as the supply chain. With Ukraine amounting for a huge amount of food grain exports in the world, the crisis has resulted in a temporary stoppage of supply, and this has resulted in major food shortages. Capitol Hill rioter who threatened Nancy Pelosi gets more than 7 years in prison A number of Chinese warplanes were spotted flying dangerously close to the median line which divides the Taiwan Strait just ahead of United States House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit on Tuesday. Along with the warplanes, China has also positioned a number of warships near the region, according to Reuters. China exempts Afghanistan from taxes, new move to exploit Afghan resources? US airstrike kills Al-Qaeda chief Ayman Al-Zawahiri, Taliban condemns attack

Pfizer vaccine not very effective against South African variant: Israeli study

The US National Institute of Health has said that it has begun a study to look at why some people suffered serious allergic reactions shortly after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines.

US begins study on COVID-19 vaccine side-effects

A new Coronavirus strain has been identified in Israel and a bid to secure more Pfizer vaccines has hit a snag this week over political infighting.

New COVID-19 strain detected in Israel, Pfizer vaccine purchase delayed

American multinational pharmaceutical corporation Pfizer has halted a shipment of 700,000 COVID vaccines scheduled to arrive in Israel on Sunday following the country's failure to pay for the last 2.5 million doses shipped there.

Calling Israel a ‘banana republic,’ Pfizer has frozen further deliveries of the Covid-19 vaccine until it gets paid for the last doses.

Pfizer Officials said that they couldn’t understand how something like this could happen in an organized country.

According to Reuters, the Israeli government sought to buy around 36 million more Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses, which would cost the country around 3.5 billion shekels (around $1.05 million). 
 
But these plans - as well as a motion to approve funds to pay for the 700,000 COVID vaccines - were halted when Netanyahu and defence minister Benny Gantz got into a political tiff over judicial appointments. 
 
The vaccine, approved by the Western nations last year, uses mRNA technology.

It is approved for people aged 16 and above in the US and the European Union.&nbsp;

A real-world study of 1.2 million people in Israel found that the vaccine is 94 per cent effective.&nbsp;

Israel has recorded over 834,000 COVID cases and 6,243 deaths to date.

(With inputs from agencies)

American multinational pharmaceutical corporation Pfizer has halted a shipment of 700,000 COVID vaccines scheduled to arrive in Israel on Sunday following the country's failure to pay for the last 2.

American multinational pharmaceutical corporation Pfizer has halted a shipment of 700,000 COVID vaccines scheduled to arrive in Israel on Sunday following the country's failure to pay for the last 2.5 million doses shipped there. Calling Israel a ‘banana republic,’ Pfizer has frozen further deliveries of the Covid-19 vaccine until it gets paid for the last doses. Pfizer Officials said that they couldn’t understand how something like this could happen in an organized country. According to Reuters, the Israeli government sought to buy around 36 million more Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine doses, which would cost the country around 3.5 billion shekels (around $1.05 million). But these plans - as well as a motion to approve funds to pay for the 700,000 COVID vaccines - were halted when Netanyahu and defence minister Benny Gantz got into a political tiff over judicial appointments. The vaccine, approved by the Western nations last year, uses mRNA technology. It is approved for people aged 16 and above in the US and the European Union. A real-world study of 1.2 million people in Israel found that the vaccine is 94 per cent effective. Israel has recorded over 834,000 COVID cases and 6,243 deaths to date. (With inputs from agencies)

Pfizer halts delivery of Covid-19 vaccines to ‘banana republic’ Israel after country fails to pay

BioNTech-Pfizer said that their COVID-19 vaccine showed 100 per cent efficacy against the coronavirus in 12 to 15-year-olds, this comes as the pharma company eye approval for the adolescents to get the jabs before the next school year.

BioNtech-Pfizer say COVID-19 jab 100% effective on 12-15 year olds

<a href="http://wionews.com/topics/pfizer">Pfizer-BioNTech</a>&nbsp;on Thursday claimed their <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine </a>offers protection at least six months after the second dose and is fully effective against the South African variant that has caused concerns worldwide.&nbsp;

The pharma giants also said that the vaccine is 95 per cent effective against severe Covid-19.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

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"The vaccine was 100 per cent effective against severe disease as defined by the US&nbsp;Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 95.3 per cent effective against severe Covid-19 as defined by the US Food and Drug Administration," a joint statement by the companies said.&nbsp;

The development comes a day after Pfizer-BioNTech said that their coronavirus vaccine is 100 per cent effective for children in the age group 12 to 15. &nbsp;

"It is an important step to further confirm the strong efficacy and good safety data we have seen so far," Ugur Sahin, CEO and cofounder of BioNTech said.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-15-million-doses-of-johnson-johnson-coronavirus-vaccine-destroyed-374630">US: 15 million doses of Johnson &amp; Johnson coronavirus vaccine destroyed</a>

"These data also provide the first clinical results that a vaccine can effectively protect against currently circulating variants, a critical factor to reach herd immunity and end this pandemic for the global population."

For the study that is yet to be peer-reviewed, about 44,000 people participated and were given either a placebo or the vaccine.&nbsp;

Out of the 927 symptomatic Covid-19 cases, 77 were given Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine, which showed an efficacy of 91.3 per cent, according to the joint statement.&nbsp;

Pfizer-BioNTech on Thursday claimed their coronavirus vaccine offers protection at least six months after the second dose and is fully effective against the South African variant that has caused concerns worldwide.

Pfizer-BioNTech on Thursday claimed their coronavirus vaccine offers protection at least six months after the second dose and is fully effective against the South African variant that has caused concerns worldwide. The pharma giants also said that the vaccine is 95 per cent effective against severe Covid-19. Watch | "The vaccine was 100 per cent effective against severe disease as defined by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and 95.3 per cent effective against severe Covid-19 as defined by the US Food and Drug Administration," a joint statement by the companies said. The development comes a day after Pfizer-BioNTech said that their coronavirus vaccine is 100 per cent effective for children in the age group 12 to 15. "It is an important step to further confirm the strong efficacy and good safety data we have seen so far," Ugur Sahin, CEO and cofounder of BioNTech said. Also read | US: 15 million doses of Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine destroyed "These data also provide the first clinical results that a vaccine can effectively protect against currently circulating variants, a critical factor to reach herd immunity and end this pandemic for the global population." For the study that is yet to be peer-reviewed, about 44,000 people participated and were given either a placebo or the vaccine. Out of the 927 symptomatic Covid-19 cases, 77 were given Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine, which showed an efficacy of 91.3 per cent, according to the joint statement.

