The Sputnik inhaled vaccine against COVID-19 will be effective against Omicron and available in Q1 2022, the Russian National Research Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology of Russia announced.
At the same time that the Omicron variant has caused an international outbreak of cases, countries are announcing measures to contain the spread.
Russia
The inhaled form of Russia's Sputnik vaccine against COVID-19 will be available on the market in the first quarter of 2022 and will be particularly effective against the highly infectious Omicron variant of the new coronavirus, offering not only protection against the infection but also prevention of its spread, the Russian National Research Center of Epidemiology and Microbiology of Russia, named after academician N. In October, Russia's Ministry of Health granted permission to the Gamalelya Centre to conduct phase 2 clinical trials of the nasal spray vaccine.
In October, the Russian Ministry of Health granted permission to the Gamalelya Centre to conduct phase 2 clinical trials of the vaccine in the form of a nasal spray.
According to the Center's director, Aleksandr Gintsburg, the new vaccine does not negate the need for routine vaccination, but will become a complementary tool that will provide another barrier to the spread of infection.
According to the prominent Russian microbiologist, the inhaled form of the vaccine creates local immunity in the nasopharynx and creates an additional barrier for the virus as it tries to enter the human body.
Preclinical trials of the new form of the vaccine began in April and clinical trials so far are progressing without serious side effects for participants, according to the Russian news agency RIA Novosti.
Italy
Mario Draghi's government decided last night to substantially expand the use of the super green vaccine pass (issued after two doses) in order to deal more effectively with the coronavirus pandemic.
More specifically, the cabinet of the Italian government decided that the super green pass will be necessary, from 10 January 2022, for access to hotels, exhibitions, mountain and ski slopes, swimming pools, receptions after baptisms or weddings. The extension of the pass also applies to the use of all urban transport and the possibility of eating in restaurants, both indoors and outdoors. This means that in all these cases, the possibility of access with a negative test will cease to apply for those who are unvaccinated.
In the first days of the New Year, it is very likely that a new decision will be taken to strengthen prevention and protection measures, including a further extension of the compulsory use of the super green pass.
France
The use of masks will become compulsory again on the streets of Paris from Friday to counter the tsunami of the Omicron mutation, which has caused an outbreak of cases in France, the French capital's police department announced last night.
Masks will henceforth have to be worn by all people over the age of 11. Excluded are those in cars, cyclists and those playing sports, the police clarified.
France announced 208,099 new cases of Covid-19 yesterday, a new national and European record. 184 deaths were also recorded and the number of patients in intensive care units increased by 53, to 3,469.
Mexico
The Mexican Ministry of Health announced yesterday, Wednesday, that 188 patients had succumbed to complications of COVID-19 in the previous 24 hours and 5,290 cases of SARS-CoV-2 had been confirmed.
Officially, Mexico counts 299.12 deaths out of a total of 3,961,662 infections since the pandemic of the new coronavirus occurred in its territory.
Brazil
The Brazilian Ministry of Health announced yesterday, Wednesday, that in the previous 24 hours 112 patients had succumbed due to complications of COVID-19 and 9 had been confirmed.128 cases of SARS-CoV-2, but this data is not complete, as two states, including the country's second most populous, San Paulo, did not submit data.
Cases of the Omicron variant remain 77 and have been recorded in seven Brazilian states, according to the same source.
Argentina
Argentina yesterday Wednesday recorded the highest number of cases of the new coronavirus since the outbreak of the pandemic in its territory.
The Ministry of Health announced that 42,032 SARS-CoV-2 infections were confirmed in the previous 24 hours.
Meanwhile, following the United States, Spain and other countries, Argentina announced that it is reducing the quarantine period for those who have tested positive for Covid-19 to 7 days, instead of 10 days as it was until now, in order to limit the impact on economic activity due to the explosion of cases observed in recent days.
Health Minister Carla Visotti announced that the quarantine period will be reduced to 7 days for those who have been fully vaccinated and 5 days for those who have come into contact with a case, provided they are vaccinated and have no symptoms.
For the unvaccinated, the quarantine period remains 10 days, whether they are patients or contacts of confirmed cases.
Uruguay
Uruguayan Health Minister Daniel Salinas announced yesterday, Wednesday, the first case of the highly infectious Omicron mutation of SARS-CoV-2 in the Latin American country.
Researcher Gregorio Iraola of the Pasteur Institute in Montevideo has been able to confirm that the Omicron variant has entered the country, Salinas told reporters.
India
India's federal health ministry announced today (Thursday) that 13 had been confirmed in the previous 24 hours.154 cases of SARS-CoV-2 and 268 patients succumbed due to complications of COVID-19.
Germany
Confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 in Germany increased by 42,770 in the past 24 hours to 7,109.182, according to figures released today (Thursday) by the Robert Koch Institute, the country's epidemiological surveillance body.
The deaths of 383 patients due to complications of COVID-19 increased the death toll of the new coronavirus pandemic in the country to 111,602 to date, according to the same source.
Bolivia
A new record number of cases of the new coronavirus was announced in Bolivia yesterday, Wednesday, as the highly infectious Omicron variant is spreading to other states in the region, but has not been confirmed to date to be present in the Andean country.
The Ministry of Health said 4,934 cases of SARS-CoV-2 were recorded in 24 hours amid the fourth wave.
Turkey
Turkey recorded 36.684 new cases of COVID-19 yesterday, the highest number of daily infections since April 29, according to data from the country's health ministry, with the country's Health Minister Fahretin Koja urging citizens to take booster doses.
Turkey also recorded 142 deaths from the virus, according to the data.
Belgium
The reopening of theatres and cinemas in Belgium was confirmed yesterday by the relevant Coordination Committee (Codeco), following the decision of the Council of State to suspend the measure to close theatres announced on 22 December to contain the Omicron mutation.
The Belgian Coordination Committee met yesterday as a matter of urgency following the decision of the Council of State and announced that the rules in force before 22 December are being reinstated. As a result, all entertainment venues are reopening, with a maximum of 200 spectators, seated, wearing a mask and with a certificate of vaccination or a negative test. In addition to theatres and cinemas, all indoor cultural events are allowed.
Ireland
Ireland is now included in the list of countries that broke their previous record for daily Covid-19 cases, recording 16.428 new infections, while the number of patients requiring hospital treatment also began to rise, according to the country's Department of Health.
Source: CNA
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