Following is a abstract of present well being information briefs.
South Africa’s Afrigen partners with U.S. on mRNA vaccine analysis
South Africa’s Afrigen Biologics Limited mentioned on Friday that it’s going to collaborate with U.S. authorities researchers to develop mRNA vaccines and therapeutics. The settlement will allow the sharing of scientific experience, technical expertise and supplies with the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to assist Afrigen produce mRNA vaccines in opposition to COVID-19 and different ailments, mentioned the Cape Town-based biotech start-up.
Gay males, some trans individuals and intercourse staff needs to be vaccinated in opposition to monkeypox, French well being physique says
France’s HAS well being authority on Friday really useful widening the vaccination marketing campaign in opposition to monkeypox, saying that these most uncovered to the danger of contracting the virus by means of sexual relations ought to obtain an innocculation. “Men who’ve sexual relationships with different males and trans individuals who have a number of sexual partners” needs to be vaccinated, the HAS mentioned, in addition to properly as individuals engaged in prostitution or in any other case working in “sexual consumption areas”.
After backlash, Beijing drops COVID vaccination mandate for crowded venues
Beijing’s metropolis authorities has dropped plans to permit solely vaccinated individuals to enter crowded venues equivalent to libraries, cinemas and gyms from Monday, following a powerful on-line backlash to the measure introduced earlier this week. The obligatory requirement would have marked a uncommon transfer in China, the place the central authorities insists on voluntary vaccination and has rapidly overruled different makes an attempt by front-line officers to concern obligatory vaccination directives.
Invasion of big African land snails places Florida on offensive
Hundreds of big African land snails have turned up on Florida’s Gulf Coast, officers mentioned on Friday, threatening to destroy an unlimited array of vegetation and timber, and posing the danger of transmitting a uncommon kind of meningitis to people. The snail, native to East Africa, is likely one of the most damaging on this planet, consuming a minimum of 500 several types of vegetation, tree bark, and even paint and stucco on homes, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s web site mentioned.
Shanghai reopens cinemas however COVID dangers ‘comparatively excessive’
Shanghai reopened most cinemas on Friday, sticking to a plan of gradual resumption of each day actions after it lifted a two-month COVID-19 lockdown in June, whereas additionally attempting, like a number of different Chinese cities, to include resurgent infections. Seeking to keep away from a repeat of the ordeal that the business hub of 25 million suffered in April and May, Shanghai’s technique rests on frequent COVID testing, thorough contact tracing and remoted lockdowns of residential buildings and different venues.
Shanghai faces ‘comparatively excessive’ danger of additional COVID neighborhood unfold
China’s business hub Shanghai faces a “comparatively excessive” danger of additional neighborhood transmission of COVID-19, Lei Zhenglong, an official on the National Health Commission, mentioned on Friday. Shanghai reopened most cinemas on Friday, sticking to a plan of gradual resumption of each day actions after lifting a two-month COVID-19 lockdown in June, whereas additionally attempting, like a number of different Chinese cities, to include resurgent infections.
U.S. FDA grants full approval to Pfizer COVID vaccine for ages 12-15
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration mentioned on Friday it has granted full approval to Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years. The vaccine, bought beneath the model identify Comirnaty for adults, has been accessible beneath an emergency use authorization since May 2021 for the 12-15 age group. It will now be bought beneath the identical model identify for adolescents as properly.
China COVID monitoring app cuts journey historical past scrutiny
China’s nationwide authorities are lowering scrutiny of residents’ journey historical past for COVID-19 monitoring, requiring {that a} obligatory cellular app exhibits the earlier seven days of journey, down from 14, an adjustment prone to enhance home tourism. The app, whose identify interprets to itinerary card, helped authorities to establish whether or not individuals visited areas with COVID infections, and to resolve whether or not they need to be examined for the virus or probably positioned in quarantine.
EU medication regulator open to COVID boosters that focus on older Omicron offshoots
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) is open to utilizing subsequent era COVID-19 vaccines that focus on older offshoots of the Omicron variant this fall, an official mentioned on Thursday, amid an increase in instances attributable to new Omicron subvariants. While the present coronavirus vaccines proceed to supply good safety in opposition to hospitalisation and loss of life, vaccine effectiveness has taken a success because the virus has advanced. The EMA expects new COVID vaccine boosters to be accepted by September.
(With inputs from companies.)
