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October
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine shows 90.7% efficacy in trial in children
Written by nuke
FILE PHOTO: A woman holds a small bottle labeled with a "Coronavirus COVID-19 Vaccine" sticker and a medical syringe in front of displayed Pfizer logo in this illustration taken, October 30, 2020. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic -
The Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine showed 90.7 per cent efficacy against the coronavirus in a clinical trial of children five to 11 years old, the US drugmaker said on Friday (Oct 22).
Sixteen children in the trial who had received a placebo got COVID-19, compared with three who were vaccinated, Pfizer said in briefing documents submitted to the US Food and Drug Administration.
Because more than twice as many children in the 2,268-participant trial were given the vaccine than placebo, that equates to better than 90 per cent efficacy.
Pfizer's clinical trial in those five to 11 years old was not primarily designed to measure efficacy against the virus. Instead, it compared the amount of neutralising antibodies induced by the vaccine in the children to the response of older recipients in their adult trial.
Based on those results, Pfizer and BioNTech said last month that their COVID-19 vaccine induced a robust immune response in the children.
The five- to 11-year-olds were given two shots of a 10-microgram dose of the vaccine, a third of the dose size given to people 12 and older.
Outside advisors to the FDA are scheduled to meet on Tuesday to vote on whether to recommend that the agency authorize the vaccine for that age group. The FDA's staff is expected to publish their review of the evidence submitted by Pfizer later on Friday.
Pfizer also said on Friday that it had expanded its clinical trial to improve its safety data, more than doubling the number of children enrolled.
According to the briefing documents, the adverse event profile in the expanded group of kids did not suggest any new safety concerns from the vaccine. The company had said previously that the safety profile in the age group was generally comparable to 16- to 25-year-olds.
The second cohort of children has been observed for a shorter time. All of them had received their second dose and more than 70 per cent were more than two weeks post dose two.
Both the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Inc vaccines have been linked to rare cases of heart inflammation called myocarditis, especially in young men.
Pfizer suggested that the rate of myocarditis in the age group was likely to be lower than observed in vaccinated 12- to 15-year-olds. It also estimated that the number of COVID-related hospitalisations prevented by vaccination was many times the number of potential cases of myocarditis.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine already has US regulatory authorisation for people who are at least 12 years old, including full FDA approval in August for those 16 and up.
Around 190 million people in the United States are fully vaccinated, including more than 11 million who are 12 to 17 years old that have received the Pfizer vaccine.
If the FDA authorizes the vaccine for children five to 11 years old, a group of advisors to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will meet on Nov 2 and 3 to make recommendations to the agency on how the shots should be administered.
Most states wait for the CDC to sign off on recommendations for vaccines before they begin administering shots//CNA
October
FILE PHOTO: A coronavirus test center is pictured in front of the Opera in Duisburg, Germany, Oct 12, 2021. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner) -
Germany's health ministry said on Friday (Oct 22) the country was seeing a surge in coronavirus infections and warned that the situation was likely to worsen as winter approaches.
"With the rising infection numbers we are seeing an escalation of the situation," health ministry spokesman Oliver Ewald told reporters in Berlin.
The concern comes a day after Germany's Robert Koch health institute (RKI) said in its weekly report that seven-day coronavirus incidence rates had been rising since the end of September.
The upwards trend "became visible in almost all age groups over the past week and it is to be expected that the increase in case numbers will pick up speed in the further course of autumn and winter", Ewald said.
Germany recorded 19,572 new coronavirus cases over the past 24 hours on Friday, according to the RKI, up 70 per cent on a week earlier.
Friday's figure was the highest since early May, when far fewer Germans were vaccinated against COVID-19.
The country's seven-day incidence rate jumped to 95.1 new infections per 100,000 people, also the highest level since May.
The health ministry said the spike in cases had not yet led to an "increased dynamic" in Covid patients needing intensive care.
Germany's DIVI intensive care association however voiced alarm at the latest developments.
Senior DIVI expert Christian Karagiannidis wrote on Twitter that there was a "very close correlation" between incidence rates and new COVID-19 hospital admissions.
"The real fourth wave is beginning now and is gathering speed," he tweeted.
The leaders of Germany's 16 regional states are meeting to discuss the next steps in the fight against the pandemic, and are expected to keep existing measures largely in place.
The RKI in its report pleaded for all citizens, including those who are fully vaccinated or have already recovered from Covid, to keep respecting the recommended health guidelines.
These include wearing face masks, airing out rooms, keeping a physical distance and regularly washing hands.
"Unnecessary close contacts should be reduced and in particular indoor situations that could become so-called super spreading events should be avoided when possible," the report added.
