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Tag: coronavirus latest updates

  • Record-breaking COVID vaccines: Can they keep us safe from mutant variants?

    By Express News Service
    The Covid-19 virus is changing and shape-shifting—a process called mutation—into newer and faster-spreading variants. The world is sitting up and asking: what’s going on? Should we be worried? What exactly does it mean for us? A look at the vaccines we have at our disposal and if their ability to quell the new variants:

    VACCINE: Comirnaty (BNT162b2)

    By: Pfizer and BioNTech 

    Type: mRNA-based vaccine started January 2020 

    Dosage: Two doses, 28 days apart

    For: US, Canada, EU, UK, Switzerland, Israel

    Efficacy: 95%

    Effect on mutant variants? New research suggests their vaccine can protect against mutation found in the two variants that have erupted in Britain and South Africa.

    VACCINE: mRNA-1273

    By: Moderna, US biotech firm

    Type: mRNA-based vaccine

    Dosage: Two doses, 28 days apart

    For: US, Canada, EU, UK, Switzerland, Israel

    Efficacy: 94.1%

    Effect on mutant variants? Moderna expects that the immunity induced by its Covid-19 vaccine would be protective against coronavirus variants. “We plan to run tests to confirm the activity of the vaccine against any strain,” said its statement.

    VACCINE: Covid-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca (AZD1222)/Covishield

    By: AstraZeneca and University of Oxford, the Serum Institute of India 

    Type: Adenovirus vaccine    

    Dosage: Two doses, between 4-12 weeks apart

    For: UK, India, Argentina, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Mexico, Morocco

    Efficacy: Shown mixed results; was 70% effective when a half-dose was given before a full-dose booster, while two full doses showed an efficacy of 62%

    Effect on mutant variants? “AZD1222 contains the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein, and the changes to the genetic code seen in this new viral strain do not appear to change the structure of the spike protein.”

    Vaccine: Sputnik V

    By: Gamaleya Research Institute, Russia (collaboration with Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories)

    Type: Adenoviral vaccine     

    Dosage: Two doses, 28 days apart

    For: No distribution list

    Efficacy: 91.4% (on day 28 of first dose) and over 95% (on day 42 of second dose) 

    Effect on mutant variants? “Sputnik V will be as highly effective against the new strain of the coronavirus found in Europe as against the existing strains. Sputnik V has been showing its efficacy over a period of time despite the previous mutations of S-protein,” according to Sputnik V’s Twitter handle. 

    VACCINE: Covaxin 

    By: Bharat Biotech with Indian Council of Medical Research, India’s National Institute of Virology

    Type: Whole virion inactivated

    Dosage: Two doses, 14-28 days apart

    For: India

    Efficacy: No percentage reported

    Effect on mutant variants? “Potential of Covaxin to mount resistance against mutants of SARS-Cov-2, the virus causing Covid-19, informed the decision making process for vaccine approval,” according to ICMR notification.

    VACCINE: CoronaVac 

    By: Sinovac Biotech Ltd, China

    Type: Inactivated vaccine

    Dosage: Two doses, 14-28 days apart

    For: China, Brazil, Chile, Indonesia, Philippines

    Efficacy: 78%

    Effect on mutant variants? “The vaccine is safe, and we can use it with ease,” according to company statement.

  • India records 15,144 new COVID-19 cases

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India’s COVID-19 tally of cases climbed to 1,05,57,985 with 15,144 new cases in a day, while 1,01,96,885 people have recuperated so far pushing the national recovery rate to 96.58 per cent, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Sunday.

    There are 2,08,826 active cases of coronavirus infection in the country which comprises 1.98 per cent of the total caseload, the data stated.

    The total coronavirus cases mounted to 1,05,57,985 and the death toll climbed to 1,52,274 with the novel coronavirus virus claiming 181 lives in a span of 24 hours in the country, the data updated at 8 am showed.

    The COVID-19 case fatality rate stood at 1.44 per cent.

    According to the ICMR, a cumulative total of 18,65,44,868 samples have been tested up to January 16 with 7,79,377 samples being tested on Saturday.

    India’s COVID-19 tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7, 30 lakh on August 23 and 40 lakh on September 5.

    It went past 50 lakh on September 16, 60 lakh on September 28, 70 lakh on October 11 and crossed 80 lakh on October 29 and 90 lakh on November 20 and one crore on December 19.

