Paris (AFP)

New measures, new reports and highlights: an update on the latest developments in the Covid-19 pandemic around the world.

- Vaccines: new pitfalls in Europe -

A causal link has not been established at this point between the formation of blood clots and the injection of Johnson & Johnson's Covid-19 vaccine, the United States Medicines Agency (FDA) said on Friday, in claiming to investigate cases in the United States.

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said earlier Friday it was investigating links between the "J&J" vaccine and cases of blood clots.

The EMA also said it was investigating possible links between the AstraZeneca vaccine and cases of blood vessel problems, after admitting this week that there were rare side effects in the form of blood clots.

- Pfizer for 12-15 year olds -

The Pfizer / BioNTech alliance filed on Friday in the United States a request to extend the emergency authorization of its Covid-19 vaccine to adolescents aged 12 to 15, which could launch a new crucial phase of vaccination for collective immunity.

- New restrictions -

The authorities of Mali decided on Friday to suspend all festivities and demonstrations and to close all places of recreation for two weeks due to a "worrying" progression of the Covid-19.

In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau called on Friday for the tightening of health measures in place at a time when the acceleration of the vaccination campaign fails to curb the third wave of Covid-19.

- Guaido accuses the power of lying about the shortage -

Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaido on Friday accused the government of lying about the country's vaccine shortage and said it had "nothing to do with the economic sanctions" affecting the country.

- Decrease in vaccine deliveries -

Johnson & Johnson's vaccine deliveries will drop sharply next week in the United States, according to data from health officials, and production capacity will depend on whether or not a plant that has experimented with large-scale operations is approved. production problems.

The Anglo-Swedish laboratory AstraZeneca will be behind on half of its vaccine deliveries which were scheduled for this week in the European Union, according to a spokesperson for the group.

- Another vaccine for the 2nd dose -

In France, those under 55 who have already received a dose of AstraZeneca will be offered a different vaccine for the 2nd dose, either that of Pfizer / BioNTech, or that of Moderna, announced the health authorities.

But the WHO estimated that it could not, for lack of "adequate data", make a recommendation on a change of vaccine between two doses.

- Germany: toughening of legislation -

Angela Merkel's government will toughen up legislation in order to be able to impose restrictions on all of Germany, a radical weapon in a federal country but which would be necessary because of recurring tensions with the regions.

- Coney Island reopens its rides -

After 2020 canceled due to a pandemic, the famous Coney Island amusement park in Brooklyn celebrated its reopening on Friday, to the delight of ride operators and dozens of families.

- More than 2.9 million dead -

The pandemic has killed at least 2,903,907 people around the world, according to a report established by AFP from official sources Friday in the middle of the day.

The United States is the country with the most deaths (560,996), ahead of Brazil (348,718), Mexico (206,146), India (167,642) and the United Kingdom (126,980).

These figures are globally underestimated.

They are based on daily reports from national health authorities, without including reassessments based on statistical bases.

burs-mlb / roc

© 2021 AFP