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Senin, 24 Agustus 2020

WHO says 172 countries engaging with global COVID-19 vaccine plan - CNA

GENEVA: About 172 countries are engaging with the COVAX facility designed to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines, the World Health Organization said on Monday (Aug 24), but more funding is needed and countries need now to make binding commitments.

Countries wishing to be part of the global COVAX plan have until Aug 31 to submit expressions of interest, WHO officials said, with confirmation of intention to join due by Sep 18, and initial payments due by Oct 9.

WHO director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the facility was critical to ending the COVID-19 pandemic, and would not only pool risk for countries developing and buying vaccines, but also ensure prices are kept "as low as possible".

"Vaccine nationalism only helps the virus," he told a media briefing. "The success of the COVAX facility hinges not only on countries signing up to it, but also filling key funding gaps."

COVAX is co-led by the GAVI vaccines alliance, the WHO and the CEPI Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations and is designed to guarantee equitable access globally to COVID-19 vaccines once they are developed and authorised for use.

It currently covers nine candidate COVID-19 vaccines and its aim is to secure supplies of and deliver 2 billion doses across countries that sign up by the end of 2021.

"Initially, when there will be limited supply (of COVID-19 vaccines), it's important to provide the vaccine to those at highest risk around the globe," Tedros said.

He said this included health workers on the front lines of the pandemic, who were "critical to saving lives and stabilising the overall health system".

It also urged countries to join its plan to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines so they can work together in a coordinated manner.

Bruce Aylward, senior adviser to the WHO director-general, told a news briefing that "the critical thing is to ensure that some vaccine gets to all countries as early as possible".

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2020-08-24 12:00:00Z
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Bali bans foreign tourists for rest of 2020 over COVID-19 - CNA

JAKARTA: Foreign tourists won't be allowed to visit Bali for the rest of 2020 due to coronavirus concerns, its governor said, scrapping a plan to open up the Indonesian island from next month.

The holiday hotspot re-opened beaches, temples and other tourism spots for domestic visitors at the end of July and had said it would let foreign tourists return on Sep 11.

But the plan has now been cancelled over concerns about Indonesia's mounting virus cases and with many foreign nationals subject to travel bans in their home countries.

WATCH: Crisis in Bali's paradise: The COVID-19 impact

Jakarta is also yet to lift its ban on foreign tourists entering Indonesia.

"The situation in Indonesia is not conducive to allow international tourists to visit Indonesia, including ... Bali," the island's governor I Wayan Koster said in an official letter dated Saturday (Aug 22).

"The central government supports (Bali's) plans to recover tourism by opening the doors for international tourists. However, this requires care, prudence, not to be rushed, and requires careful preparation," it added.

He did not give a new date for allowing foreign tourists to visit.

The volume of flights to and from Bali plummeted during the global pandemic, leaving hotels empty and restaurants struggling to survive.

Bali has recorded some 49 deaths and just over 4,000 cases of coronavirus.

"New cases are under control, the recovery rate is increasing and fatality rate is under control," Koster said.

Nationwide, Indonesia has seen at last 6,680 virus deaths with more than 153,000 confirmed cases, but the real toll is widely believed to be hidden by limited testing.

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2020-08-24 08:47:45Z
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Factbox: China's coronavirus vaccine development efforts - CNA

BEIJING: China has several novel coronavirus vaccine candidates in the late stage of development.

Below is a summary of its efforts to develop vaccines.

HOW MANY CHINESE VACCINES ARE IN PHASE 3?

Four of the world's seven vaccines that are in the third phase of trials are from China.

Two of the candidates are from China National Biotec Group (CNBG), a unit of state-owned pharmaceutical giant China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm).

Sinovac Biotech is developing the third candidate called CoronaVac, while CanSino Biologics is working with state military research unit Academy of Military Medical Sciences on Ad5-nCoV.

WHO IS PARTNERING WITH CHINA FOR TRIALS?

Argentina, Peru, Morocco, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates have allowed CNBG to run Phase 3 trials. It's not immediately clear if the company's two vaccine candidates will be tested in those countries.

