Tokyo economy - COVID-19 variants

 COVID-19 variants could hit Tokyo economy by extra ¥4 tril

University of Tokyo economists estimate the Japanese capital could see an additional 4 trillion yen economic hit if highly contagious coronavirus variants spread quickly across the city, but says the impact can be mitigated if infections are slowed.

A relatively speedy spread of mutations in Tokyo could leave the capital dealing with over 1,400 daily infections in May -- up from around 500 seen in early April -- an increase that would make variants a major source of new COVID-19 infections by around July, the estimate shows.

Such a scenario would expand an economic loss in Tokyo by 3.76 trillion yen, according to the team led by Taisuke Nakata, an associate professor of economics, and Daisuke Fujii, an assistant professor of economics.

In a less severe scenario in which the spread of variants is slower, the team estimates Tokyo would sustain a more than 2 trillion yen hit.

In that case, the number of COVID-19 cases would top 1,000 in May but the variants would not make up the majority of infections until around the end of the year.

-Kyodo

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PH RECEIVES FIRST BATCH OF GOVERNMENT-PROCURED VACCINES

 

Press Release | 29 March 2021

The Philippines on Monday received the first tranche of 1 million CoronaVac vaccine doses out of the total 25 million doses procured by the national government from vaccine manufacturer SINOVAC.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, Senator Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, National Task Force against COVID-19 Chief Implementer and Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito G. Galvez Jr. (NTF Vaccine Czar), and Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines Huang Xilian received the vaccine doses at Villamor Airbase in Pasay City.

“The arrival of these vaccines is great news as we are beginning to see the fruits of our negotiation efforts after months of hard work to provide vaccines for our people. This is but the first of the many other doses we have negotiated in order to achieve our goal of herd immunity,” Vaccine Czar Sec. Galvez said.

“We are expecting the delivery of around 1.5 to 4 million of the remaining procured doses from SINOVAC by April and May 2021 together with the additional 979,200 AstraZeneca vaccine doses from the WHO-led COVAX facility. These will allow the country to further expand coverage of our vaccination program,” Sec. Galvez added.

The remaining 24 million CoronaVac doses procured by the national government are scheduled to arrive in the following months. With the arrival of both procured vaccines and vaccines from the COVAX Facility, the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccination program is expected to ramp up as the government recently approved the simultaneous rollout of vaccination to priority groups A1 to A3.

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No indication for the Philippines to stop rollout of AstraZeneca vaccines

 

Press Release | 12 March 2021

The DOH and FDA are aware that a few countries in the European Union have recently paused their vaccination campaign with COVID-19 vaccine AstraZeneca following reports of blood clots in people who received the vaccine. This has been decided as a precautionary measure, while they conduct a full investigation to determine causality between the vaccination and the reported adverse events following immunization.

Moreover, the European Medicine Authority (EMA) has also emphasized that there is currently no indication that vaccination has caused these conditions, which are not listed as side effects with this vaccine, saying, “The position of EMA’s safety committee PRAC is that the vaccine’s benefits continue to outweigh its risks and the vaccine can continue to be administered while investigation of cases of thromboembolic events is ongoing. PRAC is already reviewing all cases of thromboembolic events, and other conditions related to blood clots, reported post-vaccination with COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca.”

At present, the DOH and FDA emphasize that there is no indication for the Philippines to stop rollout of AstraZeneca vaccines. The DOH, NTF and FDA are closely coordinating on this matter. The public is assured they will closely monitor all deployed vaccines.

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First batch of purchased Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines

 Philippines receives first batch of purchased Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte (L) stands beside Health Secretary Francisco Duque as they present a case containing government-purchased Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines in Manila, the Philippines, on March 29, 2021. The Philippines on Monday received the first batch of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines its government has purchased from China. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

MANILA, March 29 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines on Monday received the first batch of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines its government has purchased from China.

Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte welcomed the arrival of the CoronaVac vaccines alongside Chinese Ambassador to the Philippines, Huang Xilian, at an air force base in the capital Manila.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque said the vaccine arrival "is very timely and most crucial," especially when Metro Manila and its adjacent provinces are experiencing a surge in coronavirus infections.

Two batches of the China-donated Sinovac vaccines had previously arrived in the Philippines since last February, allowing the Southeast Asian country to kick off its vaccination drive on March 1.

"China now is the first and only country to provide vaccines to the Philippines through both donation and commercial procurement, which is a testament to our traditional friendship with solidarity and closer partnership in the new era," Ambassador Huang said at the handover ceremony on Monday.

The Philippines' Department of Health reported 10,016 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 on Monday, the highest ever daily tally since the coronavirus outbreak in January last year in the country, raising its total tally to 731,894.

The death toll rose to 13,186 on Monday after 16 more patients died from the viral disease.

