Close X
Wednesday, November 27, 2024
ADVT 
National

WHO rejects made-in-Canada COVID-19 vaccine

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 25 Mar, 2022 09:55 AM
  • WHO rejects made-in-Canada COVID-19 vaccine

OTTAWA - The World Health Organization has rejected Medicago's made-in-Canada COVID-19 vaccine, restricting the federal government's ability to donate those doses to countries in need.

The federal government signed an agreement with Medicago in 2020 to buy 20 million doses once the vaccine was approved by Health Canada, with the option to purchase 56 million more.

Health Canada authorized Medicago's two-dose Covifenz vaccine in February for adults 18 to 64.

In clinical trials it was more than 70 per cent effective at preventing COVID-19 infections and 100 per cent effective against severe illness, before the Omicron wave.

Medicago president Takashi Nagao says the WHO has not yet given the company its rationale, but he believes it is because tobacco company Philip Morris owns about one-fifth of Medicago.

Last week, a senior WHO official said the UN body has strict policies about engaging with tobacco companies and arms manufacturers and as such, the review process for Medicago was on hold and it was likely its vaccine would not be accepted for an emergency-use licence.

MORE National ARTICLES

235 COVID19 cases for Wednesday

235 COVID19 cases for Wednesday
There are 329 individuals hospitalized with COVID-19 and 51 are in intensive care. In the past 24 hours, eight new deaths have been reported, for an overall total of 2,953.

235 COVID19 cases for Wednesday

B.C. to review its COVID-19 pandemic response

B.C. to review its COVID-19 pandemic response
Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth has appointed a three-person team including two former deputy ministers and a public policy consultant to do the review.

B.C. to review its COVID-19 pandemic response

Amnesty on 'assault-style' firearms extended

Amnesty on 'assault-style' firearms extended
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced in May 2020 he was banning more than 1,500 models of firearms, including the AR-15. He also announced owners of these guns would have a two-year amnesty period to come into compliance with the prohibition.

Amnesty on 'assault-style' firearms extended

Feds to drop COVID tests for vaccinated travellers

Feds to drop COVID tests for vaccinated travellers
In February, Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos announced travellers coming to Canada would be able to present a negative rapid-antigen test at the border as an alternative to a more costly and time-consuming molecular test.

Feds to drop COVID tests for vaccinated travellers

One person injured in targeted shooting at a residence in Guildford

One person injured in targeted shooting at a residence in Guildford
The Surrey RCMP General Investigation Unit has taken conduct of the investigation. The investigation is in the early stages, but all indications are that it was targeted. The shooting does not appear to be linked to the Lower Mainland gang conflict.    

One person injured in targeted shooting at a residence in Guildford

Porch theft led to the arrest of three youths

Porch theft led to the arrest of three youths
On March 4, 2022, Surrey RCMP received a report of a theft of package from a residence located in 8600-block of 156 Street. Police attended and learned that a package containing items such as designer jackets, shoes, sunglasses and t-shirts was stolen.

Porch theft led to the arrest of three youths