As the world is preparing to battle the new variants of the novel <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a>, the European Union countries will start <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccination</a> drive from Sunday. Meanwhile, the Saudi&nbsp;Crown Prince joined the list of leaders who publically received a shot of the vaccine.

Click on headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-chief-says-vaccine-delivered-to-all-eu-countries-vaccination-drive-to-start-tomorrow-352587" hreflang="en">EU Chief says vaccine delivered to all EU countries; vaccination drive to start tomorrow</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/26/175937-ursula-von-der-leyen.jpg?itok=MRA2VbkX" />

Calling it a 'European success story', the European Union leader Ursula von der Leyen reported that the EU has enough doses for everyone.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spain-confirms-new-virus-strain-as-vaccines-begin-arriving-in-european-nations-352576" hreflang="en">Spain confirms new virus strain as vaccines begin arriving in European nations</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/26/175924-virusv.jpg?itok=z0Kb3GMc" />

Paris received its first tranche of the vaccine as it was delivered to the hospital with jabs set to be administered to an elderly home on Sunday.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/finland-receives-more-than-5000-applications-for-90-day-finn-relocation-programme-352577" hreflang="en">Finland receives more than 5,000 applications for '90 day Finn' relocation programme</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/09/23/161344-9.jpg?itok=woSWAo4f" />

Finland has climbed the ranks as it has been announced as the world's happiest country for the third time this year.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/monolith-christmas-edition-because-this-one-is-made-of-gingerbread-352528" hreflang="en">Monolith Christmas edition? Because this one is made of Gingerbread</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/26/175895-gingerbread-monolith.jpg?itok=FLQ0CSwU" />

The monolith is seven-feet tall. The appearance of this monolith has certainly become talk of the town and people are flocking there to take pictures and videos.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/jordan-journalist-arrested-for-claiming-officials-received-jabs-of-coronavirus-vaccine-352598" hreflang="en">Jordan: Journalist arrested for claiming officials received jabs of coronavirus vaccine</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/26/175948-jordan.jpg?itok=z9dMei9Y" />

A journalist in Jordan has been arrested after he reported the kingdom has received coronavirus vaccine and the local officials had already received shots of the vaccine.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/athens-first-official-mosque-allowed-to-reopen-for-holiday-season-352582" hreflang="en">Athens' first official mosque allowed to reopen for holiday season</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/11/07/168800-athens-first-mosque.jpg?itok=LBXwt58C" />

As the holiday season came closer, the government decided to let the faithful return to their religious place, but with a cap on maximum attendees allowed.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkmenistan-president-claims-licorice-can-cure-coronavirus-352543" hreflang="en">Turkmenistan president claims Licorice can cure coronavirus</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/26/175899-turkmenistan-president-gurbanguly-berdymukhamedov.jpg?itok=XjpkxaP4" />

The leader has a long history of moves aimed at boosting his country's fauna and flora.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-claims-it-intercepted-is-attack-plot-352541" hreflang="en">Russia claims it intercepted IS attack plot</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/26/175898-isis-attack.jpg?itok=oCQ3fV_3" />

Russia's territories in the Caucasus were ravaged by two wars between federal troops and Chechen separatists in the 1990s and 2000s.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-approves-sputnik-v-covid-19-vaccine-for-people-over-60-352530" hreflang="en">Russia approves Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine for people over 60</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/26/175896-covid-vaccineee.jpg?itok=Ka6PnjiE" />

Russia had approved its vaccine after it was tested on only a few dozen people -- between 18 and 60, touting it as “the first in the world" to receive a go-ahead.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/saudi-crown-prince-mohammed-bin-salman-gets-coronavirus-vaccine-352517" hreflang="en">Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman gets coronavirus vaccine</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/26/175890-saudi-crown-prince-vaccine.jpg?itok=QOQcCXPR" />

The Saudi crown prince is among the few world leaders to have received the vaccine.

As the world is preparing to battle the new variants of the novel coronavirus, the European Union countries will start vaccination drive from Sunday. Meanwhile, the Saudi Crown Prince joined the list of leaders who publically received a shot of the vaccine.

As the world is preparing to battle the new variants of the novel coronavirus, the European Union countries will start vaccination drive from Sunday. Meanwhile, the Saudi Crown Prince joined the list of leaders who publically received a shot of the vaccine. Click on headlines to read more EU Chief says vaccine delivered to all EU countries; vaccination drive to start tomorrow Calling it a 'European success story', the European Union leader Ursula von der Leyen reported that the EU has enough doses for everyone. Spain confirms new virus strain as vaccines begin arriving in European nations Paris received its first tranche of the vaccine as it was delivered to the hospital with jabs set to be administered to an elderly home on Sunday. Finland receives more than 5,000 applications for '90 day Finn' relocation programme Finland has climbed the ranks as it has been announced as the world's happiest country for the third time this year. Monolith Christmas edition? Because this one is made of Gingerbread The monolith is seven-feet tall. The appearance of this monolith has certainly become talk of the town and people are flocking there to take pictures and videos. Jordan: Journalist arrested for claiming officials received jabs of coronavirus vaccine A journalist in Jordan has been arrested after he reported the kingdom has received coronavirus vaccine and the local officials had already received shots of the vaccine. Athens' first official mosque allowed to reopen for holiday season As the holiday season came closer, the government decided to let the faithful return to their religious place, but with a cap on maximum attendees allowed. Turkmenistan president claims Licorice can cure coronavirus The leader has a long history of moves aimed at boosting his country's fauna and flora. Russia claims it intercepted IS attack plot Russia's territories in the Caucasus were ravaged by two wars between federal troops and Chechen separatists in the 1990s and 2000s. Russia approves Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine for people over 60 Russia had approved its vaccine after it was tested on only a few dozen people -- between 18 and 60, touting it as “the first in the world" to receive a go-ahead. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman gets coronavirus vaccine The Saudi crown prince is among the few world leaders to have received the vaccine.

Top 10 world news today: EU countries receive coronavirus vaccine, Spain finds new strain, and more

In Phase 1a of the vaccine rollout, health care workers and residents of long-term care facilities are prioritized.

U.S. vaccination dilemma: No clarity on how essential workers will be verified

Ireland has approved the use of the COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech, with first delivery expected as early as December 26, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said Friday, adding that the vaccination campaign will start next Wednesday.

"Delighted to report that I have just signed the regulation authorising the use of the Pfizer vaccine in Ireland. The first delivery will be St Stephen`s Day, first vaccinations December 30," Donnelly said on Twitter.

Saint Stephen`s Day is celebrated on December 26. On Tuesday, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin announced new restrictions that took effect on Thursday and will last through January 12, which will include shutting down restaurants, pubs, museums, galleries and libraries, while gyms and pools will be opened only for individual training. Movement between the Irish counties will be banned after Saturday

Ireland has approved the use of the COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech, with first delivery expected as early as December 26, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said Friday, adding that the vaccination campaign will start next Wednesday.

Ireland has approved the use of the COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer and BioNTech, with first delivery expected as early as December 26, Health Minister Stephen Donnelly said Friday, adding that the vaccination campaign will start next Wednesday. "Delighted to report that I have just signed the regulation authorising the use of the Pfizer vaccine in Ireland. The first delivery will be St Stephen`s Day, first vaccinations December 30," Donnelly said on Twitter. Saint Stephen`s Day is celebrated on December 26. On Tuesday, Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin announced new restrictions that took effect on Thursday and will last through January 12, which will include shutting down restaurants, pubs, museums, galleries and libraries, while gyms and pools will be opened only for individual training. Movement between the Irish counties will be banned after Saturday

Ireland approves use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, rollout to begin on Dec 30

Scientifically, it is highly likely that the immune response by this vaccine also can deal with the new virus variant.

Can new vaccines take on Covid mutation?

Millions of COVID-19 vaccines are sitting unused in U.S. hospitals and elsewhere a week into the massive inoculation campaign, putting the government's target for 20 million vaccinations this month in doubt.

As of Wednesday morning, only 1 million shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine had been given, about one-third of the first shipment sent last week. Over 9.5 million doses of vaccines, including Moderna's, have now been sent to states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

While hospitals have started giving out Moderna's vaccine, the CDC has not yet reported that data and there may be a lag in reporting shots given of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines.

The slow pace has barely picked up from the first week when 614,000 shots were given although nearly 2.9 million were shipped.

Hospitals said the first COVID-19 vaccinations started slowly last Monday as they navigated preparing the previously frozen shots for use, finding employees to run the vaccination clinics, and ensuring proper social distancing both before and after vaccination. Some said they did only about 100 shots the first day.

They were contending with a COVID-19 surge, as cases around the United States surpassed 18 million with 323,000 deaths.&nbsp;

The Trump administration promised to vaccinate 20 million by the end of the year while providing little funding to achieve the goal.

That's nine days to give out nearly 19 million shots or over 2 million people vaccinated a day including on Christmas Day.

Almost 5.9 million doses of Moderna Inc's vaccine should go out this week and an additional 2 million doses from Pfizer and partner BioNTech.

"The commitment that we can make is to make vaccine doses available," U.S. Operation Warp Speed chief adviser Dr. Moncef Slaoui said on a Wednesday press call. He noted the rate of people getting a shot in their arm is "slower than we thought it would be."

Two more vaccines may be approved in February from Johnson &amp; Johnson Inc and AstraZeneca Plc.

The government's goal is 100 million Pfizer and Moderna shots in arms by March 1.

Operation Warp Speed's General Gustave Perna, who is leading the vaccine distribution effort, on Monday said that the CDC data reflects a reporting lag and that the number of vaccinations will catch up as time goes on.

The CDC said its data may also reflect a lag between vaccine dosing and state reporting. Most nursing home vaccinations only began in mass this week, and the CDC data does not specify how many doses from the first shipment were being held by states for that group.

STAFF STRETCHED THIN

Margaret Mary Health, a 25-bed rural hospital in Indiana, built a drive-thru vaccination clinic at a local fire station and one at a local recreation center to vaccinate healthcare workers in the surrounding counties, according to Chief Executive Officer Tim Putnam.

Putnam, who has done traffic control at the clinic's drive-thru, said they have used about 400 of 1,100 doses received.

"We're asking for volunteers from our staff, volunteers from the local community college to step in and build this process from the ground up," he said.

Some of the largest U.S. hospitals inoculated more than 1,000 people per day, having done dry runs of the vaccine delivery and rollout.

Vermont, Delaware and Idaho were among states that confirmed their states had given only thousands of doses - a fraction of those available to them - during the first week.

Jason Schwartz, assistant professor of health policy at Yale School of Public Health, described the initial tally as "discouraging" and said "the challenges of getting vaccines out as quickly as we're able to manufacture them will only grow."

Johnson &amp; Johnson's one-shot vaccine could speed deployment because it requires a conventional refrigerator and has no specialized procedures to thaw out and administer, said Claire Hannan, executive director of the Association for Immunization Managers trade group. AstraZeneca's two dose vaccine also can be stored in a refrigerator.

"When it's refrigerator-stable and a one-dose regimen, it can't get any easier than that," Hannan said.

HOSPITALS START SLOWLY BUT SPEED UP

Dr. Saul Weingart, the chief medical officer of Tufts Medical Center in Boston, said the hospital had given about 750 doses of the around 3,000 available as of Friday. It started with 100 shots per day and worked up to about 450, he said.

He said experts at the hospital modeled that giving Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine would take 10 minutes, about two to three times as long as a flu shot, due to the procedures needed because the vaccine is stored in a deep freeze. Patients need to socially distance before and after being given the vaccine and be monitored for allergic reactions.

The United States gives 170 million flu vaccinations each year within a few months, but for the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States must give about three times that number of shots - the Pfizer and Moderna shots are two doses - to reach most Americans by July. At its current pace, the U.S. appears to have the capacity to administer less than a third of the shots that are shipped in a given week, underscoring the gap.

A spokesperson for Houston Methodist, a hospital in Houston, Texas, said it had given 8,300 employees the vaccine as of Monday with about 7,000 doses left from the first shipment.

The University of Southern California's Keck Medicine medical school has vaccinated over 3,000 employees and said it will take six weeks for everyone, similar to its flu vaccination schedule.

States and health departments need federal money to hire staff, from data center workers to track inoculations to call center employees to field questions, said Adriane Casalotti, chief of government and public affairs of the National Association of County and City Health Officials.

The U.S. Congress's current coronavirus aid package sets aside more than $8 billion for vaccine distribution but is delayed.

"You can't hire someone in December and train them up if you don’t know you can pay them in January," Casalotti said.

Millions of COVID-19 vaccines are sitting unused in U.S. hospitals and elsewhere a week into the massive inoculation campaign, putting the government's target for 20 million vaccinations this month in doubt.

