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The dose of Oxford University / AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine will be displayed from its box on January 2nd, 2021 at the Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, UK.

Gareth Fuller | Reuters

Drug maker AstraZeneca is making efforts to adapt its Covid-19 vaccine in light of new variants of the virus. The process is becoming more urgent after a small study found it less effective at protecting against the more virulent strain discovered in South Africa.

The country said it will end the use of the shot in its vaccination program after a study published on Sunday that has not yet been peer-reviewed found the vaccine offered “minimal protection” against mild to moderate illnesses caused by the South African variant will.

Researchers from the University of Witwatersrand and others in South Africa, as well as the University of Oxford, found the study was small, with only about 2,000 volunteers, with a mean age of 31. Oxford University said: “Protection from moderate to severe illness, hospitalization or death could not be assessed in this study because the target group was exposed to such a low risk.”

The vaccine manufacturers had already started developing second-generation Covid vaccines, which will target new variants of the virus. Experts say it shouldn’t be too difficult to tweak existing vaccines to cover mutations, and that they could be adjusted within six weeks.

Sarah Gilbert, professor of vaccinology at Oxford University who developed the vaccine with AstraZeneca, said Sunday that “efforts are being made to develop a new generation of vaccines that will allow protection on new variants as booster jabs redirect if this is the case. ” it turns out that it is necessary to do so. “

“We are working with AstraZeneca to optimize the pipeline that would be required for a strain change should one become necessary. This is the same problem all vaccine developers face and we will continue to monitor the emergence of new variants that arise in the readiness for a future change of burden.

The variant, officially known as the B.1.351 mutation, was first detected in South Africa in October 2020 and has since become dominant in the country.

Several cases have also been found elsewhere of health officials making efforts to stop the spread of the mutation, which has been found to be more contagious. There were already concerns that this variant might be more resistant to coronavirus vaccines developed last year.

With the use of the AstraZeneca-Oxford University jab stopped, the South African government will instead offer vaccines made by Johnson & Johnson and Pfizer.

In late January, Johnson & Johnson reported that its single-dose shot was 57% effective in one of its clinical trials in South Africa, where almost all Covid-19 cases (95%) were due to variant B infection. 1,351 descent. For comparison, the vaccine was found to be 72% effective in the US arm of the study.

Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna have both reported early signs that their vaccinations offer protection against new known variants of the virus found in South Africa and the UK

On Friday, Oxford University released details of a separate study showing the vaccine was effective against a variant of the virus that was first discovered in south-east England and has now become the dominant strain in the UK

Andrew Pollard, professor of pediatric infection and immunity and lead investigator of the Oxford vaccine study, said data from studies of its vaccine in the UK “shows that the vaccine protects not only against the original pandemic virus, but also against the novel variant B.1.1 .7, which caused the rise in disease across the UK from late 2020. “

Travelers may have read that now is the “perfect time” to visit Tahiti, but they will be surprised to find it – and the rest of French Polynesia – suddenly closed to them.

As vaccinations open the borders to some countries, Covid mutations cause others to be closed. The volatility of the current stage of the pandemic is a reminder to travel-hungry vacationers that the risks of travel currently extend beyond the signing of Covid-19.

On January 29, the French government suspended tourism to its overseas territories and collectivities, including French Polynesia in the South Pacific, Saint Martin in the Caribbean, and Saint Pierre and Miquelon in eastern Canada.

According to the country’s government services website, as of February 3, only visitors with “compelling reasons” for work, health, personal or family reasons will be allowed to visit French Polynesia. Those who can attend will be subject to a 14-day quarantine.

The sudden restrictions that are part of France’s wider effort to tighten its borders are the result of new variants of Covid emerging around the world.

Variants have a massive impact on the world

The decision to close the borders of French Polynesia was “motivated by a commitment to preventive health in the face of the threat of variants of Covid that are gradually and massively affecting our planet,” according to a press release on Tahiti’s tourism website.

French Polynesia is home to the popular islands of Tahiti and Bora Bora.

