Norway says Covid-19 vaccines may be too risky for elderly, terminally sick
Norway has so far given at least one dose to about 33,000 people, focusing on those considered to be most at risk if they contract the virus, including the elderly.
Bloomberg
PUBLISHED ON JAN 15, 2021 02:25 PM IST
Norway says there are risks that Covid-19 vaccinations may be too risky for the very old and terminally sick, after 23 people died within a short time of receiving their first shot.
Of those deaths, 13 have so far been autopsied with the results suggesting that common side effects may have contributed to severe reactions in frail, elderly people, according to the Norwegian Medicines Agency.
“For those with the most severe frailty, even relatively mild vaccine side effects can have serious consequences,” the Norwegian Institute of Public Health said. “For those who have a very short remaining life span anyway, the benefit of the vaccine may be marginal or irrelevant.”
Norway has so far given at least one dose to about 33,000 people, focusing on those considered to be most at risk if they contract the virus, including the elderly. Most of the shots given are from BioNTec/Pfizer, with the Moderna vaccine now also being administered.
Topics
Germany ramps up use of AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine
Posted by Harshit Sabarwal | AP
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 06:18 PM IST
Hundreds of thousands of doses have been gathering dust in recent weeks due to the restrictions on who could get the vaccine and misgivings among some who were eligible.
Saudi foreign minister meets Qatar's emir Hamad al-Thani in Doha: Report
Reuters, Dubai
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 06:14 PM IST
QNA said the prince delivered a verbal message from Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud on enhancing bilateral ties as well as on regional and international developments.
Meghan, Harry call out British media in Oprah interview. Tabloids react
By hindustantimes.com | Edited by Mallika Soni, Hindustan Times, New Delhi
UPDATED ON MAR 08, 2021 06:17 PM IST
- During the two-hour conversation, Meghan opened up about her life as a member of the British royal family, concerns raised by its members with respect to the colour of their baby’s skin and the intense media scrutiny they faced.
Fashion giant H&M pauses placing orders in Myanmar, says extremely concerned
Reuters, Stockholm
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 06:06 PM IST
H&M has around 45 direct suppliers in Myanmar, it said on its website, and has sourced in the country for seven years.
At least 20 dead, 600 wounded in Equatorial Guinea blasts
AP
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 06:06 PM IST
- President Teodoro Obiang Nguema said the explosion at 4pm local time was due to the “negligent handling of dynamite” in the military barracks located in the neighborhood of Mondong Nkuantoma in Bata.
Taiwan President Tsai visits naval base amid Chinese threats
AP
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 06:03 PM IST
- In remarks during her visit to the 131st Flotilla in the northern port of Keelung, Tsai said the bravery of servicemembers “demonstrated the determination of Taiwan’s national armed forces to defend the sovereignty of our country.”
Migrant workers brought under the ambit of vaccination drive in Singapore
PTI, Singapore
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 05:59 PM IST
- The migrant workers, which include a huge number of Indians, make up about 90 per cent of Singapore's Covid-19 tally, which stands at 60,046. The death toll is 29.
Myanmar protestors begin national strike, vows to defeat military
Bloomberg
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 05:55 PM IST
Thousands of demonstrators hit the streets in Yangon and Mandalay, Myanmar’s biggest cities, as well as other cities to keep up momentum for the pro-democracy movement.
Thailand charges more activists with sedition, royal insults
AP
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 05:17 PM IST
- The sedition charges, which carry a maximum penalty of up to seven years in prison, stem from an antigovernment rally in September, though details on the alleged offenses were not immediately clear.
Jill Biden helps honor women from 15 countries for courage
AP
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 05:16 PM IST
The 21 women being recognized Monday with the department's International Women of Courage Award include seven from Afghanistan who are receiving posthumous honors.
Russia slams Facebook over blocking media content
Reuters
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 05:04 PM IST
Communications watchdog Roskomnadzor at the weekend threatened Facebook with a minimum 1 million rouble ($13,433) fine and demanded it restore access to content posted by TASS news agency, RBC business daily and Vzglyad newspaper.
EU's financial regulator hit by Microsoft email hack, takes down email system
AFP
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 04:55 PM IST
Microsoft said last week that a state-sponsored group operating out of China was exploiting previously unknown security flaws in its Exchange email services to steal data from business and government users, believed to number in tens of thousands so far.
Mike Pence to give speech in South Carolina, his first since leaving office
Posted by Harshit Sabarwal | AP
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 04:18 PM IST
Next month, Pence will keynote a dinner hosted by the Palmetto Family Council, a Pence aide told The Associated Press on Sunday. The aide spoke on the condition of anonymity due to a lack of permission to discuss the plans publicly.
INS Kulish, Sumedha arrive in Bangladesh to mark 50th anniversary of 1971 war
ANI, Dhaka
PUBLISHED ON MAR 08, 2021 04:17 PM IST
According to the Indian Navy, the year 2021 is being celebrated as 'Swarnim Vijay Varsh' being the 50th anniversary of the 1971 Indo-Pak war. However, 2021 is also the 50th Year of Independence of Bangladesh.
Myanmar security forces kill 2 anti-coup protesters
Posted by Harshit Sabarwal | AP
UPDATED ON MAR 08, 2021 04:15 PM IST
The Irrawaddy newspaper said the victims were shot in the head during anti-coup protests in Myitkyina in Kachin State. Graphic video on social media showed protesters in the street backing away from tear gas, responding with rocks, then fleeing after a fusillade of what seemed to be automatic gunfire.