Following is a abstract of present well being information briefs.
Australia to offer COVID-19 shots to children aged 5-11 from January
Australia will start administering COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5 to 11 from Jan. 10, Prime Minister Scott Morrison mentioned on Friday, after the rollout cleared ultimate regulatory hurdles. “This might be welcome information for thousands and thousands of households throughout the nation who need the chance for their children to be vaccinated,” Morrison mentioned in a press release.
New Zealand to ban cigarette sales for future generations
New Zealand plans to ban younger folks from ever shopping for cigarettes of their lifetime in one of many world’s hardest crackdowns on the tobacco trade, arguing that different efforts to extinguish smoking had been taking too lengthy. People aged 14 and below in 2027 won’t ever be allowed to buy cigarettes within the Pacific nation of 5 million, a part of the proposals unveiled on Thursday may even curb the variety of retailers approved to promote tobacco and lower nicotine ranges in all merchandise.
Factbox: Latest on the worldwide unfold of the coronavirus
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved booster shots of the COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer/BioNTech for these aged 16 and 17, as public well being officers have urged Americans to get the extra shots on issues concerning the new Omicron variant. EUROPE
Navy medics be part of COVID struggle in hard-hit New Mexico
Dozens of U.S. Navy medics have deployed to New Mexico to deal with a Delta variant-fueled surge in COVID-19 sufferers as a part of a navy operation to deal with virus hotspots throughout Western and Midwest states. New Mexico is struggling one of many highest ranges of latest coronavirus infections within the nation, its hospitals reaching file capability ranges.
Biden says it is excellent news 16- and 17-year-olds eligible for COVID-19 boosters
U.S. President Joe Biden mentioned on Thursday the United States was making progress within the battle in opposition to COVID-19 and it was excellent news regulators had expanded eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to 16- and 17-year-olds. Biden additionally mentioned it was encouraging information that preliminary information exhibits three doses of Pfizer’s vaccine offer safety in opposition to the Omicron variant.
Judge guidelines citizen enforcement of Texas abortion regulation unconstitutional
A decide in Texas dominated on Thursday {that a} regulation prohibiting abortions after about six weeks violated the state’s structure as a result of it permits personal residents to sue abortion suppliers. State District Court Judge David Peeples was ruling on a contentious Texas regulation that bans abortions after a fetal heartbeat has been detected, often after about six weeks and when many ladies don’t but notice they’re pregnant.
WHO warns in opposition to vaccine hoarding as poorer nations go with out
The World Health Organization warned rich nations on Thursday in opposition to hoarding COVID-19 vaccines for booster shots as they fight to struggle off the brand new Omicron variant, threatening provides to poorer nations the place inoculation charges are low. Many Western nations have been rolling out boosters, concentrating on the aged and folks with underlying well being points, however worries concerning the fast-spreading Omicron have prompted some to increase their packages.
Singapore reviews first domestically transmitted Omicron case
Singapore has detected its first domestically transmitted case of the COVID-19 variant Omicron is a member of employees on the metropolis state’s airport, authorities mentioned late on Thursday, warning that more Omicron instances are seemingly to be detected. The 24-year-old Singaporean girl, who works in a service function within the airport, “could have interacted with transit passengers from Omicron-affected nations,” the well being ministry mentioned in a press release.
U.S. makes 16- and 17-year-olds eligible for COVID-19 boosters
U.S. regulators on Thursday expanded eligibility for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots to 16- and 17-year-olds, as public well being officers have urged Americans to get a 3rd shot due to issues concerning the new Omicron variant of the virus. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration mentioned it amended its emergency use authorization of Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE’s vaccine to enable youths aged 16-17 to obtain a 3rd shot at the very least six months after their second vaccine dose.
Explainer-Omicron vs COVID-19 vaccines: What more do we want to know?
Laboratory research launched this week recommend that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus will blunt the ability of Pfizer and BioNTech’s vaccine to stop COVID-19 an infection after two doses, though a 3rd dose could restore that safety. Data remains to be wanted on how protecting COVID-19 vaccines stay in real-world use in opposition to the extremely mutated Omicron variant. The following is what we nonetheless want to know: (This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Health News Roundup: Australia to offer COVID-19 shots to children aged 5-11 from January; New Zealand to ban cigarette sales for future generations and more
