Coronavirus vaccine news highlights: India conducts Covid-19 vaccination dry run; Oxford vaccine gets nod

The dry run of the coronavirus vaccine began today at 259 sites spread across 116 districts in all states and union territories. Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said that the Covid-19 vaccines would be provided free of cost to everyone in the country.

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Bharat Biotech has announced successful recruitment of 23,000 volunteers, and continued progress towards achieving the goal of 26,000 participants for Phase-3 clinical trial of COVAXIN across multiple sites in India.

In a tweet in Hindi, Yadav said, “We have full faith in the efficiency of scientists but do not trust the unscientific thinking of the BJP and the medical arrangements of the BJP government administering vaccines which had been lying almost inactive during the corona times.” “We will not take the political vaccine of the BJP. The SP government will provide free vaccines,” he asserted later too in his tweet.

Mexican doctor hospitalized after receiving Covid-19 vaccine

Mexican authorities said they are studying the case of a 32-year-old female doctor who was hospitalized after receiving the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine.

The doctor, whose name has not been released, was admitted to the intensive care unit of a public hospital in the northern state of Nuevo Leon after she experienced seizures, difficulty breathing and a skin rash.

"The initial diagnosis is encephalomyelitis," the Health Ministry said in a statement released on Friday night. Encephalomyelitis is an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord.

Mizoram successfully conducts Covid-19 vaccination dry run

The Mizoram government on Saturday successfully conducted a dry run for Covid-19 vaccination, a health official said.Twenty-five people each were administered dummy vaccines at two PHCs in Aizawl under the supervision of health officials and senior doctors, he said."The mock drill will help us review our preparedness for the actual drive and plug loopholes in logistics and training," the official said.

CDSCO panel recommends granting approval for emergency use of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin

An expert panel of India's central drug authority on Saturday recommended granting permission for restricted emergency use of the indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin with certain conditions, a day after giving similar direction for the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine, sources said.

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Covid-19 vaccines don't belong to any political party, but humanity: Omar Abdullah

Covid-19 vaccines do not belong to any political party, but humanity, National Conference leader Omar Abdullah said on Saturday, hours after Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav termed coronavirus vaccines to be rolled out in the country as "vaccine of the BJP".

Taking to Twitter, the former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said, "I don't know about anyone else but when my turn comes I'll happily roll up my sleeve & get a COVID vaccine."

The more people get vaccinated, the better it will be for the country and the economy, the National Conference (NC) vice president said.

"No vaccine belongs to any political party, they belong to humanity & the sooner we get vulnerable people vaccinated the better," he tweeted.

Won't compromise on any protocol in vaccine approval: Vardhan

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan appealed to people on Saturday not to be misguided by "rumours" regarding the safety and efficacy of the coronavirus vaccine, and said the most prioritised beneficiaries would be vaccinated for free.

Vardhan stressed that there would be no compromise on any protocol while approving the vaccine.

The minister, who visited two mock vaccination sites in Delhi to review the drill, said free vaccines would be provided in the first phase of the inoculation drive to the most prioritised beneficiaries, including one crore healthcare and two crore frontline workers.

Expert panel recommends Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use, say sources

Expert panel recommends granting permission for restricted emergency use authorisation for Bharat Biotech's indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine — (Covaxin): Govt Sources

1.60 crore people to Covid-19 vaccine in phase-1: TN Minister

Tamil Nadu has taken steps to administer Covid-19 vaccine to 1.60 crore people across the state in the first phase, Health Minister Dr Vijayabhaskar said on Saturday. Talking to reporters at the ESI Hospital here during a special camp as part of the dry run, he said it is being carried out to identify the problems and challenges of administering the vaccine. A total of 47,200 vaccine centres have been established and 21,200 health workers trained for the purpose, he said.

Telangana Guv inspects Covid-19 vaccine dry run in Hyderabad

Telangana Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan on Saturday urged people not to hesitate to take Covid-19 vaccine, saying it was safe. "Vaccine is safe. People all over the world are taking the vaccine. There is not even a single incident of fatality due to the vaccination till now. People should not be afraid to take it," the governor said in a release. She visited the Urban Health Centre (UHC) at Tilak Nagar in the city to inspect Covid-19 vaccine dry run held there.

AstraZeneca plans 2 million doses a week of Covid-19 vaccine for UK: Reports

Amidst growing pressure over sufficient supplies of Covid-19 vaccines in the UK, pharmaceutical companies have hit back at government claims that access to enough jabs was a "limiting factor", insisting there was no issue at their end.

While AstraZeneca says it expects 2 million doses of the Oxford University vaccine to be ready each week in just over a fortnight, Pfizer BioNTech said the number of doses it has now sent to the UK is "in the millions".

