scorecardresearch
Thursday, March 28, 2024
Support Our Journalism
HomeHealthIsrael bars Sputnik V entry into Gaza, Japan's syringe challenge & other...

Israel bars Sputnik V entry into Gaza, Japan’s syringe challenge & other global Covid news

As the Covid-19 pandemic shows no signs of letting up, ThePrint highlights the most important stories on the crisis from across the globe.

Follow Us :
Text Size:

New Delhi: The coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc across the globe, the latest count is more than 10.9 crore cases and more than 2.4 lakh deaths.

We bring you some top stories of Covid-related developments across the globe. While Japan’s next big challenge in its fight against Covid is the lack of ‘special’ syringes, Israel has banned a batch of Covid vaccines to the Gaza strip.

Syringe shortage next challenge in Japan’s vaccine rollout 

Japan is set to begin its Covid inoculation drive Wednesday, but there is increasing fear that millions of Pfizer vaccines would go waste due to a shortage of ‘special’ syringes that “maximise the number of shots used from each vial”, reports Reuters.

This is proving to be the latest challenge for Japanese premier Yoshihide Suga who has been getting increasingly unpopular in Japan due to his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Japan had last month signed a contract with Pfizer to procure 144 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine, enough for 72 million of its 144 million citizens.

One vial is meant for six shots, according to Pfizer, but only with a ‘special’ syringe that retains a low volume of solution to extract six doses. Only five doses can be taken with standard syringes stocked up by the Japanese government.

Japan has reported 4,15,782 coronavirus cases and 6,952 deaths so far.


Also read: Chile has ordered enough doses to fully vaccinate its population against Covid twice


Israel bars vaccines to Gaza Strip 

Israel has barred the entry of 2,000 doses of Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine to the Gaza Strip, Palestinian Health Minister Mai Alkaila said Monday, reports The Daily Sabah. 

Alkaila said the ministry holds Israel responsible for this arbitrary action that goes against all laws and international agreements.

According to the health minister, the vaccine doses were intended for medical care staff working in ICUs designated for Covid-19 patients and those working in emergency departments.

Palestine has reported 1,68,444 coronavirus cases and 1,936 deaths so far.

Zimbabwe receives first batch of vaccines, donated by China 

Zimbabwe received its first batch of 2 lakh Sinopharm coronavirus vaccines donated by China, reports Al Jazeera.

Zimbabwe’s Vice President and Health Minister Constantino Chiwenga hailed the donation as another demonstration of the country’s bond of friendship and solidarity with China.

The donation is among China’s first vaccine shipments to Africa, after deliveries to Egypt and Equatorial Guinea. Additionally, Zimbabwe’s president has purchased 6 lakh more doses that are expected to arrive next month.

Zimbabwe has reported 35,222 coronavirus cases and 1,410 deaths so far.

Dr Anthony Fauci wins Dan David prize for ‘defending science’

US President Joe Biden’s Chief Medical Advisor Dr Anthony Fauci has been awarded the $1 million Dan David Prize by the Israeli foundation of the same name, reports South China Morning Post. 

The organisation said the award was conferred on him for a ‘lifetime’ leadership on HIV research and AIDS relief, as well as advocating for coronavirus vaccines.

“As the Covid-19 pandemic unravelled, Fauci leveraged his considerable communication skills to address people gripped by fear and anxiety and worked relentlessly to inform individuals in the United States and elsewhere about the public health measures essential for containing the pandemic’s spread,” the foundation’s awards committee said.

The United States has reported 2,83,17,703 coronavirus cases and 4,98,203 deaths so far.

What else we’re reading: 

New Covid variant with potentially worrying mutations found in UK: The Guardian 

How Australia will help its neighbours to vaccinate people against coronavirus: SBS News 


Also read: Israel vaccinates most per million, India ranks 10th — how countries with high Covid load fare


 

Subscribe to our channels on YouTube, Telegram & WhatsApp

Support Our Journalism

India needs fair, non-hyphenated and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. ThePrint – with exceptional reporters, columnists and editors – is doing just that.

Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.

Whether you live in India or overseas, you can take a paid subscription by clicking here.

Support Our Journalism

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular