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 Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine neutralizes Brazil variant
The COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech was able to neutralize
a new variant of the coronavirus spreading rapidly in Brazil,
according to a laboratory study published in the New England Journal
of Medicine on Monday.
Blood taken from people who had been given the vaccine neutralized
an engineered version of the virus that contained the same mutations
carried on the spike portion of the highly contagious P.1 variant
first identified in Brazil, the study conducted by scientists from
the companies and the University of Texas Medical Branch found.
The scientists said the neutralizing ability was roughly equivalent
to the vaccine’s effect on a previous less contagious version of the
virus from last year.
Vaccinated people can gather without masks indoors in U.S.
People who have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can meet
without masks indoors in small groups with others who have been
inoculated but should avoid non-essential travel and continue to
wear face-coverings in public, the Biden administration said on
Monday.
The slight lifting of restrictions represented a still cautious
approach to public health guidance despite the quickly growing
number of vaccinated people. President Joe Biden has urged Americans
to remain vigilant and continue to follow guidelines to prevent
another surge of cases.
More than 525,000 people have died of COVID-19 in the United States.
Russia's Sputnik V could be made in Europe for first time
Russia's Sputnik V vaccine could be produced in Europe for the first
time after a commercial deal to do so in Italy was signed by the
Moscow-based RDIF sovereign wealth fund and Swiss-based
pharmaceutical company Adienne.
The agreement, which will need approval from Italian regulators
before production can start, has been confirmed by both RDIF and the
Italian-Russian chamber of commerce.
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 It is the latest evidence that
some EU members are not willing to wait for the
EU's own regulator - the European Medicines
Agency - to approve Sputnik V.
China launches vaccination certificates
China has launched a digital COVID-19
vaccination certificate for its citizens
planning cross-border travel, joining other
countries issuing similar documents as they seek
ways to reopen their economies.
As vaccines are globally being rolled out, a few
countries including Bahrain have already
introduced certificates identifying vaccinated
people, and the European Union agreed to develop
vaccine passports under pressure from its
tourism-dependent southern countries.
The certificate issued by China will have
details about the holder's vaccination
information and coronavirus test results.
Singapore 'bubble' business hotel welcomes first
guests
Singapore has launched a travel "bubble"
business hotel that allows executives to do
face-to-face meetings without a risk of exposure
to the coronavirus, in one of the world's first
such facilities.
The hotel has meeting rooms fitted with airtight
glass panels to reduce the risk of transmission
and even has a special compartment with an
ultraviolet light to sanitise documents so they
can be shared between participants.
Some of its first guests have come from France,
Germany, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates.
(Compiled by Linda Noakes: Editing by Giles
elgood)
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