Coronavirus UK news update – France and Germany suspend AstraZeneca vaccine over fears blood clots linked to covid jab

FEARS of a link between the Oxford / AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clots has seen more EU countries suspend its rollout.

Germany today became the 14th country to suspend the jab following Netherlands, Ireland, Iceland, Denmark, Norway, Bulgaria, Luxembourg, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Austria, Italy and Thailand.

And just an hour later France revealed it was shutting down its AstraZeneca rollout for 24 hours as well as the blood clot claims were looked into.

Germany's Health Ministry said the decision was taken as a precaution and on the advice of Germany's national vaccine regulator, the Paul Ehrlich Institute.

Regulators called for further investigation of people who had suffered blood clotting in the days after their jab, according to AP.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said on March 10 it would be investigating a spate of blood clotting cases in Europe.

But it later urged countries to continue vaccinating because the benefits of being protected against Covid outweigh any potential risk from the vaccine.

The UK medicine regulator – the MHRA – says the jab is safe and encourages Brits to accept their offer.

The evidence for such blood clotting appears to be patchy and research in the UK suggests the vaccine has no impact on the likelihood of developing a bloodclot compared with not taking it.

The World Health Organisation also reiterated its guidance that the Oxford / Astra-Zeneca vaccine is safe and the risks of not being vaccinated against Covid-19 far outweigh the risks of getting a jab.

The suspensions add yet another layer of chaos to the EU's bungled vaccine rollout, which ranges from a shambolic jab procurement scheme to leaders such a French president Emmanuel Macron engaging in disinformation.

The UK jab rollout is set to increase in coming days thanks to renewed supplies and a staggering 36% of the population already vaccinated – all signs of a bright summer ahead and an early end to lockdown.

But on the continent vaccine take-up is so painfully low that cases are once again spiking, with Italy today being forced back into a new national lockdown to prevent hospitals being overrun and France having to run special covid planes to evacuate patients from an overwhelmed Paris.

Meanwhile in Germany Angela Merkel's CDU party was hammered in two state elections as the public lost faith in the country's Covid response.

Follow our coronavirus live blog below for the very latest news and updates on the pandemic

  • Alice Peacock

    JAMIE DORNAN'S DAD DIES AFTER BEING INFECTED WITH CORONAVIRUS

    Jamie Dornan has been left heartbroken after his dad Jim passed away aged 73 on Monday following a battle with coronavirus.

    The 38-year-old Fifty Shades of Grey actor's father was a renowned gynaecologist and obstetrician from Northern Ireland.

    While his actor son Jamie is yet to break his social media silence to pay tribute to his father, many have written messages to the professor.

    One tribute from Chair of Division of Clinical Psychology NI, Nichola Rooney, confirmed the sad news of Jim's passing on Twitter.

    "The great Prof Jim Dornan, one of a kind," she wrote. "His glass brimmed over. A true visionary. My friend. RIP."

  • Alice Peacock

    VARIANT FEARS

    Testing doesn't currently detect whether someone has the South African strain but they will be sent to the lab to be sequenced to identify any more cases of the particular strand in the area.

    Scientists have warned the mutation, named 501YV2, is feared to be at least 50 per cent more contagious, with hundreds more undetected cases thought to be in the country.

    Andrew Hayward, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at University College London and a member of SAGE, said: "This variant is identified through genetic sequencing and we sequence between five per cent and 10 per cent of all cases".

    "You can immediately tell from that that we have a big under-estimation of the number of cases.

    "We would expect we're seeing the tip of the iceberg of community transmission."

  • Alice Peacock

    SURGE COVID TESTS DEPLOYED IN NEW AREAS OF LONDON

    Surge testing has been deployed in parts of London to stop the spread of the South Africa Covid variant.

    More cases of the mutated virus have been found in Southwark (SE5) and Harrow (HA2 and HA3).

    People living in these spots should get a Covid test when they are offered it – regardless of if they have symptoms.

    Anyone who has symptoms should book a free test online or by phone to get tested at a testing site or have a testing kit sent to them at home.

    So far 318 cases are thought to have been found in the UK, with eight new discoveries found recently.

  • Alice Peacock

    'LONG ROAD TO RECOVERY' FOR HOSPO SECTOR

    Pubs and beer gardens may be booking up at a rapid rate, but there's no quick fix for the hospitality sector after a year of lockdowns.

    Speaking to the PA news agency, London-based City Pub Group founder Clive Watson said there is a long road to recover for the sector.

