• The US death toll from COVID-19 exceeds 800,000. During 2021, more than 450,000 people – a majority of whom were unvaccinated – died, despite vaccines becoming available at no charge. Source
• Researchers at the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong report that the Pfizer/BioNTech coronavirus vaccine is 32 times less effective against infection with the Omicron variant, after testing immune responses to it in blood samples from 10 people drawn a month after their second vaccine dose- when protection is at its height. Nonetheless, the vaccine remains likely to prevent severe illness and death from COVID-19. Source
• In Austria, where 69 percent of the population has been fully vaccinated, lockdown has ended – for vaccinated people. Those who refuse to be vaccinated will need a negative coronavirus test every two days to leave home only for work, essential shopping and exercise. Source
• Coronavirus cases in Russia surpass 10 million. Source
• As cases of Omicron soar in South Africa, the country’s fully vaccinated president, Cyril Ramaphosa tests positive for SARS-CoV-2. Source
• UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson announces that the country is accelerating its booster program, aiming to offer a third dose of coronavirus vaccine to all eligible adults by the end of 2021, saying “No one should be in any doubt: There is a tidal wave of Omicron coming…and I’m afraid it is now clear that two doses of vaccine are simply not enough to give the level of protection we all need.” Source