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Covid-19 news: Study finds benefits of teen vaccination outweigh risks

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A young person receives the Pfizer-BioNTech covid-19 vaccine.

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Newest coronavirus information as of 12pm on 30 September

Evaluation helps vaccinating kids aged 12 to 17

The advantages of providing two doses of covid-19 vaccine to all kids aged 12 to 17 in England clearly outweigh the dangers given the present excessive case charges, in line with a brand new evaluation. Kids aged 12 to fifteen are presently being provided just one dose of covid-19 vaccine except they’re thought of excessive threat.

Researchers estimated the covid-19 hospital admissions and deaths, plus instances of lengthy covid, that might be prevented over 4 months by totally vaccinating all kids on this age group. On 15 September, the case fee amongst 10 to 19-year-olds in England stood at 680 instances per 100,000. If the speed rises to 1000 per 100,000, vaccination might avert 4420 hospital admissions and 36 deaths over a 16-week interval, the examine estimated. At a decrease case fee of fifty per 100,000, vaccination might avert 70 admissions and two deaths over the identical interval.

Vaccination would avert between 8000 and 56,000 instances of lengthy covid, the examine suggests, assuming that between 2 and 14 per cent of youngsters with covid-19 go on to expertise lengthy covid. The examine shall be revealed right this moment within the Journal of the Royal Society of Drugs.

“This evaluation exhibits that, on scientific dangers alone, vaccination is warranted for 12 to 17-year-olds in England,” mentioned Deepti Gurdasani of Queen Mary College of London, lead writer of the examine. “Whereas we wait to grasp the long-term results of covid-19 on kids, the precautionary precept advocates for safeguarding all kids from publicity to this virus and vaccination is an important a part of that safety.”

The speed of coronavirus transmission within the UK is presently regarded as highest amongst secondary college age kids, with 2.8 per cent on this group testing constructive in probably the most latest figures from the Workplace for Nationwide Statistics on 18 September. 

The UK Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) beforehand determined that, whereas the advantages of vaccination of kids aged 12 to fifteen do outweigh the dangers, these advantages aren’t large enough to justify a vaccination programme for this age group. Nonetheless, it wasn’t within the JCVI’s remit to think about how vaccination of 12-to-15-year-olds would stop college absences or curb the unfold of the virus in communities. Taking elements like these under consideration, the UK’s Chief Medical Officers really useful that 12-to-15-year-olds be provided a single dose of the vaccine.

Different coronavirus information

The UK authorities’s furlough scheme, which has helped pay the wages of 11.6 million staff because the begin of the pandemic, is ending right this moment. Practically a million staff have been anticipated to be nonetheless on the scheme on the finish of September, in line with the Workplace for Nationwide Statistics. Economists have predicted that the tip of the scheme will result in an increase within the fee of unemployment, which stood at 4.6 per cent final month.

YouTube says it is going to take away movies that comprise misinformation about all vaccines, increasing its insurance policies round well being misinformation which had been strengthened through the coronavirus pandemic. The Google-owned video platform mentioned its ban on covid-19 vaccine misinformation, which was launched final yr, has seen 130,000 movies eliminated thus far consequently, however extra scope is required to clamp down on broader false claims about different vaccines showing on-line. Underneath the brand new guidelines, any content material which falsely alleges that any authorized vaccine is harmful and causes continual well being issues shall be eliminated, as will movies that embody misinformation in regards to the content material of vaccines.

Newest on coronavirus from New Scientist

Booster vaccines: The proof on coronavirus booster pictures isn’t definitive but, however it suggests you actually ought to get an additional vaccine dose in case you are provided one.

Vaccination technique: Prioritising individuals of color for the covid-19 vaccines after they have been briefly provide would have prevented extra deaths than rolling out the vaccine purely by age teams, a US modelling examine suggests

Dashboard: Use our covid-19 dashboard to remain updated with deaths, instances, and vaccination charges around the globe.

Important details about coronavirus

The place did coronavirus come from? And different covid-19 questions answered

What’s covid-19?