    The 181 latest fatalities include 52 from Maharashtra, 27 from Kerala, 15 from West Bengal, 12 from Uttar Pradesh, six each from Delhi, and Tamil Nadu.

    The total 152274 deaths reported so far in the country include 50388 from Maharashtra followed by 12257 from Tamil Nadu, 12162 from Karnataka, 10738 from Delhi, 10041 from West Bengal, 8570 from Uttar Pradesh, 7139 from Andhra Pradesh, 5499 from Punjab and 4363 from Gujarat.

    The health ministry stressed that more than 70 per cent of the deaths occurred due to comorbidities.

    “Our figures are being reconciled with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR),” the ministry said on its website, adding that state-wise distribution of figures is subject to further verification and reconciliation.

  • COVID vaccination: On day 1, 63 per cent of the targeted 3 lakh healthcare workers take shots

    Express News Service
    NEW DELHI:  About 63% of the targeted 3 lakh plus healthcare workers scheduled to get the Covid-19 vaccine on the first day on Saturday took the shot, the union ministry of health and family welfare said.

    The ministry announced that 3,352 sessions were held throughout the country wherein 1,91,181 beneficiaries were vaccinated. The number was first declared to be 1,65,714 as per provisional reports but was later revised.

    The ministry had earlier said at every 3,006 vaccination centre throughout the country, 100 beneficiaries would be vaccinated on the first day.

    ALSO READ: Covaxin preferred over Covishield by vaccine recipients at Chennai’s Rajiv Gandhi Hospital

    Though the immediate reasons for the fewer than targeted number of vaccinations achieved was not shared, sources in the government conceded that at most places, less than the invited beneficiaries had turned up.

    In the first phase, the government plans to vaccinate nearly 1 crore healthcare workers followed by about 2 crore frontline workers comprising police, paramilitary and defence personnel, among others.

    Additional secretary in the ministry, Manohar Agnani, said on Saturday that no hospitalization post vaccination anywhere in the country had been reported so far.

    ALSO READ: When will poor will get free COVID vaccine, asks former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav

    But he mentioned two glitches in the Co- WIN software, especially designed for the vaccination drive, which included delay in uploading of the beneficiary list at some session sites.

    At some centers, due to the malfunctioning in the software, healthcare workers though not scheduled for Saturday’s session were vaccinated for which a process has been evolved and states are being advised to upload details of such beneficiaries in the Co-WIN database.

    As per the details shared in the press briefing, the highest number of people, 16,693, were vaccinated in Andhra Pradesh followed by Bihar with 16,401. Two types of vaccines, including Covishield, were sent to all states, and Covaxin supplied to 12 states.

    ALSO READ: Netizens laud COVID vaccine launch; ‘LargestVaccineDrive’ hashtag trends on Twitter hours after roll-out

    The government for now has procured 110 million doses of Covishield by the SII and 55 million doses of Covaxin by Bharat Biotech.

    The Centre said adequate quantities of vaccines and logistics were ensured at all vaccination session sites.

    At sites where Covaxin was administered, beneficiaries were also required to sign on a consent form, which said the vaccine was being rolled out in clinical trial mode.

    In case of any serious adverse event following immunization, medical care and compensation will be provided by the sponsor, Bharat Biotech, the form says.

    3,352 SESSIONS16,755 VACCINATORS1,91,181 BENEFICIARIES

  • When will poor will get free COVID vaccine, asks former Uttar Pradesh CM Akhilesh Yadav

    By PTI
    LUCKNOW: As the coronavirus vaccine was launched on Saturday, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav sought to know from the government how the drive will be conducted and when the poor will get the shot free of cost.

    The former Uttar Pradesh chief minister said he has faith in doctors of the country but not the government.

    He also suggested that the BJP people should first line up in queues and get themselves vaccinated as the party conducts all programmes in a grand manner.

    ALSO READ: Netizens laud COVID vaccine launch; ‘LargestVaccineDrive’ hashtag trends on Twitter hours after roll-out

    “After one year, when the SP will come to power, we will ensure free vaccine for all,” he said while asking from the government when the poor will get free vaccines.

    Earlier in the month, Yadav had triggered a controversy, saying he will not get himself injected with a ‘BJP vaccine’ against coronavirus.