More than 66 per cent of the population in Germany, a country of about 83 million people, is now fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Nearly 70 per cent have received at least the first dose//CNA
October
Sri Lanka orders COVID-19 booster shots for frontline workers, tourism industry
Written by nuke
FILE PHOTO: A health official receives a dose of AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, at Infectious Diseases Hospital in Colombo, Sri Lanka January 29, 2021. REUTERS/Dinuka Liyanawatte -
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday (Oct 22) ordered frontline workers and tourism staff to be given a third booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine next month, part of a bid to reopen the travel industry and revive the economy.
More than 1 million people including security personnel, health care staff and tourism industry workers will be given third shots of the Pfizer vaccine beginning Nov 1, the president's office said in a statement.
So far Sri Lanka has fully vaccinated a little over 60 per cent of its 22 million people. The country depends on international tourism and partially rolled back COVID-19 restrictions late last month, allowing fully vaccinated travellers with a negative test to enter without quarantine.
Earnings from tourism plummeted from US$4.3 billion in 2018 to just US$33 million in the first eight months of this year. Reviving the industry is seen as crucial to restoring reserves which stood at just US$2.6 billion at the end of September.
Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said there was strong interest from travellers from countries such as Russia, Britain, France and Germany, and that international flights will be increased from next month.
"The target is to have a strong winter season from November to March or April of next year,” he told Reuters.
An estimated 400,000 people are employed in the tourism industry. Some travel limits, including on trains between provinces, will be lifted only from Nov 1 as the authorities focus on reducing the death rate from COVID-19 to zero//CNA
October
APEC finance ministers agree to step up COVID-19 vaccine efforts
Written by nuke
This file photo shows empty vials of Johnson & Johnson's one-dose COVID-19 vaccine at a mobile vaccination site in Uniondale, New York. (Photo: AP/Mary Altaffer) -
Finance ministers from Asia-Pacific trade group APEC met on Friday (Oct 22) and agreed to step up efforts to expand COVID-19 vaccine manufacture and supply, and support global vaccine sharing, host nation New Zealand said in a statement.
The ministers agreed to use all available policy tools to address COVID-19 and said they would maintain macroeconomic and financial stability and refrain from competitive exchange rate devaluations.
"The pandemic has caused a rapid rise in public debt and demands for new spending continue to grow as we recover. More than ever, we need to use our resources effectively," New Zealand Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson said.
Despite a sharp drop in infections and rising vaccinations in wealthy APEC nations, there are concerns that few shots have reached smaller, poorer countries where the virus still rages. The World Health Organization has spoken about the risks and inequality of such "vaccine apartheid".
The 21-economy group, which includes the United States, China and Japan, also acknowledged divergence in recovery from the pandemic as groups such as women and indigenous people continue to be disproportionately impacted.
Ahead of the UN COP26 talks in Glasgow later this month, Robertson called on members to ensure sufficient capital was in place to drive a shift towards a lower carbon future, including the use of fiscal funding tools, and exploring partnerships with the private sector.
"As we work to bring the pandemic to an end, we must not lose sight of the broader challenges affecting our region, including climate change and inequality," he said.
Robertson chaired the virtual meeting from Wellington, which was also attended by representatives of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), among others.
The meeting was closed to the media.
Singapore's Finance Minister Lawrence Wong said in a Facebook post that the country is updating its domestic policies to build "green finance capabilities and catalyse climate-resilient investments under the Green Finance Action Plan".
"We are also working with multilateral partners, including APEC economies, to unlock private capital through consistent disclosure standards and taxonomies," said Mr Wong//CNA
October
At United Nations, Afghan women appeal: don't let Taliban in
Written by Nur Yasmin
A group of Afghan women urged the United Nations to block the Taliban from gaining a seat at the world body, calling for better representation for their country during a visit to the organisation's New York headquarters on Thursday.
"It's very simple," former Afghan politician and peace negotiator Fawzia Koofi told reporters outside the UN Security Council in New York. "The UN needs to give that seat to somebody who respects the rights of everyone in Afghanistan."
"We are talked a lot about, but we are not listened to," she said of Afghan women. "Aid, money, recognition - they are all leverage that the world should use for inclusion, for respect to the rights of women, for respect to the rights of everybody."
Koofi was joined by former politician, Naheed Fareed, former diplomat Asila Wardak and journalist Anisa Shaheed.
"When the Taliban took Afghanistan ... they said that they will give permission to women to resume their jobs, to go back to the school, but they didn't keep that promise," said Fareed.
Since seizing power in mid-August, Taliban leaders have vowed to respect women's rights in accordance with sharia, or Islamic law. But under Taliban rule from 1996 to 2001, women could not work and girls were banned from school. Women had to cover their faces and be accompanied by a male relative when they left home.