Indonesia and Brazil are helping with Phase 3 trials of Sinovac's CoronaVac, while Bangladesh aims to run a late stage clinical trial for the experimental vaccine.

Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Russia have agreed to conduct Phase 3 trials of CanSino's candidate, while Mexico has signed an early agreement with the Chinese firm for a late-stage trial.

HOW EXPERIMENTAL COVID-19 VACCINES ARE USED IN CHINA?

China has been administering experimental coronavirus vaccines to groups facing high infection risks such as medical workers since July under an "emergency use" programme.

Authorities could consider modestly expanding the emergency use programme to try to prevent outbreaks during the autumn and winter.

China has not specified how many people have been vaccinated or which product has been given.

Before the official launch of the programme in July, China's military approved the use of CanSino's vaccine, in June, while state media reported in June that employees at state-owned firms travelling overseas were allowed to take one of the two candidate vaccines being developed by CNBG.

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2020-08-24 07:26:36Z
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Japan's Abe returns from hospital, says to do his best at his job - CNA

TOKYO: Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to take care of his health and do his utmost at his job, he said on Monday (Aug 24), after a second hospital visit within days sparked concern whether he could stay on as leader of the world's third-biggest economy.

The visit came as Japan's longest-serving prime minister surpassed a record for longest consecutive tenure as premier set by his great-uncle Eisaku Sato half a century ago, adding to speculation Abe could resign after reaching the milestone.

Abe, criticised for his handling of the coronavirus outbreak and some scandals, has suffered a slide in voter support to one of the lowest levels since returning to office for a second term in 2012 with promises to revive the economy and bolster defence.

"I'd like to take care of my health and do my best at my job," Abe told reporters at his official residence, after visiting a Tokyo hospital where he said he had received results of an exam done last week and undergone additional examinations.

READ: Another hospital visit by Japan PM Abe stokes health worries

Abe, who turns 66 next month, also said he wanted to speak again later about his medical tests.

Earlier, government spokesman Yoshihide Suga said Abe was having a follow-up to a check a week ago when his examination lasted 7 1/2 hours, fuelling worries about his health.

But major broadcaster Nippon TV said Abe was being treated for a chronic illness rather than a check-up, citing multiple unidentified government and ruling party sources.

Abe has been prime minister since 2012 in his second stint after a troubled term from which he resigned abruptly in 2007, because of struggles with ulcerative colitis, a disease he now keeps in check with medicine that was not previously available.

"NOT AT ALL" WORRIED

His office did not give a detailed explanation for the hospital visits, but close aide Health Minister Katsunobu Kato said last week's visit was a regular check-up and he was "not at all" worried about Abe's health.

Japanese media have speculated about Abe's health this month, including detailed reports on his walking speed.

Weekly magazine Flash said Abe had vomited blood at his office on Jul 6. Reuters was unable to verify the widely cited report, which was denied by government officials.

Abe gets a regular check-up twice a year, with his most recent on Jun 13, Kyodo news agency said, adding that last week's visit was a follow-up to a June check-up, citing a hospital source.

If Abe is incapacitated, Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, 79, who doubles as finance minister, would take over temporarily as acting prime minister.

If Abe says he has decided to resign, he would stay on until formally replaced, which requires a ruling Liberal Democratic Party presidential election, followed by the winner's formal election in parliament.

READ: How possible successors stack up if Japan PM Abe resigns

Abe's tenure as LDP president, and thus, premier, ends in September 2021 unless he steps down earlier.

Those tipped as possible successors include Aso, former defence minister Shigeru Ishiba, ex-foreign minister Fumio Kishida, Suga, and Defence Minister Taro Kono.

All are veteran LDP lawmakers unlikely to make huge policy shifts, despite differing over details.

But any successor may find it tough to emulate Abe's political longevity, which followed years of revolving-door premiers and was aided by the strong economy, tight control over bureaucrats and weak opposition parties.

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2020-08-24 05:58:23Z
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Minggu, 23 Agustus 2020

Another hospital visit by Japan PM Abe stokes health worries - CNA

TOKYO: A motorcade carrying Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe entered a Tokyo hospital on Monday (Aug 24) again stoking concerns about his ability to continue as leader due to health issues and fatigue from handling the coronavirus crisis.

