Health News Roundup: Gay men, some trans people and sex workers should be vaccinated against monkeypox, French health body says; After backlash, Beijing drops COVID vaccination mandate for crowded venues and more – Devdiscourse
Following is a summary of current health news briefs.
Gay men, some trans people and sex workers should be vaccinated against monkeypox, French health body says
France’s HAS health authority on Friday recommended widening the vaccination campaign against monkeypox, saying that those most exposed to the risk of contracting the virus through sexual relations should receive an innocculation. “Men who have sexual relationships with other men and trans people who have multiple sexual partners” should be vaccinated, the HAS said, as well as people engaged in prostitution or otherwise working in “sexual consumption areas”.
After backlash, Beijing drops COVID vaccination mandate for crowded venues
Beijing’s city government has dropped plans to allow only vaccinated people to enter crowded venues such as libraries, cinemas, and gyms from Monday, following a strong online backlash to the measure announced earlier this week. The mandatory requirement would have marked a rare move in China, where the central government insists on voluntary vaccination and has quickly overruled other attempts by front-line officials to issue compulsory vaccination directives.
Invasion of giant African land snails puts Florida on the offensive
Hundreds of giant African land snails have turned up on Florida’s Gulf Coast, officials said on Friday, threatening to destroy a vast array of plants and trees, and posing the risk of transmitting a rare type of meningitis to humans. The snail, native to East Africa, is one of the most damaging in the world, eating at least 500 different types of plants, tree bark, and even paint and stucco on houses, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website said.
Shanghai faces a’ relatively high’ risk of further COVID community spread
China’s commercial hub Shanghai faces a “relatively high” risk of further community transmission of COVID-19, Lei Zhenglong, an official at the National Health Commission, said on Friday. Shanghai reopened most cinemas on Friday, sticking to a plan of gradual resumption of daily activities after lifting a two-month COVID-19 lockdown in June, while also trying, like several other Chinese cities, to contain resurgent infections.
Kenya, World Health Organization launch emergency hub
The Kenyan government and World Health Organization on Saturday launched a medical emergency hub in Nairobi, the first in a network of African centers they say will hasten responses to regional emergencies. The facility will include a training center, house a cadre of professionals that can respond to a medical emergency within its first 24 hours, and stockpiles of medical equipment.
U.S. FDA grants full approval to Pfizer COVID vaccine for ages 12-15
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday it has granted full approval to Pfizer and BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for adolescents aged between 12 and 15 years. The vaccine, sold under the brand name Comirnaty for adults, has been available under an emergency use authorization since May 2021 for the 12-15 age group. It will now be sold under the same brand name for adolescents as well.
China reports 420 new COVID cases for July 9 vs 455 a day earlier
China reported 420 new COVID-19 infections on July 9, down from 455 a day earlier, according to data published by the National Health Commission on Sunday. The total included 319 asymptomatic infections, which China counts separately, while 76 were imported and the rest local transmissions.
Macau shuts casinos and other businesses to contain the COVID outbreak
Macau will shut almost all commercial and industrial businesses including its casinos for one week from Monday, as authorities race to curb a surge of COVID-19 infections in the world’s biggest gambling hub. Essential services including hotels, supermarkets, and pharmacies will however remain open, city officials said as they announced the measures at a press conference on Saturday.
Abbott says it has reopened the Michigan baby formula plant
Abbott Laboratories has reopened its Sturgis, Michigan baby formula plant, which was shut last month due to heavy rains, a company spokesperson told Reuters on Saturday. Abbott resumed operations on July 1 and has started producing specialty baby formula EleCare.
(With inputs from agencies.)