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Nigeria recorded eight COVID-19 cases on Wednesday. Here are five updates about the pandemic this Thursday. 

Costa Rica rejects Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine over efficacy concerns

Costa Rica has rejected the Sinovac Biotech COVID-19 vaccine produced in China.

According to Reuters, Costa Rica health authorities said on Wednesday that after examining the available clinical studies they decided to reject the delivery of the vaccine for the time being, adding that it was not effective enough.

However, Uruguay real-world data released earlier this month showed that Sinovac vaccine was over 90 percent effective in preventing intensive care admissions and deaths.

Russia rules out mandatory COVID-19 vaccination

Dmitry Peskov, Kremlin spokesman, says COVID-19 vaccination in Russia is not mandatory and the authorities have no plan to force citizens to get the injection.

Russian consumer rights watchdog had said companies in Moscow and the Moscow region were asked to vaccinate 60 percent of employees.

But fielding questions on the compulsory vaccination, Peskov said: “As before, the vaccination is not compulsory, this issue is off the table.”

US state begins ‘marijuana for jabs’ campaign to boost COVID vaccination

In a bid to encourage vaccination against COVID-19, free pre-rolled marijuana joints were offered to residents who have received the vaccine by the state of Washington, United states.

Officials of the Washington state Liquor and Cannabis board (LCB), said they had “received multiple requests from cannabis retail licensees to engage in promotions to support state vaccination efforts”.

The board on June 7, therefore, gave state licensed cannabis retailers permission to offer free ‘weed’ to “adult consumers who receive a vaccination at an in-store vaccination clinic”.

Nigeria records eight infections 

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) recored eight new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday across two states and the federal capital territory (FCT).

The latest update shows that 45 patients were discharged on Wednesday – highest recorded since the start of the week.

The NCDC said: “Today’s report includes zero cases from Imo, Kaduna, Kano, Nasarawa and Sokoto states.”

The states that recorded new infections are Rivers (4), FCT (3), and Kwara (1), which sums up to a total of 167,103 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 163,528 recoveries across the 36 states and FCT.

The agency said no death was recorded – for the twelfth day – leaving the fatality toll at 2,117.

Australia restricts use of AstraZeneca COVID vaccine to people over 60

Greg Hunt, Australia health minister, on Thursday said the country will recommend the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine to only people over 60, following cases of blood clots in those who have received the jab.

“The government places safety above all else,” Hunt said.

“This updated advice received today is based on new evidence demonstrating a higher risk for the very rare (thrombocytopenia syndrome) condition in the 50 to 59-year-old age group.”

COVID-19 IN NIGERIA