HEALTH - The African Mirror

Jul

03

2021

‘Data shows J&J vaccine works well against Delta variant’

COVID-19

DATA from laboratory studies show Johnson & Johnson's COVID-19 vaccine works well against the Delta variant that now dominates new infections in South Africa, the head of the country's Medical Research Council has said. "All the data that we see indicate good immediate and sustained immune response against Delta, and we see surprising durability in the immune response for the single dose J&J right up to eight months," Glenda Gray told a news conference. South Africa is using the J&J and Pfizer vaccines in its immunisation campaign.

Apr

11

2021

By The African Mirror

Calls to tackle vaccine hesitancy

COVID-19

KIM HARRISBERG WARINESS about taking AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine in Africa could be compounded by the African Union's decision to halt plans to procure the shot, health experts said on Friday, calling for public awareness programmes to fight misinformation. The African Union (AU) said its announcement was not related to recent findings by European and British medicine regulators that there are possible links between the vaccine and extremely rare blood clots, but rather a case of diversifying options. Still, experts said the timing of Thursday's announcement could fuel vaccine hesitancy. "The announcement happening around the same time the European medical authority…

Jul

03

2021

By The African Mirror

‘We urge caution,’ WHO says on Tokyo Olympics

COVID-19

STEPHANIE NEBEHAY THE World Health Organization, which is advising the International Olympic Committee in the run-up to the Tokyo Games opening later this month, is urging caution so as to stem the spread of the coronavirus, a senior WHO official has said. Crowds at Euro 2020 soccer stadiums and in pubs and bars in host cities are driving the current rise in COVID-19 infections in Europe, the WHO's regional office said on Thursday. Maria van Kerkhove, WHO technical lead on COVID-19 at its global headquarters, was asked what lessons it was drawing from the Euro 2020 tournament in order to…

Apr

11

2021

By The African Mirror

Are vaccine passports a risk to society?

COVID-19

IMOGEN PARKER IN a matter of weeks COVID-status certificates, or ‘vaccine passports’, which allow people to more easily show their COVID-19 status, have moved from a fringe issue to the centre of polarised political debates. In the UK, the announcement this week of COVID-status certificate pilots has triggered outcry, from the public, parliamentarians and publicans. In the U.S., the White House has ruled out a federal system that ‘requires Americans to carry a credential’ on the grounds they infringe on privacy and human rights. Meanwhile, Walmart and New York State, forge ahead with their own rollouts. Why are countries giving serious consideration to these…

Apr

11

2021

By The African Mirror

Tunisia reduces overnight curfew

COVID-19

TUNISIA reduced its night curfew yesterday, a day after President Kais Saied requested a review of the measure to avoid the loss of thousands of jobs in the month of Ramadan. ''The curfew will start 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.,'' Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi told reporters, reducing it from 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Mechichi's government has announced tougher curfew restrictions on Wednesday to combat a surge in new coronavirus cases.

Apr

21

2021

By The African Mirror

Why African countries need reliable local data on sugary drinks taxes

HEALTH

DIETS in sub-Saharan Africa are changing as more countries advance from low-income to middle-income status. People’s eating habits are shifting from food rich in starchy staples, vegetables and fruits to a more westernised diet high in sugar, saturated fats and oils. This shift to unhealthy foods is fuelling obesity-related chronic, non-communicable conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Preventive measures are more critical than ever to curtail this tsunami that is overwhelming health systems. One area that must adjust is the food and beverage sector in sub-Saharan Africa. The processed food industry is promoting the region as a growth…

Jul

03

2021

By The African Mirror

COVID-19 shows why Africa’s reliance on outsiders for health services is a problem

HEALTH

THE COVID-19 pandemic has reinforced several truths about the detrimental effects of Africa being over-reliant on western and international stakeholders to solve its health challenges and using western solutions to Africa’s health problems. FRANCISCA MUTAPI, Professor in Global Health Infection and Immunity. and co-Director of the Global Health Academy, University of Edinburgh The continent has suffered heavily from the global COVID-19 supply chain crisis. Competitive procurement by governments with deeper pockets has hiked prices of vaccines while national export controls on essential commodities and raw materials have blocked access. These effects were recently highlighted by the African Union special envoy,…

Jul

02

2021

By The African Mirror

Tributes for SA music legend Steve Kekana

COVID-19

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH African have paid wonderful tributes to Steve Kekana, the musical legend who has passed away from COVID-19 complications. Kekana (63) recorded over 40 music albums in his career, was a winner of many music awards and a lecturer at the University of South Africa. The South African government offered its condolences to Kekana. https://twitter.com/GovernmentZA/status/1410653308398809092?s=20 Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula said SA has lost an icon. “ South Africa today lost one of its icons, a legend and a brilliant artist, Ntate Steve Kekana. May he Rest In Peace,” he said. Action SA president Herman Mashaba said: “We…

Jul

02

2021

By The African Mirror

‘Euro 2020 crowds drive rise in infections’

COVID-19

NIKOLAJ SKYDSGAARD and JACOB GRONHOLT-PEDERSEN CROWDS at Euro 2020 football stadiums and in pubs and bars in host cities are driving the current rise in coronavirus infections in Europe, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said. A 10-week decline in new coronavirus infections across the region has come to an end and a new wave of infections is inevitable if football fans and others drop their guard, according to WHO. Last week, the number of new cases rose by 10%, driven by mixing of crowds in Euro 2020 host cities, travel and easing of social restrictions, WHO said. "We need…

Apr

20

2021

By The African Mirror

South Africa’s vaccine compensation fund could cost $17.5 million in first year

COVID-19

THE South African government's compensation fund to cover potential injuries from COVID-19 vaccines could cost around 250 million rands ($17.5 million) in the first year, the health minister said in response to questions in parliament. The African country hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic in terms of infections and deaths told vaccine manufacturers Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer it would set up the fund during negotiations to buy shots. "A contingent liability of approximately R250 million for the first year would be provided for compensation of vaccine injury in a COVID-19 Vaccine NFC (no-fault compensation) Fund," Health Minister Zweli Mkhize…