Coronavirus vaccine news, updates and information for 5-20-2021

<p>This is Vaccine 411, the latest coronavirus vaccine information for May 20th, 2021.</p><p><br></p><p>Yesterday, India reported more coronavirus deaths in a single day than any other country at any time during the pandemic, setting a global record. Over the last month, India’s COVID-19 fatalities have jumped six-fold. And the infections continue to spread, mostly through the countryside where most people live, and health care is limited.</p><p><br></p><p>Restrictions are returning across Asia. Mongolia has seen its death toll soar, while Taiwan, considered a big success in fighting the virus, placed over 600,000 people in two-week medical isolation. Hong Kong and Singapore have postponed a quarantine-free travel bubble for a second time. China’s seen new cases linked to contact with people arriving from abroad. Thailand reported the highest number of deaths since the outbreak started. And the Philippines has barred public gatherings.</p><p><br></p><p>Anthony Fauci announced yesterday the existing vaccines are effective against the highly contagious Indian variant. The variant has been reported in at least 44 countries—including the U.S.—on every continent besides Antarctica. The U.K. has had the largest number of the variant. And it’s causing Ministers to consider diluting plans for “Freedom Day” in England June 21st.</p><p><br></p><p>EU ambassadors agreed on measures to allow fully vaccinated travelers to enter their countries. There was no precise date given but June is the goal, if not sooner. Most travelers from the US and outside of Europe have been banned from entering since March 17, 2020. The United States still has a travel ban in place on people from certain areas in Europe.</p><p><br></p><p>We’ve told you about the Ohio lottery and it looks like there’ll be all kinds of ideas on how to get more people vaccinated. In Georgia, defendants in Hall and Dawson Counties that have to do community service as part of their sentences can cut their required hours in half just by getting vaccinated.</p><p><br></p