News Analysis India

Tag: Vaccines

  • COVID vaccines are disease-modifying, don’t prevent infection, says Centre as cases surge

    By ANI

    NEW DELHI: All COVID vaccines do not prevent infection and are primarily disease-modifying, said Dr Balram Bhargava, Director General, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Thursday.

    Briefing media persons, DG, ICMR said, “All COVID vaccines, whether they are from India, Israel, US, Europe, UK or China, are primarily disease-modifying. They do not prevent infection. The precautionary dose is primarily to mitigate the severity of infection, hospitalization and death.”

    “Use of masks before and after vaccination is a must and mass gatherings should be avoided… The treatment guidelines for the earlier and the currently circulating strains of coronavirus remain the same. Home isolation remains an important pillar,” added Dr Bhargava.

    With the administration of 63,91,282 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 143.83 crore (1,43,83,22,742) as per provisional reports till 7 am today, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Thursday.

    As per the ministry, this has been achieved through 1,53,47,226 sessions.

    Within the age group of 18 to 44 years, 49,76,01,405 1st doses have been administered along with the administration of 32,67,56,163 2nd doses to the people in the category.

    Within the age group of 45 to 59 years, as many as 19,40,91,039 people have been vaccinated with the 1st dose while 14,90,18,597 people have been administered with the 2nd dose.

    As many as 12,11,54,096 elderly people, (above the age of 60 years) have been administered with the 1st dose of the vaccine while 9,43,50,863 doses of the 2nd dose have been administered.

    Meanwhile, India reported 13,154 new COVID-19 cases and 268 deaths in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry said on Thursday.

    The tally of Omicron COVID-19 variant cases in the country has gone up to 961 with maximum cases reported from Delhi (263) and Maharashtra (252).

    With this, the country’s COVID-19 tally has risen to 34,822,040 while the death toll has mounted to 4,80,860.

    The ministry informed that the active caseload in the country stands at 82,402 constituting 0.24 per cent of the total cases.

    As many as 7,486 patients recovered in the last 24 hours taking the total number of recoveries to 3,42,58,778.

  • In last few weeks, India supplied vaccines to several countries: Government

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: The government on Friday said that after putting on hold Covid vaccine export to cater to domestic demand, India now has supplied jabs in the last few weeks to several countries, including Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Iran, Paraguay and Indonesia.

    In a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said that since the start of the Vaccine Maitri Programme in January, India has supplied 723.435 lakh doses to 94 countries and two UN entities in the form of grant, commercial export or through COVAX.

    “After holding the vaccine export to cater to the domestic demand first, in the last few weeks India has supplied vaccines to several countries including Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Iran, Paraguay and Indonesia,” Muraleedharan said.

    On the number of vaccines that India proposes to distribute globally as part of international vaccine partnerships like COVAX, he said the exact volume of export of vaccines will be determined by domestic production and requirements of the national vaccination programme.

    The government has taken initiatives to share medicines, vaccines, PPE, test kits and other medical and health products, training programmes, capacity building projects, genomic surveillance, recognition of vaccination certificates etc. as part of the global fight against COVID-19, Muraleedharan said.

    To another question, he stated that according to details available with Indian missions and posts, the total number of Indian citizens who succumbed to COVID-19 abroad is 4,048.

    A large number of casualties were reported from Saudi Arabia (1,154) followed by United Arab Emirates (894), Kuwait (668), Oman (551), Bahrain (200) and Qatar (109), according to the data provided by the minister.

    Muraleedharan said India supplied COVID-19 related medical and other assistance, to over 150 countries since the beginning of the pandemic.

    In the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic during the second wave, support in the form of Covid-related equipment and medicines were received from 53 countries, he said.

    These included various items from foreign governments, private companies and Indian associations abroad, Muraleedharan added.

    Responding to a separate query on whether the government has noticed the “unofficial ban” imposed by China on Indian seafarers and prohibited entry of ships with Indian seafarers, he said the government had taken note of a few media reports which had appeared earlier in the year on the subject and had, therefore, taken up the matter with the Chinese side.

    The government emphasised to the Chinese side that any restriction selectively targeting sailors from India is unacceptable, he said.

    The Chinese side had conveyed that it had not imposed any ban and that such reports were not accurate, Muraleedharan said.

    To a separate question on whether Pakistan has approved India’s proposal for transporting 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat to Afghanistan through the land route, which passes through Pakistan, for humanitarian aid for the people of Afghanistan, Minister of State for External Affairs Meenakshi Lekhi said in view of the humanitarian requirement of the people of Afghanistan, India offered 50,000 metric tonnes of wheat and life-saving drugs as assistance to the people of Afghanistan to be provided urgently through land route through Pakistan.

