Germans refusing vaccine brand
Some German citizens are weary of receiving the COVID-19 vaccine produced by AstraZeneca, citing fears that it is “less effective.” According to The New York Times, the preferred vaccine among many Germans is the one that was created by German company BioNTech with Pfizer, in contrast to the British-Swedish AstraZeneca vaccine. This has resulted in a “pileup,” as some citizens question why the vaccine developed by a company from their country is not more readily available to them.
Bahrain authorizes emergency use of new vaccine
Bahrain is the first country to authorize the use of the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Associated Press. Officials did not specify a timeline for the delivery or dispersal of the single-dose vaccine, although the country already has one of the highest vaccination rates and offers several vaccines to its citizens. While this makes Bahrain the first country to authorize this emergency use, the decision is being considered by other countries and was actually administered in South Africa, which used the vaccine while it was still in the testing stage.
Mount Etna erupts in Sicily
Mount Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, has been erupting in recent weeks, creating “spectacular” eruptions and “striking” sights, according to The Guardian. While the explosions are being described as notably high, experts have stated that they do not believe there is any danger associated with this “ordinary” eruption, aside from smoke inhalation and ash coverage.
Australia makes tech giants pay for news
New amendments to Australia’s “News Media Bargaining Code” were passed on Feb. 25, which compels Google and Facebook to pay for news. Rod Sims, the competition regulator who drafted the code, expressed that this amended code’s purpose is to “address the market imbalance between Australian news publishers and the two gateways to the internet,” as stated in the Associated Press. The amendments come after agreements made by Facebook were struck with the Parliament, which in return resulted in the lifting of limitations imposed on Australian users.
Europe’s move towards “vaccine passports”
Leaders of the EU have been working towards an agreement regarding what are to be known as “vaccine passports.” The passports will serve as certifications to prove the holder is vaccinated. Some are pushing for a union-wide umbrella approach rather than individualized policies that vary by country, according to Reuters. Supporters are hoping the passports, all of which are not serving as official documents, improve travel within the coming months, while other countries remain hesitant due to concerns of potential discrimination that may arise if some individuals choose not to be vaccinated.
