Tracking big COVID-19 vaccine headlines for travellers

Even with all eyes watching, it can be hard to keep up with the latest progress in the fight against COVID-19. Naturally at G Adventures we’re optimistic and excited for any positive news, so we’re sharing major vaccine milestones as they roll in. Of course, you should check with your local government health authority for the latest news and advice. Fingers crossed as we see progress in safeguarding public health and hope in opening fully to travel again.

Current vaccine frontrunners

Pfizer and BioNTech (US and German partners)
• mRNA-based vaccine, BNT162 (b1,b2, b3)
• deemed 95% effective in a late-stage trial
• must be transported at South Pole-like temps using dry ice and in trays of 975 doses

Moderna (US)
• mRNA-1273
• deemed 94.5% effective according to first interim analysis of phase 3 study
• deemed 100% effective against severe COVID-19 infection in same study
• found that after 3 months participants still have a strong immune response

University of Oxford and AstraZeneca (British and Swiss partners)
• based on chimpanzee adenovirus
• deemed 70% effective on average
• cheaper and easier to manufacture and store than Pfizer
• faces regulatory hurdles as efficacy on people 55+ and dosage results are unclear

Canada

Statement from the Chief Public Health Officer of Canada
Dec 24, 2020 | Source: canada.ca

Health Canada approves Moderna COVID-19 vaccine
Dec 23, 2020 | Source: cbc.ca/news

Personal support worker becomes first Ontarian to get dose of COVID-19 vaccine
Dec 14, 2020 | Source: cbc.ca/news

Here's the COVID-19 vaccine rollout plan, province by province
Dec. 10, 2020 | Source: cbc.ca/news

Health Canada approves Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
Dec 9, 2020 | Source: cbc.ca

Canada to get early delivery of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine
Dec 7, 2020 | Source: canada.ca

Canada reserved 56 million additional Pfizer doses in addition to original 20 million
Dec 1, 2020 | Source: macleans

Ottawa hedged its bets with signed contracts from several vaccine candidates Includes Pfizer and BioNTech, Moderna, Sanofi, Johnson & Johnson, Novavax, AstraZeneca and Medicago among others.
Nov 13, 2020 | Source: theconversation.com

United States

F.D.A. Authorizes Moderna Vaccine, Adding Millions of Doses to U.S. Supply
Dec. 18, 2020 | nytimes.com

ICU nurse in New York among the first people in the US to get authorized coronavirus vaccine
Dec. 14, 2020 | cnn.com

US allows emergency COVID-19 vaccine in bid to end pandemic
Dec. 11, 2020 | Associated Press

Covid vaccine: US drugs agency FDA to proceed with Pfizer approval
Dec. 11, 2020 | Source: bbc.com/news/world-us-canada

Obama, Bush, Clinton Say They're Willing To Get Coronavirus Vaccine On Camera
Dec 3, 2020 | Source: npr.org

Large-scale (Phase 3) clinical trials are in progress or being planned for five COVID-19 vaccines in the United States by AstraZeneca, Janssen, Moderna, Novavax, and Pfizer
Nov 24, 2020 | Source: cdc.gov/coronavirus

United Kingdom

Approval of Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID shot could help relax COVID restrictions, minister says
Dec. 28, 2020 | Source: reuters.com

First jab outside of clinical trials given to 90-year-old Margaret Keenan in Coventry, UK Dec 8, 2020 | Source: bbc.com/news/uk

The NHS is rolling out vaccines first to those most at risk. Includes people aged 80 who have an appointment in the next few weeks, people who work in care homes and health care workers at high risk.
Dec 7, 2020 | Source: gov.uk/coronavirus

Britain gave emergency authorization to Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine making it the first Western country to allow mass inoculations. First recipients are 50 British hospitals, doctors, nurses, and nursing home workers.
Dec 2, 2020 | Source: gov.uk/coronavirus

European Union

EU's marathon COVID vaccination drive off to uneven start
Dec. 28, 2020 | Source: reuters.com

Latest update on the pandemic and preparations for COVID-19 vaccine deployment
Dec. 3, 2020 | Source: World Health Org Europe

EU Could Approve Pfizer, BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine In Late December
Dec 1, 2020 | Source: npr.org

EMA starts rolling review of Janssen’s COVID-19 vaccine Ad26.COV2.S
Dec 1, 2020 | Source: european medicines agency

Australia & New Zealand

Australians will be ‘fully vaccinated’ against Covid by October, Greg Hunt says
Dec. 27, 2020 | Source: guardian.com

Two new vaccines secured, enough for every New Zealander
Dec. 17, 2020 | Source: beehive.govt.nz

Australia has entered into 5 separate agreements for the supply of COVID-19 vaccines if they are proved to be safe and effective by Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The earliest to ship will likely be AstraZeneca with 3.8 million doses slated for Australian delivery in early 2021.
Dec 8, 2020 | Source: health.gov.au

New Zealand Government has made an in-principle agreement with Janssen Pharmaceutica to buy up to 5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses
Nov 10, 2020 | Source: covid19.gov.nz

New Zealand has access to 1.5 million doses of the Pfizer BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine, which has received promising results from clinical trials. If Medsafe approves the vaccine for use in New Zealand, it is possible that some doses will be available in the first part of 2021.
Nov 10, 2020 | Source: covid19.gov.nz