New halts for the AstraZeneca vaccine

Germany, France and Italy became the latest countries to suspend the Covid-19 vaccine from Oxford-AstraZeneca, citing reports of unusual blood clotting problems among a few people who recently received the shots in Norway. Denmark, Iceland, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Indonesia and the Netherlands have also suspended AstraZeneca vaccinations.

Germany’s health ministry cited the advice of the national health regulator in its decision to suspend the vaccine, though global health officials have cautioned that millions of people have received it without any problems. So far, there is no evidence of a causal link between clotting and the vaccine, with investigations from the European Medicines Agency and other regulators still underway.

By contrast, Thailand said that it would resume distribution of the AstraZeneca vaccine on Tuesday, with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha among the first to receive it.

Third wave: Europe is facing a third wave of infections, with Italy imposing strict new restrictions and France considering doing the same. Hungary’s prime minister predicted hospitals this week would be at their most overwhelmed since the start of the pandemic. The spread of coronavirus variants and slow vaccination rates are among the likely factors.

Here are the latest updates and maps of the pandemic.

In other developments:

China’s ability to mass-produce and distribute vaccines has reshaped its relations with Latin American nations devastated by the pandemic.
A survey of nearly 50,000 people in eight countries found that 40 percent of respondents ages 18 to 24 reported feeling sadness, distress or hopelessness during the pandemic.
Hundreds of people in Miami for spring break have been arrested after flouting Covid-19 protocols.
The New York Times