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Day: 20 December 2021

What is the new Novavax vaccine?

by: Cassandra Tanti
20/12/2021

The EU has given the green light to the Novavax Covid vaccine, making it the fifth vaccine authorised for use across the bloc.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) made the announcement on Monday, paving the way for Novavax to be offered throughout the European Union alongside Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca/Oxford, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson.
Novavax uses a more conventional technology than those used for other vaccines already in use, similar to that used in the decades-old hepatitis B vaccine, and it does not need to be stored at ultra-low temperatures.
Stanley C. Erck, CEO of Novavax, says his company’s vaccine “could help overcome key barriers to global vaccination, including the challenges of global distribution and vaccine hesitancy”.
The so-called protein “subunit” vaccine contains purified fragments of the pathogen which then trigger an immune response.
Pfizer and Moderna’s vaccines are messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines, an innovative technology that injects strands of genetic instructions into the body that tell the patient’s cells what to make to fight the disease.
AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson use viral vector technology which uses a very common type of virus called adenovirus that has been modified to carry genetic information in the body to fight Covid.
Rare but serious side effects of heart inflammation have been reported with the mRNA vaccines and blood clots with the virus vector vaccines.
Results from Novavax clinical trials have shown 90.4% efficacy against Covid, and 100% efficacy against severe to moderate cases.
The company also said it was evaluating its vaccine against the Omicron variant and working on a version specific to it.
The European Commission has already signed a contract with Novavax for the advance purchase of 200 million doses.
Japan, Indonesia and the Philippines have also approved the Novavax jab, while the company says it has filed for approval in Britain, India, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and with the World Health Organisation.
 
Photo by Braňo on Unsplash
 
 

Rosberg’s Extreme E team beats Hamilton’s to take champion title

by: Luke Entwistle
20/12/2021

Nico Rosberg’s e-rally team RXR became the inaugural Extreme E champions after securing fourth place in Sunday’s race on the Jurassic Coast in Dorset.
Lewis Hamilton’s X44 team took the victory on the British coast, leaving them level on points with RXR. But with more victories over the course of the season, Sunday’s fourth-place finish was enough to narrowly clinch victory.
RXR drivers Molly Taylor and Johan Kristoffersson qualified for Sunday’s final with ease, finishing first on a rain-drenched circuit.
The pair, however, couldn’t rival the pace shown by X44, with nine-time rally champion Sebastien Loeb and Critina Gutierrez powering the team to victory. RXR began the race well, getting a good launch and finding themselves on the tail of the X44 team. But they soon began to fall down the field, ultimately finishing outside of the podium places.
The fourth-place finish meant that RXR and X44 both finished on 155 points, but having won three out of the five races this season, it was Rosberg’s team who took home the title. Hamilton and Rosberg once again proved almost inseparable during this series, just as the pair were on-track during their time as teammates at Mercedes.
The inaugural season of Extreme E has been an overwhelming success. The series has provided some exhilarating on track action and Rosberg was full of praise for his drivers, saying after the race: “We are so delighted to be crowned the inaugural Extreme E Champions and I am really proud of the entire RXR team.” The Monaco resident added, “The team has worked so hard all season and performed consistently, racing in some of the world’s most remote locations. To be champions is such an honour.”
However, as Rosberg pointed out post-race, there is an off-track race that also needs to be won: “We’re racing to save the planet.”
The high-quality on-track racing has lifted the profile of the series, in turn highlighting the importance of sustainability both in sport, and in society more widely. Extreme E has therefore succeeded in its mission to raise the profile of environmental issues in sport, a cause it will continue to fight for in the 2022 season, which is due to begin in Saudi Arabia in February.
 
 
Photo source: Extreme E
 
 

Covid death tolls reaches 37 in Principality

by: Stephanie Horsman
20/12/2021

The announcement of the passing of a 97-year-old Monaco resident on Sunday brings the total death toll in the Principality to 37. Meanwhile, the number of ICU patients is on the rise.

The relentless Covid virus continues its march, adding an additional 20 cases on Sunday to the 120 from the previous two days and clocking up another death.

A 97-year-old resident who was confirmed to have tested positive for Covid has died, bringing the total number of those who have succumbed to the disease to 37.

The government is using this time as a reminder to all to get vaccinated, as the jab offers the most effective solution to protect oneself and others from the worst effects of the virus, thus preventing hospitalisations and deaths. The vaccination centre is taking all those eligible for first or second doses and, since 9th November, those over 18 are able to get their booster as well.

As of Sunday, the total number of residents who have contracted the virus since the beginning of the pandemic stands at 4,406. There are currently 18 patients being treated at the Princess Grace Hospital for Covid. Twelve people, six residents included, are in hospital, whilst six more, including two residents are in intensive care (ICU), a high number for Monaco.

Another benchmark of the seriousness of this latest wave is the current number of patients being looked after by the Home Monitoring Centre, which medically supports those who have contracted a milder form of the virus and are able to remain at home. There are 260 people being followed by the centre.

28 more people have recovered fully, bringing that number to 4,073.

The Alpes-Maritimes region

The Omicron variant, which is quickly becoming the dominant strain of Covid in France and Monaco, is a fast spreader, but so far has shown itself to be a milder form of the disease in many, but not all, people. Thus, two doses of the jab are encouraged to prevent severe disease, with boosters playing a large role in keeping the already inoculated healthier.

Monaco’s vaccination rate stands at about 65%, with almost 50,000 doses having been administered. By contrast, the Alpes-Maritimes region has 74.6% of its population double vaxed.