The Philippine government is ramping up the vaccination efforts in Metro Manila and its four adjacent provinces where most infections have been detected. It aims to inoculate up to 70 million Filipinos this year to achieve herd immunity, starting with health care workers and the elderly.

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COVID 19 VACCINES

 About Vaccines

1. How do vaccines prevent disease?
Vaccines mimic the virus or bacteria that causes disease and triggers the body’s creation of antibodies. These antibodies will provide protection once a person is infected with the actual disease-causing virus or bacteria.

2. How do vaccines differ?
Vaccines differ in their composition and how they trigger the immune response to create antibodies. These antibodies protect the body from microorganisms and serve as protection once a person gets infected with disease. Vaccines can be inactivated, weakened or killed copies of the whole or part of the virus or bacteria, or genetic product (like mRNA vaccines) that creates protein copies without causing disease.

3. What are the possible side effects of vaccination?
The possible side effects of a vaccine include pain, redness, itchiness or swelling at the injection site (which may last a few hours); fever; feeling of weakness or fatigue; headache; dizziness; diarrhea; or nausea. Consult the nearest healthcare professional if you experience any of these.

4. Is vaccination mandatory?
No, vaccination is not mandatory. But the government highly encourages the public to get vaccinated and be protected against preventable disease.

5. Why do we need to get vaccinated for COVID-19?
With the BIDA steps and observance of minimum public health standards, vaccination is an important way to protect yourself from getting severe COVID-19.

6. When will the COVID-19 vaccine be available?
The government is currently in the advanced stages of negotiations with various vaccine manufacturers. We expect the first vaccine supply to arrive in the first quarter of 2021.

7. What is an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA)?
It is an authorization granted through a risk-based procedure for assessing unregistered (under development) vaccines or drugs during public health emergencies of international concern. It aims to expedite availability of the vaccine or drug to people affected by public health emergency based on essential set of available quality, safety and efficacy performance data.

8. Who will get the vaccines first?
Frontline health workers, senior citizens, indigent population, and uniformed personnel are the priority groups to be vaccinated.

9. Why will the prioritized groups get the vaccine first?
With the initial limited supply, frontline health workers and uniformed personnel are prioritized since they have higher risk of exposure while on duty and to allow them to continue fulfilling their duties in both the public and private sectors. Vulnerable groups such as the elderly and the indigent population, are prioritized guided by the principle of equity.

10. Can I purchase the vaccine from private clinics or pharmacies?
No, you cannot purchase COVID-19 vaccines from private clinics or pharmacies. At present, only the government is duly authorized to procure and administer vaccines. Until a full market authorization is issued by the Philippine FDA, any COVID-19 vaccine should not be sold to the public.

11. Is the vaccine free for priority groups?
The cost of vaccines for priority groups will be shouldered by the Philippine government.

12. If I am not part of the priority group, how will I get access to the vaccine?
The government is continuing negotiations to ensure adequate vaccine supply for all Filipinos, including those not in the priority groups.

13. Are the COVID-19 vaccines safe and effective?
COVID-19 vaccines that are granted with Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are considered safe and effective based on the available evidence to date.

14. Are there risks for complications when given the COVID-19 vaccine?
Yes, like all other vaccines, there are risks of complications BUT SEVERE OR LIFE-THREATENING REACTIONS ARE EXTREMELY RARE. The benefit of protection against severe COVID-19 is greater than the risk. Anyone who will get the vaccine will be properly evaluated and closely monitored by health professionals to further minimize any risk.

15. What can we do while waiting for the vaccine?
Be more vigilant with the information found online. Let us make it a habit to fact check and verify with reliable sources (DOH Facebook page, DOH website, WHO website, PIA website) regarding new information. Continue observing the minimum public health standards to prevent further transmission of the virus.

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Implications of the UK coronavirus variant for the Netherlands

Viruses mutate all the time, which can cause them to behave differently. At the end of 2020, UK scientists discovered a variant of coronavirus that is much more contagious than the variants we’ve encountered so far. While the original virus is now infecting fewer people, the number of people infected with the UK variant is growing. What are the implications for the Netherlands?

30% to 50% more contagious

There are thousands of variants of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The most contagious variant will ultimately gain the overhand. The UK variant’s reproduction number (R number) is estimated to be 30% to 50% higher than the R number of the original virus. RIVM predicts that the UK variant will be the most prevalent in the Netherlands by February 2021.

More total cases, but not more severe cases

The UK variant does not make people more seriously ill. The main threat is that a greater number of people will become ill. This means that more people will end up in hospital, putting pressure on healthcare services. More people will die, too.


Measures

Infection rates can only be reduced by means of vaccinations and measures to control the spread of the virus. This applies to every variant of coronavirus. The RIVM has calculated the effects of various measures. Strict measures have applied since the start of the lockdown on 14 December 2020, but extra measures are needed to contain the UK variant. For this reason, a curfew came into force on 23 January.