    "Let's not pretend we are off to the races yet," Mr Watson said.

    "There are still a lot of people who are cautious about booking, and we've definitely seen particularly caution with things like weddings and events where deposits are needed.

    "A lot of people can't wait to come back but we still have a lot of uncertainty to deal with."

  • Alice Peacock

    PUB BOOKINGS FLY A MONTH AHEAD OF OUTDOOR REOPENING

    Pub owners say Brits are "desperate" to have drinks with their friends again, with venues flooded with bookings weeks before they reopen to the public.

    Venues said their outdoor tables have been booked out for weeks after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced his timetable for the reopening of hospitality.

    The road map laid out plans for pubs, restaurants and bars to reopen outdoor areas from April 12, with customers welcome inside again from May 17.

    Clive Watson, founder and chairman of the London-based City Pub Group, said his sites have been flooded with bookings.

    "It's gone gangbusters," he said. "People are desperate to catch up with their friends."

  • Alice Peacock

    GERMANY SUSPENDS USE OF ASTRAZENECA

    Germany is the 14th country to suspend use of the AstraZeneca Covid vaccine due to blood clot fears.

    Boris Johnson, UK scientists and regulators say the jab is safe and there is currently no proof it was the cause of fatal blood clots in people who had recently received it.

    But Germany adds to a growing list of countries which have taken extra cautious measure while investigations are ongoing.

    The Health Ministry said the decision was taken as a precaution and on the advice of Germany's national vaccine regulator, the Paul Ehrlich Institute.

    Regulators called for further investigation of people who had suffered blood clotting in the days after their jab, according to AP.

    More on this, here.

  • Alice Peacock

    CONTINUED

    A response popped up, saying: "Nottingham clinics are no longer offering covid vaccinations to patients aged 40+.

    "This went live this morning but Nottingham clinics have now stopped offering this.

    "Patients aged 50+ or older can currently book their Covid Vaccination appointment.

    "If you are under 50 years of age please wait until you are advised to book online. Apologies for the confusion caused."

    It was thought that those aged in their 40s who arranged a vaccination before the website was taken down WILL still have their appointments honoured.

  • Alice Peacock

    HEALTH BOSSES' OFFER TO VACCINATE OVER 40S 'HASTILY WITHDRAWN'

    Health chiefs were left red-faced today after thousands of people aged over 40 were told they were eligible for the Covid-19 vaccination – only for the offer to be hastily withdrawn.

    Earlier this morning the online booking website Swiftqueue opened up for more residents of Nottinghamshire to book their jab.

    Officials expressed their 'delight' that the 40-plus milestone had been reached, Raymonds News Agency reported.

    But a short time later the site crashed – and once it came back online, appointments were only available for those aged 50 or over.

    A message then appeared on the 'help' section of the Swiftqueue website that read: "I thought Nottingham clinics were offering Covid vaccinations to anyone aged 40 or older?"

  • Alice Peacock

    JAB NUMBERS CONTINUED

    The breakdown for the other regions is:

    – East of England – 2,446,116 first doses and 125,742 second doses, making 2,571,858 in total

    – North East and Yorkshire – 3,219,076 first and 193,209 second doses (3,412,285)

    – North West – 2,702,963 first and 135,541 second doses (2,838,504)

    – South East – 3,369,747 first and 197,148 second doses (3,566,895)

    – South West – 2,356,407 first and 131,345 second doses (2,487,752)

  • Alice Peacock

    2,668,861 JABS GIVEN TO LONDONERS

    NHS England data shows a total of 2,668,861 jabs were given to people in London between December 8 and March 14.

    This includes 2,518,995 first doses and 149,866 second doses.

    This compares with 4,073,695 first doses and 190,966 second doses given to people in the Midlands, a total of 4,264,661.

  • Alice Peacock

    COVID-19 CAUSED MORE DEATHS IN 2020 THAN OTHER INFECTIOUS DISEASES FOR OVER A CENTURY

    According to ONS stats, the coronavirus caused more deaths in 2020 than other infectious diseases caused for over a century.

    More than 140,000 people have now died in the UK with COVID-19 mentioned as the underlying cause or a contributory cause on their death certificates.

    This means COVID-19 was the underlying cause of more deaths in 2020 than any other infectious and parasitic diseases had caused in any year since 1918.

    That year, there were just over 89,900 deaths from various infectious and parasitic diseases registered in England and Wales.

