
<p><strong>TOPLINE</strong> New Zealand authorities announced a nationwide lockdown on Tuesday after its largest city, Auckland, reported the country’s first local Covid-19 case in nearly six months, posing a threat to the country’s successful ‘zero-Covid’ strategy that has so far managed to keep the more infectious delta variant of the virus at bay.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern&nbsp;<a href="https://www.facebook.com/jacindaardern/videos/384119913274194" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced</a>&nbsp;that Auckland and the town of Coromandel will enter a seven-day lockdown while the rest of the country will be locked for the next three days.</p>



<p>The new case has&nbsp;<a href="https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and-updates/current-alert-level/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">triggered</a>&nbsp;‘Alert Level 4’—the highest pandemic alert level across the country, which&nbsp;<a href="https://covid19.govt.nz/alert-levels-and-updates/alert-level-4/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">means</a>&nbsp;a stringent stay-at-home order is put in place with all physical contact being limited to household members.</p>



<p>While the single case has not been confirmed as a delta variant case, Ardern said the authorities are working under the presumption that it has been caused by the highly infectious variant.</p>



<p>The 58-year-old man who tested positive isn’t vaccinated and over the weekend he and his fully vaccinated wife traveled to the small town of Coromandel—located on the western side of New Zealand’s North Island.</p>



<p>Authorities said they have identified 23 locations of interest—10 in Auckland and 13 in Coromandel—visited by the man while he was infectious.</p>



<p>The source of the man’s infection is yet to be identified as he has no obvious link to any cases reported at New Zealand’s borders, raising fears that there may be other undetected cases spreading in the community.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">BIG NUMBER</h2>



<p>22.9%. That’s the percentage of eligible people in New Zealand who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19, a total of 934,207 people,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-data-and-statistics/covid-19-vaccine-data" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according to</a>&nbsp;official government data. While the number is significantly lower than other developed nations, the country’s vaccine rollout has begun gathering pace, trending&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-vaccine-tracker-how-many-kiwis-have-been-vaccinated-and-how-do-we-compare-with-the-rest-of-the-world/ENMCOHM5QW6W3UN6MRMCOQKO2U/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">slightly ahead</a>&nbsp;of the government’s projections.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>With measures such as having one of the strictest border restrictions, quarantining of all incoming travelers and strong contact tracing, New Zealand has emerged as one of the pandemic’s success stories so far. New Zealand has only&nbsp;<a href="https://www.health.govt.nz/our-work/diseases-and-conditions/covid-19-novel-coronavirus/covid-19-data-and-statistics/covid-19-case-demographics#case-details" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>&nbsp;2,926 Covid-19 cases and 26 deaths since the start of the pandemic, with a large number of those cases being detected at the border and isolated. This has allowed the country to effectively stomp out the local spread of the virus, eliminating the need for dragged-out lockdowns and other Covid measures. But the country’s relatively sluggish vaccine rollout may put its early success in danger if the more infectious delta variant manages to gain a foothold in the community. New Zealand’s trans-Tasman neighbor Australia—which had also managed to largely stomp out the local spread of Covid, is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2021/08/07/more-than-half-of-australias-population-under-lockdown-amid-unrelenting-delta-variant-covid-19-surge/?sh=6cca1d657a17">currently witnessing</a>&nbsp;one of its worst outbreaks of the pandemic, largely fueled by the delta variant. Last week, New Zealand authorities&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/2021/08/12/covid-free-new-zealand-plans-to-reopen-borders-early-next-year/?sh=656e99d25154">announced</a>&nbsp;plans to reopen the country’s borders to foreign travelers with more lenient quarantine measures in place for fully vaccinated individuals from low-risk countries. But the reopening of its borders is likely to make it much harder for the country’s government to pursue a ‘zero-Covid’ strategy.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/covid-19-coronavirus-prime-minister-jacinda-ardern-announces-level-4-lockdown-for-auckland-coromandel-new-zealand/ITGVJ7X446SLBQD3VSUHTXNNVM/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announces level 4 lockdown for Auckland, Coromandel, New Zealand</a>&nbsp;(New Zealand Herald)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/449376/covid-19-community-case-nationwide-level-4-lockdown" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Covid-19 community case: Nationwide level 4 lockdown</a>&nbsp;(Radio New Zealand)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/new-zealands-ardern-orders-nationwide-lockdown-over-one-covid-19-case-2021-08-17/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">New Zealand&#8217;s Ardern orders nationwide lockdown over one COVID-19 case</a> (Reuters)</p>



<p><strong><em>By Siladitya Ray, Forbes Staff</em></strong></p>


NZ Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern Announces Lockdown Restrictions After Positive COVID-19 Case Detected In Auckland

Single Covid-19 Case In Auckland Triggers Nationwide Lockdown In New Zealand


<p>With Covid-19 becoming a reality for countries across the globe, the remote working mode has become the new normal. <em>Nestpick </em>released a study in July highlighting the destinations most attractive to digital nomads in search<br>of a new home, taking into account legislation as well as livability factors such as weather, cost of living, and equality.</p>



<p>In their methodology, a number of factors were taken into consideration such as cost of accommodation, speed<br>of internet, access to home office rentals, remote workers’ immigration etc. Each country was overall rated out of 100. The only African country to be on the index is South Africa with Cape Town ranked 16. The top five cities globally are Melbourne, Australia; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Sydney, Australia; Tallinn, Estonia, and London, United Kingdom.</p>



<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-most-expensive-cities-in-africa"><strong>Most expensive cities in Africa</strong></h1>



<p>Prior to the pandemic, the cost of living was already a question up in the air. Mercer’s 2021 Cost of Living City Ranking of 400 global cities has in a recent report cited N’Djamena (Chad) as the most expensive city in Africa for expatriates with Lusaka (Zambia), the least expensive.</p>



<p>“The rankings provide an important insight for multinationals on the cost of recruiting or relocating an expatriate in Africa, and also help human resources leaders to structure a remuneration package to attract the right skills for an assignment,” Mercer said in the report.</p>



<p><br>Based on the ranking, N’Djamena moved up two spots in 2021 from 15th to 13th place, while Lusaka moved from 201 to 208 in the rankings. The report went on to say that given the impact of the pandemic on African economies, organizations could use the cost of living rankings to consider implementing regional pay structures. This will enable people to move more efficiently across borders by mitigating some of the key challenges when it comes to cost of living, pay competitiveness, and purchasing parity.</p>