Covid-19 vaccines: The whole lot you have to know in regards to the main pictures

Lengthy covid: Do I’ve it, how lengthy will it final and may we deal with it?

What’s the fairest technique to share covid-19 vaccines around the globe?

Covid-19: The story of a pandemic

What to learn, watch and take heed to about coronavirus

New Scientist Weekly options updates and evaluation on the newest developments within the covid-19 pandemic. Our podcast sees professional journalists from the journal talk about the largest science tales to hit the headlines every week – from know-how and house, to well being and the setting.

The Leap is a BBC radio 4 collection exploring how viruses can cross from animals into people to trigger pandemics. The primary episode examines the origins of the covid-19 pandemic.

Why Is Covid Killing Individuals of Color? is a BBC documentary, which investigates what the excessive covid-19 demise charges in ethnic minority sufferers reveal about well being inequality within the UK.

Panorama: The Race for a Vaccine is a BBC documentary in regards to the inside story of the event of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine towards covid-19.

Race In opposition to the Virus: Hunt for a Vaccine is a Channel 4 documentary which tells the story of the coronavirus pandemic via the eyes of the scientists on the frontline.

The New York Instances is assessing the progress in growth of potential drug therapies for covid-19, and rating them for effectiveness and security.

People of COVID-19 is a mission highlighting the experiences of key staff on the frontline within the combat towards coronavirus within the UK, via social media.

Stomach Mujinga: Looking for the Fact is a BBC Panorama investigation of the demise of transport employee Stomach Mujinga from covid-19, following reviews she had been coughed and spat on by a buyer at London’s Victoria Station.

Coronavirus, Defined on Netflix is a brief documentary collection analyzing the coronavirus pandemic, the efforts to combat it and methods to handle its psychological well being toll.

COVID-19: The Pandemic that By no means Ought to Have Occurred, and The way to Cease the Subsequent One by Debora Mackenzie is about how the pandemic occurred and why it is going to occur once more if we don’t do issues otherwise in future.

The Guidelines of Contagion is in regards to the new science of contagion and the stunning methods it shapes our lives and behavior. The writer, Adam Kucharski, is an epidemiologist on the London College of Hygiene and Tropical Drugs, UK, and within the guide he examines how ailments unfold and why they cease.

Earlier updates

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29 September

Over a 3rd of individuals recovering from covid-19 have at the least one lengthy covid symptom between 3 and 6 months after an infection, a examine has discovered. The discovering relies on well being information from over 270,000 individuals within the US. The commonest reported signs have been nervousness or despair, in 15 per cent of contributors who’d had covid-19, adopted by irregular respiratory and belly signs, each seen in 8 per cent, and fatigue, in 6 per cent.

These signs usually are not essentially associated to covid-19, however the examine in contrast their prevalence in individuals recovering from covid-19 and in individuals who’d had influenza, and located that, collectively, a set of 9 signs have been 1.5 instances extra widespread after covid-19 than after the flu. Lengthy covid signs have been barely extra widespread in girls than in males, and extra widespread in those that had been hospitalised.

Makes an attempt to estimate the prevalence of lengthy covid have produced broadly various outcomes, relying on how the situation is outlined and measured. Latest figures from the UK Workplace for Nationwide Statistics prompt that 11.7 per cent of people that examined constructive for covid-19 described themselves as experiencing lengthy covid 12 weeks after an infection, however solely 3 per cent skilled signs repeatedly for at the least 12 weeks.

Different coronavirus information

Individuals receiving a 3rd dose of coronavirus vaccine expertise comparable charges of uncomfortable side effects to these receiving their second dose, in line with the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. Out of 12,500 individuals who accomplished a survey, 79 per cent reported native reactions corresponding to itching or ache on the injection web site, whereas 74 per cent reported systemic reactions, which have been primarily fatigue, muscle aches and complications.

Pfizer and BioNTech have submitted trial information for his or her covid-19 vaccine in 5-to-11-year-olds to the US medicines regulator, and say they are going to make a proper request for emergency authorisation in coming weeks.