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Coronavirus Impacts on the Poultry Industry

 What is the Impacts of the Coronavirus on the Poultry Industry ?

The poultry business in various pieces of the world has been struck in the midst of bits of gossip that the novel coronavirus can be transmitted through the utilization of chicken, the costs of which have fallen extensively subsequently.

In spite of the fact that the International Poultry Council (IPC) has spoken to FAO, World Trade Organization accepted to help the poultry and its dependent business and assurance its cognitive activity. The IPC stresses this may be imperiled now, as it sees interruptions in reproducing stock conveyances in individual nations. A sharp decrease in aircraft traffic comprehensively, brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic could leave a few organizations without breeding stock and incubating eggs. Worldwide controllers and governments need to address that issue according to the IPC.

Impacts on the Poultry industry 

As per specialists, poultry and its dependent sectors are carrying the misfortune to the market at INR 1,000 Crores. Misfortunes could mount however as chicken costs hit absolute bottom and offer of chicken items grind to a halt, specialists said. Numerous ranchers have closed activities.  For whatever length of time that the coronavirus alarm remains, the request will be quieted, affecting business. The expense of the creation of chicken in India is pegged at INR 75-80 for each kg. The average cost at which chicken is selling remains at INR 15 for every kg.  Ramesh Khatri, president, Poultry Federation of India said that Poultry ranchers with around 1,500 winged creatures would disappear from the market. As indicated by him, the more significant stress is that they could now observe work misfortunes in the market. A few organizations could likewise see a sharp disintegration in working capital. 

A vast number of little poultry ranchers in the nation are reeling after deals have slammed 80% over bogus cases that chickens are bearers of the coronavirus. Conditions of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh have all the earmarks of being the most exceedingly terrible influenced, with ranchers turning to freeze deals,  and some, in any event, going similarly as winnowing chickens. In the midst of cries of help, poultry ranchers are looking for government help, expressing that the COVID-19 emergency has all the earmarks of being more far-reaching in India than the winged creature influenza episode of 2006, which was confined toward the western part of the nation. 

In spite of multipronged endeavors from poultry players and the Ministry of Animal Husbandry to splash the gossipy tidbits and to spread mindfulness about the wellbeing of poultry meat utilization, the circumstance doesn't appear to have improved. As indicated by Nadir Godrej, administrator, Godrej Agrovet, it is hard to adjust individuals' perspectives. Utilization of  chicken has fallen a great deal. At some point, the cost of chicken was down to half of its expense of creation, and it could be lower. The last has a joint endeavor with the US-based Tyson Foods, which markets brands, for example, Real Good Chicken and Real Good Yummiez. Powerless interest from the poultry area has brought about a sharp decrease in feed costs as well, with both  soybean and maize costs falling by almost 25 percent in the previous two months. The poultry advertise devours around half of soybean and maize creation in India.

Conclusion

The present circumstance could mess up to creature government assistance, on the grounds that many eggs were put in incubators before the start of the current  emergency. In any case, over the long haul, the stockpile disturbances imperiled nourishment security comprehensively, the IPC clarified. Right now, activities are required to address that issue and guarantee that flights with reproducing material, necessary for the feasible operation of the poultry business, are preceded.

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The Impact of COVID-19 on people's livelihoods, their health and our food systems

The Impact of COVID-19 on people's livelihoods, their health and our food systems

Joint statement by ILO, FAO, IFAD and WHO

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a dramatic loss of human life worldwide and presents an unprecedented challenge to public health, food systems and the world of work. The economic and social disruption caused by the pandemic is devastating: tens of millions of people are at risk of falling into extreme poverty, while the number of undernourished people, currently estimated at nearly 690 million, could increase by up to 132 million by the end of the year.


Millions of enterprises face an existential threat. Nearly half of the world’s 3.3 billion global workforce are at risk of losing their livelihoods. Informal economy workers are particularly vulnerable because the majority lack social protection and access to quality health care and have lost access to productive assets. Without the means to earn an income during lockdowns, many are unable to feed themselves and their families. For most, no income means no food, or, at best, less food and less nutritious food. 


The pandemic has been affecting the entire food system and has laid bare its fragility. Border closures, trade restrictions and confinement measures have been preventing farmers from accessing markets, including for buying inputs and selling their produce, and agricultural workers from harvesting crops, thus disrupting domestic and international food supply chains and reducing access to healthy, safe and diverse diets. The pandemic has decimated jobs and placed millions of livelihoods at risk. As breadwinners lose jobs, fall ill and die, the food security and nutrition of millions of women and men are under threat, with those in low-income countries, particularly the most marginalized populations, which include small-scale farmers and indigenous peoples, being hardest hit.