Clouds Over Lion’s Head and Table Mountain from Helicopter

The Global Cities Digital Nomads Will Love


<p><strong>Topline</strong>: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on Thursday night approved a booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna for people with compromised immune systems, in a move that will likely enhance protection for vulnerable individuals at a time when the more infectious delta variant continues to spread all over the country.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/coronavirus-covid-19-update-fda-authorizes-additional-vaccine-dose-certain-immunocompromised" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">late-night announcement</a>, the FDA amended its emergency use authorization (EUA) for the two mRNA vaccines to allow the administration of a third dose to recipients of solid organ transplant or those diagnosed with conditions that are considered to have an equivalent level of immunocompromise.</p>



<p>The FDA’s move comes after few other countries including Israel, France and Germany began administering an additional dose to certain people amid the threat of the more infectious delta variant of the virus.</p>



<p>According to the FDA’s announcement, eligible recipients will be able to receive a third mRNA vaccine dose at least 28 days after getting their second shot.</p>



<p>The regulator’s late-night statement makes no mention of immunocompromised patients who have received the single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine.</p>



<p>The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expected to formally recommend an addition shot for immunocompromised groups following a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/agenda-archive/agenda-2021-08-13-508.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">meeting</a>&nbsp;of its advisers on Friday.</p>



<p>The FDA noted that its decision does not apply to the general population and according to the CDC’s&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/acip/meetings/downloads/slides-2021-07/07-COVID-Oliver-508.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">estimates</a>&nbsp;about 2.7% of U.S. adults could be eligible for the booster.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h2>



<p>“Today’s action allows doctors to boost immunity in certain immunocompromised individuals who need extra protection from COVID-19,” Acting FDA Commissioner Dr Janet Woodcock said. “Other individuals who are fully vaccinated are adequately protected and do not need an additional dose of COVID-19 vaccine at this time,” she added while noting that the agency is studying if an additional dose for the general population may be needed in the future.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>A <a href="https://www.jhsph.edu/covid-19/articles/covid-19-vaccines-and-immunocompromised-people-fully-vaccinated-and-not-protected.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">study published</a> last month by the John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health found that only 50% of immunocompromised people who had received two doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine showed an antibody response to COVID-19. Such findings along with the nationwide proliferation of the more infectious delta variant—which has also been shown to cause breakthrough infections in some vaccinated individuals, had prompted calls for emergency approval of a booster dose for some individuals. Last month, a CDC advisory group reportedly met with the FDA to urge the agency to decide if booster shots for the immunocompromised were needed. Its not yet clear if a booster dose will help shore up a stronger immune response in immunocompromised individuals but a recent study from Israel—which has begun administering such boosters—suggested that this might be the case. However, the decision to authorize booster doses remains a controversial one in the global context as critics decry the fact that developed nations are administering an additional dose at a time when several poorer nations have limited access to vaccines. Last week, the World Health Organisation (WHO) <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/who-calls-moratorium-covid-19-vaccine-booster-doses-until-september-end-2021-08-04/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">called</a> for a moratorium on COVID-19 vaccine booster shots until at least the end of September.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-coronavirus-pandemic-bc9c6451c1b31a59a8c752abc3a1b839" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Extra COVID vaccine OK’d for those with weak immune systems</a>&nbsp;(Associated Press)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/joshuacohen/2021/07/22/among-fully-vaccinated-breakthrough-covid-19-infections-are-more-common-than-previously-thought-does-it-matter/?sh=760873d25aef">Among Fully Vaccinated, Breakthrough Covid-19 Infections Are More Common Than Previously Thought: Does It Matter?</a> (Forbes)</p>



<p><strong><em>By Siladitya Ray, Forbes Staff</em></strong></p>


A health worker holds a vial of Janssen vaccine (American

FDA Authorizes Extra Covid-19 Vaccine Dose For Those With Weakened Immune Systems


<p id="h-toplinewhat-had-been-a-booming-moderna-stock-price-took-a-major-step-backward-wednesday-falling-more-than-15-on-the-heels-of-an-analyst-s-warning-that-the-stock-s-soaring-price-was-an-unrealistic-valuation-based-on-hype-around-the-company-s-covid-vaccine"><strong>TOPLINE</strong>: What had been a booming Moderna stock price took a major step backward Wednesday, falling more than 15% on the heels of an analyst&#8217;s warning that the stock&#8217;s soaring price was an “unrealistic valuation” based on hype around the company’s Covid vaccine.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>Moderna’s price closed at $385.33 on Wednesday, after closing at more than $450 on Tuesday.</p>



<p>The drop marks the second-straight day Moderna’s stock has fallen, following a scathing analysis from Bank of America’s Geoff Meacham on Monday.</p>



<p>The analysis called Moderna’s price “ridiculous” and “unjustifiable on a fundamental basis,” noting the 11-year-old company’s market cap had exceeded those of drug companies that are over a century old.</p>



<p>Meacham placed his price target at $115—more than 75% lower than the price at Monday’s close.</p>



<p>Even with losses over the past two days, the stock’s price is still up more than 65% over the past month alone and around 450% from last year.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h2>



<p>“We continue to view current levels as unjustifiable on a fundamental basis, despite remaining positive on mRNA technology,” Meacham said.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h2>



<p>Moderna has been a massive supplier to the Covid-19 vaccination effort in the U.S., with its doses accounting for more than 140 million of the shots administered in the U.S., according to the&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccination-trends" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">CDC</a>. Only Pfizer and BioNTech have supplied more vaccines, accounting for just short of 198 million doses. But the rate of vaccination in the U.S. is significantly below what it was during the spring,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2021/08/05/daily-vaccinations-hit-highest-level-in-a-month-white-house-says-with-states-where-covid-19-is-surging-leading-the-way/?sh=609043c16f1e">despite a slight uptick</a>&nbsp;over the past few weeks, and the Bank of America analysis noted health officials are still advising that booster shots are not yet needed.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h2>



<p>Prices of Pfizer and BioNTech also dropped significantly on Wednesday, though not as much as Moderna&#8217;s. Pfizer&#8217;s price dropped 3.9%, BioNTech’s nearly 14%.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2021/08/05/daily-vaccinations-hit-highest-level-in-a-month-white-house-says-with-states-where-covid-19-is-surging-leading-the-way/?sh=609043c16f1e">Daily Vaccinations Hit Highest Level In A Month, White House Says—With States Where Covid-19 Is Surging Leading The Way</a> (Forbes)</p>



<p><strong><em>By Nicholas Reimann, Forbes Staff</em></strong></p>


In this photo illustration the medical syringe is seen with

Moderna Crash Wipes Out Over $20 Billion In Market Value After Concerns Stock Is Overhyped