Abe will receive the results of a medical check-up from a week ago, local media said, citing government sources. Abe underwent an examination that lasted seven-and-a-half hours, fuelling worries about his health.

"This time it's to hear the results of the medical check-up," an anonymous government official told the Yomiuri newspaper.

Dozens of reporters watched as a black sedan with white curtains carrying Abe on the back seat arrived at the hospital.

Abe, already the country's longest-serving prime minister, surpassed a half-century-old record set by his great-uncle Eisaku Sato for the longest consecutive tenure as premier on Monday, adding to speculation he may resign after reaching the milestone.

READ: Japan PM Abe returns to office after health exam, says ready to work

In office since 2012 in his second stint as prime minister, Abe resigned from his first term in 2007 because of struggles with ulcerative colitis, which he now keeps under control with medication that was not previously available.

Abe has suffered a slide in public opinion polls to one of the lowest levels since he took power due to what respondents see as his haphazard handling of the coronavirus and a string of scandals.

Japanese media have speculated about Abe's health this month, including detailed reports on Abe’s walking speed. Weekly magazine Flash said Abe had vomited blood at his office on Jul 6. Reuters was unable to verify the widely cited report, which was refuted by government officials.

The prime minister's office did not give a detailed explanation of his hospital visit last week, but Health Minister Katsunobu Kato, a close aide, said it was a regular check-up and he was "not at all" worried about Abe’s health.

Abe gets a regular check-up twice a year, with his most recent on Jun 13, Kyodo news agency said, adding that last week's visit was a follow-up to the June check-up, citing a hospital source.

If Abe is incapacitated, Deputy Prime Minister Taro Aso, who doubles as finance minister, will take over temporarily as acting prime minister.

If Abe says he has decided to resign, he will remain in the post until formally replaced, which requires a ruling Liberal Democratic Party presidential election followed by the winner's formal election in parliament.

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2020-08-24 01:18:45Z
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Trump hails FDA's authorisation of plasma treatment for coronavirus, after slamming agency - The Straits Times

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - US President Donald Trump on Sunday (Aug 23) hailed the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) authorisation of a coronavirus treatment that uses blood plasma from recovered patients, a day after accusing the agency of impeding the rollout of vaccines and therapeutics for political reasons.

The FDA announcement of its "emergency use authorisation" of the treatment came on the eve of the Republican National Convention, where Trump will be nominated to lead his party for four more years.

"This is what I’ve been looking to do for a long time," Trump told an unusually brief White House news conference. "Today I’m pleased to make a truly historic announcement in our battle against the China virus that will save countless lives."

The FDA, explaining its decision, cited early evidence suggesting blood plasma can decrease mortality and improve the health of patients when administered in the first three days of their hospitalisation.

The agency also said it determined this was a safe approach in an analysis of 20,000 patients who received the treatment.

So far, 70,000 patients have been treated using blood plasma, the FDA said.

"It appeared that the product is safe and we’re comfortable with that and we continue to see no concerning safety signals," Peter Marks, director of the FDA’s Centre for Biologics Evaluation and Research, told reporters in a conference call.

A day before the FDA's announcement, Trump tagged the agency's Commissioner Stephen Hahn in a tweet and said, "The deep state, or whoever, over at the FDA is making it very difficult for drug companies to get people in order to test the vaccines and therapeutics."

"Obviously, they are hoping to delay the answer until after November 3rd. Must focus on speed, and saving lives!"

Trump is looking to boost his lagging poll numbers during the Republican convention this week, and progress in treatments or an effective vaccine to gain control of the virus would aid his re-election chances.

At least 5,686,377 cases of Covid-19 have been reported in the United States, according to a Reuters tally, and more than 176,000 Americans have died.

Mr Michael Steele, who served as chairman of the Republican National Committee from 2009 to 2011, said the Trump administration was putting politics ahead of science.

"This is not about good science or even your health, it’s about his re-election," Mr Steele wrote on Twitter.