Pfizer says Covid-19 vaccine offers protection for at least six months, effective against South African variant

BioNTECh-Pfizer claimed on Wednesday that their <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine </a>has an efficacy of 100 per cent in the 12 to 15-year-old age group.&nbsp;

Phase 3 trials conducted on 2,260 adolescents in the US showed "100 per cent efficacy and robust antibody responses", the pharma giants said in a statement.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/scientists-will-need-new-vaccine-to-fight-covid-19-in-a-year-374419/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"We plan to submit these data to (US regulator) FDA as a proposed amendment to our Emergency Use Authorisation in the coming weeks and to other regulators around the world, with the hope of starting to vaccinate this age group before the start of the next school year," Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla was quoted as saying by news agency AFP.&nbsp;

BioNTech CEO said the vaccine's results on teens were "very encouraging given the trends we have seen in recent weeks regarding the spread of the B.1.1.7 UK variant".&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-denies-whos-accusation-of-not-sharing-covid-data-374468">China denies WHO's accusation of not sharing COVID data</a>

The vaccine, approved by the Western nations last year, uses mRNA technology.

It is approved for people aged 16 and above in the US and the European Union.&nbsp;

A real-world study of 1.2 million people in Israel found that the vaccine is 94 per cent effective.&nbsp;

Last week, BioNTech-Pfizer started studies to find the drug's effect on children, with the age group of 5-11 being the first to get the vaccine.

BioNTECh-Pfizer claimed on Wednesday that their coronavirus vaccine has an efficacy of 100 per cent in the 12 to 15-year-old age group. Phase 3 trials conducted on 2,260 adolescents in the US showed "100 per cent efficacy and robust antibody responses", the pharma giants said in a statement.

BioNTECh-Pfizer claimed on Wednesday that their coronavirus vaccine has an efficacy of 100 per cent in the 12 to 15-year-old age group. Phase 3 trials conducted on 2,260 adolescents in the US showed "100 per cent efficacy and robust antibody responses", the pharma giants said in a statement. Watch | "We plan to submit these data to (US regulator) FDA as a proposed amendment to our Emergency Use Authorisation in the coming weeks and to other regulators around the world, with the hope of starting to vaccinate this age group before the start of the next school year," Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla was quoted as saying by news agency AFP. BioNTech CEO said the vaccine's results on teens were "very encouraging given the trends we have seen in recent weeks regarding the spread of the B.1.1.7 UK variant". Also read | China denies WHO's accusation of not sharing COVID data The vaccine, approved by the Western nations last year, uses mRNA technology. It is approved for people aged 16 and above in the US and the European Union. A real-world study of 1.2 million people in Israel found that the vaccine is 94 per cent effective. Last week, BioNTech-Pfizer started studies to find the drug's effect on children, with the age group of 5-11 being the first to get the vaccine.

BioNTech-Pfizer say their Covid-19 vaccine has 100% efficacy in 12-15 year olds

A US study has found that the COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna are 90% effective in preventing COVID-19 infection in a real-world setting.

US study: Pfizer, Moderna 90% effective after 2 doses in real world

American pharmaceutical company Pfizer&nbsp;said it has begun human safety testing of a new pill to treat the coronavirus that could be used at the first sign of illness.

“Tackling the COVID-19 pandemic requires both prevention via vaccine and targeted treatment for those who contract the virus. Given the way that SARS-CoV-2 is mutating and the continued global impact of COVID-19, it appears likely that it will be critical to have access to therapeutic options both now and beyond the pandemic,"said Mikael Dolsten, Pfizer’s Chief Scientific Officer, in a statement.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/astrazeneca-says-covid-vaccine-76-effective-in-updated-us-trial-data-372964">Also read: AstraZeneca says Covid vaccine 76% effective in updated US trial data</a> 
 
The oral antiviral clinical candidate "PF-07321332", a SARS-CoV2-3CL protease inhibitor, has demonstrated potent in vitro anti-viral activity against SARS-CoV-2, as well as activity against other coronaviruses, the company said in statement.

This Phase 1 trial is being conducted in the United States.

The Phase 1 trial is a randomised, double-blind, sponsor-open, placebo-controlled, single and multiple dose-escalation study in healthy adults evaluating the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of PF-07321332.

The initiation of this study is supported by preclinical studies that demonstrated the antiviral activity of this potential first-in-class SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic designed specifically to inhibit replication of the SARS-CoV2 virus.

The structure of PF-07321332, together with the pre-clinical data, will be shared in a COVID-19 session of the Spring American Chemical Society meeting on April 6.

Pfizer, in collaboration with German company BioNTech, was the first pharmaceutical company to receive emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a COVID-19 vaccine.&nbsp;

Currently, the only FDA-approved antiviral treatment for COVID-19 is Gilead’s Remdesivir.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

American pharmaceutical company Pfizer said it has begun human safety testing of a new pill to treat the coronavirus that could be used at the first sign of illness.

American pharmaceutical company Pfizer said it has begun human safety testing of a new pill to treat the coronavirus that could be used at the first sign of illness. “Tackling the COVID-19 pandemic requires both prevention via vaccine and targeted treatment for those who contract the virus. Given the way that SARS-CoV-2 is mutating and the continued global impact of COVID-19, it appears likely that it will be critical to have access to therapeutic options both now and beyond the pandemic,"said Mikael Dolsten, Pfizer’s Chief Scientific Officer, in a statement. Also read: AstraZeneca says Covid vaccine 76% effective in updated US trial data The oral antiviral clinical candidate "PF-07321332", a SARS-CoV2-3CL protease inhibitor, has demonstrated potent in vitro anti-viral activity against SARS-CoV-2, as well as activity against other coronaviruses, the company said in statement. This Phase 1 trial is being conducted in the United States. The Phase 1 trial is a randomised, double-blind, sponsor-open, placebo-controlled, single and multiple dose-escalation study in healthy adults evaluating the safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetics of PF-07321332. The initiation of this study is supported by preclinical studies that demonstrated the antiviral activity of this potential first-in-class SARS-CoV-2 therapeutic designed specifically to inhibit replication of the SARS-CoV2 virus. The structure of PF-07321332, together with the pre-clinical data, will be shared in a COVID-19 session of the Spring American Chemical Society meeting on April 6. Pfizer, in collaboration with German company BioNTech, was the first pharmaceutical company to receive emergency use authorization from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a COVID-19 vaccine. Currently, the only FDA-approved antiviral treatment for COVID-19 is Gilead’s Remdesivir. (With inputs from agencies)

Now, a pill to treat coronavirus; Pfizer begins human trials

Pfizer-BioNTech's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine</a>&nbsp;has an efficacy of 97 per cent in preventing symptomatic disease, a study based on real-world evidence published on Thursday said.&nbsp;

The study, conducted by the two pharma giants, also found that the vaccine's prevention against asymptomatic disease also stands at 94 per cent.