    Later, Yadav had tried to make amends, saying he was not referring to the scientists.

    On Saturday, he sought to know if the staff put on vaccination duty has been given proper training and all logistics regarding the vaccine have been taken care of.

    ALSO READ: COVID vaccine – BJP leaders take dig at Rahul Gandhi for no word of appreciation for scientists

    “I would also like to know if proper funds are being given for vaccination centres, else how the work will be done? We also want to know if there are proper arrangements for storage and transportation of the vaccine. We have full faith in our doctors but not in the government.”

    “It is good that coronavirus vaccine has come out but only believe what the doctors say, not Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath,” he said.

    He also attacked the state government over allegations of fake encounters, custodial deaths and crime against the women.

    The SP chief alleged that his party workers have been framed in fake cases.

    ALSO READ: From ministers to public, what people said about COVID vaccination drive

    Reiterating his party’s support to the farmers’ agitation, Yadav said the three new farm laws will ruin the poor.

    To a question on the induction of former IAS officer A K Sharma into the BJP, Akhilesh hoped that now the works started by his government, including the road projects in Sharma’s native Mau district, would be speeded up.

    However, he exuded confidence of grabbing the power in the assembly elections next year, claiming that people have decide to uproot the BJP government.

    He also alleged corruption in a scheme for toilets.

    When asked about a drive to collect funds for the construction of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Akhilesh termed it a ‘political programme’ of the BJP.

    “There is a tradition of taking donations for religious purposes in all faiths. But the BJP is now making it a political event,” he said.

    The BJP has made it a political programme to divert people’s attention from the shortcomings regarding the vaccination drive, job creation and other issues, he added.

  • Consent form for Covaxin assures compensation in case of adverse events

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Health workers who got their first shots of Covaxin at AIIMS on Saturday were made to sign a consent form that promised compensation in case of a “severe adverse event” related to the vaccine.

    Covaxin has demonstrated the ability to produce antibodies against COVID-19 in phase one and phase two trials.

    “However, the clinical efficacy is yet to be established and it is still being studied in phase 3 clinical trial,” the form read.

    ALSO READ: Netizens laud COVID vaccine launch; ‘LargestVaccineDrive’ hashtag trends on Twitter hours after roll-out

    Hence, it is important to appreciate that receiving the vaccine does not mean that other precautions related to COVID-19 need not be followed, it said.

    Authorities said in case of any adverse event, the affected person will be provided medically-recognised standard of care in the government-designated hospitals.

    “The compensation for a serious adverse event will be paid by sponsor (Bharat Biotech) if the SAE is proven to be causally related to the vaccine,” the form read.

    ALSO READ: COVID vaccine – BJP leaders take dig at Rahul Gandhi for no word of appreciation for scientists

    The recipients were also given a factsheet and a form to report adverse effects within seven days.

    Those who received the first jabs of Covaxin after signing the form at AIIMs included Director Randeep Guleria and NITI Aayog member (health) Dr V K Paul, who is also head of an empowered group on medical equipment and management plan to tackle the coronavirus outbreak.

    Indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech was approved by India’s drug regulator for restricted use in emergency situations in public interest, in clinical trial mode, especially in case of infection by mutant strains.

    ALSO READ: From ministers to public, what people said about COVID vaccination drive

    ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava had earlier said that the clinical mode means that all those who would be administered Covaxin would give consent for the vaccine, there would be no placebo and there would be a closer follow up.

    In the national capital, the COVID-19 vaccination exercise began at 81 centres with healthcare workers who have been in the forefront of the fight against the pandemic getting the shots first.

    The 81 sites include six central government facilities — AIIMS, Safdarjung Hospital, RML Hospital, Kalawati Saran Children Hospital and two ESI hospitals.

    The rest 75 centres, spanning all 11 districts of Delhi, include Delhi government-run facilities such as LNJP Hospital, GTB Hospital, Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, DDU Hospital, BSA Hospital, Delhi State Cancer Institute, ILBS Hospital, and private facilities such as Max Hospital, Fortis Hospital, Apollo Hospital and Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

    Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield is being administered at 75 centres, while Covaxin is being given at the remaining six facilities.