The Pfizer and Oxford/AstraZeneca jabs are the two vaccines against coronavirus that are approved for rollout in the UK.

Rajasthan conducts anti-Covid vaccination dry runs at 19 centres in 7 districts

Rajasthan Health Department on Saturday conducted dry runs for anti-Covid vaccination at 19 centres of seven districts of the state as per the Centre’s protocol for the inoculation, an official said. During the dry runs, the support staff for the inoculation were given training and the state now is ready for the vaccination after receiving the vaccine, he said. Dry runs for the universal vaccination as per the protocol received from the Centre were held Saturday at 19 centres of seven districts of the state, Health Secretary Siddharth Mahajan told reporters here. Rajasthan is fully prepared now for the first phase of vaccination, he added.

He said he has taken feedback from the centres where dry runs were conducted. Mahajan said he also inspected three vaccination centres in Jaipur to take stock of the preparation. Ajmer CMHO Dr K K Soni said in the first phase, vaccine dose will be given to frontline health workers and about 20,000 health workers in Ajmer will be vaccinated. He said the vaccination will be done in an interval of 42 days and a message received on the mobile phone needs to be shown for the second vaccination.

Gujarat's 2nd round of Covid-19 vaccine dry run in 4 districts

As many as 300 "beneficiaries" are undergoing dummy vaccination at various centres in four districts of Gujarat on Saturday as part of the second round of the dry run for the COVID-19 vaccine programme, health officials said.

The first round of the dry run was conducted at various centres in Gandhinagar and Rajkot districts, which concluded on Tuesday.

For the second round of mock vaccination, four districts- Anand, Valsad, Dahod and Bhavnagar- were selected.

"As many as 300 beneficiaries, all health workers, are being given dummy vaccines as part of the drill. This exercise is being held across 12 centres in the four districts selected for the purpose," an official said.

Covid-19 vaccination dry run a learning experience: Tamil Nadu govt

Tamil Nadu on Saturday conducted a dry run at 17 centres for the rollout of Covid-19 vaccination that showed the successful working of the processes involved and it was a learning experience as well, a top state health official said here on Saturday. The exercise showed that all preparations were in 'ready' mode for the roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccine in the state, Tamil Nadu Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan said, adding that overall, the processes worked successfully. The dry run was held at three centres each in the districts of Chennai, Tiruvallur, Nilgiris, Tirunelveli and five in Coimbatore.

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It's BJP's vaccine, not taking the shot: Akhilesh Yadav

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav Saturday termed the Covid-19 vaccines to be rolled out in the country as "vaccine of the BJP" and said he would not take the shot, drawing a sharp retort from the ruling party which accused him of "insulting" the doctors and scientists.

"How can I trust the vaccine, which will be used for vaccination by the BJP? We cannot get vaccinated by the BJP's vaccine," he told reporters here.

India approves AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, country's first

India has approved the Covid-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, paving the way for a huge immunisation campaign in the world's second most populous country.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters on Saturday the vaccine had been approved on Friday, confirming what sources close to the matter had told Reuters.

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Despite late start, Anekal PHC keeps up pace with vaccination dry run schedule

Hargade PHC in Anekal, Bengaluru Urban was off to a late start. The vaccinationstarted only at 9.30 am. Though all the 25 mock beneficiaries turned up, only eight beneficiaries were 'vaccinated' by 11 am.

Dr Manohar N, District Surveillance Officer, Bangalore Urban, was present at Hargade PHC for the mock drill.

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Vaccine dry run begins in Nagaland

Delhi prepared to vaccinate 1 lakh people daily

Delhi govt has so far made preparations to vaccinate 1 lakh people in a day, says Health Minister Jain

Bihar Health Minister Mangal Pandey visits dry run centre in Patna

Maharashtra Health Minister inspects dry run in Jalna

Vaccination centres to be linked to hospitals; 30-minute observation period after receiving vaccine: Satyendar Jain

Covid vaccination centres will be linked to hospitals; people will be kept under 30-min observation after getting dose: Delhi health minister

The Health Minister also said that vaccines will be given free of cost for people in Delhi.

Dry run underway in Visakhapatnam

SEC to meet today to consider Bharat Biotech's vaccine application

Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of the national drug regulator to meet today to consider Bharat Biotech’s application for its COVID19 vaccine. (ANI)

1 crore healthcare workers, 2 crore frontline workers to get vaccine on priority: Dr Harsh Vardhan

Bengaluru PHCs successfully finish vaccine dry run

The Covid-19 vaccination dry run that was underway in three primary health centres in Bengaluru from 9 am to 11 am came to a successful end with 25 beneficiaries participating in the mock drill at each PHC.

