Australia approves Pfizer vaccine for children over 12-years-old

Jul 23 2021

The Pfizer BioNTech vaccine has been approved for children over the age of 12 in Australia. The Therapeutic Goods Administration has approved the jab for young teenagers and is currently in the process of determining when they will get their turn. The TGA also stated that the decision was made on the basis of short term efficacy and safety data. ‘Continued approval depends on the evidence of longer term efficacy and safety from ongoing clinical trials’ it said in a statement.

With over-16-year-olds already provisionally approved for the vaccine, the TGA has still been undertaking research into the effects of the jab on youth. Despite the approval for 12-year-olds and over, the age group is not set to receive the jab for a while as the general population still needs to get its turn. Vulnerable children will be given priority however, as revealed by the Australian Federal government.

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Photo Source: LiveScience, Logos Download

What are iPhones’ peak temperature before overheating?

Jul 23 2021

According to Apple, a range of 0°C to 35°C is the best temperature for iPhones, with the devices changing ‘behaviour’ to regulate themselves when the parameters are pushed too far. Smartphones aren’t designed to whit stand particularly high temperatures, making our technological buddies even more relatable as we endure scorching heat waves. Apple also warns that very hot temperatures may permanently shorten battery life.

Apple’s website explains how using an iOS device in very cold conditions outside its operating range might temporarily shorten battery life. Possibly even turning the device off, the battery life will supposedly return to normal when the device is brought to higher ambient temperature. In the heat however, battery life may be permanently shortened. To avoid this, one can, obviously, avoid leaving phones in direct sunlight. Unfortunately, going for a swim just won’t cut it for the device.

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Photo Source: Dr. Fone

Man accused of sexually abusing nine-year-old step-granddaughter

Jul 23 2021

A 42-year-old from Zurrieq has been charged with sexually molesting his nine-year-old step-granddaughter. The court heard how the girl suffered severe psychological trauma from three alleged incidents, after the man committed non-consensual sexual acts whilst he had duty to care for her. The accused faces over seven years in prison if found guilty, but he and his lawyer plead ‘definitely not guilty.’

Lawyers Michael Sciriha and Matthew Xuereb requested to ban the publication of the accused’s name as well as his victim. Sciriha, requesting bail, asked for the accused’s wife to testify solely for bail purpose. The wife stated that the child never shown fear of being with the accused in the past two years. The court has denied bail at this stage, as they consider the risk of possible evidence tampering by the accused. The child’s reports to a child psychologist were reported consistent.

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Photo Source: Pixabay, Kamra tal-Periti

Vaccinated secondary contacts of positive COVID cases shouldn’t quarantine – Malta Chamber

Secondary contacts of positive COVID cases shouldn’t quarantine if vaccinated - Malta Chamber

Jul 23 2021

The Malta Chamber urged on Friday to not put secondary contacts of confirmed COVID-19 cases under mandatory 14-day quarantine should they be vaccinated. Health authorities were called upon through a statement to rethink the quarantine measures. With 81% of the adult population vaccinated and therefore less likely to carry symptomatic infection or transmit the virus, the Malta Chamber believes it is totally unreasonable to enforce mandatory quarantine should they be secondary contacts of confirmed cases.

Employers are, as the statement pointed out, receiving the biggest burden out of all this situation, especially when work from home is impossible. Chamber president Marisa Xuereb stated that if ‘we really believe that vaccines break the chain of contagion, we need to be pragmatic and shouldn’t be placing fully vaccinated secondary contacts in quarantine.’

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Photo Source: BBC