<p><strong>TOPLINE</strong>: Top infectious disease official Dr. Anthony Fauci on Thursday highlighted the importance of the U.S. quickly gaining control of the delta variant, warning continued community spread could lead to even more dangerous mutations of Covid-19, including those capable of evading the protection of vaccines.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h2>



<p>“That will happen, George, if we don’t get good control over the community spread,” Fauci told “Good Morning America” anchor George Stephanopoulos during a Thursday interview on ABC News.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Allowing the virus to spread through unvaccinated populations—as it is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2021/08/03/florida-shatters-record-for-covid-hospitalization-again-as-desantis-downplays-crisis/">doing</a>&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2021/07/31/us-reports-almost-200000-new-covid-cases-in-worst-spike-since-january/">rapidly</a>&nbsp;now—gives it “ample opportunity to mutate,” explained President Biden’s top medical advisor.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“You may sooner or later get another variant, and it is possible that that variant might be in some respects worse than the already difficult variant we’re dealing with now,” Fauci said, referencing the delta variant, which experts say is significantly more infectious than other coronavirus strains.</p>



<p>He also emphasized that the virus can mutate regardless of whether people contracting the virus get symptoms.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Vaccines may be effective at preventing serious disease and death with Covid-19’s current mutations, but this may not necessarily be true with future evolutions, Fauci emphasized.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-chief-critic">CHIEF CRITIC</h2>



<p>“People who say, ‘I don’t want to get vaccinated because it’s me and I’ll worry about me, I’m not having any impact on anybody else,’ that’s just not the case,” Fauci said.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Fauci’s warning came as Moderna&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/moderna-says-its-covid-19-shot-remains-93-effective-4-6-months-after-second-dose-2021-08-05/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced</a>&nbsp;Thursday morning its Covid-19 shot is about 93% effective through six months after the second dose. Pfizer in July said the effectiveness of its jab steadily declines to about 84% six months after the final dose. Both vaccine makers have said they expect booster shots to be necessary ahead of the winter season, particularly due to the threat of the delta variant.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND&nbsp;</h2>



<p>The delta variant is driving surges in Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations that haven’t been seen since the early stages of the U.S.’s vaccine rollout. More than 51,000 Americans are now hospitalized with Covid-19, an 87% increase from two weeks ago, and cases have increased 131% to a daily average of nearly 100,000 during the same period, according to data&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/us/covid-cases.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">compiled by The New York Times</a>. Deaths have also shot up (by 65%) over the past two weeks, but—at 410—are still well below the country’s winter peak. Fauci has said while it’s “unquestionable” the delta variant is more infectious, it is “less clear” whether it actually causes more serious disease.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-for">WHAT TO WATCH FOR&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Fauci warned in an <a href="https://www.mcclatchydc.com/news/coronavirus/article253248688.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">interview</a> with McClatchy on Wednesday the U.S. could begin reporting between 100,000 and 200,000 new cases each day if safety precautions and vaccinations don’t increase. “Remember, just a couple of months ago, we were having about 10,000 cases a day,” Fauci said. There are hopeful signs: After months of decline, the number of Americans getting the shot has been steadily increasing. White House Covid-19 data director Cyrus Shahpar <a href="https://twitter.com/cyrusshahpar46/status/1422226019260370947" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">announced</a> Tuesday, as the U.S. surpassed a 70% partial inoculation rate, that the seven-day average of newly vaccinated people (441,000) was the highest in more than a month.</p>



<p><em><strong>By Jemima McEvoy, Forbes Staff</strong></em></p>


Dr. Fauci Testifies To Senate Health Committee On Country’s COVID-19 Response

Fauci: Failure To Control Delta Variant Could Lead To ‘Worse’ Mutations That Evade Vaccines


<p><strong>TOPLINE</strong>: The U.S. Food &amp; Drug Administration has extended the shelf life of the Johnson &amp; Johnson single-dose Covid-19 vaccine from four-and-a-half months to six months, the drugmaker announced on Thursday, a decision that comes at a time when several health officials expressed concerns about vaccine doses expiring and going to waste.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h3>



<p>According to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.jnj.com/johnson-johnson-statement-on-u-s-fda-approval-of-shelf-life-extension-for-companys-covid-19-vaccine" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">press release</a>&nbsp;by Johnson &amp; Johnson, the FDA’s decision was based on data from ongoing studies that showed the vaccine remains stable when refrigerated at 36 to 46 degrees Fahrenheit.</p>



<p>In a letter sent to the company, the FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/3zRuTMB" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">noted</a>&nbsp;that the extension will apply to batches that might have expired prior to the issuance of the order as long as they were stored at the requisite temperature.</p>



<p>The company will update the expiry dates of its batches on its&nbsp;<a href="https://vaxcheck.jnj/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">website</a>, which vaccine providers can use as a reference.</p>



<p>The move will provide health workers six additional weeks to administer millions of doses of the single-shot vaccine.</p>



<p>The FDA had&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-coronavirus-vaccine-science-coronavirus-pandemic-business-6d04574617b35c56e7ca2c711cc5585f" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">previously extended</a>&nbsp;the J&amp;J vaccine’s shelf life from three months to four-and-half months in June.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">BIG NUMBER</h3>



<p>49.3%. That’s the total percentage of people in the U.S. who have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19,&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">according to</a>&nbsp;the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention. Among U.S. adults, 69.3% of people have received at least one dose of the vaccine.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h3>



<p>Unlike the two mRNA Covid-19 vaccines—made by Moderna and Pfizer—J&amp;J’s vaccine is administered as a single shot and can be stored in normal refrigeration temperatures. This means that the vaccine can be easily transported and administered in rural and isolated parts of the country where healthcare infrastructure may be limited.&nbsp;<a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#vaccinations" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">According to</a>&nbsp;the CDC, more than 13 million people in the U.S. have received the one-shot vaccine. In comparison, more than 87 million people have received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine and 63 million have received two jabs of the Moderna vaccine.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h3>



<p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/business-science-health-coronavirus-pandemic-coronavirus-vaccine-8126286b2c8bc65970117a08c77af075" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">US extends expiration dates on J&amp;J COVID vaccine to 6 months</a>&nbsp;(Associated Press)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-fda-agrees-extend-jj-covid-19-vaccines-shelf-life-6-months-2021-07-28/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">J&amp;J says U.S. FDA agrees to extend shelf life of its COVID-19 vaccine</a>&nbsp;(Reuters)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/28/world/johnson-vaccine-shelf-life.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">J&amp;J vaccine shelf life extended to six months by F.D.A.</a> (New York Times)</p>



