Preliminary reports in a recent study indicate the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine could be effective against the new strain of the virus first discovered in the UK. The new strain which is known as B.1.1.7 is said to be deadlier and more transmittable than the old one. This has led to concerns about the effectiveness of existing vaccines against it, especially as the vaccines were developed in the UK. The researchers said 16 participants aged between...

The world is facing a severe shortage of vaccines against Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19), leading to inequalities among a number of countries in terms of access to the vaccines. The World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative to Russia, Melita Vujnovic, made the disclosure on Wednesday. “Of course, the shortage of COVID-19 vaccines across the world is large … the vaccines are available in high-income countries, which leads to serious inequalities,” Vujnovic said live on the Rossiya 24...

Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa has tested positive for the coronavirus just two weeks before the election of a new head of state. The 72-year-old politician from the Conservative Social Democratic Party (PSD) is running for re-election. He is not suffering from any symptoms, but the infection is disrupting the election campaign, the Lusa news agency reported on Tuesday. The re-election of the president in the vote on Jan. 24, is considered likely. Of...