World Coronavirus Dispatch: Covid smashed human illusion of immortality

New variant does not cause more severe illness, China's vaccine diplomacy convinces Egypt, forecasting events that will shape 2021 and other pandemic-related news across the globe

China's vaccine conundrum

China is preparing for its mass immunisation drive on a war-footing, but there is only problem. Barring Sinopharm, which released the trial data for its vaccine, most makers haven't put out late stage trial results, showing whether the shots are effective and safe. China has already vaccinated a million, and plans to inoculate 50 million people by February. Many vaccines are in Phase 3 trials, and have not revealed enough information before moving ahead. Scientists are sceptical the vaccine makers in the country have side-stepped many established practices in order to catch up with global peers in vaccine