<p><strong><em>By Siladitya Ray, Forbes Staff</em></strong></p>


FDA Extends Shelf Life Of Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 Vaccine To Six Months


<p><strong>TOPLINE</strong> A new study out of South Korea found that taking an AstraZeneca vaccine shot followed by a Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine shot boosted Covid-19 antibody levels six times more than receiving two Astra-Zeneca doses, as some governments around the world are giving the green light to mix Covid-19 vaccine shots for extra protection against the virus.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h3>



<p>The study was conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency, and it took a look at the effects of mixing certain vaccine doses and vaccine efficacy against coronavirus variants Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta, as first&nbsp;<a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/mixed-astrazeneca-pfizer-shot-boosts-covid-antibody-level-study-2021-07-26/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>&nbsp;by Reuters.</p>



<p>About 499 medical workers took part in the study, with about 200 workers receiving two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, 200 workers receiving two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 100 workers receiving mixed doses of both the vaccines.</p>



<p>All three groups acquired antibodies, with the group that mixed AstraZeneca and Pfizer showing similar levels of antibodies as the group that received the two Pfizer shots.&nbsp;</p>



<p>The study also found that each of the vaccine doses were most effective against the Alpha variant, but&nbsp; showed decreased effectiveness between 2 ½ to 6 times on Beta, Gamma and Delta variants.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h3>



<p>Back in June, Oxford University led a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/06/28/uk-study-offers-new-evidence-you-can-mix-and-match-coronavirus-vaccines/?sh=64cc30081082">study</a>&nbsp;to find out if mixing and matching vaccines was viable. It found that taking an AstraZeneca vaccine shot followed by a Pfizer shot created the highest T-cell response, which are immune cells that attack and destroy infected cells. The vaccine combo also generated more antibodies than taking a Pfizer shot followed by an AstraZeneca shot. Both the Oxford University study and Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency study show that vaccines can still provide a strong immunity response to the virus if mixed and matched. The United States&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/covid-19/clinical-considerations/covid-19-vaccines-us.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Centers for Disease Control</a>&nbsp;does not recommend mixing doses from different vaccines since it has not yet evaluated if that practice is safe and effective. However, some countries like Germany and Spain allow for mixed shots, allowing people to receive Pfizer and Moderna shots even after they have already gotten AstraZeneca’s first dose. Canada’s health officials also started to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/canada-mixing-covid-19-vaccines-astrazeneca-pfizer-moderna-naci-1.6048152" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">recommend&nbsp;</a>mixing vaccine shots last month, if people are unable to take two of the same vaccine doses.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h3>



<p>As the Delta variant continues to grow internationally, more people are reporting taking multiple vaccine doses. Chancellor of Germany Angela Merkel&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-57571791" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">received</a>&nbsp;the Moderna jab at the end of June, a few months after she received her first AstraZeneca shot. One U.S. doctor received the one-shot Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine in Seattle, but then, after moving to Canada, got one shot of the Pfizer vaccine for added protection, according to a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/26/delta-people-are-mixing-and-matching-covid-vaccines-over-concerns-about-variant.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">report</a>&nbsp;by CNBC. The U.S. does not consider people who have had different doses of vaccines as fully vaccinated.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-out-for">WHAT TO WATCH OUT FOR</h3>



<p>Pfizer said it will be creating a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/08/pfizer-says-it-is-developing-a-covid-booster-shot-to-target-the-highly-transmissible-delta-variant.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">booster</a>&nbsp;shot to target the Delta variant. Trials for the booster shot&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsmv.com/news/pfizer-booster-shot-trial-underway-in-nashville/article_5447ab60-edf5-11eb-b977-6b315cb7c729.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">began</a>&nbsp;in Nashville on Monday. Moderna also announced it will be developing a booster shot, with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/covid-19-vaccine-booster-shot-what-we-know/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">trial</a>&nbsp;results expected by September. Some doctors are even&nbsp;<a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/07/20/dr-vin-gupta-encourages-jj-vaccine-recipients-to-get-a-pfizer-or-moderna-booster.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">encouraging</a>&nbsp;those who received the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine to consider getting either a Pfizer or Moderna booster shot, even though it is unclear how the booster shots may work with other vaccines.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/06/28/uk-study-offers-new-evidence-you-can-mix-and-match-coronavirus-vaccines/?sh=64cc30081082">U.K. Study Offers New Evidence You Can ‘Mix And Match’ Coronavirus Vaccines</a>&nbsp;(<em>Forbes</em>)</p>



<p><a href="http://mymusictaste.com/artist/68f14b7dcc835375b53d0ea65f4dedd7/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Americans are ‘mixing and matching’ Covid vaccines over concerns about the delta variant</a> (<em>CNBC</em>)</p>



<p><strong><em>By Kimberlee Speakman, Forbes Staff</em></strong></p>


Dept of Correctional Services Vaccination Rollout Launch in South Africa

Mixed AstraZeneca-Pfizer Vaccine Boosts Covid Antibody Levels, Korea Study Finds


<p><strong>TOPLINE</strong> The Tokyo 2020 Games are now in the path of a tropical storm, weather agencies warn, yet another threat athletes must face as they battle searing heat and a growing number Covid-19 infections, a far cry from organizers’ assurances of a “safe and secure” Games with “mild” weather.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h3>



<p>Tropical Storm Nepartak&nbsp;<a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/07/25/national/tropical-storm-nepartak/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">could</a>&nbsp;make landfall in Japan on Tuesday, the country’s Meteorological Agency forecast Sunday, which warned of heavy rain, strong winds and high waves.</p>



