Britain moves closer to COVID-19 vaccine trials that infect volunteers

25 Sept 01:04 Key points summarised by AI

Britain is progressing with plans for "human challenge" COVID-19 vaccine trials, where volunteers are deliberately infected with the virus.
Biotech firm hVIVO has secured a government contract to develop and supply the necessary virus strains, aiming to expedite the assessment of vaccine efficacy.
These trials involve administering a vaccine to volunteers, then intentionally exposing them to the virus in a controlled quarantine setting to monitor protection.
Supporters argue these trials significantly accelerate vaccine development, while critics raise ethical concerns about deliberately infecting individuals with a potentially deadly disease.
Any such trials must first receive rigorous ethical and safety approval from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

Bai Lu meet-and-greet cancelled days after China’s safety warning

Yesterday 15:28 Key points summarised by AI

Thailand's Tourism and Sports Minister announced the government will seek clarification from the Chinese Embassy regarding its recent travel advisory warning Chinese nationals about safety concerns in Thailand.
The travel advisory is anticipated to negatively impact the number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand, despite recent increases in arrivals.
A meet-and-greet event featuring Chinese actress Bai Lu, a WeTV Global Ambassador, was abruptly cancelled just days after the Chinese Embassy issued its safety warning, though no official reason was provided.
The Chinese Embassy's advisory urged citizens to beware of job scams, fraudulent investments, suspicious travel arrangements, and the risk of illegal detention or being lured to the Thai-Myanmar border.
Chinese nationals were advised to verify job offers, use legitimate transport, avoid high-risk border areas, protect personal documents, and keep family informed of travel plans.