News Analysis India

Tag: Covid vaccination

  • CoWIN digital platform now enabled with “Know Your Vaccination Status,” feature

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The CoWIN digital platform—the key to India’s Covid vaccination campaign—has now been enabled with a new feature “Know Your Vaccination Status” that will allow users to verify or retrieve their vaccination status or details.

    The government said that the service could be utilized by a service provider such as private entities like travel agencies, offices, employers, entertainment agencies, or government agencies like IRCTC and offices for facilitating a service requested by the citizen.

    A statement by the Union health ministry said that the service is being built to help citizens who may not have the vaccine certificate available in digital or paper form for availing a requested service and can support the service provider to verify the vaccination status or the digital record of inoculation.   

    The service can be utilised by travel agencies and help make travel safe for individuals by allowing travel only for vaccinated individuals and employers can use this service to verify the vaccination status of employees and resume the functions in offices and workplaces.

    The ministry claimed that this service will help in resuming and catalyzing the economic activities in the country by verifying a person’s Covid vaccination status without revealing the beneficiary’s protected health data.

    The service may be enabled via open APIs or no-code webpage integration that CoWIN has created for private or government service providers to retrieve a person’s vaccination status.

  • Efficacy of COVID vaccines satisfactory, finds ICMR study as over 115 crore inoculated in India so far

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The first nationwide measurement of the real-world effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines Covishield and Covaxin have shown 80% and 69% efficacy against severe disease, respectively. Although lower than the protection reported in clinical trials, the figures are still considered to be good.

    The findings are a result of an analysis by ICMR in 11 hospitals across 10 cities between May and July, which studied severely ill and hospitalised Covid-19 patients. In all, 1,143 cases of severe infection and 2,541 negative cases were studied.

    The study, submitted to The Lancet for publication, showed effectiveness was the highest with a gap of 6-8 weeks between two shots of Covishield and Covaxin. Importantly, efficacy estimates were similar against Delta strain and sub-lineages.

    In Phase 3 trials, Covishield had shown nearly 100% protection from severe illness and it was nearly 93% for Covaxin — India’s first indigenously developed Covid vaccine. Tarun Bhatnagar, scientist with the National Institute of Epidemiology, ICMR, and principal investigator for the study, explained that real-world effectiveness estimates will always be lower than trial-based efficacy estimates.

    “This is the largest study on real-world effectiveness (of vaccines) and findings indicate that two doses of Covaxin and Covishield have good effectiveness against the Delta strain which is the dominant circulating strain in India,” Bhatnagar said.

    He pointed out that as a majority had taken Covishield, the numbers for Covaxin are smaller in the study and hence the lower precision of the effectiveness estimates for Covaxin.

    Bhatnagar stressed that considering that effectiveness against severe infection is not close to 100%, masking and social distancing cannot be totally done away with, more so among those not vaccinated, and those who may be more vulnerable to get severe infection such as the elderly, immune-compromised and people with comorbidities

    In the pre-print of the study, scientists said these findings highlight significant real-world protection with two vaccine doses against severe Covid-19 and specifically against the Delta variant in India.

    “Substantial effectiveness of only one dose, more so for Covishield, supports the policy decision from a public health perspective to initially maximise coverage with single dose in the country,” they said. In India, most studies are limited to healthcare and frontline workers with small sample size, and none are population-representative.

    Meanwhile, the total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 115 crore on Thursday, the Union Health Ministry said.

    According to officials, around 82 per cent of the eligible population in India has received the first dose of the vaccine while more than 41 per cent has been fully inoculated.

    In a tweet, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, “The country is getting protected through vaccination every day.

    As India’s vaccination coverage crosses the 115 crore mark, PM Narendra Modi ji’s words ring true — once Indians decide to do something, nothing is impossible! Har Ghar Dastak strengthening the world’s largest vaccination drive!” On Thursday, more than 65 lakh (65,45,982) vaccine doses have been administered till 7 pm.