Millions of COVID-19 vaccines are sitting unused in U.S. hospitals and elsewhere a week into the massive inoculation campaign, putting the government's target for 20 million vaccinations this month in doubt. As of Wednesday morning, only 1 million shots of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine had been given, about one-third of the first shipment sent last week. Over 9.5 million doses of vaccines, including Moderna's, have now been sent to states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While hospitals have started giving out Moderna's vaccine, the CDC has not yet reported that data and there may be a lag in reporting shots given of both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines. The slow pace has barely picked up from the first week when 614,000 shots were given although nearly 2.9 million were shipped. Hospitals said the first COVID-19 vaccinations started slowly last Monday as they navigated preparing the previously frozen shots for use, finding employees to run the vaccination clinics, and ensuring proper social distancing both before and after vaccination. Some said they did only about 100 shots the first day. They were contending with a COVID-19 surge, as cases around the United States surpassed 18 million with 323,000 deaths. The Trump administration promised to vaccinate 20 million by the end of the year while providing little funding to achieve the goal. That's nine days to give out nearly 19 million shots or over 2 million people vaccinated a day including on Christmas Day. Almost 5.9 million doses of Moderna Inc's vaccine should go out this week and an additional 2 million doses from Pfizer and partner BioNTech. "The commitment that we can make is to make vaccine doses available," U.S. Operation Warp Speed chief adviser Dr. Moncef Slaoui said on a Wednesday press call. He noted the rate of people getting a shot in their arm is "slower than we thought it would be." Two more vaccines may be approved in February from Johnson & Johnson Inc and AstraZeneca Plc. The government's goal is 100 million Pfizer and Moderna shots in arms by March 1. Operation Warp Speed's General Gustave Perna, who is leading the vaccine distribution effort, on Monday said that the CDC data reflects a reporting lag and that the number of vaccinations will catch up as time goes on. The CDC said its data may also reflect a lag between vaccine dosing and state reporting. Most nursing home vaccinations only began in mass this week, and the CDC data does not specify how many doses from the first shipment were being held by states for that group. STAFF STRETCHED THIN Margaret Mary Health, a 25-bed rural hospital in Indiana, built a drive-thru vaccination clinic at a local fire station and one at a local recreation center to vaccinate healthcare workers in the surrounding counties, according to Chief Executive Officer Tim Putnam. Putnam, who has done traffic control at the clinic's drive-thru, said they have used about 400 of 1,100 doses received. "We're asking for volunteers from our staff, volunteers from the local community college to step in and build this process from the ground up," he said. Some of the largest U.S. hospitals inoculated more than 1,000 people per day, having done dry runs of the vaccine delivery and rollout. Vermont, Delaware and Idaho were among states that confirmed their states had given only thousands of doses - a fraction of those available to them - during the first week. Jason Schwartz, assistant professor of health policy at Yale School of Public Health, described the initial tally as "discouraging" and said "the challenges of getting vaccines out as quickly as we're able to manufacture them will only grow." Johnson & Johnson's one-shot vaccine could speed deployment because it requires a conventional refrigerator and has no specialized procedures to thaw out and administer, said Claire Hannan, executive director of the Association for Immunization Managers trade group. AstraZeneca's two dose vaccine also can be stored in a refrigerator. "When it's refrigerator-stable and a one-dose regimen, it can't get any easier than that," Hannan said. HOSPITALS START SLOWLY BUT SPEED UP Dr. Saul Weingart, the chief medical officer of Tufts Medical Center in Boston, said the hospital had given about 750 doses of the around 3,000 available as of Friday. It started with 100 shots per day and worked up to about 450, he said. He said experts at the hospital modeled that giving Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine would take 10 minutes, about two to three times as long as a flu shot, due to the procedures needed because the vaccine is stored in a deep freeze. Patients need to socially distance before and after being given the vaccine and be monitored for allergic reactions. The United States gives 170 million flu vaccinations each year within a few months, but for the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States must give about three times that number of shots - the Pfizer and Moderna shots are two doses - to reach most Americans by July. At its current pace, the U.S. appears to have the capacity to administer less than a third of the shots that are shipped in a given week, underscoring the gap. A spokesperson for Houston Methodist, a hospital in Houston, Texas, said it had given 8,300 employees the vaccine as of Monday with about 7,000 doses left from the first shipment. The University of Southern California's Keck Medicine medical school has vaccinated over 3,000 employees and said it will take six weeks for everyone, similar to its flu vaccination schedule. States and health departments need federal money to hire staff, from data center workers to track inoculations to call center employees to field questions, said Adriane Casalotti, chief of government and public affairs of the National Association of County and City Health Officials. The U.S. Congress's current coronavirus aid package sets aside more than $8 billion for vaccine distribution but is delayed. "You can't hire someone in December and train them up if you don’t know you can pay them in January," Casalotti said.

Millions of US vaccine doses sit on ice, putting 2020 goal in doubt

EU regulator has finally approved the coronavirus vaccine by&nbsp;Pfizer-BioNTech for usage in the European Union countries, EMA chief reported on Monday.

In a breakthrough statement, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) chief Emer Cooke also reassured people that the existing vaccine can work against the new variant of the novel coronavirus — a claim nobody had made till now.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-uk-australia-detects-new-fast-spreading-coronavirus-strain-351398">After UK, Australia detects new fast-spreading coronavirus strain</a>

"At this moment there is no evidence to suggest this vaccine will not work against the new variant," Cooke said in a press conference.

"EMA's scientific opinion paves the way for the first marketing authorisation of a #COVID19vaccine in the EU with the corresponding safeguards, controls and obligations," she further said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-bans-flights-from-uk-over-new-covid-19-variant-spread-351346">India bans flights from UK over new Covid-19 variant spread</a>

Thanking the efforts of numerous scientists and health experts from around the world, Cooke said, "I am delighted to announce that the EMA scientific committee met today and recommended a conditional marketing authorisation in the EU for the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech."

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Emer Cooke, EMA's Exec. Director: EMA's scientific opinion paves the way for the first marketing authorisation of a <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19vaccine?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19vaccine</a> in the EU with the corresponding safeguards, controls and obligations.
— EU Medicines Agency (@EMA_News) <a href="https://twitter.com/EMA_News/status/1341022012916051969?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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She added, "EMA’s scientific assessment is based on the strength of the scientific evidence on the vaccine’s safety, quality and efficacy, and nothing else. The evidence convincingly shows that benefits are greater than the risks of this COVID-19 vaccine."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/covid-20-twitter-abuzz-with-conspiracy-theories-after-discovery-of-new-strain-of-coronavirus-351388" hreflang="en">COVID-20? Twitter abuzz with conspiracy theories after discovery of new strain of coronavirus</a>

Harald Enzmann, head of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) also revealed that the clinical trial&nbsp;conducted for this vaccine has been one of the biggest in the history of EMA. "The main clinical trial for this vaccine, which enrolled over 43,000 people, is one of the largest we have ever evaluated for a vaccine," he claimed.

The new decision taken by the EU regulator will cover all the 27 countries.&nbsp;

Cooke called it a historic moment for the world, especially the EU, as "within less than a year a vaccine will have been developed and authorised against this disease."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/countries-that-have-blocked-travel-from-uk-after-the-emergence-of-new-strain-of-coronavirus-351376" hreflang="en">Countries that have blocked travel from UK after the emergence of new strain of coronavirus</a>

The decision came a few days after the European Union leader&nbsp;Ursula von der Leyen set a target start date of December 27-29 to vaccinate the masses in the EU. Ursula also took to Twitter to express her happiness over the decision taken by EMA. "It’s a decisive moment in our efforts to deliver safe &amp; effective vaccines to Europeans!The @EMA_News just issued a positive scientific opinion on the #BioNTech / @pfizer vaccine.Now we will act fast. I expect a @EU_Commissiondecision by this evening," she tweeted.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
It’s a decisive moment in our efforts to deliver safe &amp; effective vaccines to Europeans! 
 
The <a href="https://twitter.com/EMA_News?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EMA_News</a> just issued a positive scientific opinion on the <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BioNTech?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BioNTech</a> / <a href="https://twitter.com/pfizer?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@pfizer</a> vaccine. 
 
Now we will act fast. I expect a <a href="https://twitter.com/EU_Commission?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@EU_Commission</a> decision by this evening.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) <a href="https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1341022130591440896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 21, 2020</a></blockquote>
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Meanwhile, BioNTech and Pfizer said they were "standing by ready" to deliver the vaccine across the continent once they receive the orders. "We are standing by ready to start the delivery of initial vaccine doses across the EU as soon as we get the green light," said&nbsp;the German company's co-founder Ugur Sahin.

"Today is a particularly personal and emotional day for us at BioNTech. Being in the heart of the EU, we are thrilled to be one step closer to potentially delivering the first vaccine in Europe to help combat this devastating pandemic," he expressed his happiness over the EMA's approval for usage of the coronavirus vaccine in the EU.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/fineprint-eu-regulator-clears-way-for-use-of-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-in-europe-351434">Also watch|</a>

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&nbsp;

EU regulator has finally approved the coronavirus vaccine by Pfizer-BioNTech for usage in the European Union countries, EMA chief reported on Monday. In a breakthrough statement, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) chief Emer Cooke also reassured people that the existing vaccine can work against the new variant of the novel coronavirus — a claim nobody had made till now.

EU regulator has finally approved the coronavirus vaccine by Pfizer-BioNTech for usage in the European Union countries, EMA chief reported on Monday. In a breakthrough statement, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) chief Emer Cooke also reassured people that the existing vaccine can work against the new variant of the novel coronavirus — a claim nobody had made till now. Also read| After UK, Australia detects new fast-spreading coronavirus strain "At this moment there is no evidence to suggest this vaccine will not work against the new variant," Cooke said in a press conference. "EMA's scientific opinion paves the way for the first marketing authorisation of a #COVID19vaccine in the EU with the corresponding safeguards, controls and obligations," she further said. Also read| India bans flights from UK over new Covid-19 variant spread Thanking the efforts of numerous scientists and health experts from around the world, Cooke said, "I am delighted to announce that the EMA scientific committee met today and recommended a conditional marketing authorisation in the EU for the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech." Emer Cooke, EMA's Exec. Director: EMA's scientific opinion paves the way for the first marketing authorisation of a #COVID19vaccine in the EU with the corresponding safeguards, controls and obligations. — EU Medicines Agency (@EMA_News) December 21, 2020 × She added, "EMA’s scientific assessment is based on the strength of the scientific evidence on the vaccine’s safety, quality and efficacy, and nothing else. The evidence convincingly shows that benefits are greater than the risks of this COVID-19 vaccine." Also read| COVID-20? Twitter abuzz with conspiracy theories after discovery of new strain of coronavirus Harald Enzmann, head of the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) of the European Medicines Agency (EMA) also revealed that the clinical trial conducted for this vaccine has been one of the biggest in the history of EMA. "The main clinical trial for this vaccine, which enrolled over 43,000 people, is one of the largest we have ever evaluated for a vaccine," he claimed. The new decision taken by the EU regulator will cover all the 27 countries. Cooke called it a historic moment for the world, especially the EU, as "within less than a year a vaccine will have been developed and authorised against this disease." Also read| Countries that have blocked travel from UK after the emergence of new strain of coronavirus The decision came a few days after the European Union leader Ursula von der Leyen set a target start date of December 27-29 to vaccinate the masses in the EU. Ursula also took to Twitter to express her happiness over the decision taken by EMA. "It’s a decisive moment in our efforts to deliver safe & effective vaccines to Europeans!The @EMA_News just issued a positive scientific opinion on the #BioNTech / @pfizer vaccine.Now we will act fast. I expect a @EU_Commissiondecision by this evening," she tweeted. It’s a decisive moment in our efforts to deliver safe & effective vaccines to Europeans! The @EMA_News just issued a positive scientific opinion on the #BioNTech / @pfizer vaccine. Now we will act fast. I expect a @EU_Commission decision by this evening. — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 21, 2020 × Meanwhile, BioNTech and Pfizer said they were "standing by ready" to deliver the vaccine across the continent once they receive the orders. "We are standing by ready to start the delivery of initial vaccine doses across the EU as soon as we get the green light," said the German company's co-founder Ugur Sahin. "Today is a particularly personal and emotional day for us at BioNTech. Being in the heart of the EU, we are thrilled to be one step closer to potentially delivering the first vaccine in Europe to help combat this devastating pandemic," he expressed his happiness over the EMA's approval for usage of the coronavirus vaccine in the EU. Also watch| ×

'It works against new variant too': EU approves Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine

Europe's medicines regulator on Monday approved the use of the COVID-19 vaccine jointly developed by U.S. company Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, putting Europe on course to start inoculations within a week.

Fineprint: EU regulator clears way for use of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in Europe

The European Union (EU) approved the&nbsp;Pfizer-BioNTech <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccine</a> against COVID-19, a few days after the UK and South Africa identified a new strain of coronavirus. After the UK, Italy and Australia, too, reported cases of the new variant of the deadly virus. Other than the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">COVID-19</a> news,&nbsp;China has called <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/donald-trump">Donald Trump's</a> accusation 'farce' on involvement in cyberattack.