For the study, data from January 17 to March 6 from Israel's national vaccination campaign, has been taken.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/study-finds-uk-covid-19-variant-has-higher-mortality-rate-369630/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

It also showed the vaccine is effective against a highly transmissible Covid-19 strain first found in the UK, known as B.1.1.7. Over 80 per cent of the specimens that were part of the study were of this variant.&nbsp;

However, since only a few people in Israel have been infected with the South African variant B.1.351, the vaccine's efficacy against this strain could not be found.&nbsp;

"This comprehensive real-world evidence ... can be of importance to countries around the world as they advance their own vaccination campaigns one year after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic," Pfizer and BioNTech said in a statement as quoted by news agency AFP.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-coronavirus-vaccine-may-be-less-effective-in-obesity-study-367008">Pfizer coronavirus vaccine may be less effective in obesity: Study</a>

Earlier, a similar study which was based on data from between December 20, 2020 and February 1, 2021 had shown the efficacy of 94 per cent in preventing symptomatic cases and 92 per cent in avoiding asymptomatic disease.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the UK said on Thursday that Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is "safe and effective "after Denmark suspended the jab's use.&nbsp;

"We've been clear that it's both safe and effective... and when people are asked to come forward and take it, they should do so in confidence," Prime Minister Boris Johnson's official spokesman said.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Pfizer-BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine has an efficacy of 97 per cent in preventing symptomatic disease, a study based on real-world evidence published on Thursday said.

Pfizer-BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine has an efficacy of 97 per cent in preventing symptomatic disease, a study based on real-world evidence published on Thursday said. The study, conducted by the two pharma giants, also found that the vaccine's prevention against asymptomatic disease also stands at 94 per cent. For the study, data from January 17 to March 6 from Israel's national vaccination campaign, has been taken. Watch | It also showed the vaccine is effective against a highly transmissible Covid-19 strain first found in the UK, known as B.1.1.7. Over 80 per cent of the specimens that were part of the study were of this variant. However, since only a few people in Israel have been infected with the South African variant B.1.351, the vaccine's efficacy against this strain could not be found. "This comprehensive real-world evidence ... can be of importance to countries around the world as they advance their own vaccination campaigns one year after the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic," Pfizer and BioNTech said in a statement as quoted by news agency AFP. Also read | Pfizer coronavirus vaccine may be less effective in obesity: Study Earlier, a similar study which was based on data from between December 20, 2020 and February 1, 2021 had shown the efficacy of 94 per cent in preventing symptomatic cases and 92 per cent in avoiding asymptomatic disease. Meanwhile, the UK said on Thursday that Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine is "safe and effective "after Denmark suspended the jab's use. "We've been clear that it's both safe and effective... and when people are asked to come forward and take it, they should do so in confidence," Prime Minister Boris Johnson's official spokesman said.

Pfizer vaccine 97% effective in preventing symptomatic Covid-19 disease: Study

The former US President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump</a> and his wife Melania Trump had received the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine</a> during their last days in the White House in January, as per locl reports.

However, it is still unclear as to which vaccine they received and how many doses.

Trump, who claims he is the main force behind getting the vaccine ready 'so quickly', urged his supporters to get vaccinated in their due time at his first public speech since he was asked to leave the White House.

Speaking directly to his supporters and aides at the Conservative Political Action Conference, held in Orlando, Trump urged everyone to get vaccinated saying, "how unpainful that vaccine shot is, so everybody go get your shot".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/donald-trump-teases-2024-presidential-run-in-cpac-2021-speech-366953" hreflang="en">Donald Trump teases 2024 presidential run in CPAC 2021 speech</a>

Trump, once again, repeated and reminded everyone about his contribution to the vaccine campaign in the US. When the pandemic hit, the US was under his leadership and he oversaw the Operation Warp Speed task force.

He believes it is solely him and his administration who deserve all the credit for the mass inoculation programme being run in the US. "Never let them forget this was us. We did this," he said at CPAC.

This has come as a shock due to the secrecy in which Trump and the former FLOTUS got the jab and also because, throughout his time as the POTUS in the pandemic, Trump had dismissed the seriousness of the situation.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/trump-chella-cpac-2021-sees-huge-crowds-amid-surge-in-coronavirus-cases-366818" hreflang="en">Trump-chella: CPAC 2021 sees huge crowds, amid surge in coronavirus cases</a>

The aide, who has revealed the information to the American media house CNN, claims that Trump was still receiving the benefits of the monoclonal antibody cocktail that the couple was given during his recovery from the time they had tested positive for the deadly coronavirus.

This comes as a contrast to how the other former Presidents and Vice Presidents have reacted to the vaccine. The US President, who won against Trump, Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris got vaccinated on live television in December. Former President including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, too, had volunteered to get vaccinated on camera.

While the former and current Presidents took the chance to raise awareness about the public safety about the vaccines, it still remains a surprise as to how did Trump miss out on a chance to gain a few extra minutes on television screens.

The former US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump had received the coronavirus vaccine during their last days in the White House in January, as per locl reports.

