Omicron variant: Biontech tests vaccine efficacy.

admin

The spread of a new potentially dangerous variant of coronavirus in southern Africa has caused international concern. Experts fear that variant B.1.1.529, aka Omikron, could be highly contagious because of an unusually large number of mutations and could also more easily penetrate the protective shield of vaccines. Pharmaceutical company Biontech is looking into a possible adaptation of its mRNA vaccine. “We understand the concern of experts and have immediately initiated investigations into variant B.1.1.529,” a Biontech spokesman said Friday. “The variant is clearly different from previously observed variants as it…

Read More

Omicron variant arrived in Europe – Austrian Virologist believes, Omicron in Austria in a week or two

admin

Belgium has registered a first case with the new Corona variant B.1.1.529, now got the name Omikron, first detected in southern Africa. The announcement was made by Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke at a press conference Friday. Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo also announced travel restrictions for people entering the country from countries in southern Africa. Caution is needed, but not panic, Vandenbroucke said. At the same time, Belgium is reintroducing stricter rules for private parties, in the hospitality industry and nightlife. “The situation today is worse than all…

Read More

Biontech: Could adapt vaccine in six weeks

admin

Biontech says it can adapt its vaccine within six weeks should a mutation become necessary. The German pharmaceutical company said it had already made preparations with U.S. partner Pfizer for such an eventuality months ago. Initial batches of the adapted vaccine could be delivered within 100 days, according to the company. Biontech is currently testing the effectiveness of its own vaccine against the new coronavirus variant first detected in South Africa. “We understand the concern of experts and have immediately initiated investigations into variant B.1.1.529,” a Biontech spokesperson said today.…

Read More

Expert: Vaccinations “almost certainly” less effective against B.1.1.529

admin

Currently available Corona vaccines are “almost certainly” less effective against the new B.1.1.529 variant discovered in southern Africa, according to a British expert, James Naismith, professor of structural biology at Oxford University, told the BBC 4 Today radio program on Friday. He added that it is not yet possible to say with certainty whether the variant is also more easily transmissible, based on the available data. “We suspect it is, and there is some early data,” Naismith continued. If easier transmissibility is confirmed, it is inevitable that the variant will…

Read More

12,245 new infections and 51 corona deaths in Austria

admin

On Friday, 12,245 new infections were reported in Austria. This is the second day in a row that the 7-day incidence has decreased to a current level of 1,054, compared with the previous Friday’s record of 15,809 new Corona cases. Today’s new infections are also below the previous seven-day average of 13,918. The number of active cases also decreased slightly, to a current 152,362. New test recordThere are also 51 new deaths related to Covid 19 infection to report, bringing the pandemic death toll in Austria to 12,284 so far.…

Read More

Incidence rises to 438.2 RKI reports 76,414 new infections

admin

The 76,414 new infections reported by the RKI again represent a record high. There is no end to the negative records: with 76,414 new infections and a seven-day incidence of 438.2, the RKI again reports record highs. The incidence has been rising steadily for three weeks, and the number of deaths has exceeded 300 for the fourth day in a row. The number of new Corona infections reported to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) within one day has again reached an all-time high. Health offices reported 76,414 cases in 24…

Read More

Digital EU vaccination passport: Vaccination loses validity after nine months without booster

admin

The EU Commission has proposed a booster vaccination for the continued validity of the digital EU vaccination passport. After nine months at the latest, the third Corona vaccination must have taken place, otherwise the validity of the vaccination certificate will expire. New travel recommendations expected“We propose a validity period of nine months for the EU-wide vaccination certificate, after which it would lose its validity without proof of a booster vaccination,” Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said Thursday in Brussels. Booster vaccination needed after nine months for valid vaccination certificateThis period takes…

Read More

First snow expected in Vienna

admin

“On Friday it will snow in many regions of Austria. Only at very low altitudes it is still rain or sleet in places. Black ice due to freezing rain is also possible, especially in the eastern half of Austria. The snow line is mostly between 200 and 400 meters, in East Tyrol, Carinthia and southern Styria partly still around 1,000 meters,” elaborated Thomas Krennert of ZAMG. “On Saturday, it will snow and rain at times, especially on the southern side of the Alps, everywhere else it may clear up a…

Read More

Traffic light: All of Austria deep red

admin

All of Austria remains deep red on the CoV traffic light, i.e. in the maximum risk range. This emerged from the meeting of the responsible commission yesterday afternoon. The committee sees “the medical care of the Austrian population in large parts of the country seriously threatened”. The announced vaccination obligation is expressly welcomed, likewise third sting and child inoculation. Measures in the school sector are seen only as a “last resort”. The Commission recommends pushing “booster vaccination”, which could make a significant contribution to curbing the current wave. In view…

Read More