12 January 2021

• Globally, 29 million doses of coronavirus vaccine have been given in 43 countries. Source
• Brazil’s Butantan Institute releases additional data from its phase III trial of Sinovac’s coronavirus vaccine, CoronaVac, reporting an efficacy rate of 50.4 percent when people with very mild cases of COVID-19 were included in their analysis. Source
• The US State Department said it had new evidence suggesting coronavirus came from Wuhan’s Institute of Virology. It issued a brief statement – without any supporting data – saying “… a laboratory accident could resemble a natural outbreak if the initial exposure included only a few individuals and was compounded by asymptomatic infection.” Sources 1,2
• The US announces that all international travelers will be required to show proof of a negative coronavirus test result (or proof of recovery from COVID-19) within 72 hours of their departure before boarding their flight, beginning on 26 January. Source
• Alex Azar II, the Trump administration’s Secretary of Health and Human Services, announces a change in coronavirus vaccine policy to include people up to age 65 years and those with pre-existing conditions. He announces that it will release all of its vaccine supply instead of reserving it for second doses – a strategy that he dismissed when it was announced by President-Elect Biden, saying it would jeopardize the system to ensure that people receive both doses. Source

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