The former US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump had received the coronavirus vaccine during their last days in the White House in January, as per locl reports. However, it is still unclear as to which vaccine they received and how many doses. Trump, who claims he is the main force behind getting the vaccine ready 'so quickly', urged his supporters to get vaccinated in their due time at his first public speech since he was asked to leave the White House. Speaking directly to his supporters and aides at the Conservative Political Action Conference, held in Orlando, Trump urged everyone to get vaccinated saying, "how unpainful that vaccine shot is, so everybody go get your shot". Also read | Donald Trump teases 2024 presidential run in CPAC 2021 speech Trump, once again, repeated and reminded everyone about his contribution to the vaccine campaign in the US. When the pandemic hit, the US was under his leadership and he oversaw the Operation Warp Speed task force. He believes it is solely him and his administration who deserve all the credit for the mass inoculation programme being run in the US. "Never let them forget this was us. We did this," he said at CPAC. This has come as a shock due to the secrecy in which Trump and the former FLOTUS got the jab and also because, throughout his time as the POTUS in the pandemic, Trump had dismissed the seriousness of the situation. Also read | Trump-chella: CPAC 2021 sees huge crowds, amid surge in coronavirus cases The aide, who has revealed the information to the American media house CNN, claims that Trump was still receiving the benefits of the monoclonal antibody cocktail that the couple was given during his recovery from the time they had tested positive for the deadly coronavirus. This comes as a contrast to how the other former Presidents and Vice Presidents have reacted to the vaccine. The US President, who won against Trump, Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris got vaccinated on live television in December. Former President including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, too, had volunteered to get vaccinated on camera. While the former and current Presidents took the chance to raise awareness about the public safety about the vaccines, it still remains a surprise as to how did Trump miss out on a chance to gain a few extra minutes on television screens.

Donald and Melania Trump secretly vaccinated in January: Report

The coronavirus vaccines were being hailed as lifesaver and people had assumed that the inoculation drives will bring immediate relief in the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">pandemic</a> struggles.&nbsp;

However, as per a recent warning by the director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a "fourth surge" can occur before the whole population of the US is vaccinated.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/its-a-psychological-distress-japan-asks-china-to-stop-anal-swab-tests-for-coronavirus-on-citizens-367309" hreflang="en">'It's a psychological distress': Japan asks China to stop anal swab tests for coronavirus on citizens</a>

"At this level of cases, with variants spreading, we stand to completely lose the hard-earned ground we have gained," Rochelle Walensky said in a White House briefing.

Walensky urged people to not put down their guards. She asked people to not relax and keep following the coronavirus restrictions imposed by the medical experts.

"Now is not the time to relax the critical safeguards that we know can stop the spread of Covid-19 in our communities, not when we are so close. We have the ability to stop a potential fourth surge of cases in this country," she said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/astrazeneca-sells-stake-in-moderna-for-more-than-1-billion-report-367063" hreflang="en">AstraZeneca sells stake in Moderna for more than $1 billion: Report</a>

This can, however, be helped by the recently approved single-shot coronavirus vaccine of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-us-approves-johnson-johnson-coronavirus-vaccine-biden-warns-americans-366715">Johnson &amp; Johnson.</a>

Jeff Zients, the coordinator of the White House coronavirus response team, reported that the single-shot vaccine's delivery will start "as early as tomorrow".

The pharmaceutical company has a ready plan to distribute nearly 3.9 million doses of the vaccine in the upcoming days. This will add to the already-existing stockpile of Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna vaccines in the US.&nbsp;

However, he also added that "J&amp;J has indicated that the supply will be limited for the next couple of weeks".

The approval of the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine, however,&nbsp;is being predicted to be a great help in ramping up the immunisation process in the country which has lost more than 500,000 people to this deadly virus, as this vaccine only requires a single dose, as compared to the other two which are two-dose vaccines.

The coronavirus vaccines were being hailed as lifesaver and people had assumed that the inoculation drives will bring immediate relief in the pandemic struggles.

The coronavirus vaccines were being hailed as lifesaver and people had assumed that the inoculation drives will bring immediate relief in the pandemic struggles. However, as per a recent warning by the director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a "fourth surge" can occur before the whole population of the US is vaccinated. Also read | 'It's a psychological distress': Japan asks China to stop anal swab tests for coronavirus on citizens "At this level of cases, with variants spreading, we stand to completely lose the hard-earned ground we have gained," Rochelle Walensky said in a White House briefing. Walensky urged people to not put down their guards. She asked people to not relax and keep following the coronavirus restrictions imposed by the medical experts. "Now is not the time to relax the critical safeguards that we know can stop the spread of Covid-19 in our communities, not when we are so close. We have the ability to stop a potential fourth surge of cases in this country," she said. Also read | AstraZeneca sells stake in Moderna for more than $1 billion: Report This can, however, be helped by the recently approved single-shot coronavirus vaccine of Johnson & Johnson. Jeff Zients, the coordinator of the White House coronavirus response team, reported that the single-shot vaccine's delivery will start "as early as tomorrow". The pharmaceutical company has a ready plan to distribute nearly 3.9 million doses of the vaccine in the upcoming days. This will add to the already-existing stockpile of Pfizer-BioNtech and Moderna vaccines in the US. However, he also added that "J&J has indicated that the supply will be limited for the next couple of weeks". The approval of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, however, is being predicted to be a great help in ramping up the immunisation process in the country which has lost more than 500,000 people to this deadly virus, as this vaccine only requires a single dose, as compared to the other two which are two-dose vaccines.

Potential 'fourth surge' of coronavirus possible soon, CDC chief warns

The popular Pfizer-BioNtech<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine?page=1"> vaccine</a> against <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> might be a tad less effective on people suffering from obesity, a new study has revealed.

A group of Italian researchers have discovered that the healthcare workers who were injected with the Pfizer vaccine, and are obese were not able to produce as many antibodies as the other healthy healthcare workers.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-vaccines-single-dose-provides-strong-immunity-to-those-who-have-had-covid-19-study-366628" hreflang="en">Pfizer vaccine's single dose provides strong immunity to those who have had Covid-19: Study</a>

The obese healthcare workers were able to produce only half the amount of antibodies after the second jab of the Pfizer vaccine, in comparison to the healthy people.

Although the study is being pursued further and the researchers feel it is too soon as raise questions on the efficacy of the popular vaccine, this study might conclude that people with obesity need an additional booster dose of the vaccine to ensure safety against the deadly coronavirus.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-third-dose-pfizer-to-test-tweaked-vaccine-to-target-s-african-strain-of-coronavirus-366240" hreflang="en">A third dose? Pfizer to test tweaked vaccine to target S African strain of coronavirus</a>

This has come after an earlier study had suggested that obesity can increase the risk of dying by coronavirus by nearly 50 per cent, and also increases the risk of being hospitalised by 113 per cent.