  • Alice Peacock

    MILLIONS OF QUICK COVID TESTS TO BE MADE BY BRITISH FIRMS

    Millions of rapid Covid-19 tests are to be manufactured by British firms as the Government ramps up its plans to encourage people without symptoms to get themselves checked for the virus.

    Two firms have signed deals with the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to make lateral flow tests.

    The firms; Omega Diagnostics, headquartered in Alva in Scotland, and Global Access Diagnostics, based in Thurleigh, Bedfordshire, will be able to make two million rapid turnaround tests every week by the end of May, officials said.

    It is hoped that by finding cases among people who do not have symptoms, it will help stem the spread of the virus.

  • Debbie White

    THIRD WAVE HELL FOR ITALY

    Italy has been plunged back into lockdown as a third Covid wave sweeps across Europe.

    The country recorded nearly 27,000 cases and 380 deaths on Friday as hospitals struggle to cope with rising numbers.

    Its struggle comes as the French government is to evacuate patients from Paris using special planes as hospitals reach breaking point amid the chaos of the Europe's vaccine roll out.

    Germany and Poland are also seeing a surge in cases and the infection rate EU is now at its highest level since the beginning of February, with the spread of new Covid variants behind the rise.

    The new wave of cases comes amid the shambles of the EU's vaccine rollout, which has been hampered by production delays, political infighting and public scepticism over the Astrazeneca jab.

  • Debbie White

    SOUTH AFRICA VARIANT FEARS

    Scientists have warned the South Africa Covid mutation, named 501YV2, is feared to be at least 50 per cent more contagious, with hundreds more undetected cases thought to be in the country.

    Andrew Hayward, professor of infectious disease epidemiology at University College London and a member of SAGE, said: "This variant is identified through genetic sequencing and we sequence between five per cent and 10 per cent of all cases, so you can immediately tell from that that we have a big under-estimation of the number of cases.

    "We would expect we're seeing the tip of the iceberg of community transmission."

  • Debbie White

    SURGE TESTING… CONTINUED

    A Department of Health statement said: "The increased testing is being introduced in addition to existing extensive testing and, in combination with the public following current lockdown rules and Hands Face Space advice, will help to monitor and suppress the spread of the virus.

    "Positive cases will be sequenced for genomic data to help increase our understanding of Covid-19 variants and their spread within these areas.

    "Enhanced contact tracing will be used for individuals testing positive with a variant of concern. This is where contact tracers look back over an extended period in order to determine the route of transmission."

    Health officials said mass testing would help it to closely monitor any community spread of the new variant, and restrict further transmission.

  • Debbie White

    SURGE COVID TESTS IN LONDON TO TACKLE SOUTH AFRICA VARIANT

    Surge testing has been deployed in parts of London to stop the spread of the South Africa Covid strain.

    More cases of the mutated virus have been found in Southwark (SE5) Harrow (HA2 and HA3).

    People living in these spots should get a Covid test when they are offered it – regardless of if they have symptoms.

    Anyone who has symptoms should book a free test online or by phone to get tested at a testing site or have a testing kit sent to them at home.

    So far 318 cases are thought to have been found in the UK, with eight new discoveries found recently.

  • Alice Peacock

    CONTINUED

    More than seven in 10 (71.8%) people who described themselves as black, or black British, said they would be unlikely to get a jab.

    Meanwhile 42% of people with Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage said they were unlikely to have the vaccine.

    One in five (21%) women indicated they were hesitant to get the jab compared to 14.7% of men.

    And 28.3% of younger adults aged 25-34 reported they wouldn't take up the vaccine, compared to only 14.3% in the 55-64 age group, 8.1% in the 65-74 age group and 4.5% in the 75 years and older group.

  • Alice Peacock

    WHO IS MOST LIKELY TO REJECT THE OFFER OF A VACCINE JAB?

    A new study has highlighted different groups who were less likely to take up their offer of a Covid-19 jab.

    Young people, women and those from some ethnic backgrounds are less likely to take-up a Covid-19 vaccine when offered, according to new UK-wide research.

    The intention to take up the offer of a vaccine was high overall with more than four in five (82%) saying they were likely to accept the offer, according to the study, published in the journal Brain Behaviour and Immunity.

    The researchers, from the universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh, surveyed more than 12,000 people across the UK.

  • Alice Peacock

    TOO MANY FAMILIES NOT REUNITED WITH CARE HOME RESIDENTS, CHARITY SAYS

    A charity is concerned too many families have not been reunited, despite the Government saying care home residents in England can receive indoor visits from a nominated person.

