Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Millions Of Covid Vaccines Expire
The Washington Post: Millions Of Coronavirus Vaccine Doses Around The World Face Expiration
In Israel, 80,000 expiring Pfizer-BioNTech doses were set to be tossed at the end of July; 73,000 doses from various manufacturers have been disposed of in Poland; and 160,000 Sputnik V doses nearing expiration were returned from Slovakia to Russia, their final status unknown. In the United States, North Carolina alone is estimated to have 800,000 doses soon to expire. According to data compiled by the World Health Organization, approximately 469,868 doses from various manufacturers had expired in Africa as of Aug. 9. (Taylor and Paquette, 8/11)
In other global covid developments —
AP: Australian Capital Locks Down After 1 Infection
Australia’s capital will go into lockdown for a week from Thursday after a single case of COVID-19 was detected and the virus was found in wastewater. Canberra joins Sydney, Melbourne and several cities in New South Wales state that are locked down due to the delta variant. (8/12)
The Washington Post: ‘Fortress New Zealand’ Could Welcome Back International Travelers Next Year — But Only If They’re Vaccinated
New Zealand, one of the last countries successfully pursuing a zero-tolerance approach to the novel coronavirus, said Thursday it could open its borders for quarantine-free travel early next year. But only the vaccinated need apply. The island nation sealed its borders about 1½ years ago and requires two-week stays in quarantine facilities for returning nationals. Only the odd American billionaire, some Pacific Islanders and residents of neighboring Australia have made it in to what has been called “Fortress New Zealand” in recent times. (Pannett, 8/12)
Bloomberg: Mexico Covid Cases Rise By Record As Pandemic Surges Anew
Mexico saw a record rise in Covid-19 cases Wednesday as the spread of the pandemic accelerates after several months of relief from the virus. Cases rose 22,711 to 3,020,596, according to Health Ministry data. Deaths increased by 727. President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has reiterated that while cases are increasing, the proportion of severe illness that leads to death is lower than it was during the winter peak. At a morning press conference, the president touted the vaccine campaign and encouraged people to get a shot. (Quinn, 8/11)
Reuters: Coronavirus Surge Pushes Cuba's Healthcare System To Brink
Cuba is bringing back hundreds of doctors working abroad and converting hotels into isolation centers and hospitals in order to battle a COVID-19 crisis that is overwhelming healthcare and mortuary services in parts of the Caribbean island. The country, which managed to contain infections for most of last year, is now facing one of the worst outbreaks worldwide, fueled by the spread of the more-infectious Delta variant, even as it races to vaccinate its population. (Marsh, 8/11)
AP: Puerto Rico Requires Vaccinations In Food, Drink Sector
Puerto Rico’s governor announced Wednesday that employees of restaurants or other enclosed places that serve food or drinks will have to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, and customers will have to show a vaccination card or a negative virus test. The new rules, which take effect Aug. 23, come as the U.S. territory faces a spike in coronavirus infections blamed largely on the delta variant. Those who do not comply face up to six months in jail or up to a $5,000 fine. (Coto, 8/11)
Also —
NPR: Nurse In Germany Allegedly Gave People Saline Instead Of COVID-19 Vaccine
A nurse in northern Germany is suspected of having duped thousands of people into receiving a shot of saline rather than a COVID-19 vaccine. Authorities say that a Red Cross nurse working at a vaccination site in Friesland is believed to have given out the fake shot to residents during March and April, Reuters reported. Around 8,600 people could have received the saline solution instead of the vaccine, Sven Ambrosy, a district administrator of Friesland, said on Facebook. "I'm totally shocked by the incident," Ambrosy said. "The district of Friesland will do everything possible to ensure that the affected people receive their vaccination protection as soon as possible." (Pruitt-Young, 8/11)
The Wall Street Journal: Covid-19 Vaccine Scammers Target Authorities In Dozens Of Countries Including Italy And Colombia
Criminal organizations and individuals claiming access to Covid-19 vaccines have contacted authorities in dozens of countries hoping they will sign illegitimate contracts for millions of dollars, according to documents and people familiar with the attempts. Countries whose national, regional or tribal governments were approached include the Netherlands, Latvia, France, Israel, the Czech Republic, Austria, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil, Canada and Spain, according to the people familiar with the matter. (Hopkins, Mackrael and Legorano, 8/12)