The United Nations is considering rival claims on who should represent Afghanistan. The Taliban nominated their Doha-based spokesman Suhail Shaheen as UN ambassador, while Ghulam Isaczai - the UN envoy representing the government ousted by the Taliban - is seeking to remain in the country's seat.
UN member states are expected to make a decision by the end of the year.
Wardak urged countries to pressure the Taliban "to put their words in action" when it comes to women's rights, adding: "If you're going to give them a seat, there should be conditions."
The women spoke to reporters before addressing a UN event on support for Afghan women and girls, organized by Britain, Qatar, Canada, UN Women and the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security.
The UN Security Council also met separately on Thursday to discuss women, peace and security.
"Women and girls in Afghanistan are pinning their hopes and dreams on this very council and world body to help them recover their rights to work, travel and go to school," Isaczai told the 15-member council. "It would be morally reprehensible if we do nothing and let them down."
October
Sri Lanka orders COVID-19 booster shots for frontline workers, tourism industry
Written by Nur Yasmin
Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa on Friday ordered frontline workers and tourism staff to be given a third booster shot of COVID-19 vaccine next month, part of a bid to reopen the travel industry and revive the economy.
More than 1 million people including security personnel, health care staff and tourism industry workers will be given third shots of the Pfizer vaccine beginning Nov. 1, the president's office said in a statement.
So far Sri Lanka has fully vaccinated a little over 60% of its 22 million people. The country depends on international tourism, and partially rolled back COVID-19 restrictions late last month, allowing fully vaccinated travellers with a negative test to enter without quarantine.
Earnings from tourism plummeted from $4.3 billion in 2018 to just $33 million in the first eight months of this year. Reviving the industry is seen as crucial to restoring reserves which stood at just $2.6 billion at the end of September.
Tourism Minister Prasanna Ranatunga said there was strong interest from travellers from countries such as Russia, Britain, France and Germany, and that international flights will be increased from next month.
"The target is to have a strong winter season from November to March or April of next year,” he told Reuters.
An estimated 400,000 people are employed in the tourism industry. Some travel limits, including on trains between provinces, will be lifted only from Nov. 1 as the authorities focus on reducing the death rate from COVID-19 to zero.
October
Australia asks why Hong Kong considers lobsters national security risk
Written by Nur Yasmin
Australia said it is seeking answers from China on why its lobster exports have been blocked, after a top Hong Kong customs official said Beijing had imposed trade restrictions and lobster smuggling was a national security matter.
Almost all of Australia's exports of the live seafood, prized at Chinese banquets for its red colour, went to mainland China until diplomatic tensions in 2020 saw a series of unofficial trade hurdles imposed by Beijing on Australian produce.
Exports of lobsters to Hong Kong then soared - Hong Kong and Australia have a separate free trade deal - with some of the live seafood finding its way to mainland cities.
Hong Kong's new Commissioner of Customs and Excise, Louise Ho, told local media on Thursday that a new crackdown on the smuggling of Australian lobsters from Hong Kong to mainland China was an "important part of protecting national security".
"On the surface, it is a simple matter of smuggling lobsters, but these activities undermine our country's trade restrictions against Australia," Ho said, according to local media outlet RTHK.
The comments come as China's trade practices are being reviewed by the World Trade Organisation, with Australia stating China's actions are inconsistent with WTO rules.
Australia's ambassador to the WTO said in a statement on Thursday that China had "implemented trade disruptive measures" which had ended Australia's exports of a dozen commodities, including lobster.
Australia lobster exports to China, previously worth $527 million a year, had been "significantly impacted following the General Administration of Customs China (GACC) notification on 5 November 2020 they would be subjected to enhanced inspection", a spokesperson for Australia's Minister for Trade Dan Tehan said in an emailed statement on Friday.
"The Australian Government continues to seek further information from GACC on this matter."
Asked to respond to the Hong Kong official Ho's comment, he said: "The trade in Australian rock lobster to Hong Kong fully complies with importing country requirements".
October
U.S. defense secretary promises NATO, Taiwan, EU broad support
Written by Nur Yasmin
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Friday offered the United States' "resolute" commitment to NATO and broad support both to Taiwan and the European Union.
At NATO, Austin also said the United States wanted "predictability and stability" in its relationship with Russia
October
Pandemic opens doors to switch jobs in Japan, but pay not rising much
Written by Nur Yasmin 
The COVID-19 pandemic has unexpectedly helped Japan's nursing homes and information technology (IT) companies overcome years of labour shortages, as job cuts at restaurants and hotels have prompted workers to look for new careers.
This newfound job mobility marks a shift in a country whose rigid labour practices are partially blamed for a long term decline in productivity.
But it is too soon to say whether the change will ultimately lead to higher wages, which are desperately needed to revive demand and growth in an economy that is still struggling to break free from decades of deflation.