Click on headlines to read more

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/it-works-against-new-variant-too-eu-approves-pfizer-biontech-coronavirus-vaccine-351418" hreflang="en">'It works against new variant too': EU approves Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/04/172504-pfizer-incs-covid-19-vaccine.jpg?itok=QIPAysh0" />

EMA chief&nbsp;also reassured people that the existing vaccine can work against the new variant of the novel coronavirus — a claim nobody had made till now.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/after-uk-australia-detects-new-fast-spreading-coronavirus-strain-351398">After UK, Australia detects new fast-spreading coronavirus strain</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/17/174505-untitled-design.jpg?itok=V9hbH72b" />

Australia's Health Minister Greg Hunt said there are no plans to follow other countries in halting flights from the UK.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-calls-trumps-accusation-farce-on-involvement-in-cyberattack-351359">China calls Trump's accusation 'farce' on involvement in cyberattack</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/21/175096-untitled-design.jpg?itok=ywqJo0T7" />

Donald&nbsp;Trump on Twitter on Saturday played down Russian involvement on the cyberattack on several US government agencies and said that China 'may'&nbsp;also be involved.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/astrazeneca-signs-memorandum-of-cooperation-with-russias-sputnik-v-to-combine-covid-19-vaccine-351417" hreflang="en">AstraZeneca signs memorandum of cooperation with Russia to combine vaccine</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/21/175136-untitled-design-15.jpg?itok=bbyJ8eqr" />

Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed British drugmaker AstraZeneca's decision to test combining its own experimental COVID-19 vaccine with Russia's Sputnik V shot.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thailands-pm-prayut-blames-migrant-workers-for-covid-19-outbreak-351391" hreflang="en">Thailand's PM Prayut blames migrant workers for COVID-19 outbreak</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2019/03/24/87594-untitled-design-3.jpg?itok=nmVjmzRk" />

'They snuck out and came back in,' Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said blaming migrant workers for seafood market COVID-19 outbreak.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-says-prepared-to-react-if-iran-seeks-to-avenge-its-top-generals-killing-351255" hreflang="en">US says ‘prepared to react’ if Iran seeks to avenge its top general's killing</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/01/08/122910-untitled-design.jpg?itok=6KHiFFE_" />

In an apparent sign of US military leaders' concerns about Iranian intentions after Soleimani's killing, McKenzie's current tour was not announced in advance.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/malaysian-ex-mp-hosts-drive-thru-wedding-for-son-10000-people-participate-351378" hreflang="en">Malaysian ex-MP hosts drive-thru wedding for son; 10,000 people participate</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/21/175116-covid-19-drive-thru-malaysian-wedding.jpg?itok=J5C5xDZk" />

The Malaysian politician along with his wife and the newly-wedded couple dressed up for the special day and stood at a designated point from where they waved and shared greetings with the guests who were seated in their cars.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/crime-will-increase-dramatically-with-covid-19-vaccine-rollout-interpol-351361" hreflang="en">Crime will increase 'dramatically' with COVID-19 vaccine rollout: Interpol</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/21/175093-covid-19-vaccine-theft.jpg?itok=71nRv75X" />

Interpol chief Juergen Stock has warned the world about a possible 'dramatic' increase in the theft and other crimes related to the COVID-19 vaccine.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/deadly-brain-eating-amoeba-is-spreading-in-us-scientists-issue-warning-351357" hreflang="en">Deadly brain-eating amoeba is spreading in US, scientists issue warning</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/21/175095-untitled-design-4.jpg?itok=89069Pc1" />

Naegleria fowleri is typically found in living, breathing people of freshwater, including lakes and streams.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/vietnam-important-pillar-of-indias-act-east-policy-pm-narendra-modi-351386">Vietnam 'important pillar' of India's Act East Policy: PM Narendra Modi</a>

<img src="https://cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/styles/story_page/public/2020/12/21/175121-untitled-design.jpg?itok=ds7HV0lE" />

The Indian prime minister also said that Vietnam is an 'important pillar of India's Act East Policy' and a 'big partner' of India's Indo-Pacific vision.

The European Union (EU) approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19, a few days after the UK and South Africa identified a new strain of coronavirus. After the UK, Italy and Australia, too, reported cases of the new variant of the deadly virus.

The European Union (EU) approved the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine against COVID-19, a few days after the UK and South Africa identified a new strain of coronavirus. After the UK, Italy and Australia, too, reported cases of the new variant of the deadly virus. Other than the COVID-19 news, China has called Donald Trump's accusation 'farce' on involvement in cyberattack. Click on headlines to read more 'It works against new variant too': EU approves Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine EMA chief also reassured people that the existing vaccine can work against the new variant of the novel coronavirus — a claim nobody had made till now. After UK, Australia detects new fast-spreading coronavirus strain Australia's Health Minister Greg Hunt said there are no plans to follow other countries in halting flights from the UK. China calls Trump's accusation 'farce' on involvement in cyberattack Donald Trump on Twitter on Saturday played down Russian involvement on the cyberattack on several US government agencies and said that China 'may' also be involved. AstraZeneca signs memorandum of cooperation with Russia to combine vaccine Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed British drugmaker AstraZeneca's decision to test combining its own experimental COVID-19 vaccine with Russia's Sputnik V shot. Thailand's PM Prayut blames migrant workers for COVID-19 outbreak 'They snuck out and came back in,' Thailand's Prime Minister Prayut Chan-O-Cha said blaming migrant workers for seafood market COVID-19 outbreak. US says ‘prepared to react’ if Iran seeks to avenge its top general's killing In an apparent sign of US military leaders' concerns about Iranian intentions after Soleimani's killing, McKenzie's current tour was not announced in advance. Malaysian ex-MP hosts drive-thru wedding for son; 10,000 people participate The Malaysian politician along with his wife and the newly-wedded couple dressed up for the special day and stood at a designated point from where they waved and shared greetings with the guests who were seated in their cars. Crime will increase 'dramatically' with COVID-19 vaccine rollout: Interpol Interpol chief Juergen Stock has warned the world about a possible 'dramatic' increase in the theft and other crimes related to the COVID-19 vaccine. Deadly brain-eating amoeba is spreading in US, scientists issue warning Naegleria fowleri is typically found in living, breathing people of freshwater, including lakes and streams. Vietnam 'important pillar' of India's Act East Policy: PM Narendra Modi The Indian prime minister also said that Vietnam is an 'important pillar of India's Act East Policy' and a 'big partner' of India's Indo-Pacific vision.

Top 10 world news today: EU approves Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, new strain cases found in Australia, and more

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu has become the first Israeli citizen to receives Pfizer-Biotech COVID vaccine. Moment later the Israeli health minster also get vaccinated, both the leaders vaccinated in front of live tv to set an example.

Israel PM Benjamin Netanyahu receives COVID-19 vaccine Jab

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said it is monitoring reports of allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccination and made recommendations on how people with histories of allergies should proceed.

The agency defined severe as needing the medication epinephrine or treatment in a hospital, adding that anyone who had a severe reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine should not get the second dose.

People who have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in a COVID-19 vaccine should avoid the vaccine formulation containing the ingredient, CDC said. Two vaccines have been approved in the United States under emergency use authorisations.

Individuals with histories of severe allergic reaction to vaccines should consult their doctors about the COVID-19 shot. The CDC said people with severe allergies to food, pets, latex or environmental conditions as well as people with allergies to oral medication or a family history of severe allergic reactions could still get vaccinated.

Britain's medical regulator has said that anyone with a history of anaphylaxis, or severe allergic reactions to a medicine or food, should not be given the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

It was earlier reported that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating around five allergic reactions that happened after people were administered Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE's COVID-19 vaccine in the United States this week.

On Friday, the FDA said that the Moderna Inc vaccine, which received emergency use authorization, should not be given to individuals with a known history of a severe allergic reaction to any components of the shot.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said it is monitoring reports of allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccination and made recommendations on how people with histories of allergies should proceed.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said it is monitoring reports of allergic reactions to the COVID-19 vaccination and made recommendations on how people with histories of allergies should proceed. The agency defined severe as needing the medication epinephrine or treatment in a hospital, adding that anyone who had a severe reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine should not get the second dose. People who have had a severe allergic reaction to any ingredient in a COVID-19 vaccine should avoid the vaccine formulation containing the ingredient, CDC said. Two vaccines have been approved in the United States under emergency use authorisations. Individuals with histories of severe allergic reaction to vaccines should consult their doctors about the COVID-19 shot. The CDC said people with severe allergies to food, pets, latex or environmental conditions as well as people with allergies to oral medication or a family history of severe allergic reactions could still get vaccinated. Britain's medical regulator has said that anyone with a history of anaphylaxis, or severe allergic reactions to a medicine or food, should not be given the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. It was earlier reported that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating around five allergic reactions that happened after people were administered Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE's COVID-19 vaccine in the United States this week. On Friday, the FDA said that the Moderna Inc vaccine, which received emergency use authorization, should not be given to individuals with a known history of a severe allergic reaction to any components of the shot.

US CDC issues guidelines on Covid vaccination after allergic reactions

Since its arrival Monday, the coronavirus vaccine has brought hope to New Yorkers.

But so far, only a few have actually been administered the vaccine.

In the first 72 hours after the vaccine’s arrival, some 5,200 health care workers in New York City received the first of two doses, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday. It was a slow start to what officials are calling the greatest mass vaccination campaign in the past 50 years, perhaps since polio.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/belgian-minister-accidentally-reveals-covid-19-vaccine-price-list-on-twitter-351043" hreflang="en">Belgian minister 'accidentally' reveals COVID-19 vaccine price list on Twitter</a>

In fact, in the first three days of vaccinations, more than twice as many new coronavirus cases have been reported in the city as shots administered.

Mass citywide distribution isn’t expected for months. But the first week has brought at least some clarity on how the process might go.

It’s going to move slowly, at least initially

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/can-a-televised-vaccination-undo-months-of-skepticism-350977" hreflang="en">Can a televised vaccination undo months of skepticism?</a>

On Monday, as the first shipments of vaccines arrived, Gov. Andrew Cuomo predicted a speedy rollout. “Today we’re in the process of administering 10,000 vaccines,” he said.

But two days later, the state health commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker, said only 4,000 people had been vaccinated across the state.

Hospitals took it slow from the start. At Mount Sinai in Manhattan, about 25 people were vaccinated at the health system’s flagship hospital Tuesday shortly after it received its first shipment, though doctors there said the vaccination program would quickly scale up.

“We’re going to need to pick up the pace dramatically just to vaccinate all our health care workers, let alone the population at large,” said Mark Levine, a New York City councilman who is chair of the City Council’s Committee on Health.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-fda-investigating-5-allergic-reactions-after-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine-in-country-350896" hreflang="en">US FDA investigating 5 allergic reactions after Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in country</a>

Hospitals do expect to quicken the pace. But with so many unanswered questions at the start of the week — when the vaccine would arrive, how many doses they would receive — it did not make sense to schedule too many people for vaccinations at first.

So the vaccination campaign is off to a slow start. In 1947, New York City managed to vaccinate a few million people against smallpox in a matter of weeks.

Fewer doses arrived than anticipated

Earlier this month, Cuomo said that New York state would receive 170,000 doses of the vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Cuomo said only about 87,000 of that initial batch had arrived. By Friday, the rest of the shipment had arrived, according to the governor’s office.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-authorises-moderna-as-second-covid-19-vaccine-350878" hreflang="en">US authorises Moderna as second Covid-19 vaccine</a>

Amid growing scarcity, the state Health Department has instructed hospitals in New York not to publicly disclose how much they received, even asking them to sign a memorandum of understanding, representatives of three hospital systems said.

“Due to the potential for security concerns, the MOU requires facilities not to disclose quantity on hand,” the state Department of Health said in a statement.

Levine said he believed that hospitals got slightly under 1,000 doses each, although a single hospital system like Mount Sinai or NewYork-Presbyterian may have received shipments at multiple hospitals.

Regardless, the doses that did arrive were well-received.

On Tuesday, Ji Won Lee, an emergency room nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital, said she was inspired by watching the video of a nurse in Queens, Sandra Lindsay, become the first person in the U.S. to be vaccinated.

“It was groundbreaking,” she said. “We have been waiting for this vaccine for so many months, for this pandemic to be over.”

“I wanted it, too,” she added.

Being first can be worrisome

While many health care workers are eager to be vaccinated, some acknowledge feeling ambivalent.

In authorizing the Pfizer vaccine, which during a clinical trial appeared to offer strong protection against the virus, the FDA said it found no “meaningful imbalances” in serious health complications between those that received the vaccine and those that received the placebo in a large-scale trial.

But that was not enough to convince all health care workers, who are part of Phase 1 of vaccine distribution.

“Some of my colleagues feel they want to wait for the second wave,” said Petrona Ennis-Welch, a critical care nurse and the first health care worker to receive the vaccine at Mount Sinai Hospital this week. “They do not want to be a part of the first round. They want to see how people do — which is understandable.”

