The coronavirus vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech has been shown to be 94% effective in people over the age of 65. It is equally well tolerated regardless of age or ethnic origin. This is evidenced by recently published data from the third phase of this vaccine trial, which is ongoing. The vaccine trials involved 41 thousand people from different countries around the world. They received two injections three weeks apart. Vaccine developer companies intend to obtain a license for its emergency use in the United States. Last week, Pfizer and BioNTech released a preliminary conclusion that their vaccine provides 90% protection against Covid-19 and is virtually safe. Subsequently, Russian developers announced that the effectiveness of their vaccine, developed at the Gamaleya Institute, was 92%, while the American company Moderna reported that the effectiveness of its vaccine was 94.5%. New findings announced Wednesday by Pfizer and BioNTech were obtained after 170 volunteers were infected with Covid, but only 8 people received this vaccine. Developers say the vaccine does not cause serious side effects, but about 2% of people experienced headaches and fatigue. Of the study participants, 41% are between the ages of 56 and 85.
“Sputnik V” vs. Pfizer development: comparison of coronavirus vaccines. The third phase of testing of this vaccine will continue for two years in 150 medical institutions in the U.S., Germany, Turkey, South Africa, Brazil and Argentina. During this time, scientists will continue to collect data on its efficacy and safety. Pfizer and BioNTech plan to produce 50 million doses of the new vaccine this year and up to 1.3 billion doses by the end of 2021.
Several companies in China are developing vaccines against Covid-19. We explain quickly, simply, and clearly what happened, why it matters, and what happens next. The number of episodes should remain the same. The End of History Podcast Advertisement Another vaccine – one of several being developed in China – has shown efficacy in mid-stage trials involving 700 people. We are talking about the CoronaVac vaccine developed by Sinovac Biotech, which has shown a rapid immune response in patients. Four vaccines are currently in the third and final stage of testing in China, one of which is manufactured by Sinovac Biotech. However, the results published in The Lancet only cover the first and second phases of the trials for these four vaccines. According to one of the authors of this report, the information about Sinovac Biotech was obtained based on observations of 144 patients during the 1st phase of the trials and 600 patients during the 2nd phase of the trials. This means that it is suitable for emergency vaccination. No data have yet been released on the progress of the third phase of the trial. Last week, testing of this vaccine in Brazil was suspended after the death of one of the volunteers, but was quickly resumed when it was determined that his death was not related to his participation in the trials. In New York, schools will be closed as of Thursday due to a sharp increase in coronavirus cases. About 300,000 children will have online classes for some time. In the spring, New York became the epicenter of the pandemic in the United States, but it managed to control the spread of the virus.
According to officials, the decision was made after the number of positive Covid-19 test results exceeded the three percent threshold. In total, approximately 35,000 New Yorkers have died from Covid-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. City officials informed parents about the closure of all schools and the transition of children to online learning, noting that this is a temporary measure and that educational institutions will reopen when it is safe to do so. The city already has some restrictive measures in place to control the spread of the coronavirus. For example, bars and restaurants can accept customers until 11 p.m. and then offer take-out food. Also, parties in private homes and apartments are limited to no more than 10 people. Europe remains the main hotspot for the spread of coronavirus in the world. It accounts for 46% of all cases and 49% of deaths, according to the World Health Organization. Although the rate of spread has slowed, the mortality rate has increased by 18% in the past week compared to the previous week, according to the WHO. The situation is particularly bad in Italy, where 753 infected people died in one day. The last time so many people died from Covid-19 was during the first wave in April, when the country was under strict lockdown. At the same time, the number of new infections has decreased compared to early November, before the restrictions were imposed. In Calabria, the authorities had to involve a charitable organization specialized in carrying out relief operations in areas of the world affected by disasters. Earlier in the day, Poland reported that 603 people had died in the country in one day. This is the highest number since the pandemic began.
In Germany, in the center of Berlin, thousands of people took part in a protest against the measures taken in the country to fight the coronavirus. Participants demonstratively did not wear masks. Water cannons and tear gas were used to disperse them. Police reported that demonstrators were asked to wear masks, after which force was used to disperse the crowd and arrest the perpetrators. 200 people were arrested and nine police officers were injured. Earlier, authorities had banned demonstrations near the parliament building, fearing violence.
Good news about immunity in those who had COVID-19. The largest clinical trial to date in the United States has shown that people who have recovered from Covid-19 still have enough antibodies after 8 months to prevent them from getting sick again. Scientists suggest that such a slow decline in immunoglobulins may mean that these proteins remain in the body for a long time. The report was published by the American non-profit laboratory at Cold Spring Harbor, but has not yet been independently peer-reviewed in a scientific journal. However, as the New York Times points out, these findings will please experts who fear that the new vaccines will only be a short-term solution to the problem of controlling the pandemic. In addition, as the publication points out, the conclusions of the Cold Spring Harbor scientists are consistent with another recent discovery related to the fact that those who contracted atypical pneumonia (SARS) in the early 2000s – that is, an earlier strain of coronavirus – still have antibodies 17 years after the illness that provide protection against reinfection.
In Paris, all stores selling non-essential items will be closed as of October 30. The French authorities do not currently plan to lift the restrictions imposed on October 30, despite calls from the business community to open stores for business by November 27, the so-called “Black Friday” when major pre-Christmas discounts are announced. Retail chains are afraid that they will lose revenue otherwise, while large Internet retailers like Amazon will remain profitable. However, Gabriel Attal, a representative of the French government, said after a meeting held by President Emmanuel Macron with his ministers: “We are no closer to the end of the closure, we are still very far from it.” France’s finance minister called on retail chains and independent retailers, including online stores, to postpone Black Friday. On Tuesday, the number of new cases in France was 12,587, which is much lower than at the end of October, when the second lockdown was introduced and there were 50-60 thousand cases registered per day. However, President Macron has already stated that this number should not exceed 5,000 in order for the authorities to agree to ease the quarantine measures.
Black cabs are the face of London, as are the red double-decker buses. The pandemic has also hit London’s famous black cabs: since June, one in five drivers has returned his car to the garage due to a lack of passengers. According to Transport for London (TfL), the number of black cabs in London fell from 18,900 on June 7 to 15,000 on November 8. Companies that rent black London taxis to drivers have had to rent fields and empty parking lots to store the returned cars. According to the Association of Licensed Taxi Drivers (LTDA), only 20% of drivers continue to drive. According to LTDA General Secretary Steve McNamara, London taxi drivers are currently earning a quarter of what they used to. Many drivers, he said, have been forced to go to extreme measures and sell their cars well below market value – to raise funds for subsistence, as many of them have no other income. “We are in a situation where London could lose this symbol. We have a very competitive business. We are an essential part of the DNA of this city,” McNamara said.
Dolly Parton gave an interview to the BBC program. American country rock star Dolly Parton has said she is very proud to have donated funds for the development of one of the most promising coronavirus vaccines – Moderna. In April of this year, the singer donated $1 million to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, where the new Moderna vaccine is being tested and has already demonstrated 94.5% effectiveness. “It fills me with pride to know that I am part of something that can help us all overcome this crazy pandemic,” Parton said Tuesday in an interview on BBC television. A representative from Vanderbilt University reported that Dolly Parton’s generous donation is helping to fund several promising research projects. Specifically, it is helping to study the properties of convalescent plasma, blood taken from a patient who has recovered from COVID-19, and how it can help in the treatment of this disease.