For now, the job-hoppers tend to trade one low-paying career for another.
Toshiki Kurimata, who used to make 2.8 million yen ($25,000) a year as a masseur, quit after 12 years as the pandemic caused a sharp drop in customers. Now he works at a nursing care centre and is taking classes to become a registered caregiver.
With that qualification, he expects to earn around 3.3 million yen - an increase of about 18%. The even bigger attraction, he says, is job stability.
"I like working in nursing care and it's stable," Kurimata said. "There aren't age limits on the work and you can find work even if, like me, you are inexperienced."
Experts aren't sure whether the job-switching will remain limited to certain industries or become a broader trend.
It is also uncertain whether job switching will continue once the pandemic dies down, although anecdotal evidence suggests people will keep leaving food-service jobs for nursing and IT.
Japan expects to have a shortage of 690,000 care workers by 2040, a tough gap to fill given the rapidly ageing population.
LOW-INCOME
OECD data put Japan's hourly labour productivity at $47.9, making it about 60% of the United States' level, the worst among the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies, and 21st
among the 37 OECD members as of 2019.
And the prospect of people being stuck in low income jobs poses a big challenge for Japan's new Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, who has pledged to bring more wealth to households via higher wages.
"COVID-19 fallouts are pushing low-paid workers into even harder situations with little, or no, increase in pay," said Hisashi Yamada, senior economist at Japan Research Institute.
Hospitality businesses have laid off workers, with the number of employees falling to 3.9 million in 2020 from the prior year's 4.2 million, labour ministry data shows.
By contrast, the medical and health industry saw employees hitting 8.6 million, up 200,000 from 2019. The IT sector hired 2.4 million employees, up 100,000 from 2019.
JOB TRAINING
Vocational training schools have benefited.
SAMURAI, which offers IT training, had 1.7 times more students enrolled as of April 2021 compared with a year earlier, as employees retrenched during the pandemic rushed to retrain.
Most IT jobs on offer for inexperienced workers are for programmers, on the lowest rung of the IT ladder, but they generally still pay more than can be earned in hospitality.
The average annual salary for employees at restaurants and nursing homes amounts to roughly 3 million yen, 30% less than an average Japanese workers' salary, government data shows. IT programmers earn close to the national average.
"I saw how popular the IT sector was and thought I may land a stable job," said Koki Shimizu, a 22-year-student at SAMURAI who lost his job as a chef and now is learning to program.
At Crie, which offers training in nursing care, classes that were only two-thirds full before the pandemic are now packed out.
The company's head Takayuki Nakayama expects the uptrend to continue given steady job offers in the nursing care industry.
"It's true wages are relatively low in the nursing-care industry. But many job-seekers want stability after seeing the damage inflicted on eateries and other service-sector firms."
Retailers are also becoming alarmed over losing staff, as they are counting on a rebound in activity as Japan gradually eases COVID-19 restrictions.
Major Japanese pub chain operator Watami is scrambling to hire 100 mid-career staff this year - something it has not done for three years - and it reckons that eventually it may have to pay more.
"1,000 yen per hour may not be enough, 1,500 yen may be needed to attract workers in the future," said the company's chief executive Miki Watanabe.
For now, firms are wary of raising pay as the economy is still struggling in the wake of the pandemic.
October
Malaysia lifts migrant worker ban, to reopen holiday island to foreigners
Written by Nur Yasmin
Malaysia will let foreign workers back into the country after an almost 16-month hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and allow some tourists back to its resort island of Langkawi, its prime minister said on Friday.
The agreement reached by the government's pandemic taskforce on foreign workers has been hotly anticipated by vital sectors like palm oil plantations and rubber glove manufacturing, which rely on migrant labour.
"The Special Committee on Pandemic Management today agreed with the proposed standard operating procedures for the entry of foreign workers into Malaysia, especially to meet the needs of the plantation sector," Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob said in a statement.
Migrant worker quotas and entry dates for other industries are still being ironed out, he said.
Malaysia is reliant on some two million documented migrant workers to produce everything from gloves to iPhone parts.
Last month, the government said it would prioritise the return of 32,000 workers for the plantation sector to ease a severe labour crunch that hammered production for the world's second largest palm oil producer.
The rubber gloves industry had also appealed to the government to allow foreign workers to return to meet growing demand this year and next.
From mid-November, Malaysia will also allow certain international travellers to visit its tropical holiday island of Langkawi, reopening its borders to foreign tourists for the first time since the start of the pandemic.
The prime minister said Malaysia is targeting vaccinated, "high-yield" and "quality" tourists, indicating those that will spend money and help boost the economy. It was not immediately clear how such tourists would be targeted.
Tourists must show a negative COVID-19 result and vaccination certificate and have travel insurance of $80,000, he said.