<p>It is&nbsp;<a href="https://thehill.com/policy/international/asia-pacific/564745-tokyo-olympics-threatened-by-tropical-storm" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">possible</a>&nbsp;Nepartak could hit Tokyo or its surrounding region and organizers have moved&nbsp;<a href="https://uk.sports.yahoo.com/news/olympics-tokyo-braces-storm-snarls-091502305.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">rowing</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcolympics.com/news/no-plans-reschedule-any-more-events-storm-approaches-olympics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">archery</a>&nbsp;events from Tuesday to avoid the weather.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Officials say they have no plans to reschedule other events due to the storm and on Monday said they&nbsp;<a href="https://olympics.com/tokyo-2020/en/news/possible-impact-of-tropical-storm-no-8-on-the-games" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">expect</a>&nbsp;it to “have limited impact on the Games.”&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>In addition to the impending tropical storm, athletes are also dealing with outbreaks of Covid-19 and scorching heat and humidity as the Japanese capital endures a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/olympics/heat-wave-hits-tokyo-olympic-organizers-battle-keep-covid-rates-n1274899" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">heatwave</a>&nbsp;that could make it the hottest Olympic Games on&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jul/20/tokyo-olympics-fears-athletes-could-face-hottest-games-on-record?CMP=twt_a-world_b-gdnworld" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">record</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Despite Organizers<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/07/20/as-record-heat-threatens-tokyo-olympics-heres-what-climate-change-means-for-future-sporting-events/?sh=11a204d84fb2">&nbsp;taking steps&nbsp;</a>to mitigate the worst of Tokyo’s stifling summer, beach volleyball players complained the sand is too hot to play on, leading tennis players slammed the “<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/tokyo-olympics-heat-11627186166" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">brutal</a>” conditions on court and a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/olympics/heat-wave-hits-tokyo-olympic-organizers-battle-keep-covid-rates-n1274899" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Russian archer collapsing during</a>&nbsp;a qualifying round.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<p>On Monday, officials&nbsp;<a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Tokyo-2020-Olympics/Tokyo-heat-and-typhoon-compound-Olympics-complications" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a>&nbsp;16 more people linked to the Games had tested positive for Covid-19, including three athletes, bringing the total since July 1 to 148.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h3>



<p>While the Covid-19 pandemic has been a major concern for organizers—leading to a year-long delay and an unprecedented Games devoid of spectators—Tokyo’s lethal combination of high heat and high humidity has been the overarching health concern for officials since before the city won its bid to host. Tokyo’s Medical Association&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jul/20/tokyo-olympics-fears-athletes-could-face-hottest-games-on-record?CMP=twt_a-world_b-gdnworld" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">warned</a>&nbsp;that holding the games in July and August was “a serious issue even before the coronavirus pandemic” and the last time the city hosted in 1964 events took place in October after the worst of the heat had dissipated. As&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/07/20/as-record-heat-threatens-tokyo-olympics-heres-what-climate-change-means-for-future-sporting-events/?sh=11a204d84fb2">climate change</a>&nbsp;pushes temperatures higher around the world, these issues will increase, as will disruption from storms.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-surprising-fact">SURPRISING FACT</h3>



<p>Official’s touted Tokyo’s “<a href="https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210712-heat-risks-add-to-challenges-for-tokyo-s-pandemic-hit-olympics" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">mild</a>” weather in the city’s successful Olympic bid. It beat out Doha, Qatar, which is due to host the FIFA 2022 World Cup in cooled statia in November due to the scorching heat. In the 2019 World Championships marathon, held in Doha, 28 out of 68 starters&nbsp;<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/49860159" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">pulled</a>&nbsp;out due to the conditions, with one runner being taken away in an ambulance. The race had started at midnight in an attempt to avoid the worst of Qatar’s heat.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h3>



<p>Nepartak was initially forecast as a typhoon, though was downgraded to a tropical storm.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/07/20/as-record-heat-threatens-tokyo-olympics-heres-what-climate-change-means-for-future-sporting-events/?sh=11a204d84fb2">As Record Heat Threatens Tokyo Olympics, Here&#8217;s What Climate Change Means For Future Sporting Events</a>&nbsp;(Forbes )</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2021/07/19/did-olympic-athletes-need-to-be-vaccinated-no---and-now-more-are-testing-positive-for-covid-19/?sh=6fb0b9244db7">Did Olympic Athletes Need To Be Vaccinated? No — And Now More Are Testing Positive For Covid-19.</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/07/25/national/tropical-storm-nepartak/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tropical Storm Nepartak could make Olympic landfall near Tokyo</a>&nbsp;(Japan Times)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/roberthart/2021/07/25/top-golfer-jon-rahm-the-latest-to-pull-out-of-tokyo-olympics-due-to-covid---heres-the-full-list/?sh=6391c81f2a27">Top Golfer Jon Rahm The Latest To Pull Out Of Tokyo Olympics Due To Covid — Here’s The Full List</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2021/jul/20/tokyo-olympics-fears-athletes-could-face-hottest-games-on-record?CMP=twt_a-world_b-gdnworld" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tokyo Olympics: fears athletes could face hottest Games on record</a> (Guardian)</p>



<p><strong><em>By Robert Hart, Forbes Staff</em></strong></p>


Tokyo 2020 – Triathlon

Tokyo Olympics Threatened By Extreme Heat And Tropical Storm As Another 16 People Test Positive For Covid-19


<p><strong>TOPLINE</strong>: The Chinese government on Thursday rejected the World Health Organisation’s plan for the second phase of investigation into the origins of Covid-19—which will also examine the possibility that the virus may have escaped from a Wuhan lab—signaling further politicization of the investigation that has previously been hampered by Beijing’s unwillingness to share important data.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h3>



<p>Zeng Yixin, the vice minister of China’s National Health Commission (NHC), told reporters he was “shocked” by the plan to investigate the lab leak hypothesis and said “it is impossible for us to accept such an origin-tracing plan.”</p>



<p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-china-coronavirus-pandemic-united-nations-a20391afec60601f3d666efc3c18b61d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">According to</a>&nbsp;the Associated Press, Zeng dismissed the theory as a rumor “that runs counter to common sense and science.”</p>



<p>Responding to the WHO’s earlier statement about the investigation being hampered by the lack of raw data from Chinese authorities, Zeng reiterated Beijing’s stance that some data could not be completely shared due to privacy concerns.</p>



<p>Zeng insisted that the Wuhan Institute of Virology’s labs have no virus that can directly infect humans and noted that a WHO-led team of experts had visited the lab earlier this year and concluded that a leak was highly unlikely.</p>



<p>The vice minister also dismissed&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/intelligence-on-sick-staff-at-wuhan-lab-fuels-debate-on-covid-19-origin-11621796228?reflink=share_mobilewebshare" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">media reports</a>&nbsp;that staff and graduate students at the institute had fallen sick due to the virus and then transmitted it to others.</p>



<p>The vocal push back from Beijing comes a week after WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus called for better cooperation from China and&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/joe-biden-world-news-health-science-coronavirus-pandemic-c0c594f9060f676c0ea48c2d1c69daec" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">noted</a>&nbsp;that there had been a “premature push” to rule out the lab leak theory.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h3>