M Swiet Productions | Moment | Getty Images

The most important points were summarized in a press release by the French Polynesian President Edouard Fritch. This press release states: “In the face of this new wave of the pandemic, we must once again take our responsibilities. We must protect ourselves to save the lives of the most vulnerable.” “”

Although thousands of variants of Covid have been identified, new strains first identified in South Africa, Brazil and the UK are more transmissible than previous ones.

Concerns that current vaccines may be less effective against them have dampened the excitement surrounding the global vaccine rollout, which began in December 2020. On Sunday, South Africa stopped issuing the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine after clinical studies showed it did not protect study participants from getting mild to moderately ill from the contagious variant found there.

“Safe” travel in a pandemic

French Polynesia announced the suspension of tourism the same day a travel article in Men’s Journal said, “Now is the perfect time to visit Tahiti.” History has it that Tahiti, the largest and most developed of the country’s 118 islands and atolls, is “safe” and “empty” of tourists.

We will not achieve a really reduced risk of travel until we have achieved herd immunity.

Harry Severance

Duke University School of Medicine

French Polynesia, home to around 280,000 people, has confirmed more than 18,000 cases of Covid-19 to date, including 333 new cases in the past two weeks. While infection rates have declined since last November when 1,384 cases were confirmed in a single day, French Polynesia is still battling active outbreaks that began after quarantine requirements for incoming visitors ended last July.

Travelers also need to avoid infections at airports to get there. In the case of Tahiti, travel can include long-haul flights ranging from 8.5 hours from San Francisco and Sydney to 16.5 hours from New York and almost a full day of flying from London.

“We are not really going to achieve reduced risk of travel until we reach herd immunity,” said Harry Severance, an associate professor at Duke University School of Medicine.

Until then, it would be safest for travelers to travel under a “two-factor system,” which includes vaccination in conjunction with a recent negative Covid antigen test.

“That’s not 100% either, but it will be close,” he said.

Another risk: sudden cancellations

Severance said that due to “Covid fatigue” – or the mental burnout caused by concern about and limitation from Covid-19 – People “are demonstrating that they are ready to take an increased risk and are increasingly traveling for vacations, family reunions and other such ventures.”

Because of this, travelers may have to face the potential for sudden cancellations, which can be done with little to no warning. Tahiti Tourisme announced the suspension of tourists to French Polynesia on February 1st. The restrictions took effect on February 3rd.

“We are still in a pandemic and conditions are unpredictable and can change quickly,” said Karen L. Edwards, chairwoman of the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at the University of California’s Irvine School of Medicine.

Travelers to French Polynesia scheduled to return last week were able to end their stay as planned. In addition, Tahiti Tourisme advised travelers “to contact your airline”.

French Polynesia said it would ask that the French government not impose the closure for more than two months.

A February 2 letter from Nils DuFau, President of the St. Barts Tourism Authority, was clearer.

“The St. Barts authorities are currently negotiating with the French government to ease entry restrictions and find an alternative solution,” he wrote. “Our goal is to reopen the island’s borders as soon as possible.”

The temptation of “empty” tourist destinations

The pandemic largely resolved an age-old travel complaint – overcrowding. Famous tourist attractions and popular destinations welcome far fewer travelers – a fact that is now cited as a reason to visit.

The shutdown of tourists to French Polynesia and other French territories is expected to take two to three months.

Image source | Image source | Getty Images

This argument was made to support visits to Walt Disney World, New York’s Little Italy neighborhood, and northern California’s famous wine regions at various points in the pandemic.

Last August, at least one blog gave six reasons to go to Disney World and one reason to wait. The only reason? The global pandemic. However, there is no guarantee of how many people will show up on a given date or whether those who do create social distance.

“Current social distancing practices greatly reduce the risk of spread, but they are imperfect,” Severance said. “I regularly see errors and failures in these practices.”

South Korean automakers Hyundai Motor and Kia Motors said Monday they were not in talks with Apple to develop an autonomous vehicle.

Hyundai Motor shares fell 4.41% on Monday in South Korea, while Kia Motors shares fell 12%. Other subsidiaries such as Hyundai Wia, Hyundai Mobis and Hyundai Glovis also fell sharply.

“Hyundai Motor is receiving requests from several companies to collaborate on the joint development of autonomous electric vehicles, but nothing has been decided as it is in the early stages,” the company said, according to a CNBC translation of a regulatory filing.

