Netherlands: The Dutch suspend use of AstraZeneca vaccine

The Netherlands has become the ninth country to suspend use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine over concerns about possible side effects. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the European Medicines…

Jordan: Health minister quits over hospital oxygen deaths

Jordan’s health minister has resigned after six people died due to a lack of oxygen at a hospital ward treating Covid-19 patients, state media report. The deaths were reported early…

Italy: Shutting shops and schools amid Covid-19 infection spike

Shops, restaurants and schools will be closed across most of Italy on Monday, with PM Mario Draghi warning of a “new wave” of the coronavirus outbreak. For three days over…

Thailand: Delays AstraZeneca vaccine rollout after blood clot fears

Thailand has delayed the rollout of the AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine over reports of blood clots. The country’s prime minister and several cabinet members were due to kick off the country’s…

Covid-19: Australia asks European Commission to review Italy’s vaccine block

Australia has asked the European Commission to review Italy’s decision to block the export of 250,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to the country. It is the first time new…

USA: birth rate falls during pandemic

Despite spending more time at home due to the pandemic, the US is in the midst of a baby bust, not a baby boom. US births have been falling for…

Covid: San Diego zoo apes given experimental vaccine

Several great apes at San Diego Zoo have been given an experimental Covid-19 vaccine designed for animals after an outbreak among gorillas there. Four orangutans and five bonobos each had…

Covid Chaos: Italy ‘blocks’ AstraZeneca vaccine shipment to Australia

The Italian government has blocked the export of an Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine shipment to Australia. The decision affects 250,000 doses of the vaccine produced at an AstraZeneca facility in Italy. Italy…

Covid: Japan asks China to stop anal tests on its citizens

Japan has asked China to stop taking anal swab tests for Covid-19 on its citizens when they enter the country. Some have complained that the procedure caused them “psychological distress”,…

Covid: Airline industry travel pass ready ‘within weeks’

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says it expects its digital Covid Travel Pass will be ready “within weeks”. The pass is an app that verifies a passenger has had…