<p>In March, the World Health Organization and China&nbsp;<a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/who-convened-global-study-of-origins-of-sars-cov-2-china-part" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">published</a>&nbsp;a joint study that offered preliminary insight into the origin of the SARS-CoV2 coronavirus. The report suggested that the outbreak was likely caused by the virus jumping from bats to humans through an intermediary animal and also labeled the lab leak hypothesis as “extremely unlikely.” It was&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/mar/30/who-criticises-chinas-data-sharing-as-it-releases-covid-origins-report" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">sharply criticized</a>&nbsp;by the U.S., U.K., Canada and several other countries who accused China of “withholding access to complete original data and samples”. The lab leak theory—initially pushed by fringe groups—has seen a rise in mainstream interest after President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jackbrewster/2021/05/26/biden-says-intelligence-agencies-have-coalesced-around-two-likely-scenarios-for-origin-of-covid-19/?sh=266488003fb2">ordered</a>&nbsp;U.S. intelligence agencies to examine the origin of the pandemic in May. U.S. intelligence agencies have two prevailing theories at the moment with branches believing that it was transmitted from animals, while another branch believes it came from a lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology, which does research work on bat viruses.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h3>



<p><a href="https://apnews.com/article/health-china-coronavirus-pandemic-united-nations-a20391afec60601f3d666efc3c18b61d" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">China rebuffs WHO’s terms for further COVID-19 origins study</a>&nbsp;(Associated Press)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-will-not-follow-whos-suggested-plan-2nd-phase-covid-19-origins-study-2021-07-22/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">China rejects WHO plan for study of COVID-19 origin</a> (Reuters)</p>



<p><em><strong>By Siladitya Ray, Forbes Staff</strong></em></p>


News Conference On Chinese Vaccines Against COVID-19 In Beijing

China ‘Shocked’ By WHO’s Plan To Investigate Covid-19 Lab Leak Theory


<p><strong>TOPLINE</strong> Both the Pfizer and AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccines work well at preventing symptomatic cases of the delta coronavirus variant—which became the dominant strain in the U.S. this month—but the vaccines’ effectiveness drops significantly in patients who only have one of the two doses, according to a new study.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h3>



<p>A study of 19,000 people from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2108891" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Public Health England</a>&nbsp;published Wednesday found that both doses of either the Pfizer or AstraZeneca vaccines help protect against symptoms from both the alpha (B.1.1.7, also known as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/carlieporterfield/2021/04/07/uk-coronavirus-variant-is-now-the-dominant-strain-in-us-cdc-says/">the U.K. variant</a>) and delta variants at comparable rates.</p>



<p>Two doses of the Pfizer vaccine had an effectiveness of 93.7% at preventing symptomatic alpha infections, and 88% for the delta variant.</p>



<p>Two doses of AstraZeneca were found to be 74.5% effective at preventing symptomatic alpha infections, and 67% for delta.</p>



<p>However, the effectiveness of the vaccines plummeted if a patient had only received one dose of either vaccine: the study found both to be just more than 48% effective against alpha and only about 30% effective against delta.</p>



<p>Researchers said their findings support the theory that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2108891" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">prioritizing second doses</a>, especially in vulnerable populations, is an effective way to prevent coronavirus outbreaks.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h3>



<p>The single-dose Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine only has&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2021/07/20/johnson--johnson-vaccine-far-less-effective-against-delta-variant-study-suggests/?sh=44f5e2864299">a 33% efficacy rate</a>&nbsp;against the delta variant, a New York University study released Tuesday suggested, although it has not been peer reviewed.&nbsp;A small study from Moderna last month suggested their vaccine also&nbsp;<a href="https://investors.modernatx.com/news-releases/news-release-details/moderna-provides-clinical-update-neutralizing-activity-its-covid" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">offers protection</a>&nbsp;against the delta strain.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h3>



<p>The delta variant, which experts believe is more transmissible than earlier forms of coronavirus, is thought to be the driving force behind <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/joewalsh/2021/07/17/covid-hospitalizations-rise-nationwide-amid-delta-surge---especially-in-these-states/?sh=290e647e52a8">a new wave of infections</a> and a jump in hospitalizations across the U.S. Experts have warned about the danger delta could pose. Former Food and Drug Administration head Dr. Scott Gottlieb said the “majority” of unvaccinated Americans would likely contract the delta mutation eventually, adding the disease “is going to be the <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/jemimamcevoy/2021/07/18/former-fda-head-says-delta-will-infect-majority-of-unvaccinated-americans-and-may-be-most-serious-virus-in-their-lifetime/?sh=22ee15f06b17">most serious virus</a> they will get in their lifetime in terms of the risk of putting them in the hospital.” The surge of new cases has pushed some cities like <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/graisondangor/2021/07/15/los-angeles-reportedly-will-reinstate-mask-mandate-saturday/?sh=7b879fb45373">Los Angeles</a> and <a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/alisondurkee/2021/07/21/delta-fueled-covid-surge-spurs-new-mask-mandates---here-are-the-states-where-they-cant-legally-be-reimposed/?sh=6be7887c37b4">Las Vegas</a> to reintroduce mandatory masking in some indoor spaces.</p>



<p><strong><em>By Carlie Porterfield, Forbes Staff</em></strong></p>


A doctor’s hand with a syringe of covid-19 coronavirus vaccine.

Study Finds Pfizer And AstraZeneca Vaccines Effective Against The Delta Variant — As Long As You Get Both Doses


<p><strong>TOPLINE</strong>: Pfizer has struck a deal with a South African drug manufacturer to begin producing and distributing its coronavirus vaccine in Africa for the first time, the company announced Wednesday, in a move that follows mounting pressure to address inequalities in the global vaccine rollout.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h3>



<p>Pfizer&nbsp;<a href="https://investors.biontech.de/news-releases/news-release-details/pfizer-and-biontech-announce-collaboration-biovac-manufacture" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">said</a>&nbsp;it will be working with South Africa’s Biovac Institute, a public-private partnership focused on vaccine production, to produce and distribute over 100 million doses a year for the African Union beginning in 2022.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Biovac will be shipped batches of vaccine ingredients from Europe and then will perform so-called fill and finish operations, the last stage of manufacturing and packaging, according to a press release from the company.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Though technical transfer, on-site development and equipment installation activities will begin immediately, the company said manufacturing of the finished doses will only begin in 2022.&nbsp;</p>



<p>“At full operational capacity, the annual production will exceed 100 million finished doses annually,” which will be distributed within the 55 member states making up the African Union, the company said.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quotes">CRUCIAL QUOTES</h3>



<p>Pfizer CEO Andrew Bourla, who is set to give a speech later Wednesday at the World Trade Organization Summit, deemed the partnership progress toward the company’s goal of providing “fair and equitable” access to the vaccine “to everyone, everywhere.” Meanwhile, Biovac CEO Dr. Morena Makhoana lauded it as a “critical step forward.” “We believe this collaboration will create opportunity to more broadly distribute vaccine doses to people in harder-to-reach communities, especially those on the African continent,” said Makhoana.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND&nbsp;</h3>



