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 AstraZeneca's new trial data gives vaccine a boost
AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine received a major boost on Monday
after data from a large trial showed it was safe and effective,
potentially paving the way for its emergency authorisation in the
United States as countries in Asia accelerated its rollout.
The trials in the United States, Chile and Peru showed the vaccine
was 79% effective at preventing symptomatic COVID-19 and could
bolster confidence in the product after confusion over its efficacy
data, dosing regimen and possible side-effects.
Many European countries halted the use of the AstraZeneca shot
earlier this month after some reports that it was linked to blood
clots, but have since resumed inoculation after a regional regulator
said it was safe.
India reports worst daily rise in COVID-19 in months
India reported its most COVID-19 cases and deaths in months on
Monday, on the first anniversary of the start of a chaotic
nationwide lockdown.
Authorities reintroduced some curbs to slow the spread of the virus,
especially in the western state of Maharashtra, which accounted for
nearly two-thirds of the 46,951 new infections and the majority of
the 212 deaths. Some hospitals in the country's worst-affected state
have begun to run short of beds.
With the biggest rise in cases since early November, India's total
has surpassed 11.65 million, the highest in the world after the
United States and Brazil.
Philippines reports record rise in cases
The Philippines on Monday reported a record daily rise of 8,019
infections, as authorities implemented tighter curbs in the
congested capital region and hospital capacity neared critical
levels in some areas.
The health ministry said total confirmed cases had reached 671,792,
while deaths increased by four to 12,972. It was the third time the
Philippines has posted a fresh high in daily cases in the past four
days.
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 "Exercise extra caution to
prevent the quick spread of COVID-19 cases," the
ministry said in a statement, urging people to
stay at home if possible.
French vaccines chief eyes return to normal life
by summer
French vaccination chief Alain Fischer said on
Monday he expects the country to return to some
kind of "normal" living conditions by summer or
autumn thanks to an acceleration of the
vaccination campaign.
Fischer also told BFM Television the army would
be involved in plans to speed the vaccination
campaign and that France was still able to stick
to its vaccination targets despite setbacks on
the AstraZeneca vaccine.
"It will take some time for life to return to
normal," he said. "For the most vulnerable
people, we should not be far from the target by
May. For a return to normal this is
Summer-Autumn."
Thai-developed vaccine starts human trials
Thailand started human trials on Monday of a
domestically developed coronavirus vaccine and
expects to deploy it next year, which its health
minister said could give the country more
freedom with its vaccine policy.
Thailand's vaccination drive is targeting the
inoculation of half of its adult population by
the end of the year using 61 million doses of
AstraZeneca's vaccine, which will be locally
produced from June.
 The home-grown vaccine candidate uses an
inactivated virus to trigger immunity.
(Compiled by Linda Noakes)
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