Ennis-Welch, 54, has been treating coronavirus patients since March, when the first wave brought a surge of desperately sick people to emergency rooms across the city. “Patients were very ill, and they were dying quickly,” she recalled.

She acknowledged that even she had some misgivings. “To be honest, I had concerns, but when I stopped to think about it, I said, ‘You know, you’re here working every day, you’re among COVID patients, you really should just take it,’” she recalled.

Still, it seemed that the overwhelming majority of health care workers would choose to be vaccinated. At Northwell Health, the state’s largest hospital system, more than 1,600 people had been vaccinated by midday Thursday. Only two people had declined or deferred, said Joe Kemp, a spokesperson for the hospital.

One of the earliest Mount Sinai Hospital employees to be vaccinated was John Gomez, 53, who cleans hospital floors and patient rooms. Back in March, he fell sick with a severe case of the virus and was hospitalized for about a week.

When he heard a vaccine was available, it was an easy decision: “I’ll take it,” he said.

He noted that among some of his colleagues in housekeeping, the vaccine might prove a tougher sell. He had heard a number of conspiracy theories from them.

Past infection didn’t eliminate anyone

Some of those receiving the vaccine likely already have some protection against the coronavirus from a past infection. At Mount Sinai, several of the first group to be vaccinated recalled being sick with the virus or testing positive for antibodies.

Dr. Jolion McGreevy, medical director of the emergency department, said he had the coronavirus a couple of months ago, though it was a light case with just one day of symptoms.

“It’s important protection, not just for us, but more importantly for the patients we care for and our families at home,” McGreevy said about the shot he had received just a few minutes earlier.

The amount and duration of protection that past COVID-19 infections offer is not fully understood, but some researchers believe that many people likely experience some long-term protection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that clinical trials suggest the vaccine “is safe and likely efficacious” in people who have had prior coronavirus infections.

Dr. Dave Chokshi, the New York City health commissioner, has said an “antibody test result has no bearing on whether or not you should get a COVID-19 vaccine.”

That’s an important point in New York City, where one study suggested that more than one-fifth of the city’s residents had the coronavirus during the first wave in the spring.

More is on the way

The Pfizer vaccine has so far received the most attention, because it’s the first vaccine the FDA has authorized for emergency use.

But the Moderna vaccine, which received FDA approval on Friday night, could start arriving in New York early next week in larger numbers than the Pfizer vaccine. Cuomo has said he expected the state to soon receive 346,000 doses from Moderna.

But the initial shipments from Pfizer and Moderna won’t even cover half of the 1.8 million people in the state who form part of the Phase 1 group, which also includes nursing home residents and workers.

On Wednesday, Cuomo indicated that Phase 2, which includes those categorized as essential workers, isn’t likely to start until late January.

Since its arrival Monday, the coronavirus vaccine has brought hope to New Yorkers. But so far, only a few have actually been administered the vaccine. In the first 72 hours after the vaccine’s arrival, some 5,200 health care workers in New York City received the first of two doses, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday.

Since its arrival Monday, the coronavirus vaccine has brought hope to New Yorkers. But so far, only a few have actually been administered the vaccine. In the first 72 hours after the vaccine’s arrival, some 5,200 health care workers in New York City received the first of two doses, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday. It was a slow start to what officials are calling the greatest mass vaccination campaign in the past 50 years, perhaps since polio. Also read| Belgian minister 'accidentally' reveals COVID-19 vaccine price list on Twitter In fact, in the first three days of vaccinations, more than twice as many new coronavirus cases have been reported in the city as shots administered. Mass citywide distribution isn’t expected for months. But the first week has brought at least some clarity on how the process might go. It’s going to move slowly, at least initially Also read| Can a televised vaccination undo months of skepticism? On Monday, as the first shipments of vaccines arrived, Gov. Andrew Cuomo predicted a speedy rollout. “Today we’re in the process of administering 10,000 vaccines,” he said. But two days later, the state health commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker, said only 4,000 people had been vaccinated across the state. Hospitals took it slow from the start. At Mount Sinai in Manhattan, about 25 people were vaccinated at the health system’s flagship hospital Tuesday shortly after it received its first shipment, though doctors there said the vaccination program would quickly scale up. “We’re going to need to pick up the pace dramatically just to vaccinate all our health care workers, let alone the population at large,” said Mark Levine, a New York City councilman who is chair of the City Council’s Committee on Health. Also read| US FDA investigating 5 allergic reactions after Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in country Hospitals do expect to quicken the pace. But with so many unanswered questions at the start of the week — when the vaccine would arrive, how many doses they would receive — it did not make sense to schedule too many people for vaccinations at first. So the vaccination campaign is off to a slow start. In 1947, New York City managed to vaccinate a few million people against smallpox in a matter of weeks. Fewer doses arrived than anticipated Earlier this month, Cuomo said that New York state would receive 170,000 doses of the vaccine made by Pfizer and BioNTech on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Cuomo said only about 87,000 of that initial batch had arrived. By Friday, the rest of the shipment had arrived, according to the governor’s office. Also read| US authorises Moderna as second Covid-19 vaccine Amid growing scarcity, the state Health Department has instructed hospitals in New York not to publicly disclose how much they received, even asking them to sign a memorandum of understanding, representatives of three hospital systems said. “Due to the potential for security concerns, the MOU requires facilities not to disclose quantity on hand,” the state Department of Health said in a statement. Levine said he believed that hospitals got slightly under 1,000 doses each, although a single hospital system like Mount Sinai or NewYork-Presbyterian may have received shipments at multiple hospitals. Regardless, the doses that did arrive were well-received. On Tuesday, Ji Won Lee, an emergency room nurse at Mount Sinai Hospital, said she was inspired by watching the video of a nurse in Queens, Sandra Lindsay, become the first person in the U.S. to be vaccinated. “It was groundbreaking,” she said. “We have been waiting for this vaccine for so many months, for this pandemic to be over.” “I wanted it, too,” she added. Being first can be worrisome While many health care workers are eager to be vaccinated, some acknowledge feeling ambivalent. In authorizing the Pfizer vaccine, which during a clinical trial appeared to offer strong protection against the virus, the FDA said it found no “meaningful imbalances” in serious health complications between those that received the vaccine and those that received the placebo in a large-scale trial. But that was not enough to convince all health care workers, who are part of Phase 1 of vaccine distribution. “Some of my colleagues feel they want to wait for the second wave,” said Petrona Ennis-Welch, a critical care nurse and the first health care worker to receive the vaccine at Mount Sinai Hospital this week. “They do not want to be a part of the first round. They want to see how people do — which is understandable.” Ennis-Welch, 54, has been treating coronavirus patients since March, when the first wave brought a surge of desperately sick people to emergency rooms across the city. “Patients were very ill, and they were dying quickly,” she recalled. She acknowledged that even she had some misgivings. “To be honest, I had concerns, but when I stopped to think about it, I said, ‘You know, you’re here working every day, you’re among COVID patients, you really should just take it,’” she recalled. Still, it seemed that the overwhelming majority of health care workers would choose to be vaccinated. At Northwell Health, the state’s largest hospital system, more than 1,600 people had been vaccinated by midday Thursday. Only two people had declined or deferred, said Joe Kemp, a spokesperson for the hospital. One of the earliest Mount Sinai Hospital employees to be vaccinated was John Gomez, 53, who cleans hospital floors and patient rooms. Back in March, he fell sick with a severe case of the virus and was hospitalized for about a week. When he heard a vaccine was available, it was an easy decision: “I’ll take it,” he said. He noted that among some of his colleagues in housekeeping, the vaccine might prove a tougher sell. He had heard a number of conspiracy theories from them. Past infection didn’t eliminate anyone Some of those receiving the vaccine likely already have some protection against the coronavirus from a past infection. At Mount Sinai, several of the first group to be vaccinated recalled being sick with the virus or testing positive for antibodies. Dr. Jolion McGreevy, medical director of the emergency department, said he had the coronavirus a couple of months ago, though it was a light case with just one day of symptoms. “It’s important protection, not just for us, but more importantly for the patients we care for and our families at home,” McGreevy said about the shot he had received just a few minutes earlier. The amount and duration of protection that past COVID-19 infections offer is not fully understood, but some researchers believe that many people likely experience some long-term protection. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that clinical trials suggest the vaccine “is safe and likely efficacious” in people who have had prior coronavirus infections. Dr. Dave Chokshi, the New York City health commissioner, has said an “antibody test result has no bearing on whether or not you should get a COVID-19 vaccine.” That’s an important point in New York City, where one study suggested that more than one-fifth of the city’s residents had the coronavirus during the first wave in the spring. More is on the way The Pfizer vaccine has so far received the most attention, because it’s the first vaccine the FDA has authorized for emergency use. But the Moderna vaccine, which received FDA approval on Friday night, could start arriving in New York early next week in larger numbers than the Pfizer vaccine. Cuomo has said he expected the state to soon receive 346,000 doses from Moderna. But the initial shipments from Pfizer and Moderna won’t even cover half of the 1.8 million people in the state who form part of the Phase 1 group, which also includes nursing home residents and workers. On Wednesday, Cuomo indicated that Phase 2, which includes those categorized as essential workers, isn’t likely to start until late January.

5 takeaways from the first week of vaccines in New York

As the world is now relying on the&nbsp;Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has decided to not show complete trust in this vaccine.

Bolsonaro, who has often termed COVID-19 as just "a little flu", believes the vaccines should not be trusted and has claimed he will not be getting vaccinated.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bolsonaro-under-fire-over-brazils-troubled-vaccine-roll-out-350890">Bolsonaro under fire over Brazil's troubled vaccine roll-out</a>

Voicing his concern over the vaccine, he reminded everyone that the company has denied taking responsibility of any side effects caused by the vaccine. "In the Pfizer contract it's very clear: 'we're not responsible for any side effects.' If you turn into a crocodile, it's your problem," he claimed.

"If you become superhuman, if a woman starts to grow a beard or if a man starts to speak with an effeminate voice, they will not have anything to do with it," he continued scaring the people.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/brazils-supreme-court-paves-way-for-sanctions-against-covid-anti-vaxxers-350797">Brazil’s Supreme Court paves way for sanctions against COVID anti-vaxxers</a>

His statement has come at a time when the UK, US and several other countries have started mass vaccination drives. Brazil's&nbsp;regulatory agency Anvisa, too, will soon be certifying the vaccine, as per local reports.&nbsp;

Brazil's Supreme Court recently also ordered the vaccine to be obligatory. However, it also ruled that this vaccine can not be "forced" on Brazilians, which means that while people cannot be forced to take the vaccine, they can surely be banned from certain places or fine people who fail to get vaccinated.

Also see|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/brazil-president-jair-bolsonaro-and-his-non-normal-antics-314020">Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics</a>

The mass vaccination drive will be free of cost in Brazil, Bolsonaro reported in the last week while launching&nbsp;the immunization campaign on Wednesday.

While the world is showing trust in the vaccine, despite few hiccups, Bolsonaro has decided to stay away from the needle. "It will be available for everyone that wants it. But me, I won't get vaccinated," he said.

Jair Bolsonaro, who supported Donald Trump's claims of finding cures for te novel coronavirus, had also tested positive for the deadly a few months back.

As of now, Brazil has reported nearly 7.1 million cases with nearly 185,000 deaths from March till December. The country is not in a lockdown anymore, but citizens are advised to practice social distancing and wear face masks when stepping outdoors.

As the world is now relying on the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has decided to not show complete trust in this vaccine.

As the world is now relying on the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, the Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has decided to not show complete trust in this vaccine. Bolsonaro, who has often termed COVID-19 as just "a little flu", believes the vaccines should not be trusted and has claimed he will not be getting vaccinated. Also read| Bolsonaro under fire over Brazil's troubled vaccine roll-out Voicing his concern over the vaccine, he reminded everyone that the company has denied taking responsibility of any side effects caused by the vaccine. "In the Pfizer contract it's very clear: 'we're not responsible for any side effects.' If you turn into a crocodile, it's your problem," he claimed. "If you become superhuman, if a woman starts to grow a beard or if a man starts to speak with an effeminate voice, they will not have anything to do with it," he continued scaring the people. Also read| Brazil’s Supreme Court paves way for sanctions against COVID anti-vaxxers His statement has come at a time when the UK, US and several other countries have started mass vaccination drives. Brazil's regulatory agency Anvisa, too, will soon be certifying the vaccine, as per local reports. Brazil's Supreme Court recently also ordered the vaccine to be obligatory. However, it also ruled that this vaccine can not be "forced" on Brazilians, which means that while people cannot be forced to take the vaccine, they can surely be banned from certain places or fine people who fail to get vaccinated. Also see| Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro and his 'non-normal' antics The mass vaccination drive will be free of cost in Brazil, Bolsonaro reported in the last week while launching the immunization campaign on Wednesday. While the world is showing trust in the vaccine, despite few hiccups, Bolsonaro has decided to stay away from the needle. "It will be available for everyone that wants it. But me, I won't get vaccinated," he said. Jair Bolsonaro, who supported Donald Trump's claims of finding cures for te novel coronavirus, had also tested positive for the deadly a few months back. As of now, Brazil has reported nearly 7.1 million cases with nearly 185,000 deaths from March till December. The country is not in a lockdown anymore, but citizens are advised to practice social distancing and wear face masks when stepping outdoors.

