Calls grow for a relaxation of IP on COVID-19 vaccines as interest groups pile the pressure on the UK government and the Pope gives his blessing to the proposed waiver.

Moderna and Sweden are donating vaccines to the COVAX Facility, and an African trial is investigating a combination of nitazoxanide and ciclesonide in people with mild-to-moderate COVID-19.

The World Health Organization has updated progress with evaluations of two Chinese vaccines and Russia's Sputnik V, the UK has ordered 60 million more Pfizer/BioNTech doses, and the European Medicines Agency is looking at the use of baricitinib in COVID-19 patients requiring oxygen.

The EMA has issued updated safety advice on AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine, Vaxzevria, Valneva has decided to pursue vaccine supply deals with individual member states after a falling out with the European Commission, and Kazakhstan has begun administering the first doses of its domestically produced vaccine, QazVac.