Aldo Venuti, from the Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri in Rome, worked at a sample group of nearly 248 healthcare workers and assessed the data to reach this conclusion.

As per their study, 99.5 per cent of these healthcare workers had developed an antibody response seven days after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. This response was also greater than the people who had recovered from COVID-19 but was not the same in the people who were obsese and overweight.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/large-study-shows-pfizers-coronavirus-vaccine-94-effective-366057" hreflang="en">Large study shows Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine 94% effective</a>

"Since obesity is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality for patients with Covid-19, it is mandatory to plan an efficient vaccination programme in this subgroup," Venuti said. "Although further studies are needed, this data may have important implications to the development of vaccination strategies for Covid-19, particularly in obese people. If our data was to be confirmed by larger studies, giving obese people an extra dose of the vaccine or a higher dose could be options to be evaluated in this population."

However, this study is not being taken as it is due to its limitation of the sample size. "We always knew that BMI was an enormous predictor of poor immune response to vaccines, so this paper is definitely interesting, although it is based on a rather small preliminary dataset," Danny Altmann, a professor of immunology at Imperial College London was quoted by the Guardian. "It confirms that having a vaccinated population isn’t synonymous with having an immune population, especially in a country with high obesity, and emphasises the vital need for long-term immune monitoring programmes."

The popular Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine against coronavirus might be a tad less effective on people suffering from obesity, a new study has revealed. A group of Italian researchers have discovered that the healthcare workers who were injected with the Pfizer vaccine, and are obese were not able to produce as many antibodies as the other healthy healthcare workers.

The popular Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine against coronavirus might be a tad less effective on people suffering from obesity, a new study has revealed. A group of Italian researchers have discovered that the healthcare workers who were injected with the Pfizer vaccine, and are obese were not able to produce as many antibodies as the other healthy healthcare workers. Also read | Pfizer vaccine's single dose provides strong immunity to those who have had Covid-19: Study The obese healthcare workers were able to produce only half the amount of antibodies after the second jab of the Pfizer vaccine, in comparison to the healthy people. Although the study is being pursued further and the researchers feel it is too soon as raise questions on the efficacy of the popular vaccine, this study might conclude that people with obesity need an additional booster dose of the vaccine to ensure safety against the deadly coronavirus. Also read | A third dose? Pfizer to test tweaked vaccine to target S African strain of coronavirus This has come after an earlier study had suggested that obesity can increase the risk of dying by coronavirus by nearly 50 per cent, and also increases the risk of being hospitalised by 113 per cent. Aldo Venuti, from the Istituti Fisioterapici Ospitalieri in Rome, worked at a sample group of nearly 248 healthcare workers and assessed the data to reach this conclusion. As per their study, 99.5 per cent of these healthcare workers had developed an antibody response seven days after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. This response was also greater than the people who had recovered from COVID-19 but was not the same in the people who were obsese and overweight. Also read | Large study shows Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine 94% effective "Since obesity is a major risk factor for morbidity and mortality for patients with Covid-19, it is mandatory to plan an efficient vaccination programme in this subgroup," Venuti said. "Although further studies are needed, this data may have important implications to the development of vaccination strategies for Covid-19, particularly in obese people. If our data was to be confirmed by larger studies, giving obese people an extra dose of the vaccine or a higher dose could be options to be evaluated in this population." However, this study is not being taken as it is due to its limitation of the sample size. "We always knew that BMI was an enormous predictor of poor immune response to vaccines, so this paper is definitely interesting, although it is based on a rather small preliminary dataset," Danny Altmann, a professor of immunology at Imperial College London was quoted by the Guardian. "It confirms that having a vaccinated population isn’t synonymous with having an immune population, especially in a country with high obesity, and emphasises the vital need for long-term immune monitoring programmes."

Pfizer coronavirus vaccine may be less effective in obesity: Study

According to a recent study done by a group of Italian researchers has discovered that Pfizer BioNTech vaccine maybe less effective when it comes to people with obesity.

Study: Pfizer COVID-19 jabs less effective on obese people

A single dose of Pfizer-BioNTech's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine</a>&nbsp;is enough to provide strong protection to those people who have had the deadly virus, two studies from the UK claim.&nbsp;

The studies, published late on Thursday in The Lancet, bring strong evidence to conclude that people who have had coronavirus can get robust protection from Pfizer's vaccine, but only one dose.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/coronavirus-vaccine-real-world-study-confirms-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-94-effective-366229/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"This could potentially accelerate vaccine rollout," suggest one of the study's authors from the University College London and Public Health England, as reported by The New York Times.&nbsp;

They further added that by following this strategy, dangerous mutations of the virus can be negated.&nbsp;

"Wider coverage without compromising vaccine-induced immunity could help reduce variant emergence," the study said.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/a-third-dose-pfizer-to-test-tweaked-vaccine-to-target-s-african-strain-of-coronavirus-366240">A third dose? Pfizer to test tweaked vaccine to target S African strain of coronavirus</a>

The study led by University College London and Public Health England analysed data of 51 healthcare professionals in London.&nbsp;

Amongst these participants, 24 people have previously had Covid-19.&nbsp;

These healthcare workers received a single dose of Pfizer's shot and then were tested for antibodies 19 to 29 days later.

The research noted that those who have previously had coronavirus, vaccination increased their antibody levels more than 140 times. &nbsp;

"This increase appears to be at least one order of magnitude greater than reported after a conventional prime-boost vaccine strategy in previously uninfected individuals," their paper said.&nbsp;

The second paper of researchers from Imperial College London and other UK institutions included data of 72 healthcare workers who were inoculated late in December.&nbsp;

Amongst the participants, 21 have had coronavirus infection in the past.&nbsp;

These participants blood samples were taken after receiving the first dose and then 21-25 days post-inoculation.&nbsp;

The study concluded that people with previous Covid-19 infection appeared to generate better immune responses to one dose of Pfizer's drug as compared to those who had not been infected with the virus ever.

A single dose of Pfizer-BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine is enough to provide strong protection to those people who have had the deadly virus, two studies from the UK claim.