“Hyundai Motor is not in talks with Apple about autonomous vehicle development,” he added.

Subsidiary Kia Motors, the second largest automobile manufacturer in South Korea after Hyundai, submitted a similar report. The company is currently evaluating the prospect of working with “multiple companies overseas” on autonomous electric vehicles, but nothing has been decided yet.

Kia Motors also said it was not in talks with Apple.

Hyundai initially said it was in early talks with Apple last month, but later revised the statement and made no mention of the iPhone maker. This led to a surge in the shares of Hyundai and its affiliates, including Kia Motors, at the time.

This month, CNBC reported that Apple is on the verge of signing a deal with Hyundai-Kia to manufacture an Apple-branded autonomous electric vehicle at the Kia assembly plant in West Point, Georgia. Sources told CNBC’s Phil LeBeau that an agreement has not yet been reached and that Apple may ultimately decide to work separately or in addition to Hyundai with another automaker.

Stocks can keep falling

According to Sung Yop Chung, private investors have had Hyundai Motor and Kia shares valued at approximately 915.7 billion won (817 million US dollars) and 798.8 billion, respectively, since January 8th speculation about a possible collaboration with Apple Won (around $ 713 million). Regional Head of Automobiles and Components at Daiwa Capital Markets.

“After the negative sentiment from both (Hyundai Motor) and Kia’s filing this morning highlighting that there is currently no EV collaboration with Apple, worst case scenario suggests Kia’s shares could correct up to 31%” he told CNBC’s Chery Kang.

Apple is known for putting a lot of emphasis on secrecy, but news of a possible collaboration with Hyundai was still spreading by the local and international press, Chung told CNBC’s Street Signs Asia on Monday. “I think Apple probably wasn’t happy about that.”

“From Hyundai’s point of view and Kia’s point of view, there could have been a conflict of interest,” he said. “They don’t really want to just sub-contract Apple. I think they wanted to take advantage of Apple’s strong software capabilities.”

Chung stated that it was still possible for either side to re-examine the deal at a later date, as Hyundai said in its regulatory filing that it was in talks with several companies.

“I wouldn’t say this is the end, I would say it is a temporary standstill if you like the negotiations between the two groups,” he said.

Speculation about Apple’s entry into the auto business has been rife for several years, but nothing specific has occurred.

Some Wall Street analysts see the automotive industry as a new market for Apple to grow into, but others caution against the reality of making an Apple-branded car as it could potentially mean high investments for low margins.

– CNBC’s Chery Kang contributed to this report.

Healthcare workers administer Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccines at a vaccination site in a church in the Bronx, New York on Friday, February 5, 2021.

Angus Mordant | Bloomberg | Getty Images

President Joe Biden will not commit to achieving herd immunity to the coronavirus in the US by the end of the summer, which points to a long road ahead in combating the deadly virus.

“The idea that this can be done and that we can get herd immunity much before the end of this summer is very difficult,” the Democrat said in an interview that aired on CBS the Sunday before the Super Bowl.

The comment came in response to nudge from journalist Norah O’Donnell, who said that at the current rate of approximately 1.3 million doses administered per day, it would take nearly a year to vaccinate enough Americans to establish herd immunity to reach.

The White House has set a goal of at least 100 million doses in Biden’s first 100 days, although the pace of vaccinations is currently faster. Biden appeared to hit his target late last month by saying he believed the US could deliver up to 1.5 million doses a day.

Biden’s cautious remarks are in line with warnings from scientists and public health officials as well as his earlier statements. They mark a reversal of the approach taken by Biden’s predecessor, former President Donald Trump, who often claimed that the end of the pandemic was just around the corner.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country’s leading epidemiologist, said that at least 75% of the public would need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 to achieve herd immunity. He predicted a return to normal next fall.

Biden also said during the interview that he is exploring new ways to vaccinate more Americans faster.

He said he supported a proposal by the National Football League to use its 30 stadiums as mass vaccination centers, but did not stick to the plan.

“I’m telling my team they’re available and I think we’ll be using them,” said Biden.

The virus has killed more than 460,000 people and infected nearly 27 million in the United States.

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