No forced vaccination, a higher reinfection rate of the Omicron variant, or the authorization of the administration of synthetic antibodies developed by AstraZeneca in the United States ...
Le Figaro
takes stock this Thursday, December 9 on the latest information related to the Covid-19 pandemic.
No forced vaccination, insists the UN
The vaccination obligation must always respect human rights and forced vaccination is never acceptable, warned the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Wednesday (December 8th).
"
Under no circumstances should people be forcibly vaccinated, even though a person's refusal to comply with a vaccination obligation may have legal consequences such as, for example, an appropriate fine,
" said Michelle Bachelet in a video message. .
Omicron: increased rate of reinfection
The WHO boss stressed on Wednesday that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus appears to have a higher reinfection rate but cause less severe symptoms than the Delta variant.
Read also Omicron: the battle plan of the labs against the variant
To get a more accurate picture of the characteristics of the variant more quickly, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus asked all countries to contribute to his assessment by submitting their data to the organization.
The vaccine developed by the companies Pfizer and BioNTech is "
still effective
" after "
three doses
" against the Omicron variant of the virus, said the laboratories on Wednesday, who however wish to finalize a suitable vaccine "
by March
".
Read alsoCovid-19: our advice to more easily find a vaccination niche
AstraZeneca Antibodies Authorized in the United States
American health authorities on Wednesday authorized the administration of synthetic antibodies developed by AstraZeneca, in certain individuals who react poorly to vaccines for medical reasons, in order to protect them against Covid-19 even before any exposure to the virus.
Read alsoCovid-19: can the Omicron variant escape vaccine immunity?
This is the first time that the United States Medicines Agency (FDA) has authorized such a pure prevention treatment as an emergency.
But this is not "
a substitute for vaccination,
" she warned.
It is only authorized for people who are immunocompromised (in whom the vaccine is likely to work less well), or those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons (for example strong allergic reactions).
In these cases, it can be administered from the age of 12.
United Kingdom: vaccination passport and teleworking
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday announced a tightening of restrictions to stop the spread of the Omicron variant in the United Kingdom, including the return to telework on Monday and the introduction of the vaccine passport in certain places.
Read alsoWhere can we travel?
Our map of open countries and restrictions for French tourists
Allegra Stratton, Boris Johnson's former spokesperson, announced her resignation on Wednesday, after the publication of a video in which she joked about a Christmas party that allegedly took place in Downing Street last year, as the gatherings were prohibited.
Earlier today, Boris Johnson, who apologized, announced an internal investigation and promised sanctions if it appeared that anti-Covid rules had not been followed.
New measures in Norway and Denmark
Norway will strengthen from midnight Thursday and for four weeks health measures to fight an outbreak of 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.
Read alsoCovid-19: studies report a decrease in the effectiveness of vaccines against Omicron
The Danish government for its part announced on Wednesday a series of measures to curb the new wave of Covid-19.
School holidays were supposed to start on December 17 and end on January 3, but schools will close from December 15 until January 5.
And from December 10, bars and restaurants, where the wearing of masks is mandatory again, will have to close at midnight and it will be forbidden to sell alcohol after this time.
Opera ball canceled in Austria
The famous Opera Ball scheduled for February 24 in Vienna has been canceled for the second year in a row because of the coronavirus epidemic, the Austrian government announced on Wednesday.
This ball, which usually welcomes some 7,000 people, is one of the most popular annual social gatherings of the world's political, economic and artistic elites.
Read alsoCovid-19: who really are the 6.2 million unvaccinated French people?
More than 5.2 million dead
The pandemic has killed at least 5,270,700 people worldwide since the end of 2019, according to an assessment established by AFP from official sources on Wednesday at midday.
Read alsoCovid-19: in South Africa, cases soar with the Omicron variant
The United States is the most bereaved country with 793,188 dead, ahead of Brazil (616,251), India (473,952), Mexico (295,601) and Russia (284,823).
The WHO estimates, taking into account the excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to Covid-19, that the toll of the pandemic in the world could be two to three times higher.