<p>The pace of vaccinations in Africa is running far behind the rest of the world. Just over 1.5% of Africans have been fully vaccinated, according to the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, making the continent’s goal of having 20% of its population vaccinated by the end of 2021 increasingly unlikely. This is largely due to a lack of African-based vaccine manufacturing facilities. The continent was relying on the World Health Organization-backed COVAX effort for its doses. However, COVAX has fallen far behind schedule, having delivered only 200 million doses since February (the U.S. has administered 338 million), in part because of the troubles of its biggest supplier, the Serum Institute of India.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-what-to-watch-for">WHAT TO WATCH FOR&nbsp;</h3>



<p>Africa’s rollout is lagging at a time when the more infectious delta variant is driving a record surge of cases. Earlier this month, the continent reported its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/07/08/world/africa-coronavirus-cases-who.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“worst pandemic week ever”</a>&nbsp;after 16 countries saw a resurgence in infections, amounting to over 250,000 cases reported in just one week.&nbsp;</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING&nbsp;</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/07/16/world/africa/africa-vaccination-rollout.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">“Africa’s Covid Crisis Deepens, but Vaccines Are Still Far Off”</a> (The New York Times)</p>



<p><em><strong>By Jemima McEvoy, Forbes Staff</strong></em></p>


US-HEALTH-VIRUS-VACCINE

Pfizer Strikes Deal To Produce Vaccines In Africa As Continent Falls Far Behind In Covid Fight


<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h3>



<p>San Diego-based physician Dr. Jennings Ryan Staley pleaded&nbsp;<a href="https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/doctor-selling-covid-19-cure-pleads-guilty" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">guilty</a>&nbsp;on Friday to a charge of importation contrary to law, which comes with a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.</p>



<p>During March 2020 and April 2020, Staley sold treatment kits he falsely marketed as being a “one hundred percent” cure and a “magic bullet” against Covid-19, while the U.S. was in the midst of its first Covid surge.</p>



<p>The kits contained hydroxychloroquine, a malaria drug that multiple trials showed to be ineffective as a treatment for Covid-19.</p>



<p>To get the hydroxychloroquine, Staley at one point wrote a prescription in one of his employees’ names and then picked up the drug without the employee’s knowledge.</p>



<p>Staley also planned to smuggle more than 26 pounds of hydroxychloroquine powder into the U.S. by mislabeling the drug as “yam extract,” as part of an agreement he made with a Chinese supplier.</p>



<p>Additionally, Staley admitted he lied to federal investigators by claiming he never marketed his kits as a surefire treatment for Covid-19.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-big-number">BIG NUMBER</h3>



<p><strong>$4,000.</strong>&nbsp;That&#8217;s how much an undercover federal agent paid for six of Staley’s treatment kits, according to the Justice Department.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crucial-quote">CRUCIAL QUOTE</h3>



<p>“Dr. Staley offered a ‘magic bullet’—a guaranteed cure for Covid-19 to people gripped in fear during a global pandemic,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Suzanne Turner said in a statement. “Today, Dr. Staley admitted it was all a lie as part of a scam to make a quick buck.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h3>



<p>The arrival of the pandemic in the U.S. coincided with an enormous spike in prescriptions for hydroxychloroquine, which was investigated as one of the first potential Covid therapeutics. Health experts had always expressed skepticism about whether the drug would be proven effective against Covid, but that didn’t stop Trump from repeatedly making statements such as, “It’s looking like it&#8217;s having some good results.” Trump even&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/05/18/trump-says-hes-taking-hydroxychloroquine-despite-an-nih-advisory-against-it/?sh=1e57a81cd745">took his own regimen</a>&nbsp;of hydroxychloroquine in May 2020, at a time when study after study was showing the drug didn&#8217;t work against Covid-19. Trump went on to catch Covid-19 in October and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2021/02/11/report-trumps-covid-infection-was-so-severe-officials-thought-he-might-need-a-ventilator/?sh=cc3d92179819">had to be hospitalized</a>. The lack of reliable treatment options also led to numerous other unproven and dangerous cures being marketed, like a Florida family that was accused of selling tens of thousands of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2020/07/08/florida-family-charged-with-marketing-miracle-coronavirus-cure-that-was-textile-bleach/?sh=54d8b05317f9">bottles of toxic bleach</a>&nbsp;they branded as “Miracle Mineral Solution.”</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h3>



<p>A California-based naturopathic doctor was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2021/07/14/california-woman-arrested-for-making-fake-vaccine-cards-justice-department-says/?sh=7fdb142c4a76">making fake vaccine cards</a>&nbsp;and marketing oral pills as providing lifelong protection against Covid-19.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h3>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2021/07/14/california-woman-arrested-for-making-fake-vaccine-cards-justice-department-says/?sh=7fdb142c4a76">California Woman Arrested For Making Fake Vaccine Cards, Justice Department Says</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2020/07/08/florida-family-charged-with-marketing-miracle-coronavirus-cure-that-was-textile-bleach/?sh=54d8b05317f9">Florida Family Charged With Marketing ‘Miracle’ Coronavirus Cure That Was Textile Bleach</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/nicholasreimann/2021/02/11/report-trumps-covid-infection-was-so-severe-officials-thought-he-might-need-a-ventilator/?sh=cc3d92179819">Report: Trump’s Covid Infection Was So Severe Officials Thought He Might Need A Ventilator</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/05/22/all-the-times-trump-promoted-hydroxychloroquine/?sh=7c2f9f0f4643">All The Times Trump Has Promoted Hydroxychloroquine</a>&nbsp;(Forbes)</p>



<p><a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2020/05/18/trump-says-hes-taking-hydroxychloroquine-despite-an-nih-advisory-against-it/?sh=1e57a81cd745">Trump Says He’s Taking Hydroxychloroquine Despite An NIH Advisory Against It</a> (Forbes)</p>



<p><em><strong>By Nicholas Reimann, Forbes Staff</strong></em></p>


Hydroxychloroquine Sulphate tablets with coronavirus written in background

Doctor Pleads Guilty To Pushing Covid ‘Miracle Cure’ And Hydroxychloroquine Smuggling Scheme


<p><strong>TOPLINE</strong>: A Ugandan athlete training in Japan in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics went missing on Friday, triggering a search by local officials and police, in an incident that has raised doubt about the security measures put in place by the games’ organizers to keep the spread of Covid-19 in check.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-facts">KEY FACTS</h3>



