Residents in Seattle, Washington, get COVID-19 vaccine on March 13, 2021.  (Photo: AFP/VNA)

In Asia, the Republic of Korea recorded 668 new cases on Wednesday, the most since January 8, bringing its total cases to approximately 107,000. The death toll is more than 1,700.

Researchers at Oxford University have paused the pediatric clinical trial of a coronavirus vaccine it is developing with AstraZeneca. The trial was testing the effectiveness of the vaccine in children between the ages of 6 and 17.

In the US, the White House has ruled out mandatory vaccination passports because they would violate citizens' privacy rights.