Women may grow beard after taking Pfizer vaccine: Jair Bolsonaro

Regulatory authority in Switzerland gave a go-ahead for Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Saturday. The Swissmedic regulatory authority took the decision on Saturday. It is the first vaccine to be authorised for use in the wealthy European nation.

"After a meticulous review of the available information, Swissmedic concluded that the Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech is safe and that its benefit outweighs the risks," the body said in a statement.

"The safety of patients is an essential prerequisite, especially where the authorisation of vaccines is concerned," said Swissmedic director Raimund Bruhin.

"Thanks to the rolling procedure and our flexibly organised teams, we nevertheless managed to reach a decision quickly -- while also fully satisfying the three most important requirements of safety, efficacy and quality."

Population of Switzerland is 8.6 million. It has secured around 15.8 million COVID-19 vaccine doses by striking deals with thre manufacturers.

The deal with Pfizer/Biotech vaccine is for three million doses. The contract with Moderna has been made to procure 7.5 million doses. AstraZeneca will provide 5.3 million doses. Two doses are required per person with all these vaccines.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-authorises-moderna-as-second-covid-19-vaccine-350878">US authorises Moderna as second Covid-19 vaccine</a>

With Covid-19 cases and deaths still rising fast, the Swiss government announced Friday that restaurants and bars would be closed again across the country.

"The epidemiological situation is a cause of great concern," the government said in a statement.

"The number of infections is very high and is continuing to rise. Hospitals and healthcare workers have been under extreme pressure for weeks and the festive period increases the risk of an even more rapid rise in cases," it explained.

Switzerland is continuing to witness more than 4,000 new cases and 100 deaths each day.

In total, Switzerland has recorded more than 400,000 cases and nearly 6,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Regulatory authority in Switzerland gave a go-ahead for Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Saturday. The Swissmedic regulatory authority took the decision on Saturday.

Regulatory authority in Switzerland gave a go-ahead for Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Saturday. The Swissmedic regulatory authority took the decision on Saturday. It is the first vaccine to be authorised for use in the wealthy European nation. "After a meticulous review of the available information, Swissmedic concluded that the Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech is safe and that its benefit outweighs the risks," the body said in a statement. "The safety of patients is an essential prerequisite, especially where the authorisation of vaccines is concerned," said Swissmedic director Raimund Bruhin. "Thanks to the rolling procedure and our flexibly organised teams, we nevertheless managed to reach a decision quickly -- while also fully satisfying the three most important requirements of safety, efficacy and quality." Population of Switzerland is 8.6 million. It has secured around 15.8 million COVID-19 vaccine doses by striking deals with thre manufacturers. The deal with Pfizer/Biotech vaccine is for three million doses. The contract with Moderna has been made to procure 7.5 million doses. AstraZeneca will provide 5.3 million doses. Two doses are required per person with all these vaccines. Also Read | US authorises Moderna as second Covid-19 vaccine With Covid-19 cases and deaths still rising fast, the Swiss government announced Friday that restaurants and bars would be closed again across the country. "The epidemiological situation is a cause of great concern," the government said in a statement. "The number of infections is very high and is continuing to rise. Hospitals and healthcare workers have been under extreme pressure for weeks and the festive period increases the risk of an even more rapid rise in cases," it explained. Switzerland is continuing to witness more than 4,000 new cases and 100 deaths each day. In total, Switzerland has recorded more than 400,000 cases and nearly 6,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic.

Pfizer COVID vaccine gets go-ahead in Switzerland

A health care worker in Alaska developed a severe allergic reaction shortly after receiving the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine Tuesday evening and had to be hospitalized overnight. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-trial-volunteers-who-got-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-developed-bells-palsy-348547">Also read: Four trial volunteers who got Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine developed Bell's palsy</a>

During a media briefing Wednesday, health officials said the middle-aged woman had no history of allergies and had never experienced anaphylaxis, a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-asian-and-minority-ethnic-groups-reluctant-to-take-covid-19-vaccine-jab-uk-study-350330">Also read | Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups reluctant to take Covid-19 vaccine jab: UK study</a>

The woman is now stable, public health authorities said.

The reaction was reportedly similar to the anaphylactic shock suffered by multiple healthcare workers in the UK, where the Pfizer-BioNTech jab was approved earlier this month. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/next-four-to-six-months-could-be-worst-of-coronavirus-pandemic-bill-gates-349593">Also read | Next four to six months could be worst of coronavirus pandemic: Bill Gates</a>

Britain’s medical regulator has said that anyone with a history of anaphylaxis, or severe allergic reactions to medicine or food, should not get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said that most Americans with allergies should be safe to receive the vaccine. It said only people who have previously had severe allergic reactions to vaccines or ingredients in this particular vaccine should avoid getting the shot.

The symptoms in the middle-aged patient resolved after being administered with allergy treatment epinephrine.

The patient was still in Juneau’s Bartlett Regional Hospital being monitored.

Pfizer said the vaccine comes with a clear warning that appropriate medical treatment and supervision should always be readily available in case of anaphylaxis, but it would update the labeling language for the vaccine if needed.

Administration of the vaccine began Monday in the United States, following emergency-use authorization last week. Early doses have been set aside for healthcare workers and nursing home residents

Former FDA Chief Scientist Jesse Goodman called the allergic reaction concerning but said that more information must be known in order to better understand the risks.

“What we need to know is what the denominator is -- how many doses have been given? Is this going to be something that’s going to be seen at a higher incidence with this vaccine than with others?” Goodman said. “We’re going to have to find out those things to inform whether that changes recommendations or how this is used.”

(With inputs from agencies)

A health care worker in Alaska developed a severe allergic reaction shortly after receiving the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine Tuesday evening and had to be hospitalized overnight.

A health care worker in Alaska developed a severe allergic reaction shortly after receiving the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine Tuesday evening and had to be hospitalized overnight. Also read: Four trial volunteers who got Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine developed Bell's palsy During a media briefing Wednesday, health officials said the middle-aged woman had no history of allergies and had never experienced anaphylaxis, a severe and life-threatening allergic reaction. Also read | Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups reluctant to take Covid-19 vaccine jab: UK study The woman is now stable, public health authorities said. The reaction was reportedly similar to the anaphylactic shock suffered by multiple healthcare workers in the UK, where the Pfizer-BioNTech jab was approved earlier this month. Also read | Next four to six months could be worst of coronavirus pandemic: Bill Gates Britain’s medical regulator has said that anyone with a history of anaphylaxis, or severe allergic reactions to medicine or food, should not get the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said that most Americans with allergies should be safe to receive the vaccine. It said only people who have previously had severe allergic reactions to vaccines or ingredients in this particular vaccine should avoid getting the shot. The symptoms in the middle-aged patient resolved after being administered with allergy treatment epinephrine. The patient was still in Juneau’s Bartlett Regional Hospital being monitored. Pfizer said the vaccine comes with a clear warning that appropriate medical treatment and supervision should always be readily available in case of anaphylaxis, but it would update the labeling language for the vaccine if needed. Administration of the vaccine began Monday in the United States, following emergency-use authorization last week. Early doses have been set aside for healthcare workers and nursing home residents Former FDA Chief Scientist Jesse Goodman called the allergic reaction concerning but said that more information must be known in order to better understand the risks. “What we need to know is what the denominator is -- how many doses have been given? Is this going to be something that’s going to be seen at a higher incidence with this vaccine than with others?” Goodman said. “We’re going to have to find out those things to inform whether that changes recommendations or how this is used.” (With inputs from agencies)

Alaska healthcare worker suffers an allergic reaction to Covid-19 vaccine, Pfizer to assess the report

Despite being at much greater risk of the disease people from minority ethnic backgrounds or with lower incomes are significantly less likely to take the coronavirus vaccine, research suggests.&nbsp; 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-trial-volunteers-who-got-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-developed-bells-palsy-348547">Also read: Four trial volunteers who got Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine developed Bell's palsy</a>

A study commissioned by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) found that three in four (76 per cent) of the British public would take a COVID-19 vaccine if advised to do so by their doctor, with just 8 per cent stating they would be very unlikely to do so. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/next-four-to-six-months-could-be-worst-of-coronavirus-pandemic-bill-gates-349593">Also read | Next four to six months could be worst of coronavirus pandemic: Bill Gates</a> 
 
The UK has covered nearly 138,000 people in the first week of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine rollout across the country.

However, it found that only 57 per cent of respondents from BAME backgrounds (199 respondents) were likely to accept the vaccine, compared to 79 per cent of white respondents.

Confidence in vaccines was found to be lowest among respondents of Asian ethnicity, of whom only 55 per cent were likely to say yes, the study says.

"We have known for years that different communities have different levels of satisfaction in the NHS (National Health Service) and more recently we have seen anti-vaccination messages have been specifically targeted at different groups, including different ethnic or religious communities," said Christina Marriott, Chief Executive of RSPH.

"But these are exactly the groups which have suffered most through COVID. They continue to be most at risk of getting ill and most at risk of dying. So, the government, the NHS and local public health must rapidly and proactively work with these communities. And their most effective ways of working will be with the local community groups," she said.

Earlier studies have shown that COVID-19 has a more adverse impact on minority ethnic groups in the UK, with working and living conditions largely believed to be behind the disparity of higher death rates among BAME groups.

Comorbidities such as blood pressure, obesity and diabetes are also believed to play a part in making those of South Asian ethnicity more susceptible to serious illness from the deadly virus.

These findings are not surprising in light of past experience of the reach of vaccines to BAME communities, but they appear to be particularly worrying as it suggests the COVID vaccine may not reach communities that have been disproportionately impacted," Jabeer Butt, Chief Executive of the UK's Race Equality Foundation, said in reference to the latest survey.

"It is imperative that the NHS uses trusted channels like BAME-led voluntary organisations to reach and address concerns of BAME communities and ensure that the disproportionate impact of COVID is not exacerbated," he said.

The RSPH report highlighted the encouraging finding that BAME respondents who were not willing to be vaccinated were receptive to offers of further health information from their general practitioner (GP).

Over one third (35 per cent) said they would likely change their minds and get the jab if given more information by their GP about how effective it is, almost twice as many as the 18 per cent of White people who were initially unwilling.

The RSPH said the latest findings build on a study earlier this year which found that parents in minority ethnic groups were almost three times more likely to reject a COVID-19 vaccine for themselves and their children than White parents.

The polling also revealed significantly more hesitancy among lower-income groups, with just 70 per cent of lowest earners likely to say yes to the jab compared to 84 per cent of the highest earners.

Last week, the UK began administering the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in a phased manner, starting with the elderly and frontline workers as categories at the highest risk of death from coronavirus.

With a number of other vaccines, including the Oxford University vaccine being produced by AstraZeneca, in the pipeline, the government is keen to get the message out for widespread uptake of the jabs as a means to emerge out of the current cycle of lockdowns to control the spread of infections.

The UK's regulatory body, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), has repeatedly stressed that any vaccines will be cleared for mass rollout only after "rigorous" safety tests despite the process being speeded up due to the urgency of finding an effective vaccine against the pandemic which has wreaked havoc around the world.

(With inputs from agencies)

Despite being at much greater risk of the disease people from minority ethnic backgrounds or with lower incomes are significantly less likely to take the coronavirus vaccine, research suggests.

