Pfizer hikes cost of Covid vaccine for EU by 60 per cent April 13, 2021 Pfizer has hiked the cost of future orders of its coronavirus vaccine placed by the European Commission more than 60 per cent. Bulgarian Prime Minister Bokyo Borissov this morning said the US pharmaceutical giant has increased the cost of future orders sold to the EU from €12 per dose to €19.50. Borissov added that the [...]
Almost half of US Marines have declined Covid vaccine, data shows April 13, 2021 Around 40 per cent of US Marines have chosen not to receive a Covid-19 vaccination, according to new data. Data provided by the service shows that as of last week, 75,500 Marines have received a vaccination, while 48,000 have declined the jab. The declination rate at the Camp Lejeune facility in North Carolina was even [...]
WHO: World faces ‘critical point’ in the Covid pandemic April 12, 2021 The globe faces a “critical point” in the pandemic and needs an urgent “reality check” about how to combat spirally Covid infections, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned. Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Dr Maria van Kerkhove, head of the WHO’s technical response, said that the “trajectory of this pandemic is growing” [...]
Over-40s to be offered Covid vaccine ‘from tomorrow’ April 12, 2021 Over-40s are due to be invited for their first vaccinations against coronavirus from tomorrow, as part of government plans to offer a first injection to all adults in the UK by 31 July. Initial appointments will be reserved for people aged 49, with people in their mid-to-late-40s told to book later in the month as [...]
NHS Covid-19 app update blocked for privacy breaches April 12, 2021 An update to the NHS Covid-19 app has been blocked by Apple and Google for breaking the companies’ privacy terms. The app was due for a fresh reboot from today to coincide with the reopening of pubs, restaurants and non-essential shops, which would have allowed users to log venues they had checked into via a [...]
AstraZeneca diabetes drug tanks in Covid-19 trial April 12, 2021 AstraZeneca has confirmed this morning that its late-stage coronavirus study results, testing whether its diabetes drug could treat Covid-19, has tanked. Its diabetes drug Farxiga was being tested to see if it could treat patients hospitalised with Covid-19 who were at risk of complications and death. The drugmaker said that Farxiga failed to achieve ‘statistical [...]
EU regulator probes possible blood clot risk with Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine April 9, 2021 The EU’s medicines regulator has announced it will investigate possible links between rare blood clots and Johnson & Johnson’s one-shot coronavirus vaccine. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said it will review four serious cases of rare clots with low platelets in patients that had received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine — one of which was [...]
Boots to offer free rapid Covid tests at 1,500 pharmacies April 9, 2021 Boots is offering free rapid Covid tests at more than 1,500 pharmacies across England as part of the government’s new testing drive. People without symptoms will be able to visit their local Boots pharmacy and collect a free box of seven lateral flow devices (LFDs) to use twice weekly at home. Marc Donovan, chief pharmacist [...]
Government announces traffic light system to pave way for international travel April 9, 2021 The government has announced plans for a new traffic light system to pave the way for the return of international travel in a boon for sun-starved Brits. However, the travel industry is up in arms over plans to make those travelling to the least at-risk countries take costly PCR tests before their departure and return. [...]
France, Germany and Australia turn to alternative Covid vaccines amid Astrazeneca blood clot concerns April 9, 2021 A growing number of countries have begun to turn their backs on Astrazeneca’s Covid vaccine amid fears over a potential link to blood clots, despite health agencies around the world insisting it remains safe and effective. France this morning said it was preparing to recommend that under-55s seek an alternative vaccine even if they have [...]