Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
UK Steps Up Booster Program; China And India Will Vaccinate Africa
AP: UK To Expand COVID Vaccine Boosters Amid Omicron Fears
Britain is extending its COVID-19 booster vaccine program to millions more people as part of efforts to tackle the spread of the new omicron variant, which is feared to be more contagious and vaccine-resistant. The British government said Monday that it would accept in full the revised recommendations from the independent body of scientists that has been advising it, chief of which is that everyone aged between 18 and 39 should be offered a booster shot. Up until now, only people aged over 40 as well as those deemed particularly vulnerable to the virus were eligible. (Pylas, 11/29)
NBC News: Omicron Linked To Global Vaccine Inequality By Experts
Rich countries can’t say they weren’t warned. For almost as long as Covid-19 has been around, scientists, academics and campaigners have called on wealthy nations to share vaccines around the world — not only to protect people in those countries, but also to reduce the risk of new mutant variants emerging that could evade vaccines for everyone. (Smith, 11/30)
Bloomberg: Germany Mulls Lockdown On Unvaccinated As Europe Tightens Curbs
Germany’s incoming vice chancellor called for a nationwide “lockdown for the unvaccinated,” the latest sign of tougher restrictions sweeping across Europe to check the latest surge in Covid-19 infections. Ahead of pandemic talks on Tuesday between German federal and regional officials, Robert Habeck, a co-leader of the Greens, said only people who are inoculated or recovered should be allowed into non-essential stores and “public settings” across the country, rather than just in virus hotspots. (Rogers and Donahue, 11/30)
Bloomberg: Greece Imposes $114 Monthly Fine On Unvaccinated People Over 60
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced mandatory Covid-19 vaccination for all Greeks above 60 years of age before a cabinet meeting in Athens on Tuesday, in an effort to tackle the new omicron variation threat ahead of the festive season. Those who refuse to get vaccinated will have to pay a monthly fine of 100 euros ($114) for each month they don’t get jabbed, starting on Jan. 16, according to Mitsotakis. The funds collected by the fines will be given to Greek hospitals fighting the pandemic. (Chrepa and Tugwell, 11/30)
In news on vaccine donations for Africa —
AP: China To Donate 600 Million COVID-19 Vaccine Doses To Africa
China has pledged to donate 600 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccines to Africa as the world grapples with the unequal distribution of the shots between rich and poor countries. Chinese President Xi Jinping made the promise Monday in a video speech to the opening ceremony of a China-Africa forum on economic cooperation. He said China will supply 1 billion doses in all. The other 400 million are to come through other routes such as production by Chinese companies in Africa. (11/30)
Reuters: India Promises More COVID-19 Shots To Omicron-Hit Africa After Chinese Move
India stands ready to "expeditiously" send more COVID-19 vaccine to Africa to help fight the Omicron variant, New Delhi said late on Monday after China pledged 1 billion doses to the continent. India and China have close ties with many African countries but Beijing has pumped much more money into the region, and on Monday promised to invest another $10 billion. (11/30)