A single dose of Pfizer-BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine is enough to provide strong protection to those people who have had the deadly virus, two studies from the UK claim. The studies, published late on Thursday in The Lancet, bring strong evidence to conclude that people who have had coronavirus can get robust protection from Pfizer's vaccine, but only one dose. Watch | "This could potentially accelerate vaccine rollout," suggest one of the study's authors from the University College London and Public Health England, as reported by The New York Times. They further added that by following this strategy, dangerous mutations of the virus can be negated. "Wider coverage without compromising vaccine-induced immunity could help reduce variant emergence," the study said. Also read | A third dose? Pfizer to test tweaked vaccine to target S African strain of coronavirus The study led by University College London and Public Health England analysed data of 51 healthcare professionals in London. Amongst these participants, 24 people have previously had Covid-19. These healthcare workers received a single dose of Pfizer's shot and then were tested for antibodies 19 to 29 days later. The research noted that those who have previously had coronavirus, vaccination increased their antibody levels more than 140 times. "This increase appears to be at least one order of magnitude greater than reported after a conventional prime-boost vaccine strategy in previously uninfected individuals," their paper said. The second paper of researchers from Imperial College London and other UK institutions included data of 72 healthcare workers who were inoculated late in December. Amongst the participants, 21 have had coronavirus infection in the past. These participants blood samples were taken after receiving the first dose and then 21-25 days post-inoculation. The study concluded that people with previous Covid-19 infection appeared to generate better immune responses to one dose of Pfizer's drug as compared to those who had not been infected with the virus ever.

Pfizer vaccine's single dose provides strong immunity to those who have had Covid-19: Study

Pfizer has become a terror. The U.S. pharma company is reportedly asking for military bases and sovereign assets as guarantee for vaccines. WION's Palki Sharma has the details.

Gravitas: Pfizer's abusive vaccine deals

The first big real-world study of the Pfizer BioNTech vaccine to be independently reviewed now shows that the vaccine is highly effective in preventing COVID-19.

Coronavirus Vaccine: Real world study confirms Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine 94% effective

A massive study involving 1.2 million people published on Wednesday showed that Pfizer-BioNTech's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine </a>is 94 per cent effective.&nbsp;

For the Israeli study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, nearly 600,000 people received Pfizer's drug and an equal number of people did not receive the shots.

Watch |&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-pfizers-abusive-vaccine-deals-366048/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The people involved in both groups had similar characteristics, like age, sex, medical condition, among others.&nbsp;

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-pfizer-tried-to-bully-argentina-and-brazil-in-exchange-for-vaccines-366037">How Pfizer tried to bully Argentina and Brazil in exchange for vaccines</a>

Pfizer's vaccine, the study found, was 94 per cent effective against symptomatic Covid-19 seven or more days after the second dose was administered.

However, the efficacy for symptomatic patients reduced to 57 per cent between 14-20 days after the first dose.&nbsp;

The results of this Israeli study is close to the 95 per cent efficacy that Pfizer achieved during Phase 3 clinical trials.

It also found people who received the second shot had a 92 per cent lower chance of getting any form of infection at all compared to those who were not vaccinated.&nbsp;

"This is the first peer-reviewed large scale evidence for the effectiveness of a vaccine in real world conditions," Ben Reis, a researcher at Harvard Medical School and one of the study's authors, told news agency AFP.

The study was conducted between December 20, 2020 and February 1, 2021, a period when a newer variant first confirmed in the UK was rampant in Israel, suggesting that the vaccine works well against the variant that has alarmed experts across the world.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

A massive study involving 1.2 million people published on Wednesday showed that Pfizer-BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine is 94 per cent effective. For the Israeli study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, nearly 600,000 people received Pfizer's drug and an equal number of people did not receive the shots.

A massive study involving 1.2 million people published on Wednesday showed that Pfizer-BioNTech's coronavirus vaccine is 94 per cent effective. For the Israeli study, published in the New England Journal of Medicine, nearly 600,000 people received Pfizer's drug and an equal number of people did not receive the shots. Watch | The people involved in both groups had similar characteristics, like age, sex, medical condition, among others. Also read | How Pfizer tried to bully Argentina and Brazil in exchange for vaccines Pfizer's vaccine, the study found, was 94 per cent effective against symptomatic Covid-19 seven or more days after the second dose was administered. However, the efficacy for symptomatic patients reduced to 57 per cent between 14-20 days after the first dose. The results of this Israeli study is close to the 95 per cent efficacy that Pfizer achieved during Phase 3 clinical trials. It also found people who received the second shot had a 92 per cent lower chance of getting any form of infection at all compared to those who were not vaccinated. "This is the first peer-reviewed large scale evidence for the effectiveness of a vaccine in real world conditions," Ben Reis, a researcher at Harvard Medical School and one of the study's authors, told news agency AFP. The study was conducted between December 20, 2020 and February 1, 2021, a period when a newer variant first confirmed in the UK was rampant in Israel, suggesting that the vaccine works well against the variant that has alarmed experts across the world.

Large study shows Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine 94% effective

While countries like India are sending free vaccines to poorer nations, there are companies like Pfizer which are bullying governments. The US-based company Pfizer is holding governments to ransom, interfering with their legislation, and even demanding military bases as guarantee.

Pfizer has vaccine deals with 9 latin American and Caribbean countries - Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Yurug-waae. Two major latin American nations are missing from this list are Argentina and Brazil.

What happened in Argentina?

Talks between Argentina and Pfizer began in June 2020. In July, President Alberto Fernandez held a meeting with Pfizer's Argentina CEO.

Then, Pfizer asked to be compensated for the cost of any future civil lawsuits. If someone files a civil lawsuit against Pfizer in Argentina and wins that case, the government of Argentina and not Pfizer would pay the compensation. So, Argentina's parliament passed a new law in October 2020, but Pfizer was unhappy with its phrasing. The law said Pfizer needs to at least pay for negligence, for its own mistakes if it happens to make any in the future.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/pfizer-first-dose-85-effective-after-2-4-weeks-study-says-364816" hreflang="en">Pfizer first dose 85% effective after 2-4 weeks, study says</a>

Pfizer rejected this, after which Argentina offered to amend the law to define negligence more clearly - to include only vaccine distribution and delivery under negligence.