The Scottish authorities will delay the enforcement of vaccine passports by two weeks, first minister Nicola Sturgeon has mentioned, giving companies till 18 October to adjust to the brand new legislation. Individuals over 18 should present proof of vaccination to attend a nightclub or massive occasion below the coverage.

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A pupil receives the Pfizer-BioNTech covid-19 vaccine.

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28 September

Survey of kids in England finds youthful ages extra hesitant about vaccination

Youthful kids look like much less keen to have a covid-19 vaccination than older youngsters, in line with a survey of greater than 27,000 college students aged between 9 and 18 in England. Total, half the respondents mentioned they have been keen to have a coronavirus vaccination, 37 per cent mentioned they have been undecided and 13 per cent mentioned they wished to choose out. Nonetheless, simply over a 3rd of nine-year-olds mentioned they’re keen to have a covid-19 jab, in contrast with 51 per cent of 13-year-olds and 78 per cent of 17-year-olds.

The survey was carried out in faculties throughout Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Merseyside between Could and July this yr by researchers on the College of Oxford, College Faculty London (UCL) and the College of Cambridge. The findings come after 12-to-15-year-olds in England and Scotland final week began to get vaccinated.

Younger individuals who imagine they’ve had covid-19 already have been extra prone to say they are going to choose out of getting a vaccine, the survey discovered. College students who have been extra hesitant about getting the jab have been additionally extra prone to attend faculties in disadvantaged areas, report spending longer on social media, and say they really feel as if they didn’t establish with their college group.

Researchers are calling for extra assets and knowledge to be offered to communities and college students to make sure younger individuals know the covid-19 vaccine is protected. They are saying well being messaging about vaccine security and its results on kids needs to be shared by trusted sources on social media.

The survey discovered that almost all of kids who mentioned they have been hesitant about getting the vaccine have been nonetheless undecided. “That may be a enormous alternative for us, however it additionally suggests that there’s threat,” mentioned Russell Viner, a examine writer from UCL. “Younger persons are doubtlessly susceptible to these pushing views which are very strongly against vaccination.”

Some headteachers have reportedly been focused by hoax letters with misinformation in regards to the vaccine programme, which embody a faux NHS emblem and a “consent guidelines” to share with college students. A faculty in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, has apologised for passing the letter on to oldsters in error.

Different coronavirus information

People who smoke are 80 per cent extra prone to be admitted to hospital and considerably extra prone to die from covid-19 than non-smokers, new analysis exhibits. The examine, revealed within the journal Thorax, is the primary of its form to take a look at each observational and genetic information on smoking and coronavirus. It included 421,469 contributors within the UK Biobank examine, with end result information as much as 18 August 2020. The outcomes confirmed that, in contrast with never-smokers, present people who smoke have been twice as prone to die with covid-19 in the event that they smoked one to 9 cigarettes a day, whereas these smoking 10 to 19 cigarettes a day have been nearly six instances extra prone to die. Individuals who smoked greater than 20 a day have been over six instances extra prone to die in comparison with individuals who had by no means smoked.

Vaccine passports could be required for these attending nightclubs, music venues, festivals and sports activities grounds in England below the federal government’s autumn and winter contingency Plan B. The proposed plan, revealed right this moment, will solely be launched if the nation faces a tough winter with rising covid-19 instances within the colder months, the federal government mentioned. The federal government is asking for views from companies, occasion organisers, and venue operators on its proposals by 12 October.

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A mom breastfeeding her son.

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27 September

Neutralising antibodies in breast milk might shield infants from covid-19 an infection

Breastfeeding girls who’ve had covid-19 secrete neutralising antibodies towards the virus into their breast milk for as much as 10 months after an infection, in line with analysis introduced at a convention. Rebecca Powell at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York and her colleagues analysed breast milk samples from 75 girls who had recovered from a covid-19 an infection. They discovered that 88 per cent of the samples contained antibodies towards the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and usually they have been able to neutralising the virus. 