    The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late night, the ministry said.

    The ministry had on Wednesday declared that the number of individuals fully vaccinated against COVID-19 surpassed the partially vaccinated population.

    The government has recently launched a month-long ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign for house-to-house COVID-19 vaccination of those who are yet to take a dose and those whose second dose is overdue.

    Mandaviya had recently said that over 12 crore beneficiaries are due for their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine and urged the state health ministers to ensure that all adult population is covered with the first dose during the ongoing ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign, while those who are due for the second dose are also motivated to take the jab.

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • In this MP district, only fully-vaccinated people can buy liquor

    Express News Service

    BHOPAL: The excise department in Khandwa district of Madhya Pradesh has decided to rely on its experience of “tipplers don’t lie,” rather than vaccination certificate, to ensure that only those who are completely vaccinated against COVID are sold liquor from licensed liquor vends.

    According to Khandwa district excise officer RP Kirar, in accordance with the instructions given at a recent meeting of the Khandwa district administration, it has been decided that the 74 licensed liquor shops (including the desi and Indian Made Foreign Liquor vends) will sell liquor only to those who are doubly vaccinated against COVID-19.

    “Not only have all the liquor vends operators been directed to sell liquor to only double vaccinated people, but they also have put a board outside their shop, informing about the new decision. But, the customers coming to these vends need not show proof of having been doubly vaccinated against COVID for being eligible to buy the liquor. Instead, the vends will sell liquor only on the basis of customer’s verbal submission about having been doubly vaccinated,” the Khandwa district excise officer said.

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    “Our personal experience tells that tipplers don’t lie and using that only we’ve decided that customers will not have to submit any proof of having been doubly vaccinated against COVID, but instead only verbally assure the liquor vend staff about having been completely vaccinated,” he maintained.

    Various districts, aiming to increase COVID-19 vaccination among people, are making complete vaccination compulsory for access to various services, including shopping malls and ration shops, besides entry only for completely vaccinated morning and evening walkers at parks in the country’s cleanest city Indore. Traders selling the famous Ratlami Sev (spicy snacks) in the Ratlam district have decided to sell only to those who prove they are doubly vaccinated. But not just verbal submission, instead proof of vaccination is a must for gaining access to various services.

    As per the latest figures, MP has so far administered over 7.88 crore jabs (5.05 crore-plus first doses and 2.82 crore-plus second doses) to the population eligible for a vaccination against COVID-19. Khandwa district has 13.86 lakh-plus jabs so far.

    According to a state government statement released on Wednesday, out of the targeted 5.49 core people who are to be completely vaccinated by end of 2021, 5.04 crore (92%) have been successfully given the first dose, 2.75 crores (50% of the targeted population) have been administered the second dose as well.

    The MP government had on Wednesday completely lifted all COVID-19 related curbs, including allowing the opening of all schools with full capacity.  

  • If citizen loses job due to vaccine administered, is state not duty bound to redress it? Kerala HC poser to Centre

    By PTI

    KOCHI: If someone loses their livelihood due to the vaccine administered by the State, is the government not duty-bound to redress his grievance? the Kerala High Court asked the Centre on Tuesday.

    The poser came during the hearing of a man’s plea for a third jab of an internationally recognised vaccine so that he can go back to Saudi Arabia, where he was working as a welder prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.

    He has moved the high court for the third jab of an internationally recognised vaccine as the two doses of COVAXIN he received is not recognised or approved in the Gulf nation and therefore, he is unable to travel there.

    Justice P V Kunhikrishnan on Tuesday said that the court was not blaming the Centre, but when a citizen stands to lose his employment or his movement is restricted due to the vaccine administered to him by the State, then “does the government not have a duty to redress his grievance”? The court directed the Assistant Solicitor General (Asst SG) Manu S, appearing for the Centre, to take instructions on why Saudi Arabia was not recognising COVAXIN when the vaccine has been approved for international emergency use by WHO.