Millions of agricultural workers – waged and self-employed – while feeding the world, regularly face high levels of working poverty, malnutrition and poor health, and suffer from a lack of safety and labour protection as well as other types of abuse. With low and irregular incomes and a lack of social support, many of them are spurred to continue working, often in unsafe conditions, thus exposing themselves and their families to additional risks. Further, when experiencing income losses, they may resort to negative coping strategies, such as distress sale of assets, predatory loans or child labour. Migrant agricultural workers are particularly vulnerable, because they face risks in their transport, working and living conditions and struggle to access support measures put in place by governments. Guaranteeing the safety and health of all agri-food workers – from primary producers to those involved in food processing, transport and retail, including street food vendors – as well as better incomes and protection, will be critical to saving lives and protecting public health, people’s livelihoods and food security.

In the COVID-19 crisis food security, public health, and employment and labour issues, in particular workers’ health and safety, converge. Adhering to workplace safety and health practices and ensuring access to decent work and the protection of labour rights in all industries will be crucial in addressing the human dimension of the crisis. Immediate and purposeful action to save lives and livelihoods should include extending social protection towards universal health coverage and income support for those most affected. These include workers in the informal economy and in poorly protected and low-paid jobs, including youth, older workers, and migrants. Particular attention must be paid to the situation of women, who are over-represented in low-paid jobs and care roles. Different forms of support are key, including cash transfers, child allowances and healthy school meals, shelter and food relief initiatives, support for employment retention and recovery, and financial relief for businesses, including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. In designing and implementing such measures it is essential that governments work closely with employers and workers.


Countries dealing with existing humanitarian crises or emergencies are particularly exposed to the effects of COVID-19. Responding swiftly to the pandemic, while ensuring that humanitarian and recovery assistance reaches those most in need, is critical.


Now is the time for global solidarity and support, especially with the most vulnerable in our societies, particularly in the emerging and developing world. Only together can we overcome the intertwined health and social and economic impacts of the pandemic and prevent its escalation into a protracted humanitarian and food security catastrophe, with the potential loss of already achieved development gains.


We must recognize this opportunity to build back better, as noted in the Policy Brief issued by the United Nations Secretary-General. We are committed to pooling our expertise and experience to support countries in their crisis response measures and efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. We need to develop long-term sustainable strategies to address the challenges facing the health and agri-food sectors. Priority should be given to addressing underlying food security and malnutrition challenges, tackling rural poverty, in particular through more and better jobs in the rural economy, extending social protection to all, facilitating safe migration pathways and promoting the formalization of the informal economy.


We must rethink the future of our environment and tackle climate change and environmental degradation with ambition and urgency. Only then can we protect the health, livelihoods, food security and nutrition of all people, and ensure that our ‘new normal’ is a better one.

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How coronavirus affects young and old ?

Coronavirus does not affect everyone to the same extent. Older people are more likely to die from COVID-19. This can be seen in the graph ‘COVID-19 deaths by age’.

The grey bars on the left show how large each age group is, expressed as a percentage of the entire Dutch population (all groups added together total 100%). The blue bars on the right show the percentage of deaths by age group.

How to read the graph

If you tap on the graph (on your phone or tablet) or move your mouse pointer, you will see the figures per group. Take the age group 80 to 89, for example. In the grey bar on the left you can see that this group represents 4% of the Dutch population. In the blue bar on the right you can see that 44.8% of all coronavirus deaths are in this age group. This shows that there are proportionately more deaths from COVID-19 among people in this age group.

If you look at all the blue bars, you will see that most deaths are in the older age categories.

Under 50

At the bottom of the graph you will see a long, striped bar on the left for the age group 0 to 49. The bar is striped because it is too long for this graph. This is because 59.5% of the Dutch population falls into this age group.

On the right, you can see that only 0.7% of the people who die from COVID-19 fall into this age group. Because so few people under 50 die, RIVM groups together people of all ages up to and including 49.

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Different Variants of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2

When a virus replicates, it can change very slightly every time. This change is usually so small that it has almost no effect on how ill you become and how the virus spreads. Sometimes a change does cause a virus to behave differently, for example allowing it to spread more easily. RIVM National Institute for Public Health and the Environment   closely monitors changes in the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 in the Netherlands and the consequences of those changes. 

It is known that viruses change frequently. There are already thousands of variants of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. RIVM National Institute for Public Health and the Environment   is conducting laboratory research to see which variants are present in the Netherlands and what that means for the spread of the virus in the Netherlands. This is known as pathogen surveillance. It is mainly important to know whether the variants that are circulating also have new characteristics that pose additional risks. For example if they are more easily transmitted, if they make people more ill, or if the virus variants do not respond as well to vaccination.