    “In this regard, we made a request to the Pakistani side in October 2021, and a conditional response from Pakistan has been received on November 23, 2021,” she said in her written response.

  • Those who have taken two doses of vaccine should be allowed to go out: Ajit Pawar

    By PTI
    PUNE: Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar said on Wednesday that he was of the view that those who have received both the jabs of coronavirus vaccines should be allowed to “go out”.

    He was going to discuss this issue with Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, he told reporters here.

    “In my opinion those who have received two shots of COVID-19 vaccines should be allowed to go out, in a phased manner. I will speak with the CM on this subject in the next two days,” he said.

    Pawar, however, did not elaborate on what exactly he meant by `going out’.

    While restrictions induced by the pandemic vary across the state, there is no curfew.

    In Pune and some other districts people are not allowed to visit tourist spots.

    The deputy chief minister conceded that not everyone may agree with him.

    “Different institutes put forth their views, people from the medical fraternity have different views. Some people say the next 100 to 120 days are very crucial and everyone should follow the rules in true letter and spirit during this period,” he said.

    Asked about the tardy pace of vaccination in Pune district, Pawar said the pace had not slowed down but it depends on the availability of the vaccines and it is the Union government which supplies them.

    “The CM in every video conference with the prime minister raises the demand for supply of vaccine doses in proportion with the state’s population,” he said.

    Earlier it was told (by the Centre) that the production of vaccines would be ramped up and the states will receive the doses in sufficient quantity in July, but this has not happened so far, Pawar claimed.

    People are now coming forward to take the vaccine and there is no `vaccine hesitancy’ which was a good development, he said.

    Speaking about the Pegasus spyware row, Pawar said measures such as phone tapping could be used against a person who is a threat to national security, but under the protection of laws enabling them, innocent people are being targeted.

    People must know what exactly happened and in whose tenure, the NCP leader said.

  • Daman, Diu complete first dose vaccination for all eligible beneficiaries

    By PTI
    DAMAN: The districts of Daman and Diu of Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu have administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine to their entire eligible population, an official said on Thursday.

    Vaccination camps were set up in all three districts – Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu – when the inoculation drive commenced from January 16, the release issued by the administration stated.

    By June end, Daman and Diu have achieved 100 per cent coverage of the first dose of vaccine to all eligible beneficiaries, including healthcare workers, frontline personnel and people in 18-44 and 45-60 age categories, it was stated.

    More than 35,400 persons were administered the first dose in Diu, while over 1.65 lakh beneficiaries were covered in Daman, the official said, adding that the drive to administer the second dose has also commenced in these districts.

    Vaccination coverage in Dadra and Nagar Haveli districts stands at 59.3 per cent, as over 1.85 lakh people have been vaccinated against the target of 3.12 lakh, it was stated.

    According to authorities, hundreds of migrant labourers working in industrial units in Daman were also covered in the vaccination drive, and the administration had also announced a reward scheme for village panchayats that perform well on vaccination front.

    Apart from this, the administration has set up “war rooms” to remind people about their second dose, and around 5,000 persons are being called every day to take the jab, it was stated.

    Meanwhile, as per the latest order by the administration, all hotels, restaurants and resorts in the Union Territory can operate with 50 per cent capacity.

    Till now, a negative RT-PCR report was necessary for a tourist to stay in a hotel.

    However, from Thursday onwards, tourists can book a room in hotels by furnishing their vaccination certificates, it was stated.

  • Statewise distribution of vaccines transparent, media allegations baseless: Centre

    By PTI
    NEW DELHI: Allocation of COVID-19 vaccines to a state is done based on its population, caseload, utilisation efficiency and wastage factors, the Union Health Ministry on Thursday said, dismissing media reports alleging non-transparent distribution of the jabs.

    There have been some media reports alleging non-transparent allocation of COVID-19 vaccines to states, according to the statement. The ministry said the “allegations are completely without any basis, and not fully informed”.

    It clarified that the Government of India continues to allocate COVID-19 vaccines to states and UTs in a transparent manner.

    #CovidVaccine distribution to states based on parameters below, reiterates @MoHFW_INDIAPopulation of a stateCaseload or disease burdenState’s utilisation efficiency*allocation negatively affected by the vaccine wastage@NewIndianXpress#CovidVaccination
    — Sumi Dutta (@SumiSukanya) June 24, 2021

    In a statement, the ministry said India’s National COVID Vaccination Programme is built on scientific and epidemiological evidence, WHO guidelines and global best practices.

    Anchored in systematic end-to-end planning, it is implemented through effective and efficient participation of states and UTs and the people at large.

    Information about the vaccine supply by the Government of India, consumption by the states and UTs, balance and unutilised vaccine doses available with them, along with vaccine supply in the pipeline is regularly shared through press releases made by Press Information Bureau, and also through other forums, the statement said. 