The findings, introduced on the World Breastfeeding and Lactation Symposium on 21 September, recommend that breastfeeding might assist to guard infants from getting contaminated with covid-19. That is recognized to be the case for different respiratory ailments corresponding to influenza and pertussis. Whereas younger kids are at decrease threat from extreme covid-19 than adults, round one in 10 infants beneath the age of 1 require hospital care if they’re contaminated. Antibodies extracted from breast milk is also used as a remedy for adults with covid-19, Powell advised The Guardian.

The examine additionally discovered that almost all of ladies who had the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines additionally had coronavirus-specific antibodies of their breast milk, however decrease ranges of antibodies have been seen in milk from girls who had the Johnson & Johnson vaccine. This helps earlier analysis suggesting that vaccinations for breastfeeding moms will help to guard their infants from covid-19 an infection, though this has not but been demonstrated conclusively.

Different coronavirus information

The covid-19 pandemic has led to the largest fall in life expectancy in western Europe because the second world warfare, researchers have discovered. The examine, revealed within the Worldwide Journal of Epidemiology, included information from 29 nations, 22 of which noticed a drop in life expectancy that was larger than half a yr in 2020. The results have been bigger for males than girls in most nations. Males within the US noticed the largest fall, with 2.2 years taken off their life expectancy in 2020 in contrast with 2019.

Australian authorities have introduced plans to raise restrictions step by step in Sydney, which has been in lockdown since June. Eating places, retail shops and gymnasiums can start to reopen on 11 October, however solely people who find themselves totally vaccinated shall be allowed to renew procuring, consuming out, and another actions. Round 60 per cent of individuals aged 16 and over are presently totally vaccinated within the state of New South Wales.

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24 September

Deaths from covid-19 result in drop in life expectancy for boys born in UK

Life expectancy for males within the UK has fallen for the primary time in 4 many years, because of the affect of the covid-19 pandemic. New figures from the Workplace for Nationwide Statistics (ONS) recommend {that a} boy born between 2018 and 2020 is predicted to stay for 79 years, in contrast with 79.2 years for births between 2015 and 2017. For ladies, life expectancy stays unchanged at 82.9 years. The estimates are calculated primarily based on present mortality charges, which have been unusually excessive in 2020, particularly for males.

The figures don’t imply a child born in 2018-2020 will stay a shorter life, says Pamela Cobb from the ONS Centre for Ageing and Demography. “To get a greater estimate of this we have to contemplate how mortality and due to this fact life expectancy will enhance into the long run. Will probably be a number of years earlier than we perceive the affect, if any, of coronavirus on this,” she says.

Different coronavirus information

Covid-19 vaccines have prevented 123,100 deaths in England, in line with new estimates. The figures, which have been calculated by Public Well being England and the College of Cambridge, cowl the interval as much as 17 September. Earlier estimates had put the quantity at 112,300 deaths. Round 23.9 million infections have additionally been prevented by the vaccine rollout, together with 230,800 hospital admissions amongst individuals aged 45 and over. Greater than 89 per cent of all individuals aged 16 and over in England have now obtained at the least one dose of vaccine, whereas practically 82 per cent are totally vaccinated.

The US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) has endorsed booster vaccines for individuals aged 65 and over and people with underlying well being situations, following the authorisation from the Meals and Drug Administration on Wednesday. The CDC’s panel of advisers declined to help booster vaccines for individuals in jobs with a excessive threat of publicity to the virus, corresponding to healthcare staff, however CDC director Rochelle Walensky determined to incorporate this class within the company’s advice. The recommendation applies to individuals who have already had two doses of Pfizer/BioNTech covid-19 vaccine at the least six months in the past.

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Glass vials containing the BioNTech, Pfizer vaccine.

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23 September

US regulator authorises boosters for older individuals, however rejects broader rollout

The US medicines regulator has authorised coronavirus booster vaccines for individuals aged 65 and over, individuals at excessive threat of extreme illness and people who are frequently uncovered to the virus, corresponding to healthcare staff. The choice implies that these teams can begin to obtain a 3rd dose of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine 6 months after their second dose. Those that have had different vaccines should look forward to additional approvals.

