FDA blocks studies on Covid and shingles vaccine safety according to HHS official

A group of public health officials discusses the implications of the FDA's decision to block vaccine safety studies during a press conference.

According to a senior official from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), the FDA’s action was unexpected and has significant implications for ongoing vaccine research. The official noted that the blocked studies were designed to provide essential data on the safety profiles of these widely administered vaccines, particularly in the context of Covid. … Read more

Vaccines a huge success but public trust must be earned

A healthcare worker administers a COVID19 vaccine to a patient at a community vaccination event, highlighting the ongoing efforts to increase public trust in vaccines.

Despite these achievements, public trust in vaccines remains a critical issue. Recent surveys conducted by the Pew Research Center indicate that approximately 30% of adults in the U.S. express skepticism about vaccine safety and effectiveness. This mistrust is fueled by misinformation and varying political views, which complicate efforts to achieve higher vaccination rates. For more … Read more

Nine policemen sentenced to death in India over Covid custody killings

A group of people gathers outside a courthouse in India, holding placards and banners to protest against police brutality following the sentencing of nine policemen to death for custodial killings during the Covid19 lockdown.

The court’s decision, delivered on October 25, 2023, marks a rare instance of capital punishment being handed down for custodial deaths, particularly in the context of the pandemic. The judge highlighted the brutal nature of the crime, emphasizing that the actions of the policemen not only violated the law but also undermined public trust in … Read more

Qantas agrees to pay $74m over Covid-19 travel voucher refunds

A group of frustrated travelers stands outside a Qantas Airways office, holding signs demanding refunds for their unused travel vouchers amid ongoing scrutiny of the airline's customer service practices.

The lawsuit, initiated by a group of affected passengers, claimed that Qantas had failed to provide timely refunds for travel vouchers that had expired or were not usable due to ongoing travel restrictions. The settlement, announced on October 10, 2023, aims to compensate thousands of customers who were impacted by these policies. For more on … Read more