Covid Vaccine News, Information and Updates

<p>This is Vaccine 411, the latest coronavirus vaccine info for April 16th, 2021.</p><p><br></p><p>The World Health Organization says Europe has surpassed 1 million deaths from COVID-19 and the situation remains “serious.” About 1.6 million new cases are reported each week. The good news, if it can be called that, is the proportion of deaths for people over 80 has dropped nearly 30%, a sign the vaccines will work in the 53-nation region.&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>A hold on use of Johnson &amp; Johnson’s Covid-19 vaccine in the U.S. could stretch out for several weeks, according to the head of an advisory panel that will make the recommendation on whether shots should resume. Critics say the hold is unnecessarily creating more vaccine hesitancy, which is the last thing that’s needed right now.</p><p><br></p><p>Israel’s Health Minister said yesterday that starting Sunday, Israelis will no longer be required to wear masks outside. They’ll still be required in closed public spaces. That country has carried out the world’s fastest per capita vaccination drive and over half the population is fully inoculated. The result, daily new cases and serious cases have dropped to levels not seen in months.</p><p><br></p><p>A very different story in Brazil as hospitals run dangerously short of sedatives and other crucial medications. The average daily death toll has risen above 3,000, the highest in the world. Brazil's health crisis is being described as a "humanitarian catastrophe" by Doctors Without Borders. They are also alarmed at the number of young babies lost to the coronavirus, an estimated 1,300.</p><p><br></p><p>If you think it’s hard getting people to take one or two vaccination shots, try three. The CEO of Pfizer said people are likely to need a third dose within a year of getting fully vaccinated. After that, shots may be needed annually, like the flu shot. Right now, they think protection lasts anywhere from six months to a year.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p><br></p><p>In the United States cases were up 11%, deaths are down 19%,