<p>Julius Ssekitoleko, a 20-year-old Ugandan weightlifter, was not found in his designated accommodation when a local official attempted to find him to receive his sample for Covid-19 testing,&nbsp;<em>Kyodo News</em>&nbsp;<a href="https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/07/37a6d0d3d253-urgent-ugandan-olympic-athlete-training-in-japan-goes-missing.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">reported</a>.</p>



<p>Ssekitoleko was staying in the city of Izumisano in western Japan along with other members of the Ugandan Olympic team.</p>



<p>The missing athlete was last spotted by his teammates at around 12:30 am on Friday, city officials said.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-key-background">KEY BACKGROUND</h3>



<p>The Ugandan Olympics delegation reached Japan last month and they were among the first group of visiting athletes to reach the country to prepare for the summer games. After their arrival, two members of the delegation&nbsp;<a href="https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2021/06/23/national/uganda-olympian-covid/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">tested positive</a>&nbsp;for Covid-19, which prevented the team from beginning their training activities. The team finally started training in Izumisano last week after undergoing a strict quarantine.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tangent">TANGENT</h3>



<p>Visiting athletes participating in the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics are expected to follow a stringent set of pandemic-related rules which includes regular testing and having their movement restricted. As part of the rules&nbsp;<a href="https://www.forbes.com/sites/siladityaray/archive/2021/06/?sh=47defdb81f67">unveiled last month</a>, all participating athletes and officials will be screened for the virus daily and are required to provide saliva samples at set times. Athletes, who can only stay in officially approved accommodations, will have their movements restricted and will be subject to GPS tracking by officials. The rulebook warns that non-compliance will result in large fines, permanent bans from the Olympics and even expulsion from Japan, depending on the severity of the breach.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-further-reading">FURTHER READING</h3>



<p><a href="https://english.kyodonews.net/news/2021/07/37a6d0d3d253-urgent-ugandan-olympic-athlete-training-in-japan-goes-missing.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ugandan Olympic athlete training in Japan goes missing</a> (Kyodo News)</p>



<p><strong><em>By Siladitya Ray, Forbes Staff</em></strong></p>


Weightlifting – Commonwealth Games Day 1

Ugandan Olympic Athlete Goes Missing In Japan In Possible Breach Of Covid-19 Rules


<p><strong>President Cyril Ramaphosa deploys the SANDF and calls to restore order in South Africa after looting, vandalism and violence leave 11 dead and many injured.</strong></p>



<p>Just a day after addressing the nation about strengthened Covid-19 lockdown restrictions until July 25, South African president Cyril Ramaphosa was back on TV screens again “with a heavy heart”, this time on the government’s response to the public violence and unrest currently ravaging parts of the country.</p>



<p>The vandalism, looting, riots, “political protests” and “anarchy” over the last three days have led to the army being called in to “protect property and safeguard social and economic infrastructure”, as the president stated in his address on Monday evening, July 12.</p>



<p>“As the Commander-in-Chief of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF), I have today authorized the deployment of Defence Force personnel in support of the operations of the South African Police Service (SAPS).”</p>



<p>The protests, sparked by the arrest of South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma for contempt of court last week, began in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Zuma’s homestead where he is currently incarcerated at the Estcourt Correctional Centre. The civil unrest saw an estimated <a href="https://www.forbesafrica.com/current-affairs/2021/07/11/south-africa-protests-and-unrest-grow-over-zuma-arrest/">$7 million in damages with over 30 trucks set alight.</a> The protests continued in Gauteng, South Africa’s economic hub, in places such as Soweto, Jeppetown and Alexandra.</p>



<p>Social media has been agog with dramatic scenes of the state of affairs: videos of people running into shopping centers, malls, and/or shops being destroyed and/or vandalized. Many experts, politicians, and citizens, including the president, questioned if these protests were really under the banner of the #FreeZuma campaign.</p>



<p>“What we are witnessing now are opportunistic acts of criminality, with groups of people instigating chaos merely as a cover for looting and theft,” Ramaphosa said. “There is no grievance, nor any political cause, that can justify the violence and destruction that we have seen in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.”</p>



<p>So far, over 11 people have been declared dead due to the unrest; 166 suspects have been arrested in KZN and 323 suspects arrested in Gauteng concerning these incidents.</p>



<p>“Many South Africans are at this hour counting the cost to their livelihoods and property, to their shops and businesses, to their safety and security. Many more South Africans are feeling anxious and afraid,” Ramaphosa added in his address.</p>



<p>“This means that our sick cannot get medication from pharmacies, food does not reach supermarket shelves, and health workers cannot go to work.”</p>



<p>The incidents of the last few days have disrupted the country’s ongoing Covid-19 vaccination drive that had been gathering momentum.</p>



<p>With the number of Covid-19 cases still surging, the cost of these protests on the economy may be dire.</p>



<p><em><a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-07-12/rand-slumps-with-south-african-riots-spreading-amid-covid-surge">Bloomberg</a></em> reported that South Africa’s rand collapsed to “its weakest level” against the dollar due to the unrest. The rand declined as much as 2% and was 1.7% weaker at 14.4681 per dollar by today heading for its weakest level since April 30.</p>



<p>“The victims of the violence that is unfolding now are the workers, the truck drivers, the business owners, the parents and families of those who have lost their lives, who have done nothing wrong,” Ramaphosa added.</p>



<p><em>This is a developing story and FORBES AFRICA will provide updates as the story progresses. </em></p>


Durban shopping centres and businesses looted over the weekend

Continued Riots And Anarchy In South Africa, The Military To Help Police


<p>For the last three days, since South Africa’s former president Jacob Zuma began his jail term for contempt of court, the country has been mired in protests with pro-Zuma supporters voicing their displeasure. The demonstrations have centered around KwaZulu-Natal, the home province of the former president where he is incarcerated, with major highways barricaded by burning tires, over 30 trucks set alight and an estimated $7 million in damages.<br><br>Late last night, the protests spread into South Africa’s economic hub Gauteng and continued today, with at least one confirmed death and another two people reported shot. All major roads in Johannesburg CBD experienced some disruption, with many areas of the city looking like a warzone.<br><br>Some major roads such as Jules Street in the city saw multiple shops looted, with liquor stores particularly targeted as South Africa continues under a lockdown which includes a strict ban on the sale of alcohol. Dozens of car dealerships were burned to the ground with vehicles inside them.</p>



<p>The country continues under lockdown Level 4 until the 25th of July. <br><br>FORBES AFRICA is on the ground and will provide updates as the story progresses.</p>


Tag: Covid-19 Vaccine

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