    The Asst SG said that the vaccines were administered to save lives which was the focus during the pandemic and therefore, the Centre could not wait for international acceptance of the same.

    He also said that the government has its limitations with regard to imposing something on a foreign nation.

    The court, however, said that restriction of movement or loss of employment of a citizen due to a vaccine administered by the State was ‘infringement of his Fundamental Rights”.

    It asked the Asst SG to come with instructions on the Saudi Arabia issue by November 29, the next date of hearing.

    On November 2, the high court had observed that the Centre’s vaccination scheme has created two classes of citizens in India – those who got COVAXIN, whose movements are restricted, and those who received COVISHIELD and can go anywhere.

    The Centre had in August said that clinical trials were underway to ascertain the efficacy of administering a third dose of COVID vaccine and it will take several months to complete.

  • People due for COVID vaccine second dose barred from entering gardens, buses in Surat

    By PTI

    SURAT: The civic body in Gujarat’s Surat city has barred people who have not taken the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine from entering public spaces such as gardens, zoos and boarding city buses, an official said on Saturday.

    At least 6.68 lakh people in the city have not taken the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine shots despite crossing their due date, Surat Municipal Commissioner Banchhanidhi Pani said.

    Such people will be barred from entering public gardens, parks, zoos, aquariums, science centres, etc, and using city BRTS buses, the official said, adding that the new rule will come into force on November 15 (Monday).

    “We still have around 6. 68 lakh such people (who are due for second dose of vaccine), and the gap is increasing. Some people who were eligible to get the second dose are skipping inoculation. We have people who have not taken their second dose even 200-250 days after their due date despite repeated calls, messages and door-to-door campaigns,” Pani told PTI.

    According to the civic body, Surat has vaccinated 106 per cent of the target population of 34.32 lakh with the first dose, while 21.20 lakh people out of 27.88 lakh have received the second jab, with the percentage of achievement standing at 76.03 per cent.

    A total of 61.8 per cent of eligible beneficiaries have taken both doses and are fully vaccinated against the deadly disease, it was stated.

    Gujarat on Saturday reported 37 new COVID-19 cases, raising the tally of infections in the state to 8,26,924, while the death toll remained unchanged at 10,090, a health department official said.

    The recovery count increased by 31 to 8,16,608, leaving the state with 226 active patients, he said.

    “Ahmedabad district reported 10 new cases, followed by Surat with eight, Vadodara six, Navsari and Valsad four cases each, and Banaskantha, Gir Somnath, Mehsana, Panchmahal and Tapi with one case each,” the official added.

    An official release said 4.26 lakh people were vaccinated against COVID-19 on Saturday, raising the total of doses administered so far in the state to 7.41 crore.

    There were no active cases in adjoining Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu where the caseload stood at 10,654 of which 10,650 have recovered and four died.

    Gujarat’s COVID-19 figures are as follows: Positive cases 8,26,924, new cases 37, death toll 10,090 (no change), discharged 8,16,608, active cases 226, people tested so far – figures not released.

  • Centre asks states to make district specific plans to speed up COVID vaccination as only 38 per cent fully inoculated

    By Express News Service

    NEW DELHI:  With the number of balance and unutilised Covid-19 vaccine doses piling up to 18 crore, the Centre has sent a fresh reminder to states to come up with district-specific action plans and raise the inoculation coverage in areas most vulnerable.

    So far, the Union health ministry has provided more than 121 crore doses to the states. There are 18.04 crore doses available with states.

    Overall, nearly 1.11 billion shots have been administered in the country so far.

    The reminder comes as the government launches a door-to-door vaccination campaign targeting adults who have missed out on the second dose and also those who have not taken their first dose.

    Last week, in a review meeting with officials from nearly 45 districts with low vaccination, PM Narendra Modi had asked authorities to prepare specific strategies for each village and town to take the inoculation level closer to the national average.

    He suggested micro strategies keeping in mind the experience so far to go for saturation coverage by addressing the gaps at local level while also instructing authorities to make specific strategies for each village and town.

