Pfizer chief on vaccine efficacy: Biontech likely needs annual booster

When will life return to pre-pandemic levels? The Pfizer chief suspects it could return to normal by late fall. However, annual boosters will probably be needed for the vaccine developed jointly with Biontech. He has good news regarding the availability of the vaccine. In the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla says a third shot could be needed as a booster, followed by annual vaccination. “A likely scenario is that there will be a need for a third dose, somewhere between six and 12 months, and then…

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Corona measures and opening steps in Austria’s neighboring countries

Relaxations have already taken place in almost all of Austria’s neighboring countries.After strict Corona measures and the lockdown in the east of the country, Austria wants to dare to take opening steps again from mid-May. What about Austria’s neighboring countries? GermanyA “Corona emergency brake” was passed,wherein uniform regulations for a lockdown apply from a seven-day incidence of 100. If that limit is exceeded, extensive curfew restrictions would take effect at night. A halt to face-to-face classes and the closure of retail, cultural and leisure facilities are also then envisaged. At…

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Indian corona mutation detected in Switzerland

For the first time, a neighboring Austrian country is affected: The Indian mutation has arrived in Central Europe. For the first time, a case of infection with the Indian coronavirus variant B.1.617 has been detected in Switzerland. As the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) announced on Saturday on the online service Twitter, the affected person was a passenger who had entered Switzerland via a transit airport. According to the statement, consultations are underway on whether India will be placed on the country’s risk list. Travelers in Belgium also…

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Two million Austrians vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2

Two million people in Austria will have received at least the first partial vaccination against Corona today, Sunday. Next week, the first delivery of the additional or early Biontech/Pfizer vaccine doses is expected, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz (ÖVP) spoke in an announcement of a “vaccination turbo”. Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein (Greens) once again appealed to everyone to “get vaccinated.” “Vaccination is our most important ally against the coronavirus and the pandemic,” Mückstein stressed. The more people who get vaccinated, he said, the sooner the situation in intensive care units will ease…

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Over 2,100 Corona cases, numbers in hospitals fall

The coronavirus continues to spread in Austria, but the number of new infections has now leveled off considerably. There were 2,117 cases on Monday, 2,026 on Tuesday, 2,523 on Wednesday, 2,405 on Thursday and 2,329 on Friday yesterday. And even one day after the opening summit of the federal government, the numbers remain at a stable level. According to the dashboard of AGES and sozialministerium.at, there have again been a total of 2,131 new infections and 15 deaths across Austria in the last 24 hours. This is the situation in…

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Even first vaccine dose reduces risk of infection by 65 percent

Even the first Corona vaccine dose reduces the risk of infection by 65 percent – regardless of the vaccine. Even the first dose of vaccine reduces the risk of infection with corona virus by about two-thirds. This is the result of a large-scale study by Oxford University in cooperation with the British statistics authority ONS and the country’s Ministry of Health. Regardless of the vaccine – Biontech/Pfizer or AstraZeneca – the risk of coronavirus infection dropped by 65 percent three weeks after vaccination, according to the university on Friday. Biontech/Pfizer…

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RKI registers 23,392 new infections in Germany

Health offices in Germany have reported 23,392 new Corona infections to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) within one day. That’s according to RKI figures from Saturday morning, which reflect the status of the RKI dashboard as of 05:03. Across Germany, 286 new deaths were recorded within 24 hours, according to RKI data. Subsequent changes or additions by the RKI are possible. A week ago Saturday, the RKI had reported 23,804 new Corona infections within one day. In addition, 219 new deaths were recorded within 24 hours. According to the RKI,…

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Opening steps in Austria: gastronomy, tourism and events possible again as of May 19

The federal government announced on Friday (April 23) the planned opening steps for May. From May 19, restaurants and hotels will be allowed to reopen and cultural and sporting events can take place again. However, only under strict security concepts. However, Chancellor Sebastian Kurz continues to appeal to the population to continue to comply with the measures currently in force until that time and to be careful. These opening steps will apply from May 19The first opening steps are planned from May 19, the Austrian federal government announced on April…

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April weather in Austria: 23 degrees at the weekend, then temperature decrease on Monday onwards

The weather presents its friendly side in Austria this weekend. But the forecasts for the next week are unstable. Austria will remain in the sphere of influence of a high-pressure wedge separating two distinct low-pressure systems over southwestern and northeastern Europe over the weekend. Except for a few showers in the mountains on Sunday, this sets up extremely calm and mostly sunny spring weather. Saturday will offer spring-like weather conditions, with widespread sunshine from early morning. With generally decreasing wind, temperatures will rise to between 14 and 23 degrees. On…

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