  • Netizens laud COVID vaccine launch; ‘LargestVaccineDrive’ hashtag trends on Twitter hours after roll-out

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched India’s COVID-19 vaccination programme, netizens on Saturday lauded the PM for the roll-out of the nationwide inoculation drive with the hashtag ‘LargestVaccineDrive’ trending on Twitter.

    Launching India’s COVID-19 vaccination drive, Modi reassured the country that emergency use authorisation was given to two made in India vaccines only after scientists were convinced of their safety and effectiveness, and urged people to beware of propaganda and rumours.

    Addressing the nation ahead of the launch of what he described as the world’s largest vaccination programme, Modi said these vaccines will ensure a “decisive victory” for the country over the coronavirus pandemic, but asked countrymen to continue wearing masks and maintain social distancing even after receiving the jabs.

    Soon after the event, Twitter and other social media platforms were abuzz with comments over his speech with several people hailing the prime minister’s remarks and the beginning of the vaccination drive.

    ALSO READ: COVID vaccine – BJP leaders take dig at Rahul Gandhi for no word of appreciation for scientists

    Just hours after the launch, ‘LargestVaccineDrive’ was trending on Twitter with over 4.3 lakh tweets.

    “World was suffering, Yet Indians were optimistic bcoz we knew PM will save us. Economy was suffering, Yet Indians were optimistic bcoz we knew PM will save it. There were confusions on vaccines, Yet Indians were relaxed bcoz we knew PM would select best vaccine. Thank you Modi ji,” a Twitter user said.

    Another Twitter user said, “Once again, PM @narendramodi, assured the people of India that ‘we will defeat #COVID19’. Thank you Prime Minister for taking care of us as head of the family.”

    Another netizen hailed scientists for their tireless work and Prime Minister Modi for his “impeccable leadership” at the time of crisis.

    ALSO READ: From ministers to public, what people said about COVID vaccination drive

    “India unveils the world’s #LargestVaccineDrive! It’s the unmatched global vaccination leadership India is demonstrating to the world!” the Twitter user said.

    Many on social media also praised the prime minister’s remarks at the launch event, terming his address “motivating”.

    “Congratulations Prime Minister for your incredible leadership throughout the crisis,” a Twitter user said.

    However, there were also some voices of caution and criticism on Twitter.

    Activist-lawyer Prashant Bhushan cited a media report which stated that a total of 23 people died in Norway within days of receiving their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, and said that yet, here in India, “we roll out vaccines without proper trials or transparency, even though Covid cases & deaths have declined sharply”.

    Senior Congress leader Manish Tewari also raised questions over the emergency use approval given to the indigenously developed Covaxin and alleged that it was “sans due process”.

    “As vaccine roll out begins, it is all a bit puzzling India has no policy framework for authorising emergency use.

    Yet, two vaccines have been approved for restricted use in emergency situation,” Tewari said in a tweet just before Prime Minister Modi launched the vaccination drive.

    “COVAXIN is another story — Approvals sans Due Process,” the former Union minister said, tagging a media report which claimed scientists and doctors are divided on the issue of restricted use approval granted to the Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.

  • COVID vaccine: BJP leaders take dig at Rahul Gandhi for no word of appreciation for scientists

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: BJP leaders on Saturday took a swipe at Rahul Gandhi for raising “doubts” about the government’s efforts to roll out the COVID-19 vaccination drive but not putting out any word of appreciation for scientists and health workers on the day of its launch.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched India’s COVID-19 vaccination drive while reassuring the country that emergency use authorisation was given to two made in India vaccines only after scientists were convinced of their safety and efficacy, and urged people to beware of propaganda and rumours.

    BJP I-T department head Amit Malviya tweeted, “Rahul Gandhi raised doubts on govt’s effort to roll out Covid vaccine.

    ALSO READ: From ministers to public, what people said about COVID vaccination drive

    But on a day when India undertakes the largest vaccine drive, after Modi admin approved two Made in India vaccines, not a single tweet! Not a word of appreciation for Indian scientists and health workers too?” He also posted the Congress leader’s critical tweets in the past about the Modi government’s handling of the pandemic.

    Targeting critics, Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted, “On a day of hope for every Indian, all those who spread fake narratives & expressed apprehensions about India’s capability to produce the vaccines can now remove their foot from the mouth & vaccinate themselves against self-doubt.”