Pfizer was still not happy and demanded the law be amended through a new decree, which Argentina refused. Pfizer then asked Argentina to buy an international insurance to pay for potential future cases against Pfizer, to which the country agreed.

In December 2020, Pfizer came back with more demands, and demanded sovereign assets as collateral. Pfizer wanted Argentina to put its bank reserves, military bases and embassy buildings at stake. Vaccine manufacturers have always enjoyed a certain amount of liability waiver. Say you receive a vaccine from Pfizer and then you have adverse effects because of the jab.

You can always go ahead and file a lawsuit against Pfizer. If you win that lawsuit - instead of Pfizer, the government will compensate you. This is normal. In the United States for example, the PREP Act (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness act) gives total immunity to companies like Pfizer and Moderna.

But only if something goes wrong unintentionally, and this does not apply to negligence. But Pfizer wanted more - Not just sovereign assets but a fraud insurance, something with which Argentina did not agree with.

What happened in Brazil?

Pfizer went a step ahead and asked Brazil to create a guarantee fund, and deposit money in a foreign bank account.

On January 23, 2021 - Brazil’s Health Ministry put out a statement citing excerpts from Pfizer’s pre-contract clauses.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/brazil-approves-pfizer-biontech-coronavirus-vaccine-despite-unavailability-in-country-365705" hreflang="en">Brazil approves Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine despite unavailability&nbsp;in country</a>

Here’s a list of Pfizer's demands - Brazil waives the sovereignty of its assets abroad in favour of Pfizer, that the rules of the land - be not applied on Pfizer, that Brazil take into consideration a delay in delivery, that Pfizer is not penalised for a delayed delivery, and that in case of any side effects, Pfizer be exempted from all civil liability.

The government of Brazil calls these clauses abusive. The Pfizer deal with Brazil failed too.

What's Pfizer's game?

Another report by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism spoke about another country whose deal with Pfizer was reportedly pushed back by three months because the company made similar, bizarre demands.

The company has just 2 billion doses to deliver this year on a first come, first serve basis. A delay of 3 months could cost a whole year, and could cost lives. Pfizer is playing with life-saving drugs and abusing its position after having developed a vaccine with the help of government funding.

Pfizer's German partner - BioNTech was given $445 million by the government of Germany. The US paid Pfizer 2 billion dollars as early as July 2020 for pre-orders. Pfizer is looking at making 15 billion dollars from vaccine sales this year, and is in talks with 100 countries and organisations. On January 22, Pfizer signed an agreement with Covax and committed 40 million doses to poor countries this year.

Here’s what an excerpt from a press release by the company said. “At Pfizer, we believe that every person deserves to be seen, heard and cared for. That's why from the very beginning of our vaccine development program, Pfizer and BioNTech have been firmly committed to working toward equitable and affordable access of COVID-19 vaccines for people around the world”, it read.

While countries like India are sending free vaccines to poorer nations, there are companies like Pfizer which are bullying governments. The US-based company Pfizer is holding governments to ransom, interfering with their legislation, and even demanding military bases as guarantee.

While countries like India are sending free vaccines to poorer nations, there are companies like Pfizer which are bullying governments. The US-based company Pfizer is holding governments to ransom, interfering with their legislation, and even demanding military bases as guarantee. Pfizer has vaccine deals with 9 latin American and Caribbean countries - Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, and Yurug-waae. Two major latin American nations are missing from this list are Argentina and Brazil. What happened in Argentina? Talks between Argentina and Pfizer began in June 2020. In July, President Alberto Fernandez held a meeting with Pfizer's Argentina CEO. Then, Pfizer asked to be compensated for the cost of any future civil lawsuits. If someone files a civil lawsuit against Pfizer in Argentina and wins that case, the government of Argentina and not Pfizer would pay the compensation. So, Argentina's parliament passed a new law in October 2020, but Pfizer was unhappy with its phrasing. The law said Pfizer needs to at least pay for negligence, for its own mistakes if it happens to make any in the future. Also read: Pfizer first dose 85% effective after 2-4 weeks, study says Pfizer rejected this, after which Argentina offered to amend the law to define negligence more clearly - to include only vaccine distribution and delivery under negligence. Pfizer was still not happy and demanded the law be amended through a new decree, which Argentina refused. Pfizer then asked Argentina to buy an international insurance to pay for potential future cases against Pfizer, to which the country agreed. In December 2020, Pfizer came back with more demands, and demanded sovereign assets as collateral. Pfizer wanted Argentina to put its bank reserves, military bases and embassy buildings at stake. Vaccine manufacturers have always enjoyed a certain amount of liability waiver. Say you receive a vaccine from Pfizer and then you have adverse effects because of the jab. You can always go ahead and file a lawsuit against Pfizer. If you win that lawsuit - instead of Pfizer, the government will compensate you. This is normal. In the United States for example, the PREP Act (Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness act) gives total immunity to companies like Pfizer and Moderna. But only if something goes wrong unintentionally, and this does not apply to negligence. But Pfizer wanted more - Not just sovereign assets but a fraud insurance, something with which Argentina did not agree with. What happened in Brazil? Pfizer went a step ahead and asked Brazil to create a guarantee fund, and deposit money in a foreign bank account. On January 23, 2021 - Brazil’s Health Ministry put out a statement citing excerpts from Pfizer’s pre-contract clauses. Also read: Brazil approves Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine despite unavailability in country Here’s a list of Pfizer's demands - Brazil waives the sovereignty of its assets abroad in favour of Pfizer, that the rules of the land - be not applied on Pfizer, that Brazil take into consideration a delay in delivery, that Pfizer is not penalised for a delayed delivery, and that in case of any side effects, Pfizer be exempted from all civil liability. The government of Brazil calls these clauses abusive. The Pfizer deal with Brazil failed too. What's Pfizer's game? Another report by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism spoke about another country whose deal with Pfizer was reportedly pushed back by three months because the company made similar, bizarre demands. The company has just 2 billion doses to deliver this year on a first come, first serve basis. A delay of 3 months could cost a whole year, and could cost lives. Pfizer is playing with life-saving drugs and abusing its position after having developed a vaccine with the help of government funding. Pfizer's German partner - BioNTech was given $445 million by the government of Germany. The US paid Pfizer 2 billion dollars as early as July 2020 for pre-orders. Pfizer is looking at making 15 billion dollars from vaccine sales this year, and is in talks with 100 countries and organisations. On January 22, Pfizer signed an agreement with Covax and committed 40 million doses to poor countries this year. Here’s what an excerpt from a press release by the company said. “At Pfizer, we believe that every person deserves to be seen, heard and cared for. That's why from the very beginning of our vaccine development program, Pfizer and BioNTech have been firmly committed to working toward equitable and affordable access of COVID-19 vaccines for people around the world”, it read.