Despite being at much greater risk of the disease people from minority ethnic backgrounds or with lower incomes are significantly less likely to take the coronavirus vaccine, research suggests. Also read: Four trial volunteers who got Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine developed Bell's palsy A study commissioned by the Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) found that three in four (76 per cent) of the British public would take a COVID-19 vaccine if advised to do so by their doctor, with just 8 per cent stating they would be very unlikely to do so. Also read | Next four to six months could be worst of coronavirus pandemic: Bill Gates The UK has covered nearly 138,000 people in the first week of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine rollout across the country. However, it found that only 57 per cent of respondents from BAME backgrounds (199 respondents) were likely to accept the vaccine, compared to 79 per cent of white respondents. Confidence in vaccines was found to be lowest among respondents of Asian ethnicity, of whom only 55 per cent were likely to say yes, the study says. "We have known for years that different communities have different levels of satisfaction in the NHS (National Health Service) and more recently we have seen anti-vaccination messages have been specifically targeted at different groups, including different ethnic or religious communities," said Christina Marriott, Chief Executive of RSPH. "But these are exactly the groups which have suffered most through COVID. They continue to be most at risk of getting ill and most at risk of dying. So, the government, the NHS and local public health must rapidly and proactively work with these communities. And their most effective ways of working will be with the local community groups," she said. Earlier studies have shown that COVID-19 has a more adverse impact on minority ethnic groups in the UK, with working and living conditions largely believed to be behind the disparity of higher death rates among BAME groups. Comorbidities such as blood pressure, obesity and diabetes are also believed to play a part in making those of South Asian ethnicity more susceptible to serious illness from the deadly virus. These findings are not surprising in light of past experience of the reach of vaccines to BAME communities, but they appear to be particularly worrying as it suggests the COVID vaccine may not reach communities that have been disproportionately impacted," Jabeer Butt, Chief Executive of the UK's Race Equality Foundation, said in reference to the latest survey. "It is imperative that the NHS uses trusted channels like BAME-led voluntary organisations to reach and address concerns of BAME communities and ensure that the disproportionate impact of COVID is not exacerbated," he said. The RSPH report highlighted the encouraging finding that BAME respondents who were not willing to be vaccinated were receptive to offers of further health information from their general practitioner (GP). Over one third (35 per cent) said they would likely change their minds and get the jab if given more information by their GP about how effective it is, almost twice as many as the 18 per cent of White people who were initially unwilling. The RSPH said the latest findings build on a study earlier this year which found that parents in minority ethnic groups were almost three times more likely to reject a COVID-19 vaccine for themselves and their children than White parents. The polling also revealed significantly more hesitancy among lower-income groups, with just 70 per cent of lowest earners likely to say yes to the jab compared to 84 per cent of the highest earners. Last week, the UK began administering the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in a phased manner, starting with the elderly and frontline workers as categories at the highest risk of death from coronavirus. With a number of other vaccines, including the Oxford University vaccine being produced by AstraZeneca, in the pipeline, the government is keen to get the message out for widespread uptake of the jabs as a means to emerge out of the current cycle of lockdowns to control the spread of infections. The UK's regulatory body, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), has repeatedly stressed that any vaccines will be cleared for mass rollout only after "rigorous" safety tests despite the process being speeded up due to the urgency of finding an effective vaccine against the pandemic which has wreaked havoc around the world. (With inputs from agencies)

Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups reluctant to take Covid-19 vaccine jab: UK study

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

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

A group of US states is planning to take aim at Google with an antitrust lawsuit, saying the internet giant abused its power when ranking its own offerings in search results.

Politico reported Tuesday that a complaint led by attorneys general from Colorado and Nebraska could be filed as early as Thursday.

Amazon, TripAdvisor, Yelp and other internet firms that involve recommending products or services have complained that Google favours its own offerings in general search results.

The suit being prepared by states will argue that Google's search engine disadvantages rivals by design.

Google called the US lawsuit "deeply flawed."

Google's long-running business model based on free services and advertising is already being put to the test in a landmark antitrust lawsuit filed by the US Justice Department.

The US government filed a blockbuster lawsuit in October accusing Google of maintaining an "illegal monopoly" in online search and advertising. The country's biggest antitrust case in decades, it opens the door to a potential breakup of the Silicon Valley titan.

The politically charged case, which could take years to play out, draws new battle lines between the US government and Big Tech, with potentially major implications for the sector.

But the government is likely to face challenges proving monopoly allegations against the tech firm, which grew into one of the world's most successful companies by leveraging its powerful search engine for a network of services such as maps, email, shopping and travel that feed its data-driven digital advertising.

Legal experts point to the fact that it may be difficult to show Google's conduct was illegal under the longstanding "consumer welfare" standard in monopoly cases because its services are largely free.

The case -- joined by 11 states, all of which have Republican attorneys general -- comes against a backdrop of fierce political backlash against Big Tech giants that have extended their dominance in recent years.

The Justice Department argues that Google has cemented its monopoly position using deals with device makers to ensure its apps and services are prominently displayed, and sometimes can't be deleted.

(with inputs from agencies)

A group of US states is planning to take aim at Google with an antitrust lawsuit, saying the internet giant abused its power when ranking its own offerings in search results.

A group of US states is planning to take aim at Google with an antitrust lawsuit, saying the internet giant abused its power when ranking its own offerings in search results. Politico reported Tuesday that a complaint led by attorneys general from Colorado and Nebraska could be filed as early as Thursday. Amazon, TripAdvisor, Yelp and other internet firms that involve recommending products or services have complained that Google favours its own offerings in general search results. The suit being prepared by states will argue that Google's search engine disadvantages rivals by design. Google called the US lawsuit "deeply flawed." Google's long-running business model based on free services and advertising is already being put to the test in a landmark antitrust lawsuit filed by the US Justice Department. The US government filed a blockbuster lawsuit in October accusing Google of maintaining an "illegal monopoly" in online search and advertising. The country's biggest antitrust case in decades, it opens the door to a potential breakup of the Silicon Valley titan. The politically charged case, which could take years to play out, draws new battle lines between the US government and Big Tech, with potentially major implications for the sector. But the government is likely to face challenges proving monopoly allegations against the tech firm, which grew into one of the world's most successful companies by leveraging its powerful search engine for a network of services such as maps, email, shopping and travel that feed its data-driven digital advertising. Legal experts point to the fact that it may be difficult to show Google's conduct was illegal under the longstanding "consumer welfare" standard in monopoly cases because its services are largely free. The case -- joined by 11 states, all of which have Republican attorneys general -- comes against a backdrop of fierce political backlash against Big Tech giants that have extended their dominance in recent years. The Justice Department argues that Google has cemented its monopoly position using deals with device makers to ensure its apps and services are prominently displayed, and sometimes can't be deleted. (with inputs from agencies)

US expands Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine rollout; reassure its safety

Canada became the third country in the world to begin the inoculation of its citizens with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

On Monday, Canada began injecting its frontline workers and the elderly in nursing homes.

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The first person to receive the vaccine was Anita Quidangen - whose inoculation was broadcast on live TV. Quidangen works at the Rekai Centre, a non-profit nursing home for the elderly in Canada’s largest city - Toronto, and claimed that she was “excited” to be the first person to get the vaccine in the country.

Soon after she was injected, healthcare workers donning masks and white coats applauded her.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke about it and called it a “great relief”. 
 
"It's a great relief. Clearly, it may only be the beginning of the end but we sense nevertheless that there will be an end to this pandemic," said Justin Trudeau.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/how-canada-switzerland-stuck-a-secret-deal-with-china-348918" hreflang="en">How Canada, Switzerland stuck a secret deal with China</a> 
 
He also added that he was in no hurry to get vaccinated himself, saying priority must be given to the most vulnerable people. 
 
"We obviously have to give priority to the most vulnerable but the second I have a chance - like all healthy adults - I will do so very visibly and with enthusiasm," he said in conversation with French-language broadcaster Radio-Canada. 
 
Currently, Canada is witnessing a second wave of COVID-19, whereby businesses are forced to shut again, and social gatherings extremely limited.

So far, the country has reported 460,743 cases of COVID-19. Most cases come from Quebec, the country’s most populous province.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/how-the-vaccine-rollout-will-compare-in-britain-canada-and-the-us-349368" hreflang="en">How the vaccine rollout will compare in Britain, Canada and the US</a> 
 
"It's really good news for Canada. It's really good news for Quebec," country’s Health Minister Patty Hajdu said from the Maimonides Geriatric Center in Montreal, where inoculation also began on Monday.

According to Quebec’s Health Minister Christian Dube, 50,000 people will be vaccinated in the province by January 4. 
 
13,431 people have lost their lives to the virus in Canada, 60 per cent of which have taken place in care homes for the elderly. But it’s an improvement from the grim 80 per cent during the first wave.

On Monday, the US also began vaccinating its citizens. Last week, the UK kicked off its national programme to inoculate against COVID-19. 
&nbsp;

Canada became the third country in the world to begin the inoculation of its citizens with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. On Monday, Canada began injecting its frontline workers and the elderly in nursing homes.

Canada became the third country in the world to begin the inoculation of its citizens with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. On Monday, Canada began injecting its frontline workers and the elderly in nursing homes. The first person to receive the vaccine was Anita Quidangen - whose inoculation was broadcast on live TV. Quidangen works at the Rekai Centre, a non-profit nursing home for the elderly in Canada’s largest city - Toronto, and claimed that she was “excited” to be the first person to get the vaccine in the country. Soon after she was injected, healthcare workers donning masks and white coats applauded her. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke about it and called it a “great relief”. "It's a great relief. Clearly, it may only be the beginning of the end but we sense nevertheless that there will be an end to this pandemic," said Justin Trudeau. Also read: How Canada, Switzerland stuck a secret deal with China He also added that he was in no hurry to get vaccinated himself, saying priority must be given to the most vulnerable people. "We obviously have to give priority to the most vulnerable but the second I have a chance - like all healthy adults - I will do so very visibly and with enthusiasm," he said in conversation with French-language broadcaster Radio-Canada. Currently, Canada is witnessing a second wave of COVID-19, whereby businesses are forced to shut again, and social gatherings extremely limited. So far, the country has reported 460,743 cases of COVID-19. Most cases come from Quebec, the country’s most populous province. Also read: How the vaccine rollout will compare in Britain, Canada and the US "It's really good news for Canada. It's really good news for Quebec," country’s Health Minister Patty Hajdu said from the Maimonides Geriatric Center in Montreal, where inoculation also began on Monday. According to Quebec’s Health Minister Christian Dube, 50,000 people will be vaccinated in the province by January 4. 13,431 people have lost their lives to the virus in Canada, 60 per cent of which have taken place in care homes for the elderly. But it’s an improvement from the grim 80 per cent during the first wave. On Monday, the US also began vaccinating its citizens. Last week, the UK kicked off its national programme to inoculate against COVID-19.

Canada joins US, UK to inoculate people with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

Researchers at&nbsp;Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have built up a coronavirus mortality risk calculator&nbsp;to help prioritise certain groups for vaccination.

"The scientists who built up the adding machine anticipate that it should be helpful to general wellbeing experts for evaluating mortality chances in various networks, and for organizing certain gatherings for immunisation as Covid-19 antibodies become accessible," according to an official delivery.&nbsp;

The coronavirus mortality risk calculator assesses its results&nbsp;by analysing sociodemographic and pre-existing conditions for the population in a country.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-western-countries-hoard-vaccines-9-out-of-10-in-low-income-countries-to-miss-out-348585">As western countries hoard vaccines, 9 out of 10 in low-income countries to miss out</a>

The calculator&nbsp; is as of now utilised for assessing Covid-19 mortality chances in people across the United States. The adding machine depends on a calculation that uses data from existing enormous examinations to gauge the mortality danger of Covid-19 for people dependent on age, sexual orientation, sociodemographic factors, and diverse ailments.&nbsp;

"Our number cruncher speaks to a more quantitative methodology and should supplement other proposed subjective rules, for example, those by the National Academy of Sciences and Medicine, for deciding individual and network chances and distributing immunizations," said study senior creator Nilanjan Chatterjee, Ph.D., Bloomberg Distinguished Professor in the divisions of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the Bloomberg School.&nbsp;

The investigation enumerating the danger adding machine is introduced in a paper distributed in the diary Nature Medicine.&nbsp;

The scientists likewise built up an intelligent guide to show numbers and the extent of people at different degrees of dangers across urban communities, areas, and States inside the United States as a team with PolicyMap Inc.&nbsp;

"Individuals may see comprehensively that with a previous condition, for example, heftiness or diabetes, for instance, they are at higher danger, however with our number cruncher, they should have the option to comprehend their danger such that considers various elements," Chatterjee said.&nbsp;

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently conceded emergency use authorisation (EUA) to American drug manufacturer Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech for their <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">Covid-19 vaccine</a>.&nbsp;

Recently, the UK additionally allowed a brief authorisation for crisis use for the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 mRNA immunization (BNT162b2), against Covid-19. Different nations, for example, Bahrain, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico have endorsed the Pfizer-BioNTech antibody according to past reports.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have built up a coronavirus mortality risk calculator to help prioritise certain groups for vaccination.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health have built up a coronavirus mortality risk calculator to help prioritise certain groups for vaccination. "The scientists who built up the adding machine anticipate that it should be helpful to general wellbeing experts for evaluating mortality chances in various networks, and for organizing certain gatherings for immunisation as Covid-19 antibodies become accessible," according to an official delivery. The coronavirus mortality risk calculator assesses its results by analysing sociodemographic and pre-existing conditions for the population in a country. Also read: As western countries hoard vaccines, 9 out of 10 in low-income countries to miss out The calculator is as of now utilised for assessing Covid-19 mortality chances in people across the United States. The adding machine depends on a calculation that uses data from existing enormous examinations to gauge the mortality danger of Covid-19 for people dependent on age, sexual orientation, sociodemographic factors, and diverse ailments. "Our number cruncher speaks to a more quantitative methodology and should supplement other proposed subjective rules, for example, those by the National Academy of Sciences and Medicine, for deciding individual and network chances and distributing immunizations," said study senior creator Nilanjan Chatterjee, Ph.D., Bloomberg Distinguished Professor in the divisions of Biostatistics and Epidemiology at the Bloomberg School. The investigation enumerating the danger adding machine is introduced in a paper distributed in the diary Nature Medicine. The scientists likewise built up an intelligent guide to show numbers and the extent of people at different degrees of dangers across urban communities, areas, and States inside the United States as a team with PolicyMap Inc. "Individuals may see comprehensively that with a previous condition, for example, heftiness or diabetes, for instance, they are at higher danger, however with our number cruncher, they should have the option to comprehend their danger such that considers various elements," Chatterjee said. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently conceded emergency use authorisation (EUA) to American drug manufacturer Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech for their Covid-19 vaccine. Recently, the UK additionally allowed a brief authorisation for crisis use for the Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 mRNA immunization (BNT162b2), against Covid-19. Different nations, for example, Bahrain, Canada, Saudi Arabia, and Mexico have endorsed the Pfizer-BioNTech antibody according to past reports.