    The PM had suggested that teams of 20-25 can be formed and directed authorities to prepare region-wise timetables for local goals.

    Nearly 80 per cent of India’s eligible adult population has been administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine while 38 per cent has been fully vaccinated, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday.

    During an interactive webinar on the ongoing ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign, Additional Secretary in the Union Health Ministry Manohar Agnani said that under the campaign, by November 30, the government wants the first dose coverage of COVID-19 vaccination in the country to reach at least 90 per cent.

    “Also maximum of the people who are overdue for their second dose should also take the second dose by then,” Agnani said.

    The government recently launched the month-long ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign for house-to-house COVID-19 vaccination of those who are yet to take a dose and those whose second dose is overdue.

    “Going by India’s current vaccination pace we can claim with confidence that the world’s largest adult vaccination programme is well on track since its launch on January 16.

    “To date, nearly 80 per cent of the eligible population in India has been vaccinated against COVID-19 with the first dose, while 38 per cent has been fully vaccinated,” he stated.

    In several states, 100 per cent of the adult population has received the first dose of the vaccine.

    He expressed confidence that with India’s current vaccine delivery capacity, the entire adult population will soon be covered.

    The Union Health Ministry has also written to several states and union territories asking them to prioritise administering the second dose to beneficiaries who have not got themselves jabbed even after the expiry of the prescribed interval between the two doses, official sources said.

    Noting that more than 12 crore beneficiaries are due for their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday urged the health ministers of states and UTs to ensure that the entire adult population is covered with the first dose during the ongoing ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign and those who are due for the second dose are motivated to take it.

    On Friday, the ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign got underway in the national capital.

    According to a poster issued by the Delhi government, the drive will be carried out from November 12-27.

    (With PTI Inputs)

  • Need to tread with caution: Mandaviya on giving Covid vaccine to children

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday said the government does not want to make haste about administering COVID-19 vaccine to children and any decision in this regard will be taken based on expert opinion.

    On when vaccination for children could start as Zydus Cadila’s Covid vaccine has been granted emergency use authorisation for those 12-year-old and above, he said children were not being inoculated against COVID-19 on a large scale anywhere in the world though it has been initiated in some countries in a limited manner.

    “We do not want to rush this thing. Since this is a matter related to children, the expert group is carrying out further studies,” he said at the ‘Times Now Summit 2021’.

    All the vaccines which have currently received emergency use authorisation will be granted full authorisation only after a detailed study and based on the data of four to five years, he said.

    “It is through data and experience we have learnt that even after vaccination Covid can happen.

    Then again, data emerged stating that after vaccination one does not get severe Covid.

    The first dose gives 96 per cent protection and both doses give 98.5 per cent protection.

    “About vaccinating the children, we will make a decision based on expert opinion. We have decided to think and evaluate before going ahead with vaccinating children as they are the future of our country and we need to tread with caution in this matter,” the minister said.

    On the probability of administering a booster dose, he said adequate stocks are available and the aim is to complete the vaccination of the target population with two doses.

    After that, a decision on booster dose would be taken based on expert recommendation, Mandaviya said.

    “The government cannot take a direct decision in such a matter. When the Indian Council of Medical Research and expert team will say that a booster dose should be given, we will consider it then,” he said, adding Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always depended on expert opinion, be it vaccine research, manufacturing or approval.

    Despite a large population and diverse challenges, nearly 80 per cent of India’s adult population have taken at least the first dose.

    The country’s vaccination performance has been remarkable, Mandaviya said.

    About Covaxin’s approval by WHO, the minister said that he had discussed the matter with WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on more than a couple of occasions to understand the requirements a vaccine needed to fulfil to get the clearance.

    “It is a matter of great pride that a vaccine developed and manufactured in India has been given EUA status.”

    Asked if the delay in getting the EUA was because Covaxin is an Indian vaccine and if there was there any discrimination against India, the Mandaviya replied, “I will not get into this matter.”