Variants in the Netherlands

There are many variants of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 circulating worldwide, and a number of those variants are now being monitored and investigated.  At the end of February, the WHO identified which are considered Variants of Concern and which are Variants of Interest. These variants are carefully monitored and mapped due to their (potential) high-risk characteristics and degree of spread.  RIVM is following the recommendations of the WHO in this respect. Through the national pathogen surveillance research, we are also working with laboratories in this country to monitor the coronavirus variants present in the Netherlands.


Research on variants of the virus is also taking place in the Netherlands. At the end of 2020, RIVM started pathogen surveillance for the coronavirus, with random samples being examined on a weekly basis. That started with dozens of samples every week. As more and more laboratories join the efforts, RIVM now analyses about 1200 samples a week, about one thousand of those from the samples randomly selected in the context of pathogen surveillance.  The table below shows the pathogen surveillance results. 


The total number of samples analysed in the context of pathogen surveillance includes not only the variants in this table, but all other variants as well. These results show the samples that were successfully analysed. The samples that were not successfully analysed are not shown in this table.

Week number	Number of  samples tested	UK variant*	South African variant*	Brazilian variant P1*	UK variant  with E484K mutation**	Variants B.1.525 + E484K + F888L**
2020/49	77	1
2020/50	118	1
2020/51	190	1
2020/52	238	5	1
2020/53	204	9	1
2021/1	334	32
2021/2	270	43	2
2021/3	537	126	3	1
2021/4	786	194	14
2021/5	812	252	17		1	5
2021/6	878	352	26
2021/7	409	263	5			1
Totaal		1,279	69	1	1	6

*Designated ‘variants of concern’ by the WHO; **Designated ‘variants of interest’ by the WHO. Brazilian variant P2 is no longer included in these overviews based on classification by the WHO.

Pathogen surveillance data is updated weekly. Additional reports from those weeks may still be added up to and including week 4 of 2021 from the submissions provided by the laboratories participating in pathogen surveillance. In any case, the figures for the last two weeks are not yet complete. These weekly figures are updated retroactively. 

Difference in proteins

The main difference in the UK, South African and Brazilian variants and the B.1.525 variant seems to be the changes in the ‘spike protein’, the lines bristling out from the coronavirus. The proteins of these virus variants may be able to attach themselves to human cells more effectively. 


The UK variant

The UK variant of the virus was also found in the Netherlands in December 2020. It was detected during research in the RIVM laboratory. Since then, the UK variant has been gaining ground in the Netherlands. More and more people are becoming infected with this UK variant. 

In the meantime, it has become clear from research in the United Kingdom that people infected with the UK variant in that country became more seriously ill and died more frequently compared to the old variants. The reproduction number for the UK variant is estimated to be higher than that of the old variant. The R number represents the average number of people infected by someone who has COVID-19.

Children can also become infected with the UK variant, although less frequently than adults. This was shown by research in the municipality of Lansingerland. It seems that children are somewhat more likely to develop (mild) symptoms if they become infected with the UK variant. The symptoms are generally milder in children than in adults. Infected children can pass on the virus within a household and also at school. It is not yet clear whether primary school children also present a lower transmission risk for the virus variants compared to adults, as is the case for the ‘old’ variant. For now, there are no indications the vaccination will not be effective against the UK variant of the virus. This is being monitored closely all over the world.

Concerning change in UK variant (E484K)

Viruses are constantly mutating. Sometimes a virus variant benefits from certain mutations, for example by spreading faster. Mutations of this kind give the virus variants an advantage over the old variants that are already circulating. Some mutations may emerge independently in different variants around the world. The UK previously reported the occurrence of a new mutation (E484K) in the spike protein in the UK variant.  Considered cause for concern, this E484K mutation has been detected previously in the variants from South Africa and Brazil. The immune response following vaccination or previous infection with the virus may possibly be less effective against variants with this E484K mutation. The mutation is also likely to affect how strongly the virus can bind to the cell receptors in our bodies. This E484K mutation has also been identified in the Netherlands during pathogen surveillance. 

The South African variant 

The South African variant was detected in the Netherlands in early January 2021. This variant of the virus, like the UK variant, also appears to be more contagious than the variant that we had so far in the Netherlands. How the virus responds to current vaccines is currently being investigated worldwide. So far, there is no reason to assume that the course of illness from the South Africa variant will be different or more severe than the old variant. 

The Brazilian variants

Two new variants of the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 have been found in the Netherlands, both originating from Brazil. This involves the P1 variant and the P2 variant. 

The P1 variant of the coronavirus was found mainly in outbreaks in and around Manaus, the capital of the Brazilian state of Amazonas. It is not yet clear whether the course of illness is different for this variant. Among other mutations, the variant has three changes in the spike protein, the lines bristling out from the coronavirus, that are considered cause for concern. These three changes are almost identical to the changes in the South African variant. The immune response due to vaccination or due to previous infection with the virus may possibly be less effective against this variant. This is currently being investigated at the national and international levels.