Scientists develop coronavirus risk calculator to determine who should get vaccine first

According to authorities the first phase of highly awaited Pfizer-Biotech vaccine rollout is all set to start from Monday onwards. 145 sites across U.S to receive vaccine on Monday. Head of U.S food and drug administration on Saturday said the efforts to distribute in nations first vaccine are well and truly underway.

U.S Pfizer-Biotech vaccine rollout to begin on Monday

Approximately two million members of the&nbsp;Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are&nbsp;secretly embedded in some of the world`s biggest companies, banks, media groups, universities, and government agencies, according to the latest report.

An explosive data leak, obtained by 'The Australian'&nbsp;newspaper, comprises not only&nbsp;the names of around two million CCP agents but also, has their party position, birth-date, national ID number, and ethnicity.

According to the list of data, the companies which are being secretly infiltrated by CCP members include&nbsp;manufacturers such as Boeing and Volkswagen, pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and AstraZeneca, and banks like ANZ and HSBC. 
 
"It is believed to be the first leak of its kind in the world," The Australian journalist and Sky News host Sharri Markson said. "What`s amazing about this database is not just that it exposes people who are members of the Communist Party, and who are now living and working all over the world, from Australia to the US to the UK, but it`s amazing because it lifts the lid on how the party operates under President and Chairman Xi Jinping," she added. 
 
Around 79,000 CCP branches have been set up inside western companies where members if called on, are answerable directly to the Communist Party and President Xi himself, the reports said. 
 
"It is also going to embarrass some global companies who appear to have no plan in place to protect their intellectual property from theft, from economic espionage," Markson said. 
 
The data was reportedly extracted from a server in Shanghai in 2016 by Chinese dissidents, who used it for counterintelligence purposes. It was later leaked to the international bipartisan group the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, before being sent to the international consortium of four media organisations--The Australian, the UK`s Mail on Sunday, Belgium`s De Standaard, and a Swedish editor. 
 
The Australian did not name the individual members on the list, only the companies they work for.

Approximately two million members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are secretly embedded in some of the world`s biggest companies, banks, media groups, universities, and government agencies, according to the latest report.

Approximately two million members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are secretly embedded in some of the world`s biggest companies, banks, media groups, universities, and government agencies, according to the latest report. An explosive data leak, obtained by 'The Australian' newspaper, comprises not only the names of around two million CCP agents but also, has their party position, birth-date, national ID number, and ethnicity. According to the list of data, the companies which are being secretly infiltrated by CCP members include manufacturers such as Boeing and Volkswagen, pharmaceutical companies like Pfizer and AstraZeneca, and banks like ANZ and HSBC. "It is believed to be the first leak of its kind in the world," The Australian journalist and Sky News host Sharri Markson said. "What`s amazing about this database is not just that it exposes people who are members of the Communist Party, and who are now living and working all over the world, from Australia to the US to the UK, but it`s amazing because it lifts the lid on how the party operates under President and Chairman Xi Jinping," she added. Around 79,000 CCP branches have been set up inside western companies where members if called on, are answerable directly to the Communist Party and President Xi himself, the reports said. "It is also going to embarrass some global companies who appear to have no plan in place to protect their intellectual property from theft, from economic espionage," Markson said. The data was reportedly extracted from a server in Shanghai in 2016 by Chinese dissidents, who used it for counterintelligence purposes. It was later leaked to the international bipartisan group the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China, before being sent to the international consortium of four media organisations--The Australian, the UK`s Mail on Sunday, Belgium`s De Standaard, and a Swedish editor. The Australian did not name the individual members on the list, only the companies they work for.

Two million members of Chinese Communist Party infiltrating world's biggest companies: Report

US President Donald Trump on Monday announced that his country has inoculated the first person&nbsp;with Pfizer's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine</a>, marking a pivotal turn in its&nbsp;effort to control the deadly virus.

Trump took to Twitter and tweeted: ''First vaccine administered. Congratulations USA! Congratulations world!''

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First Vaccine Administered. Congratulations USA! Congratulations WORLD!
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Trump's tweet came minutes after Sandra Lindsay, an ICU nurse, was given the vaccine at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens, New York, an early epicenter of the country's COVID-19 outbreak, receiving applause on a live stream with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo.

"It didn't feel any different from taking any other vaccine," Lindsay said. "I feel hopeful today, relieved. I feel like healing is coming. I hope this marks the beginning of the end of a very painful time in our history. I want to instill public confidence that the vaccine is safe."

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The coronavirus vaccine, developed by Pfizer and its German partner&nbsp;BioNTech, won emergency-use approval from federal regulators on Friday after it was found to be 95 per cent&nbsp;effective in preventing illness in a large clinical trial.

Governor Andrew Cuomo, watching the landmark moment via video-link, told Lindsay he hoped the vaccine would give her and other frontline health care workers "a sense of security and safety."

"It's going to take months before the vaccine hits critical mass. So, this is the light at the end of the tunnel, but it's a long tunnel," he said, reminding people to keep following social distancing guidelines.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-pence-among-top-us-officials-to-be-offered-covid-19-vaccine-on-priority-report-349600" hreflang="en">Trump, Pence among top US officials to be offered COVID-19 vaccine on priority: Report</a>

The first 2.9 million doses began to be shipped to distribution centers around the country on Sunday, just 11 months after the United States documented its first COVID-19 infections.

As of Monday, the United States had registered 16,286,343 cases and 299,489 deaths from the virus.

Hospitals in Texas, Utah and Minnesota said they also anticipated receiving their first doses of the vaccine at select hospitals on Monday, to be administered right away.

COVID-19 has ravaged the United States. More than 299,000 Americans have been killed by the virus, including over 35,000 residents of New York state.

Logistical challenge

The first US&nbsp;shipments of coronavirus vaccine departed from Pfizer's facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Sunday, packed into trucks with dry-ice to maintain the necessary sub-Arctic temperatures, and then were transported to UPS and FedEx planes waiting at air fields in Lansing and Grand Rapids, kicking off a national immunization endeavor of unprecedented complexity.

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In picture:&nbsp;Boxes containing Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine are unloaded from air shipping containers at UPS Worldport, in Louisville, Kentucky/Reuters

The jets delivered the shipments to UPS and FedEx cargo hubs in Louisville and Memphis, respectively, from where they were loaded onto planes and trucks to be distributed to the first 145 of 636 vaccine-staging areas across the country. Second and third waves of vaccine shipments were due to go out to the remaining sites on Tuesday and Wednesday.

"This is the most difficult vaccine rollout in history. There will be hiccups undoubtedly but we've done everything from a federal level and working with partners to make it go as smoothly as possible. Please be patient with us," Surgeon General Jerome Adams told Fox News on Monday, adding that he would get the shot as soon as he can.

The logistical effort is further complicated by the need to transport and store the Pfizer/BioNTech&nbsp;vaccine at minus 70 Celsius (minus 94 Fahrenheit), requiring enormous quantities of dry ice or specialized ultra-cold freezers.

Workers clapped and whistled as the first boxes were loaded onto trucks at the Pfizer factory on Sunday.

"We know we're all suffering, our families are suffering. We're going into the Christmas holiday with shutdowns and people are going to be very impacted by this pandemic. We know how much people are hurting," UPS Healthcare President Wes Wheeler said on Sunday from the company’s command center in Louisville, Kentucky

Healthcare workers and elderly residents of long-term care homes will be first in line to get the inoculations of a two-dose regimen given about three weeks apart.

US President Donald Trump on Monday announced that his country has inoculated the first person with Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine, marking a pivotal turn in its effort to control the deadly virus.

US President Donald Trump on Monday announced that his country has inoculated the first person with Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine, marking a pivotal turn in its effort to control the deadly virus. Trump took to Twitter and tweeted: ''First vaccine administered. Congratulations USA! Congratulations world!'' First Vaccine Administered. Congratulations USA! Congratulations WORLD! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) December 14, 2020 × Trump's tweet came minutes after Sandra Lindsay, an ICU nurse, was given the vaccine at Long Island Jewish Medical Center in Queens, New York, an early epicenter of the country's COVID-19 outbreak, receiving applause on a live stream with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. "It didn't feel any different from taking any other vaccine," Lindsay said. "I feel hopeful today, relieved. I feel like healing is coming. I hope this marks the beginning of the end of a very painful time in our history. I want to instill public confidence that the vaccine is safe." The coronavirus vaccine, developed by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, won emergency-use approval from federal regulators on Friday after it was found to be 95 per cent effective in preventing illness in a large clinical trial. Governor Andrew Cuomo, watching the landmark moment via video-link, told Lindsay he hoped the vaccine would give her and other frontline health care workers "a sense of security and safety." "It's going to take months before the vaccine hits critical mass. So, this is the light at the end of the tunnel, but it's a long tunnel," he said, reminding people to keep following social distancing guidelines. Also read: Trump, Pence among top US officials to be offered COVID-19 vaccine on priority: Report The first 2.9 million doses began to be shipped to distribution centers around the country on Sunday, just 11 months after the United States documented its first COVID-19 infections. As of Monday, the United States had registered 16,286,343 cases and 299,489 deaths from the virus. Hospitals in Texas, Utah and Minnesota said they also anticipated receiving their first doses of the vaccine at select hospitals on Monday, to be administered right away. COVID-19 has ravaged the United States. More than 299,000 Americans have been killed by the virus, including over 35,000 residents of New York state. Logistical challenge The first US shipments of coronavirus vaccine departed from Pfizer's facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan, on Sunday, packed into trucks with dry-ice to maintain the necessary sub-Arctic temperatures, and then were transported to UPS and FedEx planes waiting at air fields in Lansing and Grand Rapids, kicking off a national immunization endeavor of unprecedented complexity. In picture: Boxes containing Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine are unloaded from air shipping containers at UPS Worldport, in Louisville, Kentucky/Reuters The jets delivered the shipments to UPS and FedEx cargo hubs in Louisville and Memphis, respectively, from where they were loaded onto planes and trucks to be distributed to the first 145 of 636 vaccine-staging areas across the country. Second and third waves of vaccine shipments were due to go out to the remaining sites on Tuesday and Wednesday. "This is the most difficult vaccine rollout in history. There will be hiccups undoubtedly but we've done everything from a federal level and working with partners to make it go as smoothly as possible. Please be patient with us," Surgeon General Jerome Adams told Fox News on Monday, adding that he would get the shot as soon as he can. The logistical effort is further complicated by the need to transport and store the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine at minus 70 Celsius (minus 94 Fahrenheit), requiring enormous quantities of dry ice or specialized ultra-cold freezers. Workers clapped and whistled as the first boxes were loaded onto trucks at the Pfizer factory on Sunday. "We know we're all suffering, our families are suffering. We're going into the Christmas holiday with shutdowns and people are going to be very impacted by this pandemic. We know how much people are hurting," UPS Healthcare President Wes Wheeler said on Sunday from the company’s command center in Louisville, Kentucky Healthcare workers and elderly residents of long-term care homes will be first in line to get the inoculations of a two-dose regimen given about three weeks apart.

US administers first coronavirus vaccine; Donald Trump congratulates Americans

Singapore has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine</a>, and expects to receive the first shipments of the shots by the end of December, the prime minister said Monday.

The city-state joins a handful of other countries around the world, including Britain and the United States, which have approved the jab.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-govt-releases-guidelines-for-covid-19-vaccination-check-out-all-the-details-349741" hreflang="en">Indian govt releases guidelines for Covid-19 vaccination: Check out all the details</a>

Singapore hopes to have enough vaccines for its 5.7 million population by the third quarter of 2021, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a televised address.

Priority will be given to those at most risk, such as health care workers, the elderly and vulnerable.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/next-four-to-six-months-could-be-worst-of-coronavirus-pandemic-bill-gates-349593" hreflang="en">Next four to six months could be worst of coronavirus pandemic: Bill Gates</a>

Vaccination would be voluntary, Lee said, but he was "strongly" encouraging people to get the shot.