    He informed that 97 countries have recognised Covishield and Covaxin.

    In the coming days, vaccines manufactured in India will be made available around the globe at affordable rates, Mandaviya said and stressed India will play a major role in global covid vaccination efforts.

    “We will get 31 crore doses in November with more due in December. Another five to six companies are set to come to India to manufacture vaccines here. We will help meet the world’s requirement for Covid vaccines by providing USD 18 to 20 vaccines at USD 3 to 4. This is our commitment,” he said.

    The minister said that 16 crore vaccine doses are lying with the states and Union Territories.

    Referring to the ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ vaccination at doorstep campaign, he said, “By December 31 we want to complete our target of vaccinating people aged 18 and above. It now depends on people’s support.”

    Asked about the possibility of a third wave, Mandaviya said, “Covid is not over. Cases are rising globally. In Russia, China, Hong Kong cases are rising again despite more than 80 per cent vaccination. Vaccination and Covid-appropriate behaviour have to go hand in hand.”

    On preparations for a probable third wave, he said Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission has been launched and Rs 65,000 crore will be spent in the next five years to ramp up the health infrastructure across the country.

    The aim is to form such a level of preparedness that India is ready to fight a pandemic-like exigency if anything like it comes up in the next 50 years, the Union health minister said.

    “The second wave pointed out the shortages in health infrastructure. But, we don’t believe in a blame game. PM Modi has linked health with development and the government under his leadership always made efforts to expand and strengthen health facilities,” he said.

    Discussing the Health Infrastructure Mission, Mandaviya said modern laboratories will be set up at the district level which will conduct 115 types of medical tests for the poor citizens free of cost.

    Critical care units will be set up at the district level equipped with a 100-bed facility that has oxygen and ventilators.

    Besides, a research centre at the regional level will be set up so that epidemics are recognised on time before they assume pandemic proportions, he said.

    Meanwhile, children below five years are exempted from both pre- and post-arrival testing for COVID-19 in India, according to the revised guidelines for international arrivals released on Thursday.

    However, if found symptomatic for coronavirus infections on arrival or during home quarantine period, they shall undergo testing and be treated according to laid down protocol, the guidelines said.

    Highlighting that the global trajectory of COVID-19 pandemic continues to decline with certain regional variations, the document stated the need to monitor the continuously changing nature of virus and evolution of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern must still remain in focus.

    The existing guidelines (issued on February 17 with subsequent addendums) for international arrivals in India have been formulated taking a risk-based approach.

    In view increasing vaccination coverage across the globe and the changing nature of the pandemic, the existing guidelines for international arrivals in India have been reviewed, the health ministry said.

    “Children under 5 years of age are exempted from both pre- and post-arrival testing. However, if found symptomatic for COVID-19 on arrival or during home quarantine period, they shall undergo testing and treated as per laid down protocol,” it said.

    This standard operating procedure shall be valid from November 12 (00.00 Hrs IST) till further orders, the ministry stated.

    Also, 15 days must have elapsed since completion of COVID-19 vaccination schedule.

    According to the existing guidelines, if travellers are fully vaccinated and coming from a country with which India has reciprocal arrangements for mutual acceptance of WHO approved COVID-19 vaccines, they shall be allowed to leave the airport and need not undergo home quarantine.

    They shall self monitor their health for 14 days’ post arrival.

    If partially or not vaccinated, the travellers need to undertake measures which includes submission of sample for post-arrival COVID-19 test at the point of arrival after which they will be allowed to leave the airport, home quarantine for seven days, re-test on the eighth day of arrival in India and if negative, further selfmonitor of their health for next seven days.

    15 days must have elapsed since completion of COVID-19 vaccination schedule,” the guidelines said.

    Travellers under home quarantine or self-health monitoring, if develop signs and symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 or test positive for COVID-19 on re-testing, they will immediately self isolate and report to their nearest health facility or call national helpline number (1075)/ state helpline number.

