The world’s exit plan for pandemic hits a problem

The world’s exit plan for pandemic hits a problem

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Although it is a major obstacle in the way of recovery, it is not the time for governments to throw away their stock, writes Ivana Kottasová. Experts believe that the shot may, even very likely, be effective in preventing serious illness and death.

Some countries that rely on the vaccine may need to shift their goalposts. Instead of trying to establish herd immunity, the focus may be on preventing as many deaths as possible, even while the virus continues to circulate.

Much is being driven on the success of this one vaccine, developed on a not-for-proft basis. The organizers of a scheme to get vaccines to low- and middle-income countries, called COVAX, have announced plans to distribute more than 337 million vaccines by the end of June, of which 336 million are from AstraZeneca. They say they are now waiting to hear the recommendations of the experts.

Many affluent countries also rely on AstraZeneca, as they rush to vaccinate their populations before more dangerous new varieties emerge. The US, which now reports its lowest infection rates in three months, relies on 300 million doses of the drug, just like the European Union. The UK has ordered 100 million doses.

YOU ASKED. WE ANSWER.

Q: Can people decide which vaccine to take?

A: In most countries where different vaccines are available, people simply get what they get – at least for now, while supplies last.

Pfizer’s vaccine requires special, ultra-cold storage – much colder than normal freezers offer, so it’s only available to people in countries that can support cold supply chains. Even within these countries, Pfizer can be restricted to people living in areas where such freezing facilities are available.

The Moderna vaccine can be transported and stored at normal cooling temperatures, which can make it better for rural areas or places that are not close to ultra-cold storage.

In the US, AstraZeneca is still applying for emergency use authorization, so it is not yet available. It is already being rolled out in the UK and has been approved in the European Union.

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WHAT IS IMPORTANT TODAY

She is one of the most powerful women in Europe. A vaccine could derail her mainland plans

It is likely that many of the world had never heard the name Ursula von der Leyen a few weeks ago. The president of the European Commission is not a job that enjoys the fame of a national leader. So if the head of the commission appears in the media, the chances are high that something has probably gone very wrong, writes Luke McGee.

The EU’s unchanging spit with the UK and drugmaker AstraZeneca over limited supply of Covid-19 vaccines has dragged von der Leyen and her driving style into the spotlight. In the hefty proposal, the Commission proposed export controls on vaccine manufacturers, and even caused fears of a return to sectarian, cross-border violence by threatening to place restrictions between Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Facebook is trying to solve its anti-vaxxer problem. Again

After years of struggling to crack down on misinformation about vaccines, Facebook is once again reviewing its policy to tighten it. The company announced Monday that it is expanding its efforts to remove false claims on its platform as well as on Instagram about Covid-19 vaccines and vaccines in general during the pandemic, reports Kaya Yurieff.

The announcement comes a day after CNN Business reported that Instagram has consistently offered anti-waxxer accounts in its search results, while Facebook groups are easy to find against vaccine relationships. The findings are of concern to public health experts, as the United States is in the midst of the biggest explosion of vaccines ever to address the coronavirus pandemic.

President Joe Biden considers domestic flights testing

People planning to travel with domestic flights in the United States may soon have to present a negative Covid-19 test before boarding aircraft. Transport Secretary Pete Buttigieg confirmed in an interview with Axios on HBO on Sunday that the Biden government was considering the measure, but gave no further details.

“There is currently an active dialogue with the CDC,” Buttigieg said. “What I can tell you is that it will be guided by data, by science, by medicine and by the input of the people who are actually going to have to carry it out.”

The discussion follows a CDC rule that went into effect in late January, requiring negative Covid-19 tests for international travelers, U.S. citizens and residents entering the United States.

ON OUR RADAR

"It's about the vaccine for me now," says Sara Jablow, who was vaccinated early because of her job and is interested in going out. "I'm pretty simple about it: I believe in science, and if someone is not interested (in the vaccine) ... I'm done."
  • Dating agencies are seeing an increase in demand for partners who have received their Covid-19 shots.
  • Failures in leadership have led to a major Covid outbreak on the aircraft carrier, a watchdog report found.
  • This mother built a simpler Covid-19 vaccination website for her state – while she was on maternity leave.
  • Experts feared a ‘twindemie’ of Covid-19 and flu, but it never happened. Here’s why.

BO-WENK

Some parts of the US are starting to reopen restaurants, even though Covid-19 still ships at high rates. Last Friday, Los Angeles said it could reopen restaurants with restrictions and 50% capacity for outdoor dining. Chicago reopens with rules encouraging physical distance and masks. New York has announced that restaurants can reopen just in time for Valentine’s Day with 25% capacity. It is even safer to avoid indoor eateries, but dr. Anthony Fauci says this is possible if it is ‘done carefully’.

“When you eat indoors, you do it at a spacious distance where you are not sitting right next to each other,” the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases told CN LN Don Lemon. “Good airflow” is the key, he said. Read here for more information on eating indoors.

TODAY’S PODCAST

‘I think it’s very important that we try to re-examine the concept of trying to protect pregnant women from research, as we may be able to better protect pregnant women by allowing them to participate in research and by information within the safe limits of a clinical trial. “- Dr. Emily S. Miller, obstetrician and member of the COVID-19 task force of the Association for Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Sanjay Gupta, CNN’s chief medical correspondent, talks to dr. Miller on whether pregnant women should get a vaccine against Covid-19. Listen now.

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