"Because when you get yourself vaccinated, you are not just protecting yourself. You are also doing your part to protect others, especially your loved ones," he said.

Lee also announced a further easing of virus curbs from December 28 as Singapore's outbreak slows markedly, with weeks of barely any local transmissions.

The maximum number of people who can gather outside their homes and the number of visitors a household can host will be raised from five to eight, he said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-to-distribute-40-million-vaccine-doses-by-2020-end-349713">WATCH|</a>

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The number of people allowed in shopping malls, places of worship and attractions such as museums will also be raised.

Singapore initially kept Covid-19 in check through rigorous contact tracing but the virus later swept through dormitories housing low-paid migrant workers, prompting authorities to implement a partial lockdown.

Many businesses and schools were allowed re-open in June but Monday's announcement is the biggest easing of curbs for months.

But Lee warned the situation was volatile and urged residents to continue to keep their guard up.

"This is absolutely not the time to relax and let our guard down, or to hold a big party imagining the problem has disappeared," he said.

Singapore has reported more than 58,000 cases and 29 deaths.

While the city-state's borders remain closed to most international visitors, life has slowly been returning to normal for many.&nbsp;

Singapore has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, and expects to receive the first shipments of the shots by the end of December, the prime minister said Monday.

Singapore has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, and expects to receive the first shipments of the shots by the end of December, the prime minister said Monday. The city-state joins a handful of other countries around the world, including Britain and the United States, which have approved the jab. Also read| Indian govt releases guidelines for Covid-19 vaccination: Check out all the details Singapore hopes to have enough vaccines for its 5.7 million population by the third quarter of 2021, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in a televised address. Priority will be given to those at most risk, such as health care workers, the elderly and vulnerable. Also read| Next four to six months could be worst of coronavirus pandemic: Bill Gates Vaccination would be voluntary, Lee said, but he was "strongly" encouraging people to get the shot. "Because when you get yourself vaccinated, you are not just protecting yourself. You are also doing your part to protect others, especially your loved ones," he said. Lee also announced a further easing of virus curbs from December 28 as Singapore's outbreak slows markedly, with weeks of barely any local transmissions. The maximum number of people who can gather outside their homes and the number of visitors a household can host will be raised from five to eight, he said. WATCH| × The number of people allowed in shopping malls, places of worship and attractions such as museums will also be raised. Singapore initially kept Covid-19 in check through rigorous contact tracing but the virus later swept through dormitories housing low-paid migrant workers, prompting authorities to implement a partial lockdown. Many businesses and schools were allowed re-open in June but Monday's announcement is the biggest easing of curbs for months. But Lee warned the situation was volatile and urged residents to continue to keep their guard up. "This is absolutely not the time to relax and let our guard down, or to hold a big party imagining the problem has disappeared," he said. Singapore has reported more than 58,000 cases and 29 deaths. While the city-state's borders remain closed to most international visitors, life has slowly been returning to normal for many.

Singapore approves Pfizer-BioNTech virus vaccine

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

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

US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) on Saturday denied that the emergency approval to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine was not given under political pressure. The regulator granted the approval on Saturday paving the way for mass vaccination in USA, the worst affected country in the global coronavirus pandemic.

"The representations in the press that I was threatened to be fired if we didn't get it done by a certain date is inaccurate," said Stephen Hahn, USFDA Commissioner refuting claims of political pressure.

He added that the decision, which had been expected a few days later, was "based on the strongest scientific integrity."

The agency also released new information for health care providers and for patients as the US shipped millions of doses of the vaccine across the country.&nbsp;

The United States has the highest pandemic death toll of any in the world, with fatalities now approaching 300,000 and nearly 16 million cases of infection.

FDA is now warning people who have a history of severe allergic reaction to ingredients in the vaccine, which are included on a patient fact sheet, not to take it.

If they receive the first dose and have a severe allergic reaction, they are advised to not take the second dose.

The FDA has made no definitive ruling regarding whether pregnant women or the immunocompromised should be given the shots, instead punting that call to people to make for themselves in consultation with their doctors.&nbsp;

"There were not enough pregnant women in the trials, or women who became pregnant in the trials to actually know, and make any statement about that," said FDA scientist Peter Marks.

"It will be something that providers will need to consider on an individual basis for patients."

Marks also voiced support for Pfizer's plan to allow people involved in the clinical trial to find out whether they had received the vaccine or placebo.

Under this proposal, if they received the placebo, they can request the vaccine when their demographic group's turn comes up.

US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) on Saturday denied that the emergency approval to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine was not given under political pressure. The regulator granted the approval on Saturday paving the way for mass vaccination in USA, the worst affected country in the global coronavirus pandemic.

US Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) on Saturday denied that the emergency approval to Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine was not given under political pressure. The regulator granted the approval on Saturday paving the way for mass vaccination in USA, the worst affected country in the global coronavirus pandemic. "The representations in the press that I was threatened to be fired if we didn't get it done by a certain date is inaccurate," said Stephen Hahn, USFDA Commissioner refuting claims of political pressure. He added that the decision, which had been expected a few days later, was "based on the strongest scientific integrity." The agency also released new information for health care providers and for patients as the US shipped millions of doses of the vaccine across the country. The United States has the highest pandemic death toll of any in the world, with fatalities now approaching 300,000 and nearly 16 million cases of infection. FDA is now warning people who have a history of severe allergic reaction to ingredients in the vaccine, which are included on a patient fact sheet, not to take it. If they receive the first dose and have a severe allergic reaction, they are advised to not take the second dose. The FDA has made no definitive ruling regarding whether pregnant women or the immunocompromised should be given the shots, instead punting that call to people to make for themselves in consultation with their doctors. "There were not enough pregnant women in the trials, or women who became pregnant in the trials to actually know, and make any statement about that," said FDA scientist Peter Marks. "It will be something that providers will need to consider on an individual basis for patients." Marks also voiced support for Pfizer's plan to allow people involved in the clinical trial to find out whether they had received the vaccine or placebo. Under this proposal, if they received the placebo, they can request the vaccine when their demographic group's turn comes up.

USFDA denies political pressure to approve Pfizer COVID vaccine quickly

The Pfizer Inc's coronavirus vaccine has been endorsed by a panel of outside advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Thursday (December 10). And at the same time, a leading New York hospital system was standing at the ready with temperature-appropriate freezers.

New York's Mount Sinai prepares to distribute Pfizer vaccine

A panel of outside advisers to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday voted overwhelmingly to endorse emergency use of Pfizer Inc's coronavirus vaccine, paving the way for the agency to authorize the shot for a nation that has lost more than 285,000 lives to COVID-19.

US FDA advisory panel votes in favor of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine

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

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

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

US FDA advisors recommend authorisation of Pfizer Covid vaccine

There has been a lot of concern raised this week on social media platforms over Pfizer's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine</a>, claiming that the drug can cause infertility.

The alarm was raised following an article published by a blog named as Health and Money News that falsely claimed that Pfizer's drug comprises ingredients have the potential in "training the female body to attack" a protein that plays a key role in the development of the placenta.

Watch |&nbsp;

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Let's check out the experts take on this claim.

Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-situation-in-us-may-become-normal-by-summer-or-fall-says-dr-fauci-349009">Coronavirus situation in US may become normal by summer or fall, says Dr Fauci</a>

"It's a myth, it's inaccurate — there's no evidence to support their perception," Saad Omer, a vaccine expert at Yale University, was quoted as saying by the NYT.

He added that expert agencies that clear the vaccines follow a "rigorous process" to eliminate products that might lead to disastrous consequences.&nbsp;

The placental proteins or the material that orders the formation of placental proteins are not present in Pfizer's vaccine as claimed by the article in Health and Money News. &nbsp;

Stephanie Langel, an immunologist and expert in maternal and neonatal immunity at Duke University, also underscored that Covid-19 spike and the placental protein have almost nothing similar, meaning that the vaccine doesn't have any ingredient to trigger these tissues.&nbsp;

She also pointed out the human body is capable of removing immune reactions that are detrimental to its own tissues.&nbsp;

"If we didn't have that, we wouldn't even make it past Day 1 of life," Langel said.

There has been a lot of concern raised this week on social media platforms over Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine, claiming that the drug can cause infertility. The alarm was raised following an article published by a blog named as Health and Money News that falsely claimed that Pfizer's drug comprises ingredients have the potential in "training the female body to attack" a protein that plays a key role in the development of the placenta.

There has been a lot of concern raised this week on social media platforms over Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine, claiming that the drug can cause infertility. The alarm was raised following an article published by a blog named as Health and Money News that falsely claimed that Pfizer's drug comprises ingredients have the potential in "training the female body to attack" a protein that plays a key role in the development of the placenta. Watch | Let's check out the experts take on this claim. Also read | Coronavirus situation in US may become normal by summer or fall, says Dr Fauci "It's a myth, it's inaccurate — there's no evidence to support their perception," Saad Omer, a vaccine expert at Yale University, was quoted as saying by the NYT. He added that expert agencies that clear the vaccines follow a "rigorous process" to eliminate products that might lead to disastrous consequences. The placental proteins or the material that orders the formation of placental proteins are not present in Pfizer's vaccine as claimed by the article in Health and Money News. Stephanie Langel, an immunologist and expert in maternal and neonatal immunity at Duke University, also underscored that Covid-19 spike and the placental protein have almost nothing similar, meaning that the vaccine doesn't have any ingredient to trigger these tissues. She also pointed out the human body is capable of removing immune reactions that are detrimental to its own tissues. "If we didn't have that, we wouldn't even make it past Day 1 of life," Langel said.

Can Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine lead to infertility? Experts have this to say

Canada on Wednesday approved its first COVID-19 vaccine and said initial shots will be delivered and administered across the country starting next week, while every Canadian will be able to be inoculated as early as the end of September.

Canada approves first COVID-19 vaccine, expects inoculations next week

As the United Kingdom began administering people with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, four people who got Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine in the firm's trial developed Bell's palsy, a form of temporary facial paralysis, according to US regulators' report on the shot.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulators said there wasn't any clear way that the vaccine caused Bell's palsy, but warned that doctors should watch for the alarming side effect and Pfizer should continue to keep tab on how many people it strikes.

Bell’s palsy is a condition that causes temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. It can usually occur when a nerve that controls the muscles becomes inflamed, swollen or compressed.

Meanwhile, Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla said the company did not "cut any corners" while rolling out the vaccines.

The vaccine has "been tested in the exact same way as we are testing any vaccine that is circulating out there," Bourla asserted, adding, "this vaccine actually was tested, because of the scrutiny, with even higher standards in terms of how we do things."

Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine comes even as the coronavirus related deaths continue to climb across the world with over 1.5 million casualties and more than 69&nbsp;million cases.

"Always there are people who are sceptical about vaccines, but I have to say they are wrong," the Pfizer CEO said.

However, Documents released by U.S. regulators on Tuesday confirmed that Pfizer’s vaccine was strongly protective against COVID-19 and appeared safe — offering the world’s first detailed look at the evidence behind the shots.

The positive review from the Food and Drug Administration sets the stage for a decision allowing the vaccine’s initial use within days. FDA regulators posted their analysis online even as across the Atlantic, Britain began vaccinating its oldest citizens with the shots, which were co-developed with BioNTech.

(With inputs from agencies)

As the United Kingdom began administering people with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, four people who got Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine in the firm's trial developed Bell's palsy, a form of temporary facial paralysis, according to US regulators' report on the shot.

As the United Kingdom began administering people with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, four people who got Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine in the firm's trial developed Bell's palsy, a form of temporary facial paralysis, according to US regulators' report on the shot. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulators said there wasn't any clear way that the vaccine caused Bell's palsy, but warned that doctors should watch for the alarming side effect and Pfizer should continue to keep tab on how many people it strikes. Bell’s palsy is a condition that causes temporary weakness or paralysis of the facial muscles. It can usually occur when a nerve that controls the muscles becomes inflamed, swollen or compressed. Meanwhile, Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla said the company did not "cut any corners" while rolling out the vaccines. The vaccine has "been tested in the exact same way as we are testing any vaccine that is circulating out there," Bourla asserted, adding, "this vaccine actually was tested, because of the scrutiny, with even higher standards in terms of how we do things." Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine comes even as the coronavirus related deaths continue to climb across the world with over 1.5 million casualties and more than 69 million cases. "Always there are people who are sceptical about vaccines, but I have to say they are wrong," the Pfizer CEO said. However, Documents released by U.S. regulators on Tuesday confirmed that Pfizer’s vaccine was strongly protective against COVID-19 and appeared safe — offering the world’s first detailed look at the evidence behind the shots. The positive review from the Food and Drug Administration sets the stage for a decision allowing the vaccine’s initial use within days. FDA regulators posted their analysis online even as across the Atlantic, Britain began vaccinating its oldest citizens with the shots, which were co-developed with BioNTech. (With inputs from agencies)

Four trial volunteers who got Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine developed Bell's palsy

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