The P2 variant occurs throughout Brazil. The immune response due to vaccination or due to previous infection with the virus may possibly be less effective against this variant. There is still much to learn about the course of illness from this variant as well. 

The B.1.525 variant

In the context of pathogen surveillance, a new coronavirus variant (B.1.525) was found in the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region and in the Limburg Noord region. This variant was first reported in Denmark. This variant also has the E484K mutation, along with another mutation (F888L) that is being monitored. Further investigation is now taking place in Denmark and the Netherlands

Prevent infection with variants

Regardless of which virus variant is involved: follow the measures. Get tested as soon as possible if you have any (mild) symptoms and strictly follow isolation and quarantine measures. If an infection with one of the variants is found, the Municipal Public Health Services (GGDs) will launch source and contact tracing.

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Who can take the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine?

WHO’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) has issued its policy recommendations for the rollout of  the first COVID-19 vaccine approved for emergency use, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.

According to SAGE, the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 mRNA vaccine is safe and effective. Nevertheless, there are specific populations for whom vaccination is not recommended, either due to contraindications, lack of supply, or limited data. These populations currently include people with a history of severe allergies, most pregnant women, international travellers who are not part of a prioritized group, and children under 16.

The priority is to start vaccinating health workers at high risk of exposure, followed by older adults, before immunizing the rest of the population.

People with allergies

People with a history of severe allergic reaction to any component of the vaccine should not take it.

Pregnant and breastfeeding women

Pregnant women are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 than non-pregnant women, and COVID-19 has been associated with an increased risk of pre-term birth.

However due to insufficient data, WHO does not recommend the vaccination of pregnant women at this time.

In case a pregnant woman has an unavoidable risk high of exposure (e.g. a health worker), vaccination may be considered in discussion with their healthcare provider.

If a breastfeeding woman is part of a group (e.g. health workers) recommended for vaccination, vaccination can be offered. WHO does not recommend discontinuing breastfeeding after vaccination.

Children

The vaccine has only been tested in children above 16 years of age.

Therefore, at this time, WHO does not recommend vaccination of children below 16 years of age, even if they belong to a high-risk group.

People with known medical conditions

The vaccine has been found to be safe and effective in people with various conditions that are associated with increased risk of severe disease.

This includes hypertension, diabetes, asthma, pulmonary, liver or kidney disease, as well as chronic infections that are stable and controlled.

Further studies are required for the impacts on immune-compromised persons. The interim recommendation is that immune-compromised persons who are part of a group recommended for vaccination may be vaccinated, though when possible, not before receiving information and counselling.

Persons living with HIV are at higher risk of severe COVID-19 disease. Limited safety data exists on HIV-infected persons with well controlled disease from the clinical trials. Known HIV-positive vaccine recipients should be informed, and when possible, counselled in relation to the available data.

People who have or had COVID-19 already

Vaccination can be offered to people who have had COVID-19 in the past.

But given the limited vaccine supply, individuals may wish to defer their own COVID-19 vaccination for up to 6 months from the time of SARS-CoV-2 infection. As more data becomes available on duration of immunity after infection, this time period may be adjusted.

Testing for prior infection is not recommended for the purpose of vaccine decision-making.

Travellers

At present, WHO does not support the introduction of requirements for proof of vaccination against COVID-19 for international travelers as a condition for exiting or entering a country or for travelling internationally. See WHO’s interim guidance on international travel during the pandemic.

Dosage

A protective effect starts to develop 12 days after the first dose, but full protection requires two doses which WHO recommends be administered with a 21 to 28-day interval. Additional research is needed to understand longer-term potential protection after a single dose. 

Vaccines will not end COVID-19 alone

Safe and effective vaccines will be a gamechanger: but for the foreseeable future we must continue to wear masks, physically distance, avoid crowds and apply other health measures. Being vaccinated doesn't mean that we can throw caution to the wind and put ourselves and others at risk, particularly because it is still not clear the degree to which the vaccines can protect not only against disease but also against infection and transmission.

What about other vaccines being developed to fight COVID-19

WHO does not usually make vaccine specific recommendations, issuing instead one recommendation that covers all vaccines for a given disease, unless the evidence suggests a different approach is required.

Due to the large variety of COVID-19 vaccines based on very different platform technologies, WHO is looking at vaccines as they are authorized by highly competent national regulatory authorities and that are available in sufficient supply to address the needs of many countries.

WHO has no preferred product, and the variety of products, including their specific attributes and handling requirements, allow for countries to find the products that are most suitable for their circumstances.

WHO’s SAGE is expected to review other vaccines in the coming months.

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Johnson & Johnson Vaccine - Who's eligible ?