    Some care homes have said they would not open to visitors until April 12, while others will not allow indoor visits until residents have had their second vaccine dose, the Relatives & Residents Association (R&RA) said.

    Others are refusing to allow access to visitors who provide essential care and support to their loved one, which was also allowed from last Monday, its helpline has heard.

    The R&RA said families who have been able to visit have been "disturbed" by the significant weight loss, pain, distress or loss of cognition of their loved one.

  • Alice Peacock

    CALLS FOR RETURNING STUDENTS TO GET MENTAL HEALTH ASSESSMENTS

    Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar is calling for a "personal comeback plan" for students returning to school following lockdown.

    Sarwar's proposed plan would include a mental health assessment for students when they returned to school.

    He has called for all schoolchildren's progress and mental welfare to be assessed as part of the coronavirus recovery.

    Addressing the impact of lockdown on pupils' education, Mr Sarwar said the country has a "moral imperative to ensure that our next generation do not carry the weight of the pandemic".

    Outlining proposals for guaranteed exam re-sits, free college places and activities for children during the summer, he said: "This is a plan that delivers hope for our young people, restores Scottish education, supports teachers, and makes sure that every child has the right to a decent start in life.

  • Alice Peacock

    CONTINUED

    Writing on the social networking site about the new features, Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg said the campaign would "help bring 50 million people a step closer to getting Covid-19 vaccines".

    "The data shows the vaccines are safe and they work. They're our best hope for getting past this virus and getting back to normal life. I'm looking forward to getting mine, and I hope you are too," he said.

  • Alice Peacock

    FACEBOOK EXTENDS COVID-19 INFORMATION CENTRE TO INSTAGRAM

    Facebook has extended its Covid-19 Information Centre to Instagram – in its latest effort to stop the spread of misinformation around the pandemic.

    The social network's information hub includes facts around the virus and vaccine safety and eligibility from official sources, including Public Health England and the World Health Organisation (WHO).

    Posts that discuss vaccine safety on either Facebook or Instagram will now also be given new labels which state that vaccines go through safety tests before being approved, a move the company hoped would reduce hesitancy about receiving a jab.

    The range of new features forms part of the social media giant's ongoing response to the pandemic – during which Facebook and other online platforms have been criticised for failing to adequately slow the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories about Covid-19.

  • Alice Peacock

    POLICE INVESTIGATE CARE HOME AFTER FIVE DIE FOLLOWING OUTBREAK

    Devon and Cornwall Police are investigating a local care home after five people died following a Covid-19 outbreak.

    Five residents of Holmesley Care Home have died since Sunday March 6, with each testing positive for the virus before their passing.

    Ten more residents are being treated at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital and a member of staff from the Sidford based home also has the virus.

    As part of their enquiries, officers are speaking to staff and conducted a search of the home.

    Post-mortems have been conducted on three of the deceased residents.

  • Alice Peacock

    COVID-19 FIGHTING NOSE SPRAY COULD BE COMING TO THE UK

    The Israel-led maker of a nose spray that kills Covid-19 has applied for a rollout in the UK.

    The Israeli CEO of SaNOtize, which has reported a successful British trial, says it is a "hand sanitiser for the nose," Jewish News has reported.

    The firm said its testing showed the spray successfully reduced the severity of the virus in patients, as well as preventing the virus from being transmitted to others.

    The Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (NONS) was designed to kill the virus in the body's upper airways – in doing so, preventing it from incubating and spreading to the lungs.

  • Alice Peacock

    TWO VACCINE DOSES OFFER SIMILAR COVID-19 PROTECTION AS PRIOR INFECTION

    New research suggests two doses of either the Pfizer/BioNTech or Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine offer similar protection against coronavirus as natural immunity after infection.

    None of the 1,456 healthcare workers at Oxford University Hospitals (OUH) NHS Foundation Trust who had received two vaccines had a symptomatic infection when followed up more than 14 days after their second vaccination.

    The study saw the same high level of protection in unvaccinated healthcare workers who had contracted Covid-19 naturally.

    They had 98% fewer symptomatic infections than unvaccinated individuals who had not been infected before, researchers say.

    Most of the healthcare workers in the study had only received one vaccine to date.

Source: Read Full Article

Previous post Suspending AstraZeneca vaccines 'will do more HARM than good', leading expert warns
Next post Oscars 2021: Hear the Nominees for Best Original Song