  • Night curfew to continue for 15 more days in four Gujarat cities: CM Vijay Rupan

    As on Thursday, Gujarat #39;s COVID-19 tally stood at 2,54,314 cases, including 4,357 fatalities.

  • India’s new COVID-19 cases per million population in last 7 days among lowest in the world: Health Ministry

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: India recorded 87 new COVID-19 cases per million population in the last seven days which is one of the lowest in the world when compared with countries like the US, the UK, Russia, Germany, Brazil, France and Italy, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.

    It further said that only one new death per million population was reported in India in this period.

    “With a case fatality rate of 1.44 per cent, COVID-19 deaths per million population in India are one of the lowest in the world,” the ministry underscored.

    India’s total COVID-19 active caseload continues to manifest a sustained downward movement and has dropped to 2.13 lakh comprising just 2.03 per cent of the country’s total infections, it said.

    The daily new cases added to the country’s COVID-19 numbers have been below 20K in the recent days, it said.

    The number of daily new cases registered in a span of 24 hours is 15,590 while 15,975 cases have recovered and discharged during the same period.

    “New cases per million population in India in the last seven days are 87. It is one of the lowest in the world. The number is significantly low when compared with countries like Russia, Germany, Brazil, France, Italy, USA and UK,” the ministry highlighted.

    The total recovered cases stand at 10,162,738.

    “The gap between COVID-19 recoveries and active cases is steadily increasing and has crossed 99 lakh and currently stands at 99,49,711,” the ministry underlined.

    It said that 81.15 per cent of the new recovered cases are observed to be concentrated in 10 states and union territories.

    Kerala has reported the maximum number of single day recoveries with 4,337 newly recovered cases.

    3,309 people recovered in Maharashtra in a span of 24 hours followed by 970 in Chhattisgarh.

    At least, 77.56 per cent of the new cases are from seven states and union territories.

    Kerala continues to report the highest daily new cases at 5,490.

    It is followed by Maharashtra with 3,579, while West Bengal reported 680 new cases.

    One hundred and ninety one case fatalities have been reported in a span of 24 hours.

    Six states and union territories account for 73.30 per cent of new deaths.

    Maharashtra saw the maximum casualties (70).

    Kerala and West Bengal follow with 19 and 17 daily deaths, respectively.

  • EC nod to use its data for COVID vaccination drive; wants data to be deleted after exercise is over

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: The Election Commission will extend “full assistance” to the government in identifying targeted beneficiaries at the polling station level for the COVID-19 vaccination drive, but wants health authorities to delete the data once the inoculation exercise is over, sources privy to the development said on Friday.

    On December 31 last year, Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Sunil Arora requesting the commission’s help in identifying people above 50 years of age at the polling station level, the sources said.

    On the issue of data security, the home secretary wrote that the government is complying with the current best practices for ensuring cybersecurity.

    He has assured the poll panel that the data will be used only for the purpose of vaccination, the sources said.

    The Election Commission (EC), after detailed deliberations, wrote back to the home secretary on January 4, saying it has decided to render “full assistance” in the vaccination drive.

    But asked the government to ensure that the data is strictly used for the limited purpose for which it has been sought, the sources said.

    The commission also said that the data should be deleted by health authorities once the vaccination exercise concludes, they said.

    Some senior EC officials will be in touch with nodal officers of the Union home ministry and the Union health ministry to settle day-to-day issues, the sources said.

    Last month, officials of the Union health ministry and the Niti Aayog had met the EC top brass seeking their help in the distribution of COVID-19 vaccine given the poll panel’s robust network at the booth level.

    The letter by the home secretary is a follow up to the meeting, the sources said.

    According to guidelines for the COVID-19 vaccination drive, the latest electoral roll for Lok Sabha and assembly elections will be used to identify the priority population over the age of 50 years.

    Twelve identity documents, such as Voter ID, Aadhaar card, driving licence, passport and pension document, will be required for beneficiary identification.

    According to the government, the shots will be offered first to an estimated one crore healthcare workers, and around two crore frontline workers, and then to persons above 50 years of age, followed by persons younger than 50 years of age with associated comorbidities.

    Cost of vaccination of healthcare and frontline workers will be borne by the central government.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch India’s COVID-19 vaccination drive on January 16 via video conference.

    The Drugs Controller General of India had recently approved Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute, and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country, paving the way for a massive inoculation drive.