Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:France Eases Restrictions France loosens some of the restrictions imposed to curb the latest COVID-19 surge, including the need to wear face masks outdoors, as daily cases decline.Finland To End Curbs Crowd limits at cultural and sports events will be lifted in Finland from 14 February, the prime minister says, with most remaining coronavirus controls to end on 1 March.Switzerland Sees Endemic Phase Switzerl

Refusal or reluctance to have a COVID-19 vaccine may be linked to traumatic events in childhood, such as parents separating, neglect, or physical, verbal and sexual abuse, new research suggests.Those who suffer in childhood are also least likely to trust official National Health Service (NHS) coronavirus information, follow the rules of restrictions or wear masks during the pandemic, public health experts found.Two years after the virus first reached the United Kingdom (UK) and a year after v

People are suffering from “pandemic fatigue”. It has been a long two years and most of us have had to endure harsh and often unpredictable restrictions on our daily lives. Millions of people have died, livelihoods have been lost and economies have suffered. So, it is understandable that many would cling to any hope that the COVID-19 pandemic is coming to an end.

Pfizer and BioNTech will soon ask United States (US) regulators for emergency authorization for a COVID-19 vaccine for children under age five, US media reported Tuesday.This is the last age group in the US that is not yet eligible for coronavirus shots.As early as Tuesday, the companies could seek emergency authorization for a two-dose vaccination regimen for children under five and as young as six months, The New York Times and other news outlets said.The move comes as the Omicron variant w

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:'Too Early' To Cry Victory World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warns that it is too early for countries to either declare victory over COVID-19 or give up attempts to halt transmission.Denmark Goes Back To Normal Denmark becomes the first European Union (EU) country to lift all of its COVID restrictions despite record numbers of cases, relying on its high vaccination rate to cop

Exactly one year ago, Myanmar's military seized power on 1 February, ousting the civilian government and arresting its de facto leader, Aung San Suu Kyi.Nearly 1,500 people have since been killed and thousands of others arrested as the junta wages a bloody crackdown on dissent.Here is a look back at the year since the coup, which ended a decade-long experiment with democracy after half a century of military rule.Pre-Dawn Raids Soldiers detain Suu Kyi and her top allies during pr

Wariness and outright hostility to vaccines did not start with COVID-19 but date back to the 18th century when the first shots were given.From real fears sparked by side effects to fake studies and conspiracy theories, we take a look at anti-vax sentiment over the ages:1796: First Jab, First Fears Smallpox killed or disfigured countless millions for centuries before it was eradicated in 1980 through vaccination.In 1796 the English physician Edward Jenner came up with the idea of usin

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced Monday that it has granted full approval to Moderna's COVID-19 "Spikevax" vaccine, which had previously received an emergency use authorization in the United States (US)."The public can be assured that Spikevax meets the FDA's high standards for safety, effectiveness and manufacturing quality required of any vaccine approved for use in the United States," acting FDA commissioner Janet Woodcock said in a statemen

Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus crisis:Spotify U-Turn Music streaming giant Spotify says it will link content on COVID-19 to facts about the virus amid growing demands from music stars to drop top podcaster Joe Rogan for spreading misinformation about vaccines.Truckers Block Canada Capital Anti-vaxxer truckers threaten chaos in Ottawa for a third day with their "Freedom Convoy" against vaccine mandate amid fury at some protesters dancing on the

Vaccine mandates have been divisive ever since the first rollout two centuries ago, and they continue to split public opinion today as governments scramble to inoculate populations against the coronavirus.With Austria set to become the first country in Europe to impose COVID-19 vaccinations on Friday, AFP looks at vaccine orders in Europe – and whether they work:Backlash, Workarounds In Austria, those who do not become vaccinated against COVID under the new mandate will face a 600 eu