    On arrival deboarding should be done ensuring physical distancing and thermal screening would be carried out in respect of all the passengers by the health officials present at the airport.

    The self-declaration form filled online shall be shown to the airport health staff.

    The passengers found to be symptomatic during screening shall be immediately isolated and taken to medical facility according to health protocol.

    If tested positive, their contacts shall be identified and managed according to laid down protocol.

    Contacts of the suspect case are the co-passengers seated in the same row, three rows in front and three rows behind along with identified cabin crew.

    Also, all the community contacts of those travellers who have tested positive (during home quarantine period) would be subjected to quarantine for 14 days and tested as per ICMR protocol , the guidelines stated.

  • COVID vaccination: All eligible in Raigarh get second doses

    Express News Service

    RAIPUR:  Chhattisgarh’s Raigarh has become the only Indian district with a population of over 10 lakh to achieve 100 per cent vaccination with both doses to eligible citizens. 

    The district has achieved this despite Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel’s assertion that Chhattisgarh did not get the adequate supply of vaccines and syringes.

    “We have achieved the goal of reaching the targeted population of over 10.68 lakh who were administered both the doses during the last 298 days. The vaccination campaign continues to be strictly supervised and we ensure that the spirit of the work-force engaged in vaccination remains high,” said Bhim Singh, Raigarh collector.

    Around 70% of the district’s population is based in rural areas. Over 30% of them are tribals and 15%  from the Scheduled Castes. Tackling misinformation among them was a challenge.

    “Interactive sessions were held with sarpanchs of panchayats and corporators of municipalities where disinclination for vaccination was high,” said  Ravi Mittal, CEO of Zila Panchayat.

  • COVID vaccine: Nagpur civic body mulls ‘no free first dose’ after November 30

    By PTI

    NAGPUR: In order to speed up the coverage of first dose beneficiaries of the COVID-19 vaccine, Nagpur Municipal Corporation in Maharashtra on Tuesday said it was planning to discontinue free jabs at its vaccination centres after November 30.

    Additional Municipal Commissioner Ram Joshi said Nagpur city, with 160 free vaccination centres, has 19.73 lakh eligible beneficiaries, of which 16.92 lakh have received the first dose.

    “The Maharashtra government has given directions to complete the administration of the first dose by November 30. We are taking various measures to cover the remaining 2.80 lakh people by then. As part of it, we are planning to make only the second dose available for free at these centres after November 30,” he said.

    He added that NMC was taking various steps to help people overcome vaccine hesitancy.

  • Arunachal urges faith leaders to help government improve Covid vaccine coverage

    By PTI

    ITANAGAR: The Arunachal Pradesh government on Tuesday urged religious leaders and community influencers to support the state government in achieving 100 per cent coverage of Covid-19 vaccination.

    Addressing a virtual meeting of all faith-based organisations here, Health Minister Alo Libang said the state needs to improve the inoculation coverage to 100 per cent, and religious leaders can play a major role in motivating beneficiaries to take both doses of the vaccine.

    Representatives of Christian, Islamic, Hindu organisations besides those of Donyi Polo, an indigenous religion, and self-help groups participated in the meeting, according to an official statement.

    It was found that a section of the people of the state are reluctant to take Covid-19 vaccine because of some rumours, an official said.

    Appreciating the religious leaders’ enthusiasm, Libang expressed hope that the vaccination percentage would improve with their participation.

    In his address, National Health Mission (NHM) Director C R Khampa presented the Covid-19 vaccination status in the state.

    As on Monday, 7,79,925 people above 18 years of age (77 per cent) have been administered the first dose of the vaccine while 5,59,976 (55 per cent) got the second jab, Khampa said.

    State Immunization Officer Dr Dimong Padung replied to queries of the participants of the meeting, the statement said.

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently held a virtual meeting with district magistrates of over 40 districts of the country, including some of Arunachal Pradesh, having low Covid-19 vaccination coverage.