WHO says virus strain in India a ‘variant of concern’ as Europe eases curbs Published on Share
Schools and stores reopened in parts of Europe on Monday, easing out of months of Covid-19 lockdowns, but the devastating outbreak raged on across the sub-continent and health experts declared the virus mutation in India a “variant of concern”.
The World Health Organization in Geneva said the B.1.617 variant spreading in India appears to be more contagious and might possibly have some increased resistance to vaccine protections.
“As such, we are classifying this as a variant of concern at the global level,” said WHO’s Covid-19 lead Maria Van Kerkove.
OPINION / EDITORIAL
By Global Times Published: May 11, 2021 05:41 PM
Photo taken on January 30, 2020 shows the headquarters of the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Photo: Xinhua
The Taiwan authorities had yet to receive an invitation to the 74th annual meeting of the World Health Assembly (WHA) as of Monday, the deadline for registration. This means the island of Taiwan has basically lost the possibility of attending the virtual conference of the WHA. Taiwan authorities attempt to return to WHA has once again experienced a severe setback.
Out of sinister purposes of using the Taiwan question to pressure the Chinese mainland, the US and its allies in a joint communiqué after the G7 foreign ministers meeting last week expressed, for the first time, support for Taiwan s meaningful participation in the World Health Organization (WHO) forums and the WHA.
Synopsis
The United States on Monday authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 years old, while the devastating outbreak in India raged on.
Agencies
The United States on Monday authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 years old, while the devastating outbreak in India raged on. The US Food and Drug Administration previously had granted an emergency use authorization for the jab to individuals aged 16 and older. This is a promising development in our fight against the virus, said President Joe Biden. But the World Health Organization in Geneva warned the B.1.617 variant spreading in India appears to be more contagious, classifying it as a variant of concern at the global level.
US authorizes Pfizer jab for 12-15 year olds as India outbreak rages
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WASHINGTON, May 11, 2021 (BSS/AFP) – The United States on Monday authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 years old, while the devastating outbreak in India raged on.
The US Food and Drug Administration previously had granted an emergency use authorization for the jab to individuals aged 16 and older.
“This is a promising development in our fight against the virus,” said President Joe Biden.
But the World Health Organization in Geneva warned the B.1.617 variant spreading in India appears to be more contagious, classifying it as a “variant of concern at the global level.”
Tue 11th May 2021 | 08:30 AM
Washington, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th May, 2021 ) :The United States on Monday authorized the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for children aged 12 to 15 years old, while the devastating outbreak in India raged on.
The US food and Drug Administration previously had granted an emergency use authorization for the jab to individuals aged 16 and older. This is a promising development in our fight against the virus, said President Joe Biden.
But the World Health Organization in Geneva warned the B.1.617 variant spreading in India appears to be more contagious, classifying it as a variant of concern at the global level. The virus is still surging in many countries and the pandemic has killed close to 3.3 million people worldwide since late 2019, upending normal life and causing global economic chaos.