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Coronavirus – Fifth wave: towards new restrictions in France for the Holidays?

While the coronavirus case toll is sharply increasing in France, the government could be gathering for a new defense council this Friday December 17, 2021. Shall new restrictions be expected?

Covid: a booster shot 3 months past the latest injection “safe and effective”, the EMA says

This Thursday, the European Medicines Agency announced booster shots can be given in a “safe and effective” fashion only three months past the latest injection.

Coronavirus: the Haute Autorité de Santé does not approve emergency marketing of molnupiravir

The Haute Autorité de Santé announced - in a report issued on December 10 - they do not approve the emergency use of molnupiravir (Lafevrio) to prevent coronavirus infection. The issue goes against what the European Medicines Agency announced this past November 19, namely approving the emergency use of the drug in case of emergency.

Omicron: “partial decrease in the vaccine” effectiveness, but “results need confirmation”

According to Pr. Anne-Claud Crémeiux, vaccines are partially less effective against the new Omicron variant, a study found.

Covid: Omicron variant spotted in Europe as soon as November 19th

The Dutch health authorities claim they have spotted the Omicron variant in a test collected this past November 19th, namely over 10 days ago and before the first reports in South Africa.

Covid: an Institut Pasteur study reminds the importance of room-airing and facemask-wearing

An Institut Pasteur study published in The Lancet magazine reminds the importance of room-airing and facemask-wearing as France is hit by a fifth Covid wave.

Covid: because of the Delta variant, vaccines reduced transmission dropped to 40%, WHO claimed

This Wednesday November 24, World Health Organization director general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus claimed that because of the Delta variant, vaccines reduced transmission dropped to 40%.

Covid: Paris reaches the “maximal alert” threshold of 250 cases for 100,000 inhabitants

The “maximal alert” threshold of 250 cases for 100,000 inhabitants has now been reached in Paris becoming then the hardest-hit department in Île-de-France and the eighth in France.

Covid: Kevzara (sarilumab) underperforming as a therapy, according to an AP-HP study

According to an AP-HP study issued this November 23, 2021, Kevzara (sarilumab) - a potential cure to Covid - does not seem to have delivered conclusive results as for its effectiveness to avoid deaths after hospitalization. The study confirms results of the clinical trial led by Sanofi who announced in September 2020 they were ending their clinical trial after results of this study were inconclusive.

Covid: infectious disease specialist Gilles Pialoux reassuring in the face of this 5th wave starting “at lightning speed”

Interviewed by France Info, infectious disease specialist Gilles Pialoux intends to sound reassuring in the face of this 5th wave starting “at lightning speed” according to Gabriel Attal. According to the professor, “France maintains the distance between the increase in new cases and the increase in hospital admissions”.

Covid – AstraZeneca: conclusive results for their antibody therapy under rolling review

This Thursday November 18, 2021, AstraZeneca laboratory revealed successful clinical trials for their antibody-based Covid therapy. This therapy is said to cut risks of developing severe disease by 67%. Here is more on the matter!

Covid: “The fifth wave has been probably around since mid-October”, according to J-F Delfraissy

Interview by France Inter this Wednesday October 17, the Head of the Scientific Committee considers the “fifth wave has been probably around since mid-October”.

Covid: what if the cure to the disease was in our genes?

And what if the cure to Covid was in our genes? This is the bet made by professor Jean-Claude Casanova from the Necker hospital in Paris and his team of international scientists. The idea: finding the gene or genes enabling to fight against the disease.

Covid: Valneva's vaccine already pre-ordered by the European Union

The European Union announced they have already pre-ordered doses of French Austrian Valneva's Covid vaccine, currently under rolling review by the European Medicines Agency. The vaccine has delivered "positive topline results" this past October.

Covid: the French government confirms Moderna’s vaccine is halted for people under 30

France follows Sweden and no longer recommends to use Moderna’s vaccine in people under 30, following a report from the Haute Autorité de Santé. And for good reason, an increase risk of myocarditis and pericarditis. The French government followed the health authorities’ recommendation and now halts the use of the vaccine for the youngest.

Covid: self-tests under medical supervision valid again for the health pass

While the government announced self-tests were no longer valid to get a health pass past October 15, the Council of State has invalidated this decision and acknowledges again the validity of self-tests under medical supervision to get a health pass.