BioNtech double vaccination protects well against Omicron

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Two vaccinations with BioNtech/Pfizer’s Corona vaccine offer good protection against severe disease progression when infected with the Omicron variant, according to a South African study. “The double dose of Pfizer/BioNtech’s vaccine shows a 70 percent efficacy in reducing the risk of hospitalization,” the head of Discovery, the private health insurer involved in the study, Ryan Noach, said Tuesday. The study, which Discovery carried out with the South African Council for Medical Research (SAMRC), is based on samples from 78,000 PCR tests taken in South Africa between Nov. 15 and Dec.…

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United Kingdom reports peak in new infections

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Britain has recorded a new high in new Corona infections. On Wednesday, authorities said 78,610 new cases were reported within 24 hours – the highest number since the pandemic began. The previous record was 68,053 new infections and had been registered on Jan. 8 of this year. South Africa also set a new record with 26,976 infections within one day. In both countries, the Omicron variant is spreading rapidly. The British government has therefore accelerated the campaign for booster vaccinations. All adults are expected to receive a booster vaccination by…

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So far 71 confirmed omicron cases in Austria

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According to the latest AGES variant report, there are now 71 infections proven to be attributable to this new coronavirus variant. According to the report, the first five omicron cases were recorded in calendar week 47 (November 22-28). For the time being, the delta variant is still predominant and clearly dominant in Austria. With the exception of Vorarlberg and Styria (EMS case data status: December 14, 7:00 a.m.), there are now confirmed Omicron cases in all other federal provinces: in Vienna 37, in Upper Austria 15, in Lower Austria seven,…

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Wednesday: 4,224 new corona infections in Austria

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The number of new coronavirus infections within 24 hours in Austria has risen significantly again. According to data released by the Interior and Health Ministry on Wednesday, 4,224 positive cases were documented. This figure is above the average of the past seven days (3,755). In hospitals, meanwhile, there was a decrease in covid patients both in normal beds and in intensive care units. According to statistics, as of Wednesday, 2,280 Covid patients required hospital treatment, down 106 from Tuesday and 630 from a week ago. 560 of the currently hospitalized…

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Christmas vacation in Philippines: Only Filipinos are allowed to travel from “red list” areas

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The government’s pandemic task force added eight countries and territories on its “red list,” the most severe risk classification for COVID-19, effective December 16 until the end of the month, Malacañang announced Wednesday.  Countries included in the red list are: Andorra , France, Monaco, Northern Mariana Islands, Réunion, San Marino, South Africa, Switzerland  Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles during his regular briefing stressed that only Filipinos will be allowed to travel to the Philippines from “red list” areas.  Austria is included in the red list. These Filipinos must be returning home…

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Warning about SMS scam: Delete this SMS, don’t click on it

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Attention – since last weekend there is again a rapid increase in scam SMS, which pretend the imminent delivery of a package. Warning against SMS from fake parcel servicesIn the last five days, we have received more than 4,000 complaints in this regard,” informs Dr. Klaus M. Steinmaurer, RTR’s managing director for the Telecommunications and Postal Division, and explains: “The pre-Christmas season and lockdown are predestined for ordering parcels online. Many of us wait impatiently for our packages, are stressed and breathe a sigh of relief when we finally, finally…

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Novavax vaccine to be vaccinated in Austria this year

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The Novavax vaccine NVX-CoV2373 is expected to receive its approval this week, according to the director general of public health. In a best-case scenario, that would make it available in Austria before the end of the year. Austrians should not wait for inactivated vaccinesKatharina Reich, director general for public health, expects the new NVX-CoV2373 protein vaccine from U.S. pharmaceutical company Novavax to be approved in the coming days and, in a best-case scenario, delivered to Austria before the end of December. “An additional vaccine will reach our portfolio very soon,”…

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Omicron variant requires adapted booster vaccination

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Virologist Florian Krammer of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York is less optimistic about the initial data on the Omicron variant. “It is spreading rapidly” and appears to be a good escape variant, he said. “So it’s very likely that it will need an Omikron-specific booster.” However, he said, there is evidence that convalescents and double-vaccinated people are at least further protected against severe courses. Adapted booster for Krammer “very likely” neededIt looks like the new pathogen type may escape relatively well from an antibody…

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So far 59 infections with omicron confirmed in Austria

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In Austria, 59 infections with the new Omicron variant of the coronavirus have been confirmed so far. Health Minister Wolfgang Mückstein said at a press conference in Vienna on Tuesday. 49 of them were detected by PCR test, the other ten were sequenced. There have been six cases in the federal capital alone so far. Mückstein also announced that the National Immunization Panel (NIG) will soon issue a recommendation for booster vaccination for children and adolescents aged twelve and older. Accordingly, the department head expects the NIG’s recommendation as early…

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