How Pfizer tried to bully Argentina and Brazil in exchange for vaccines

US President Joe Biden has reassured Americans that Covid vaccine shots are safe, and hold the key to beating the coronavirus pandemic.

The Democratic president on Friday visited a Pfizer factory manufacturing coronavirus vaccines -- at record speed -- in response to the global health crisis.

"The vaccines are safe. Please, for yourself, your family, your community, this country, take the vaccine when it's your turn and it's available. That's how we beat this pandemic," he said, against a backdrop of Pfizer's gleaming manufacturing equipment at the Michigan facility.

Biden said companies making the vaccines are "fastidious" and "it takes more time to do the check for safety than it does to make the vaccine. That's how fastidious they are."

"If there's one message to cut through to everyone in the country, it's this: Vaccines are safe," he added.

Biden said the programme to deliver the vaccines into people's arms is as complicated as the already intense challenges of manufacturing in huge quantities at speed.

"There has never, ever, ever been a logistical challenge as consequential as what we're trying to do, but we're getting it done," he said.&nbsp;

According to Biden, his goal of administering a million shots a day for a total of 100 million in the first 100 days of his presidency is on track to be easily surpassed, with a current average of 1.7 million vaccines a day.

Biden said that 600 million doses -- enough to cover most of the country -- were expected to be ready by the end of July.

"I believe we'll be approaching normalcy by the end of this year. God willing, this Christmas will be different to last, but I can't make that commitment," he said.

Meanwhile, the death toll is set soon to pass 500,000 in the United States.

US President Joe Biden has reassured Americans that Covid vaccine shots are safe, and hold the key to beating the coronavirus pandemic. The Democratic president on Friday visited a Pfizer factory manufacturing coronavirus vaccines -- at record speed -- in response to the global health crisis.

US President Joe Biden has reassured Americans that Covid vaccine shots are safe, and hold the key to beating the coronavirus pandemic. The Democratic president on Friday visited a Pfizer factory manufacturing coronavirus vaccines -- at record speed -- in response to the global health crisis. "The vaccines are safe. Please, for yourself, your family, your community, this country, take the vaccine when it's your turn and it's available. That's how we beat this pandemic," he said, against a backdrop of Pfizer's gleaming manufacturing equipment at the Michigan facility. Biden said companies making the vaccines are "fastidious" and "it takes more time to do the check for safety than it does to make the vaccine. That's how fastidious they are." "If there's one message to cut through to everyone in the country, it's this: Vaccines are safe," he added. Biden said the programme to deliver the vaccines into people's arms is as complicated as the already intense challenges of manufacturing in huge quantities at speed. "There has never, ever, ever been a logistical challenge as consequential as what we're trying to do, but we're getting it done," he said. According to Biden, his goal of administering a million shots a day for a total of 100 million in the first 100 days of his presidency is on track to be easily surpassed, with a current average of 1.7 million vaccines a day. Biden said that 600 million doses -- enough to cover most of the country -- were expected to be ready by the end of July. "I believe we'll be approaching normalcy by the end of this year. God willing, this Christmas will be different to last, but I can't make that commitment," he said. Meanwhile, the death toll is set soon to pass 500,000 in the United States.

Biden reassures Americans Covid vaccines are safe

The first dose of the Pfizer vaccination is 85 per cent effective against coronavirus infection between two and four weeks after inoculation, a study published in the Lancet medical journal has said.

The said survey was carried out on healthcare workers at a hospital in Israel.

The hospital, on December 19, had launched a mass vaccination campaign regarded as the world's fastest.

Israeli studies have found the Pfizer vaccine to be 95 per cent effective one week after a second jab, while the Lancet report focussed on more than 9,000 medical staff at Sheba hospital near Tel Aviv.

Some 7,000 of them received the first dose and the rest were not inoculated.

From the group, 170 were diagnosed with Covid-19 after tests carried out only on those showing symptoms or who had been in contact with coronavirus carriers.

Fifty-two per cent of them were found to have not been vaccinated.

Comparing the two groups, the Sheba study calculated that the vaccine was 47 per cent effective between one and 14 days after inoculation, rising to 85 per cent after 15 to 28 days.

Scientists are, however, still studying whether fully vaccinated people can transmit the virus to others.

Israel has delivered a shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to 4.23 million residents, or 47 per cent of its nine million population, 2.85 million of whom have received the recommended full course of two jabs, latest health ministry figures show.

(with inputs from agencies)

The first dose of the Pfizer vaccination is 85 per cent effective against coronavirus infection between two and four weeks after inoculation, a study published in the Lancet medical journal has said.

The first dose of the Pfizer vaccination is 85 per cent effective against coronavirus infection between two and four weeks after inoculation, a study published in the Lancet medical journal has said. The said survey was carried out on healthcare workers at a hospital in Israel. The hospital, on December 19, had launched a mass vaccination campaign regarded as the world's fastest. Israeli studies have found the Pfizer vaccine to be 95 per cent effective one week after a second jab, while the Lancet report focussed on more than 9,000 medical staff at Sheba hospital near Tel Aviv. Some 7,000 of them received the first dose and the rest were not inoculated. From the group, 170 were diagnosed with Covid-19 after tests carried out only on those showing symptoms or who had been in contact with coronavirus carriers. Fifty-two per cent of them were found to have not been vaccinated. Comparing the two groups, the Sheba study calculated that the vaccine was 47 per cent effective between one and 14 days after inoculation, rising to 85 per cent after 15 to 28 days. Scientists are, however, still studying whether fully vaccinated people can transmit the virus to others. Israel has delivered a shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to 4.23 million residents, or 47 per cent of its nine million population, 2.85 million of whom have received the recommended full course of two jabs, latest health ministry figures show. (with inputs from agencies)

Pfizer first dose 85% effective after 2-4 weeks, study says

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