COVID-19 Worldwide: Booster Shots, COVAX Vaccine Supplies and Vaccination Passports

Vaccination in Europe has reduced mortality 8-14 times.

Canada has authorized adults to receive a booster shot against the coronavirus, India plans to resume vaccine supplies to COVAX, and in France the vaccination passport for elderly people will be invalid without a third dose. We bring you the latest news about the coronavirus pandemic around the world. 

Booster Shot in Canada

Health Canada has approved booster (third) doses of the Pfizer (Comirnaty) coronavirus vaccine for people aged 18 and older. The revaccination can be given at least six months after the second dose. 

It is noted that the booster vaccine is a full dose of the regular vaccine (30 mcg). A Health Canada statement reads: "Health Canada received Pfizer's submission for approval of the booster vaccine on October 1, 2021. After a thorough independent review of the evidence, Health Canada determined that the Comirnaty COVID-19 booster vaccine meets the strict requirements of the Department's quality standards." 

Canada's largest province, Ontario, plans to give a booster dose to most of its population in the coming months. 

India to Resume Supplies to COVAX

India could resume supplies of coronavirus vaccines to the COVAX global vaccine-sharing platform in a few weeks (for the first time since April). Two health sources told Reuters. 

According to one of the sources, based on unofficial approval from India, COVAX officials have begun planning the distribution of CoviShield vaccines (India's version of AstraZeneca, produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's largest vaccine manufacturer) to various countries.

The source said that "confirmation of purchase orders for SII, labeling and packaging, and export permission for each of these batches are needed." Thus, "the first deliveries, assuming the Indian government grants export permission, will not take place for at least several weeks." 

A WHO representative said that a new COVAX supply forecast will be published next week. 

India, the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, was expected to become a key supplier for the world and for the UN-backed COVAX initiative. However, the country began exporting vaccines in January and stopped in April in order to vaccinate its own population. 

Vaccination Passports in France

French President Emmanuel Macron announced new vaccination requirements as coronavirus cases begin rising again across the country. In a televised address, he said that from December 15, vaccination passports for people aged 65 and older will not be valid unless they have received a booster shot. 

At present, this is the only age group in France that can receive an additional dose, but Macron also announced that people aged 50 to 64 will be able to get it "in early December." 

Macron said: "If you were vaccinated more than six months ago, I recommend that you book an appointment now." In September, France launched a booster campaign for people over 65. So far, 3.3 million of the 7.7 million people eligible have received the additional vaccine. 

The number of booster appointments has risen sharply since it was announced that Macron would address the nation. A vaccination passport, or "green pass," is required to enter places such as restaurants, cafes, gyms, cinemas and theaters, as well as concerts and sporting events. 

Vaccination Has Reduced Mortality in Europe

The head of Ukraine's Ministry of Health said that vaccination significantly reduces the risk of death from the Delta variant, a fact confirmed not only by American but also by European statistics, and that in Ukraine vaccination has already saved 6,000 lives. 

Viktor Liashko
head of Ukraine's Ministry of Health

Vaccination reduces the risk of death from the "Delta" variant of COVID-19 by 11 times, according to a study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A number of European countries already confirm this study in practice. For example, the UK, Germany and Belgium, with more than 65% of their populations vaccinated, now show fatality rates 8-14 times lower than during the spring wave. Today in Ukraine, 91-92% of patients in hospitals are unvaccinated. If Ukraine had a vaccination rate at least at the average European level, there would be a third fewer deaths every day. 

The minister urged those who missed the date for the second vaccine dose to get it as soon as possible. The recommended interval for the second shot is:

• 14-28 days for CoronaVac
• 21-28 days for Pfizer
• 28 days for Moderna
• 4-12 weeks for AstraZeneca

Ukraine currently has 10,300,000 doses of various vaccines, including nearly 3 million doses of Moderna, 800,000 doses of AstraZeneca, 4.5 million doses of CoronaVac and 2 million doses of Pfizer.