COVAX
Mexico metro overpass collapses, killing 23 and injuring dozens
Top of The World: A section of a subway overpass of the Mexico City metro collapsed late Monday night, sending two cars of a passenger train onto traffic. And, US President Joe Biden signed an emergency presidential determination formally raising the country’s cap on refugee admissions from 15,000 to 62,500 this year. Also, COVAX is getting a boost from US biotechnology company Moderna.
Norway’s minister calls on others to follow his country’s lead in sharing COVID-19 vaccines
Just a few months into its rollout, COVAX is now short tens of millions of doses. It has shipped some 50 million vaccines to low- and middle-income countries. It’s a fraction of what it had hoped to get out by now, and an even tinier fraction of what’s actually needed.
Ghana receives first vaccines from COVAX
Top of The World: The United Nations-backed COVAX initiative on Wednesday delivered its first shipment of coronavirus vaccine to the West African nation of Ghana. And, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the US will vie for a seat at the UN Human Rights Council, suggesting a re-prioritization of human rights at the center of US foreign policy. Also, Eyad Al-Gharib, a former Syrian intelligence officer, was convicted by a German court of being accessory to crimes against humanity.
South Africa changes course on vaccine rollout after disappointing study
The government has secured 9 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine instead, which researchers have said is effective against moderate and severe forms of the coronavirus new variants. They have also secured millions more from the global COVAX and Pfizer.