No forced vaccination, insists the UN

The vaccination obligation must always respect human rights and forced vaccination is never acceptable, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights warned on Wednesday.

"Under no circumstances should people be forcibly vaccinated, even though a person's refusal to comply with a vaccination obligation may have legal consequences such as for example an appropriate fine," said Michelle Bachelet in a video message. .

Omicron: increased rate of reinfection

The WHO boss stressed on Wednesday that the Omicron variant of the coronavirus appears to have a higher reinfection rate but cause less severe symptoms than the Delta variant.

To get a more accurate picture of the characteristics of the variant more quickly, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus asked all countries to contribute to his assessment by submitting their data to the organization.

The vaccine developed by the companies Pfizer and BioNTech is "still effective" after "three doses" against the Omicron variant of the virus, the laboratories said on Wednesday, which however wish to finalize a suitable vaccine "by March".

AstraZeneca antibodies authorized in the United States

American health authorities on Wednesday authorized the administration of synthetic antibodies developed by AstraZeneca, in certain individuals who react poorly to vaccines for medical reasons, in order to protect them against Covid-19 even before any exposure to the virus.

This is the first time that the United States Medicines Agency (FDA) has authorized such a pure prevention treatment as an emergency.

But it is not "a substitute for vaccination," she warned.

It is only authorized for people who are immunocompromised (in whom the vaccine is likely to work less well), or those who cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons (for example strong allergic reactions).

In these cases, it can be administered from the age of 12.

United Kingdom: vaccination passport and teleworking

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday announced a tightening of restrictions to stop the spread of the Omicron variant in the United Kingdom, including the return to telework on Monday and the introduction of the vaccine passport in some places.

A nurse prepares to vaccinate a 3-year-old girl against Covid-19 with the Cuban vaccine Soberana Plus as part of a clinical trial, August 24, 2021 in Havana ADALBERTO ROQUE AFP / Archives

Allegra Stratton, Mr Johnson's former spokesperson, announced her resignation on Wednesday, after the publication of a video in which she joked about a Christmas party that allegedly took place in Downing Street last year, as gatherings were prohibited.

Earlier today, Boris Johnson, who apologized, announced an internal investigation and promised sanctions if it appeared that anti-Covid rules had not been followed.

New measures in Norway and Denmark

Norway will strengthen from midnight Thursday and for four weeks health measures to fight an outbreak of cases, with in particular a limited number of people for home events, including Christmas celebrations, and the wearing of compulsory masks if a social distance of one meter cannot be ensured.

The Danish government for its part announced on Wednesday a series of measures to curb the new wave of Covid-19.

School holidays were supposed to start on December 17 and end on January 3, but schools will close from December 15 until January 5.

And from December 10, bars and restaurants, where the wearing of masks is mandatory again, will have to close at midnight and it will be forbidden to sell alcohol after this time.

Opera ball canceled in Austria

The famous Opera Ball scheduled for February 24 in Vienna has been canceled for the second year in a row because of the coronavirus epidemic, the Austrian government announced on Wednesday.

This ball, which usually welcomes some 7,000 people, is one of the most popular annual social gatherings of the world's political, economic and artistic elites.

More than 5.2 million dead

The pandemic has killed at least 5,270,700 people worldwide since the end of 2019, according to an assessment established by AFP from official sources on Wednesday at midday.

Covid-19: AFP global report

The United States is the most bereaved country with 793,188 dead, ahead of Brazil (616,251), India (473,952), Mexico (295,601) and Russia (284,823).

The WHO estimates, taking into account the excess mortality directly and indirectly linked to Covid-19, that the toll of the pandemic in the world could be two to three times higher.

burx-dth / roc

© 2021 AFP