Pfizer had requested the Meals and Drug Administration (FDA) to permit additional doses for all individuals aged 16 and over, however the FDA panel concluded that there was inadequate proof to help boosters for the broader inhabitants past high-risk teams. A separate advisory committee for the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention, which determines US vaccine coverage, is predicted to situation steerage right this moment which can embody suggestions on which teams ought to qualify as excessive threat. The US has already given additional vaccines to over 2 million individuals with compromised immune methods.

Different coronavirus information

The US will donate 500 million extra covid-19 vaccines to different nations, president Joe Biden has introduced at a digital summit on the pandemic, bringing the nation’s complete donations to over 1 billion doses. Supply of the brand new tranche will start in January. At a United Nations Normal Meeting assembly yesterday, leaders from growing nations together with the Philippines, Peru and Ghana condemned wealthier nations for failing to share vaccines equitably.

New journey guidelines for England that require travellers from some nations to quarantine even when they’re totally vaccinated have sparked outrage and bewilderment, The Guardian reviews. Underneath the foundations, travellers to England who’ve been totally vaccinated with Oxford/AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna or Janssen vaccines within the US, Australia, New Zealand, South Korea or a European Union nation are exempt from quarantine, however individuals who obtained the identical vaccines in different nations should quarantine for 10 days after arrival. Medical doctors and politicians from India, Brazil and Nigeria are amongst those that have expressed anger in regards to the guidelines.

Newest on coronavirus from New Scientist

Winter forecast: A authorities scientific advisory committee has mentioned that the variety of individuals in England admitted to hospital with the coronavirus might rise to between 2000 and 7000 a day over the subsequent few months. Right here’s why the predictions for winter are so bleak, regardless of excessive vaccination charges.

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Pupils increase their arms in a lesson as they return to high school.

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22 September

A couple of in 100 college kids in England have covid-19, however absences are decrease than in July as a result of entire courses not isolate

About 1.2 per cent of faculty kids in England have been absent as a result of confirmed or suspected covid-19 on 16 September, in line with new figures from the UK’s Division for Training. This compares with 1.0 per cent in July earlier than faculties closed for the summer time holidays. Most faculties reopened in September having eliminated some social distancing restrictions, together with mask-wearing and maintaining kids inside “bubbles” – small teams normally consisting of 1 or a couple of courses. Underneath this method the entire bubble would bel despatched house to isolate if one member examined constructive. Now, under-18s wouldn’t have to remain at house and isolate if they’ve been in touch with somebody who has examined constructive – provided that they themselves develop signs or have a constructive take a look at outcome.

The brand new guidelines imply that whereas there’s presently a better fee of covid-19 infections amongst under-18s, fewer kids need to miss college due to isolation guidelines. The whole fee of covid-19-related absences was 1.5 per cent on 16 September, in contrast with 14.3 per cent in July. “These nationwide figures masks some important points arising at a neighborhood degree, and we already know of faculties which are struggling to maintain courses open as a result of outbreaks occurring,” Paul Whiteman, basic secretary of the Nationwide Affiliation of Head Academics advised The Guardian.

Different coronavirus information

Australia will reopen its borders for worldwide journey by Christmas on the newest, the nation’s Tourism Minister Dan Tehan mentioned right this moment. In the meantime within the state of Victoria, lecturers and childcare staff have been advised that they should be totally vaccinated towards covid-19 earlier than they return to work subsequent month.

The Johnson & Johnson “single-dose” covid-19 vaccine is simpler after two doses, the agency mentioned yesterday. A second dose of the jab given eight weeks after the primary led to individuals being 94 per cent much less prone to get a symptomatic an infection in contrast with those that have been unvaccinated, in a US trial. Only one dose was 66 per cent efficient within the first month after vaccination. Giving the second dose six months after the primary led to an even increased rise in antibodies.

See earlier updates from June to July 2021, Could 2021, April-March 2021, February 2021, January 2021, November/December 2020, and March to November 2020.

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