The roll-out of vaccinations is making life insurers more enthusiastic about offering coverage to those with underlying health conditions.
he United States plans to invest $3 billion in the vaccine supply chain as it continues to work to position itself as a leading supplier of vaccines for the world, a top health official said.
Economic Impact
* Record-setting world stocks moved higher after jobless claims data suggested the US labor market was charging ahead even as new COVID-19 infections surge, while the risk of a upcoming sub-par US payrolls report weighed on the dollar.
* The World Trade Organization needs results by the end of the year and must focus its efforts on finding a global response to the pandemic, its director-general said.
* The roll-out of vaccinations is making life insurers more enthusiastic about offering coverage to those with underlying health conditions.
Europe
* Italy may eventually make COVID-19 inoculations compulsory for everyone of eligible age, and plans to start administering booster vaccine shots later this month to vulnerable people, Prime Minister Mario Draghi said.
* Twelve million French children, who returned to school from their summer break, wearing masks, were told by head teachers and President Emmanuel Macron that they should get vaccinated against COVID-19.
* Greece offered unvaccinated health care workers a second chance to get a shot against COVID-19 and allow those who have been already suspended to return to work as hundreds of them protested against mandatory vaccination.
* Belgium's King Philippe and Queen Mathilde cancelled their attendance at all public events from Thursday after a family member tested positive for COVID-19.
Asia-Pacific
* Vietnam could face a lengthy battle against the coronavirus and cannot rely on lockdown and quarantine measures indefinitely, its prime minister said.
* India would resume exports of COVID-19 vaccines only after its own interests are taken care of, a health ministry official said, as a recent surge in immunisations raised hopes of foreign sales that have been barred since mid-April.
Americas
* Runners in this year's Boston Marathon will need to provide proof of vaccination or produce a negative COVID-19 test in order to participate.
* Three-quarters of the people in Latin America and the Caribbean have not been fully immunised against COVID-19 in contrast to the United States and Canada, the Pan American Health Organization said on Wednesday.
Middle East and Africa
* An arrangement has been suspended whereby Johnson & Johnson was shipping vaccine doses to Europe that had been packaged in South Africa.
* Abu Dhabi will remove the need to quarantine for all vaccinated travellers arriving from international destinations starting Sunday.
Medical Developments
* Aspen Pharmacare said it was in talks to make J&J's shot under licence in South Africa, at what would be the continent's first major independent distribution base for a global vaccine against COVID-19.
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.