More people are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. The State of Florida has lowered the age to receive a vaccine to anyone age 60 and older. And, regardless of age, Publix says that teachers are moving to the front of the line for the vaccine.

In compliance with the U.S. government’s guidelines for the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, Publix will begin prioritizing the following groups for vaccine appointments until further notice:

• Teachers, school staff and child care workers who work in, pre-primary, primary and secondary schools. Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff and bus drivers)
• Those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers.

Publix will follow this new directive during its next COVID‑19 vaccine scheduling opportunity in Florida on Wednesday, according to a press release

After those in the prioritized group are finished making appointments, any remaining appointments will be available to other eligible individuals.

Johnson & Johnson vaccine

Publix Pharmacy has received its first shipment of the single-dose Johnson & Johnson COVID‑19 vaccine. With this distribution, Publix will begin administering both the Johnson & Johnson and Moderna vaccines in its Florida pharmacies. To allow eligible individuals to choose which vaccine they will receive, starting March 10, every Wednesday scheduling opportunity will be dedicated exclusively for appointments to receive the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

Eligibility

In accordance with state and federal requirements, the following groups are currently eligible to receive vaccinations: all K‑12 and child care teachers and personnel (the prioritized group referenced earlier); adults under the age of 65 who are determined to be extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 by a physician (a completed state of Florida form signed by a physician is required); health care professionals with direct patient contact and residents or staff members of long-term care facilities; individuals ages 50 and older who are firefighters or sworn law enforcement officers; and individuals ages 65 and older.


Appointments

Vaccinations are provided by appointment only, while supplies last, through the online reservation system. Appointments cannot be made by calling Publix or the Publix Pharmacy.

The online reservation system will open Wednesday at 7 a.m. Eastern time for any individual who meets state and federal requirements, with priority given to school and child care teachers and personnel as directed by the federal government. Appointments made on Wednesday will be to receive the Johnson & Johnson COVID‑19 vaccine on either Saturday or Sunday.

Moving forward, eligible individuals can plan to access the online reservation system to make appointments as follows, as long as Publix continues to receive vaccine doses from the state and federal governments and barring unforeseen circumstances. Appointments may not be available in every county during every scheduling opportunity:

Scheduling opportunity	Appointment days	Vaccine provided
Monday	Wednesday ­– Friday	Moderna
Wednesday	Saturday – Sunday	Johnson & Johnson
Friday	Monday – Tuesday	Moderna

Customers with appointments for their second dose of the Moderna vaccine are not impacted by any variations in scheduling opportunities and should arrive at the COVID-19 vaccine check-in area at their scheduled date and time.


Required documentation

Adults under the age of 65 who rely on the state’s criteria of being extremely vulnerable to COVID-19 to be eligible are required to provide the completed official state form that can be found at the Florida Department of Health website and must be signed by a physician.

The most up-to-date information about Publix’s COVID‑19 vaccination efforts can be found online.

However, seniors are not pleased with these changes. It’s frustrating for those still trying to get the shot.

Kathy Korbya gets it. She understands why Publix is prioritizing teachers. “I understand why all those people are also eligible. Because teachers especially I, I’m a big proponent of the teachers,” Korbya said.

Since Publix participates in the Federal Retail Pharmacy Program, at the direction of President Biden, it must prioritize teachers, school staff, bus drivers and licensed child care workers.

“But what about our 87 and 85-year-olds that never were able to get in on the first chance? So that’s the part that concerns me, said Korbya.

But, it does not say not why teachers and school staff are being prioritized over the senior population. Korbya is trying to help her 86-year-old neighbor Claire get the vaccine through Publix.

“I have been getting, setting my alarm set up at quarter to seven, the last four days well, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and now again Monday to get on the Publix site. And to no avail,” she said.

Publix says if there are available appointment slots left over after teachers, those will be made available to other qualified people including seniors.

“I tell her, ‘you know that I tried Claire, but I just wasn’t successful.’ It’s just Oh, thank you. Thank you. Thank you, but, and she said her kids have tried from New York as well, but they haven’t been successful either,” said Korbya.

Her solution is to just have more vaccines.

“Most of the people want the vaccine and there just … isn’t enough,” she said.

Publix says its new priority system goes into effect for the next available slot on Wednesday. When a spokesperson was asked if the company spoke with Governor DeSantis prior to making the change, she did not give a direct answer.

Publix also added these statements:

Will there be a noticeable change on the Publix website?: Customers will be asked to self-attest that they meet the prioritization requirement.

Is Publix still getting vaccine from the state?:  Last we heard, the grocer was getting 70,000 shots a week. We continue to receive vaccines from the state and federal government. Doses may vary week-to-week.