According to the latest French figures, 30.4% of the population in France have also received their booster shot.

 
 
 

Monaco progresses in Coupe de France

by: Luke Entwistle
20/12/2021

AS Monaco avoided a potential banana skin as they eased to a 2-0 victory against Red Star in Paris. The result sees them progress to the round of 32, where they will face Quevilly-Rouen.
Pre-match, Nico Kovac had billed Sunday’s tie as a David and Goliath battle. Given the contrasting stature of the two clubs, the comparison was apt, although the latest instalment threw up an alternative ending.
Red Star had their chance to sling their shot and slay the great beast early on, but whereas David’s shot landed, Micheal Nilor’s attempt unmarked from five yards out couldn’t beat Radoslaw Majecki. The Polish international goalkeeper made the most of a rare start and expertly stuck out a leg to prevent his side going behind.
Minutes later, Red Star were made to pay for that glaring miss. Ironically, it was the diminutive figure of Wissam Ben Yedder, in his 100th game for the club, who put Monaco ahead. The French international capitalised on a defensive error before taking on a defender and slotting calmly past the Red star goalkeeper.
During the half-time interview, Eliot Matazo warned against complacency, stating, “We need to start the second-half well.” The rest of the team heeded his words as there was no let-up in the side’s intensity, only some poor finishing preventing Monaco from extending their lead.
Sofiane Diop, brought on for Aleksandr Golovin at half-time, chipped the Red Star goalkeeper, but his attempt bounced just wide of the post. Minutes later, Myron Boadu, who was a willing runner throughout, should have scored from close range, but couldn’t get his shot away quickly enough.
Monaco got a wake-up call mid-way through the second-half, as a looping Red Star header beat Majecki, with only the crossbar preventing the Parisian side from levelling.
The game was put beyond the minnows just minutes later as an incisive Matazo pass fed Ben Yedder, who confidently finished for his second of the day.
Both sides had the chance to add to the scoreline, but it remained 2-0, a result which sees Monaco progress to the next round of the Coupe de France, where they will face Ligue 2 side Quevilly-Rouen.
Post-match, Kovac praised his side’s mentality, saying, “My players were very serious. It is the attitude that you have to show when you face a third division side, if you want to avoid a faux pas.”
In their final match before a short Christmas break, Monaco face Rennes at the Stade Louis II on Wednesday, where a victory could lift them into the European places.

 
SEE ALSO:

ASM v Red Star preview: A David and Goliath tie

 
 
Photo source: AS Monaco
 
 
 

“Migrants are real agents of social change”

by: Stephanie Horsman
20/12/2021

Cultural diplomat Prince Nereides Antonio Giamundo de Bourbon has inaugurated a new initiative called the NDB Opera project, a humanitarian endeavour aimed at educating and employing immigrants.

The tide of migrants flooding into Europe has been a hot topic all year, and one not without serious controversy. The immigration and refugee explosion has left large numbers of people alone in host countries, without financial or familial support and fear of the future. These migrants face xenophobia, stigma, racism and even violence, particularly against women.

One person, Prince Nereides Antonio Giamundo de Bourbon, has looked at the issue in a different light and rather than trying to figure out ways to send them back, live furtively under the radar of the law, or let them continue to live in horrible tent city conditions, has created a project to help bring about jobs and security for immigrants.

His plan, dubbed the NDB Opera project, is to offer education programmes and work experiences in several host countries, allowing qualified candidates to legally and safely leave their countries of origin for jobs needed in Europe. The packages are extensive and include free training before and after arriving in their host countries, accommodation, language training to a B1 level, cultural and civic education training and tailor-made vocational training aimed at obtaining or converting professional diplomas or certificates required for the exercise of specialised work abroad.

Prince Nereides believes it will lead to the “adoption of well-managed migration policies”, resulting in lower costs to hosts and increased contributions by refugees or immigrants.

The project was created and funded by Prince Nereides, who is also founder and president of the holding companies Nereides de Bourbon Group and the Nereides Club-International Cultural Diplomatic Corporation.

NDB Opera is also supported by a group of United Nations members associated with the Prince’s diplomatic club and who guarantee the compliance of all its partners with the international directives of the UN on the theme of immigration and respect for human rights including access to education, mobilisation and employment.

On 18th December the United Nations commemorated the adoption in 1990 of the International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families, but little headway has been made on this issue. Only 45 countries to date have signed on.

“For 31 years, France, its European partners and most of the most industrialised immigration countries on the planet have evaded ratification. Yet the defence of human rights has a universal scope and therefore cannot exclude migrants. In addition, migration and development are linked. In advanced and emerging economies, migration plays an essential role in the socio-economic development of host countries, including addressing labour market shortages at all skill levels,” said Prince Nereides.

“Migration has predominantly positive effects, both for the countries of origin and for the host countries,” he goes on to explain. “Migrants make investments and trade that stimulate job creation and improve the balance of payments situation. As workers, entrepreneurs, or investors they bring skills, jobs and capital. Migrants are real engines, agents of social change. Those who return home also enrich their communities with new skills and contribute, along with their networks, to economic growth. Remittances from migrants help reduce poverty and improve access to education and health care in particular. Often migrants bring more to host countries than they receive in return.”

The selection process for the first two thousand candidates has already been completed and the nominees are expected to begin training and employment as early as this month.

 
 
Photo of Prince Nereides Antonio Giamundo de Bourbon provided