Plasma is the element of blood that carries water, enzymes and blood cells throughout the body. It also carries the antibodies humans form to fight off disease and boost immunity.

Covid-19 patients have been receiving convalescent plasma for several months through clinical trials at medical centres such as New York’s Mount Sinai Hospital and Johns Hopkins.

Supplies of plasma are limited because they require that a recovered Covid-19 patient donate blood and that it matches the blood type of the recipient.

Reuters reported that Covid-19 plasma supplies are dwindling, with the American Red Cross saying its stockpile of plasma for Covid-19 patients declined 70 per cent in July.

US regulators provided emergency authorisation for Gilead Science Inc’s remdesivir as a therapeutic treatment for Covid-19 earlier this year.

Reuters reported that a senior administration official said therapeutic drugs that are being studied specifically for Covid-19 could be authorised for use and making doses by fall.

The White House declined to comment on a separate report in the Financial Times that the administration is considering fast-tracking an experimental Covid-19 vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca Plc and Oxford University for use in the United States ahead of the Nov 3 elections.

One option being explored would involve the FDA awarding emergency use authorisation in October to the potential vaccine, which was developed by Oxford and licensed to AstraZeneca, the FT reported, citing people briefed on the plan.

A spokeswoman for AstraZeneca denied the company had discussed an emergency use authorisation for its potential vaccine with the US government and said it would be premature to speculate on that possibility.

The company said the late-stage Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials for its vaccine candidate are still ongoing in Britain and other markets globally and that it did not anticipate efficacy results until later this year.

There are no approved vaccines for Covid-19, but AstraZeneca’s shot, called AZD1222, is widely seen as one of the leading candidates.

Trump administration moves to advance COVID-19 treatment, possible vaccine: Reports - CNA

WASHINGTON: The Trump administration plans emergency approval of a new coronavirus therapeutic treatment and is considering fast-tracking a vaccine developed in Britain, according to media reports on Sunday (Aug 23), the day before the start of the Republican National Convention.

President Donald Trump later on Sunday will announce the emergency authorisation of convalescent plasma for COVID-19, a treatment that already has been given to more than 70,000 patients, the Washington Post reported, citing officials familiar with the decision.

The action will be highlighted at a news conference scheduled for 5.30pm, the newspaper said.

A White House spokesman declined to comment on the Post story. But White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany tweeted early on Sunday that Trump's news conference would cover "a major therapeutic breakthrough on the China Virus".

Trump also tweeted: "Important White House News Conference at 5:30 (sharp) today. Very good news!"

The White House also declined comment on a separate report in the Financial Times that the administration is considering fast-tracking an experimental COVID-19 vaccine being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University for use in the United States ahead of the Nov 3 elections.

READ: Russia approves trial of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine: Registry filing

One option being explored would involve the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) awarding “emergency use authorization” in October to the potential vaccine, which was developed by Oxford and licensed to AstraZeneca, the FT reported, citing people briefed on the plan.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Sunday said the number of deaths due to the new coronavirus had risen by 1,006 to 175,651. It reported 5,643,812 cases, an increase of 45,265 cases from its previous count.

READ: Republicans, Democrats trade blame for stalled US COVID-19 aid legislation

AstraZeneca denied having discussed an emergency use authorisation for its potential vaccine with the US government.

"AstraZeneca has not discussed emergency use authorisation with the US government and it would be premature to speculate on that possibility," a spokeswoman for AstraZeneca said in a statement.

The company said that the late-stage Phase 2 and Phase 3 trials for its vaccine candidate are still ongoing in Britain and other markets globally and that it did not anticipate efficacy results until later this year.

There are no approved vaccines for COVID-19, but AstraZeneca's shot, called AZD1222, is widely seen as one of the leading candidates.

BOOKMARK THIS: Our comprehensive coverage of the coronavirus outbreak and its developments

Download our app or subscribe to our Telegram channel for the latest updates on the coronavirus outbreak: https://cna.asia/telegram

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2020-08-23 20:06:57Z
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Senin, 24 Agustus 2020

Minggu, 23 Agustus 2020

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