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Philippines has received the Sinovac Vaccines donated by China

On 28 February 2021, a Chinese military Y-20 heavy cargo plane carrying 600,000 doses of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccines donated by China arrived in Manila Colonel Jesus Villamor Airbase. This is the first batch of COVID-19 vaccines that the Philippines has received. The turnover ceremony were graced by Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Chinese Ambassador Huang Xilian.


In a televised speech, President Duterte said, "I convey my sincere gratitude to the Chinese people and the government of China for this gesture of friendship and solidarity – the hallmark of the Philippines-China partnership". "Receiving the CoronaVac vaccines from China makes another step forward in the Philippines' ongoing fight against COVID-19." The President also encouraged Filipinos to get vaccinated at the soonest possible time and be a partner in preventing the further spread of the disease.


In ending his speech, the President said, "at the end of the year when everything has settled down, I intend to make a short visit to China to just shake hands with President Xi Jinping and personally thank him for this donation."


Ambassador Huang Xilian first expressed his delight to witness the turnover of the 500,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines donated by Chinese government to the Philippine government and also 100,000 doses donation from the Chinese Military to the Armed Forces of the Philippines. The 600,000 vaccines are made by China's Sinovac. Sinovac vaccines have been inoculated in many countries and its safety and efficacy has been well tested. I hope that the vaccines will help kick off the Philippines' mass inoculation campaign to curb the pandemic and allow Filipinos to return to normal life at the earliest.


Ambassador Huang pointed out that President Xi in his phone conversation with President Duterte last June reiterated that as a friendly neighbor, China certainly considers the Philippines' need to COVID-19 vaccines as a priority. Despite the increasing domestic need of vaccines, Chinese government and the Chinese military have decided to donate vaccines to the Philippine side, showing the solidarity, friendship and partnership between two countries and peoples and also signifying the intent of both militaries in fighting against COVID-19 and deepening our defense cooperation.


Ambassador Huang added that as a good friend, neighbor and partner of the Philippines, China sincerely hopes that the Philippines could control the pandemic to embrace economic recovery and normal life at the earliest date. China will continue to do its utmost to provide support to Philippines until it secures the final victory. Huang also believed that the friendship and partnership between two countries will continue to grow and prosper as both sides fight against the pandemic hand in hand.


This batch of CoronaVac vaccines produced by China's Sinovac, was airlifted by the Chinese PLA Air Force Y-20 heavy military cargo aircraft.


Philippine Executive Secretary Salvador C. Medialdea, Chief Implementer and Vaccine Czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr., Foreign Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Health Secretary Francisco T. Duque III, Defense Secretary Delfin Negrillo Lorenzana, PCOO Secretary Martin Andanar, Senator Christopher Bong Go and Chief of Staff of AFP Lieutenant General Cirilito Elola Sobejana and Chinese Embassy officials also attended the ceremony.

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South Africa Corona Virus - Antibodies

Research by South African scientists suggests that antibodies triggered by exposure to the country’s dominant coronavirus variant can prevent infection by other variants.

The findings in laboratory studies offer hope that COVID-19 vaccines based on the 501Y.V2 variant first identified late last year could protect against multiple mutations circulating in different parts of the world, scientists said on Wednesday.

The more contagious variant drove the second wave of infections in South Africa that peaked in January and is believed to have spread to many other countries in Africa as well as other continents.

“We used plasma … from people that were infected in this latest wave with the 501Y.V2 and we used it against the first-wave virus, … what we found is that it could neutralise, OK not as well as it could neutralise itself but it’s not bad at all,” Alex Sigal from the Africa Health Research Institute told a news conference.

The findings have yet to be peer-reviewed by researchers.

Sigal said vaccines designed with the 501Y.V2 version in mind “might be cross-protective to other variants, … this gives you some idea how this problem of variants can be solved”.

Top virologist Tulio de Oliveira also said in the video conference attended by senior government ministers that “the 501Y.V2 can produce a high level of antibodies that can neutralise itself,”, adding that the immune response outperforms previous variants.

‘Good prospect of success’

Penny Moore, a professor at the National Institute for Communicable Diseases, said the antibody response from the 501Y.V2 variant was only reduced threefold against the first-wave virus, whereas the response from the first-wave virus was reduced nine-fold against 501Y.V2, which is also known as B1351.yes

“It’s not that the antibodies that are triggered by 501Y.V2 are somehow magical, there is a drop-off, but unlike the antibodies triggered by the original variant they seem to somehow have a little bit more breadth,” she told the same briefing.

Salim Abdool Karim, a top government adviser on COVID-19, said big vaccine manufacturers including Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson were already making vaccines based on the 501Y.V2 variant.

He predicted that by the end of 2021 most vaccine manufacturers would have adapted their shots, “not because they are specifically worrying about the virus coming from South Africa … but because key mutations in the 501Y.V2 are actually also present in many other variants”.

“These findings are basically telling us that we have a good prospect of success if we make a vaccine based on it,” he said.

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