The WHO now believes that the current vaccines are effective even on the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, and confirms that it is probably not more dangerous than the previous variant.
For WHO, there is "
no reason to doubt
" current vaccines against Omicron
"There is no reason to doubt"
that current vaccines protect patients infected with Omicron against severe forms of Covid-19, said Michael Ryan, the WHO emergency manager, on Tuesday. "
We have very effective vaccines that have been shown to be potent against all the variants so far, in terms of disease severity and hospitalization, and there is no reason to believe that would not be the case.
With Omicron, explained Dr. Ryan, in a rare one-on-one interview.
"
The general behavior that we observe so far shows no increase in severity
", also declared the doctor, like what had said a little earlier the eminent American scientist Anthony Fauci, who estimates now "
almost certain
" that the Omicron variant does not cause more serious cases of Covid-19 than Delta, adding that it would be necessary to wait another "
two weeks at least
" to know if it turns out to be even less dangerous.
To read also Anthony Fauci is "almost certain" that Omicron is not more serious than Delta
Norway toughens measures
Norway will strengthen health measures from Thursday midnight to fight an outbreak of Covid-19 cases, with in particular a limited number of people for home events, including Christmas celebrations, and the wearing of compulsory masks if a social distance of one meter cannot be ensured.
Guadeloupe: extended curfew, a dismantled dam
One of the biggest roadblocks on the French island of Guadeloupe, the result of the social protest born in mid-November, was dismantled by the police, said the regional prefecture on Tuesday, before announcing the extension until Friday of the curfew.
Read also Guadeloupe: 64 people sentenced since the start of the social crisis
The curfew remains in place in 14 municipalities against 21 previously, with a delayed schedule to 8 p.m. or even 10 p.m. depending on the case, against 6 p.m. previously.
Brazil: no health passport for foreigners
Brazil ruled out on Tuesday from requiring a certificate of vaccination against Covid-19 for foreigners arriving on its soil, after President Jair Bolsonaro compared this measure recommended by the health regulator to a "
leash
" for animals.
Canada: Native American representatives postpone their trip to the Vatican
The delegation of Native Canadian representatives, which was to be received by Pope Francis in December to discuss the drama of residential schools for native people, announced Tuesday the postponement of its trip, because of the threat of the Omicron variant.
Booster dose: EU advocates vaccine combination
The administration of a booster dose of a vaccine against Covid-19 different from that received during the first injections in some cases elicits a stronger immune response, according to European health authorities.
The best results have been obtained by first using a viral vector vaccine such as that of AstraZeneca or Johnson & Johnson, followed by an injection of a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine like Pfizer and Moderna, they said. indicated.
To read also "No reason to doubt that the current vaccines protect" against Omicron
Cuba: vaccine from 2 years old for convalescent children from Covid
Cuba has approved the emergency use of its Soberana Plus vaccine for children over two convalescing from Covid-19, the country's drug regulatory authority (Cecmed) said on Tuesday, as the booster vaccination started this week in Havana.
More than 5.2 million dead
The pandemic has killed at least 5,261,473 people around the world since the end of 2019, according to a report established by AFP from official sources Tuesday at 11:00 GMT.
The United States is the most bereaved country with 791,443 dead, ahead of Brazil (616,018), India (473,757), Mexico (295,313) and Russia (283,644).