Germany: police raid against antivax
The criminal police of the Saxony region (ex-GDR), assisted by special intervention forces, carried out a large-scale operation in Dresden on Wednesday after death threats aimed at an anti-vaccine group of the Telegram application, the Minister-President of the Land.
This region of eastern Germany is a stronghold of the anti-restriction movement in the country and also of the far right which, according to the authorities, is at the forefront of the movement.
Justice suspects "the preparation of a serious violent crime which threatens the state", explained the police of Saxony on Twitter.
Beginning of childhood immunizations in Europe
The city of Berlin, Greece, Spain and Hungary are starting on Wednesday vaccination campaigns against Covid for children under 12, an age group among the most exposed to current contamination.
France also launched the vaccination of children on Wednesday, but limited for the time being to children "at risk", likely to develop serious forms of Covid-19.
Covid-19: AFP global report
Vaccination of 5-11 year olds, with a version of the Pfizer vaccine less strong than that intended for adults, has been possible in the European Union since its authorization by the drug regulator on November 25.
Denmark and Austria have already taken the plunge.
Possible domination of Omicron in Europe in mid-January
The new Omicron variant could become dominant among Covid-19 infections in Europe by mid-January, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned on Wednesday, adding that there were now enough vaccines for all Europeans.
New restrictions in Poland
Poland on Wednesday introduced new restrictions on the number of people allowed to enter restaurants, hotels and theaters, as the daily number of Covid deaths reached its highest level since April with 669 deaths in the past. last 24 hours.
The new limits, set at 30% of maximum facility capacity, do not apply to people vaccinated, giving business owners and managers the responsibility of verifying vaccination status.
Queue for the anti-Covid vaccination, in Manchester (Great Britain) on December 14, 2021 Paul ELLIS AFP
Restricted entry requirements in Italy
Italy announced a restriction of entry conditions to its territory for travelers from the European Union (EU) from Thursday, with a mandatory negative test for all and a five-day quarantine for those not vaccinated .
Johnson & Johnson vaccine can be used as a booster
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) said on Wednesday that Johnson & Johnson's vaccine can be used for booster doses at least two months after the first dose in people 18 years and older.
Sanofi vaccine candidate: further delay
The French laboratory Sanofi now plans to publish the final results of its clinical trial on its Covid-19 vaccine during the first quarter of 2022, when they were initially expected at the end of 2021.
The group, which is developing this recombinant protein-based vaccine with the British GSK, unveiled interim results deemed positive as a booster dose on Wednesday, but it does not give a precise timetable for its marketing.
More than 5.3 million dead
The pandemic has killed at least 5,320,431 million people worldwide since the end of 2019, according to an assessment established by AFP from official sources, Wednesday at 11:00 GMT.
The place of the Manger deserted, in Bethlehem in the West Bank occupied on December 15, 2021 ABBAS MOMANI AFP
The United States is the most bereaved country with 800,473 dead, ahead of Brazil (616,970), India (476,135), Mexico (296,984) and Russia (292,891).
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.
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© 2021 AFP