TheCable

CDC: We’ll accept mixed doses of COVID vaccines from international travellers

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it will accept mixed-dose of COVID vaccines from international travellers.

“While CDC has not recommended mixing types of the vaccine in a primary series, we recognise that this is increasingly common in other countries so should be accepted for the interpretation of vaccine records,” a CDC spokeswoman was quoted as saying.

The development comes days after CDC said it would accept any vaccine authorised for use by US regulators or the World Health Organization.

Meanwhile, the US government says it will lift COVID-19 travel restrictions for fully vaccinated international travellers from November 8.

FG: Fully vaccinated travellers entering Nigeria must present negative COVID test results

The federal government has directed that fully vaccinated persons entering the country must present negative results of COVID tests taken before arrival in Nigeria.

Boss Mustapha, secretary to the government of the federation (SGF) and chairman of the presidential steering committee (PSC) on COVID-19, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

The development comes days after the United Kingdom relaxed travel restrictions for Nigerians who have been fully vaccinated.

The UK government had said fully vaccinated travellers from Nigeria will be able to visit the UK without presenting pre-departure test results, undertaking a day eight test or self-isolating for 10 days.

According to Mustapha, fully vaccinated travellers entering Nigeria must show negative COVID test results obtained not more than 72 hours before boarding.

US FDA panel endorses second shot of J&J COVID vaccine

A panel of advisers to the US Food and Drug Administration has recommended a second shot of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine for people who received the first dose.

The FDA’s vaccines and related biological products advisory committee backed the second shots for 18 years and above at least two months after their first dose.

Philippines starts COVID vaccinations for 12 to 17-year-old

On Friday, the Philippines commenced a vaccination campaign for young people between ages 12-17. The government hopes it will ensure the safe reopening of schools.

According to a report by UNICEF, the Philippines is among the countries that kept schools closed the longest amid the pandemic. This, the UN agency said, has “created a shadow crisis for children”.

Nigeria records 167 cases

Nigeria has recorded 167 new cases of COVID-19 in 9 states and the federal capital territory (FCT).

The Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) confirmed this in its update for October 15.

The states that recorded new infections include Rivers (68), FCT (43), Lagos (24), Plateau (10), Niger (8), Edo (5), Kano (4), Benue (2), Oyo (2) and Delta (1).

The agency said 99 persons were discharged on Friday after recovering from the virus while two persons died from the infection.

So far, 208,797 cases have been confirmed, 196,425 cases have been discharged and 2,769 deaths have been recorded in 36 states and the FCT.