  • 21.80 crore Covid vaccine doses provided to states, UTs so far: Centre

    In a statement, the ministry said 40,650 COVID-19 vaccine doses are in the pipeline and will be received by the states/UTs within the next three days.

  • No vaccines left, J&K to pause inoculation drive from today

    Express News Service
    SRINAGAR: Kashmir is facing a severe shortage of vaccines as not new supplies have been delivered in the last few days. The situation is so dire that authorities said the state will suspend vaccination for even those above 45 years of age on Saturday, if fresh supplies are not received from the Serum Institute. 

    Authorities say all supplies have been exhausted and no fresh stock has been delivered in the last few days. “Whatever supplies we got, we have exhausted them all. We had a few thousand vaccines doses left, and these were administered to people today (Friday). As of now, we don’t have any vaccine doses available for Saturday,” an official said.

    Only 13,407 people were vaccinated in the Valley on Friday as against more than 31,000 in Jammu region.Officials are hopeful of receiving about 1.84 lakh doses of Covisheild vaccine from the Serum Institute soon. “In case we don’t receive the supply by tomorrow morning, then we will have to suspend the vaccination drive across Kashmir tomorrow,” he said.

    At present, there are 927 vaccination centres in the Valley, where the vaccines are being administered to people above the age of 45. However, since Thursday people have been returning without getting vaccinated due to the shortage. Some hospitals in Srinagar have put up notice saying vaccines are out of stock. With even those in the 45+ category struggling to get vaccinated, the government has decided not to begin vaccinating those over the age of 18 from Saturday.

    330 arrested for violating lockdownPolice have arrested over 300 people and imposed fine on nearly 10,000 others for allegedly violating Covid-29 related standard operating procedures in Kashmir over the past 11 days

  • Reached out to PM Modi for additional vaccines, medicines, says West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said she has sought help from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for additional vaccines and medicines in the wake of spiraling COVID-19 cases in the state.

    She also said the state government will spell out measures to deal with the second wave of the pandemic later in the day.

    “With the massive surge in #COVID19 cases across India, GoWB is taking all necessary steps to protect its people. I’ve reached out (to) the PM to help us with additional medicines and vaccines required,” Banerjee tweeted.

    “I have also directed all the top officials to make elaborate arrangements & step up their efforts at every level to deal with #COVID19 situation in WB,” she added.

    ALSO READ: CM Mamata Banerjee warns CAPF of legal consequences after election

    Banerjee had on Sunday said TMC would organise small meetings in Kolkata and she would give short speeches in rallies in districts where polling would be held in the remaining three phases, keeping in mind the coronavirus situation.

    Trinamool Rajya Sabha member Derek O’Brien tweeted, “Mamata Banerjee will NOT campaign in Kolkata anymore. Only one ‘symbolic’ meeting on the last day of campaigning in the city on April 26. Slashes time for all her election rallies in all districts. Restricted to just 30 minutes.”

    West Bengal on Sunday registered its highest single day spike of 8,419 fresh cases and at least 28 fatalities.

  • More than one lakh Corona Warriors got vaccine installed in the state, maximum in Bemetra and Dhamtari district

    In Chhattisgarh, encouraging statistics regarding corona vaccination came out on Wednesday. So far, Corona vaccine has been applied to 1 lakh 5 thousand health care workers of the state. According to the data so far, 68 percent of health workers in Bemetra and 60 percent in Dhamtari have been vaccinated. On Wednesday, 21 thousand 888 health care workers were given Kovid 19 vaccine on 358 session site. According to Health Department, 31 percent in Raipur district, 51 in Durg district, 25 in Rajnandgaon, 36 in Bilaspur, 32 in Sukma, 48 in Raigad, 59 in Balod, 31 in Sarguja, 31 in Janjgir-Champa, 45 in Baloda Bazar , 29 in Jashpur, 31 in Bijapur, 31 in Korba, 47 in Kabirdham, 51 in Mahasamund, 68 in Bemetara, 60 in Dhamtari, 29 in Korea, 40 in Kondagaon, 31 in Kanker, Gorela Pendra 39 in Marwahi, 40 in Mungeli , 19 percent in Narayanpur, 41 in Gariaband, 32 in Bastar, Dantewada 21, 29 in Surajpur, 27 percent of health workers in Balrampur have been given corona vaccine. In the first phase, 2.67 lakh health care workers will be vaccinated. All are being kept in the monitoring room for half an hour after vaccination. It is noteworthy that a second dose will have to be taken within 28 days of the first dose of the vaccine. A protective level of antibodies usually develops within two weeks of the second dose. Even after applying the vaccine, it will be necessary to behave covid compliantly. This will reduce the risk of corona.