Headlines
• AstraZeneca vaccine offers 76% protection from one dose
• Netherlands extends lockdown
• Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine approved in New Zealand
• IOC publishes its Olympic playbook for Tokyo
World news
• A study by the University of Oxford has found the AstraZeneca vaccine offered 76% effective protection from a single dose for three months. The effectiveness of the vaccine increased with a longer gap of 12 weeks before the booster jab. When the second dose is given, the study found the level of protection from the vaccine rises to 82%.
• As many as 88% of people still have antibodies in their blood to fight Covid-19 six months after infection, a study of almost 1,700 people suggests.
• The Netherlands has extended Lockdown in until 2 March, but primary schools and childcare facilities will reopen next Monday. A decision on extending a 21:00 curfew has been delayed.
• Palestinians have started vaccinating key health workers after Israel provided 2,000 doses of the Moderna vaccine for emergency use.
• The Danish government has announced plans to introduce a digital document allowing people to prove they have an up-to-date coronavirus vaccine.
• Nicaragua has granted regulatory approval to Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine.
• The German military has sent more than 20 doctors and nurses to Portugal, together with ventilators and hospital beds.
• The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has been provisionally approved for use in New Zealand.
• Covax facility aims to deliver at least 240 million doses to low- and middle-income countries in 1H21.
• From Saturday, travellers visiting Sweden will have to present a negative coronavirus test taken within the last 48 hours, the government announced today.
• The IOC has published its first playbook, the guidelines for athletes and other stakeholders on exactly what to expect during the summer games in Tokyo, which are due to begin in July.
Company news
Transport
• Ryanair – has been told by the ASA to remove its “Jab & Go” adverts after the body concluded they were misleading and irresponsible.