At Kamakshipalya PHC in the west zone of BBMP, the registration room brimmed with the mock drill beneficiaries includingthe ASHA workers and Anganwadi workers of the area, as soon as they were intimated of the time and location.

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2,000 master trainers across the nation prepared to train health workers on how to administer vaccine: Union Health Minister

Covid-19 vaccines will be provided free of cost across the country: Dr Harsh Vardhan

Will not compromise on protocol before approving a vaccine: Union Health Minister

Delhi Health Minister on whether Covid-19 vaccines will be free

Yes, medicines and treatment are being provided for free in Delhi, anyway: Delhi Health Minister Satyender Jain on being asked if Covid-19 vaccine will be given free of cost in the state. (ANI)

Dry run begins at three centres in Delhi

A dry run for Covid-19 vaccination began in the national capital on Saturday at three sites selected for the purpose, officials said.

The Centre had on Thursday stated that the activity was set to be conducted by all state and union territory administrations on January 2 to test the linkages between planning and implementation, and identify challenges.

"Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital, Shahdara, Urban Primary Health Centre, Daryaganj, and Venkateshwar Hospital, Dwarka, are the three sites in Delhi which have been selected for the dry run of the roll out of Covid-19 vaccine in the national capital," a senior official said here on Saturday.

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Covid-19 vaccine preparation complete, says Dr Harsh Vardhan

States ensuring all protocols are being followed: MoHFW

Dry run commences in Guwahati

Dry run begins at Bidhannagar Primary Healthcare Centre in Kolkata

All vaccine information will be shared with beneficiaries before vaccination: Vaccination Officer, GTB Hospital

Feedback received, all procedures of dry run being followed: Union Health Minster

Kerala Health Minister KK Shailaja reviews vaccine dry run in Thiruvananthapuram

77 vaccination centres identified in Delhi: District Magistrate

Dr Harsh Vardhan urges people to ignore rumours surrounding Covid-19 vaccine safety

Vaccine dry run commences at three centres in Belagavi district

The Covid-19 vaccine dry run is being conducted at the Urban Health Centre at Vantmuri in Belagavi, Community Health Centre at Kittur, and Taluk Hospital at Hukkeri.

The dry run vaccine is being administered to 75 persons at three centres who had registered themselves in the Covinapp. A total of 28,195 health workers too have registered in the Covinapp.

Covid-19 vaccine dry run underway in Bengaluru's Kamakshipalya

Maharashtra's Covid-19 vaccine dry run underway in District Hospital, Pune

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan attends vaccine dry run at GTB Hospital, Delhi

A healthcare centre in Delhi's Daryaganj prepares for the Covid-19 vaccine dry run

Pfizer-BioNTech to offer vaccine to volunteers who were given placebo

Pfizer Inc and its partner BioNTech Se plan to give volunteers who received a placebo in its Covid-19 vaccine trial an option to receive a first dose of the vaccine by March 1, 2021, while staying within the study.

The trial's Vaccine Transition Option allows all participants aged 16 or older the choice to discover whether they were given the placebo, "and for participants who learn they received the placebo, to have the option to receive the investigational vaccine while staying in the study," the companies said on their website.

Covid-19 vaccine dry run today at 259 sites across 116 districts

The Union Health Ministry announced on Twitter the commencement of the coronavirus vaccine dry run in a 259 sites 116 districts across all states and union territories.

As Covid-19 vaccine set to be cleared for use, doctors’ body appeals to people not to rush

Thevaccinewill be available only for adults and non-pregnant women, OMAG President Dr S Natarajan and secretary general Dr Ishwar Gilada said, adding that thevaccinationprogramme may consume more by 2021.

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Kerala all set for Covid vaccine mock drill on Jan 2

Kerala is all set for the Covid vaccine mock drill on January 2, as 4,991 new cases were recorded on Friday and 5,111 people cured of the infection. While the virus caseload mounted to 7,65,923, the total recoveries touched 6,97,591 and active cases 65,054.

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Harsh Vardhan reviews preparedness for Covid vaccination dry run on January 2

The senior officials of the health ministry apprised the minister on various improvements that have been made to make the pan-India dry run glitch free, such as number of telephone operators has been increased to answer every possible query from the teams on the ground conducting the dry run.

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Coronavirus vaccine dry run at 17 centres in Tamil Nadu on January 2

Health Minister C Vijayabhaskar told reporters on Friday that the state government has already identified 47,200 centres where the vaccine will be administered to people once the drive begins in the country. He said that the dry run will be conducted at three places each in Chennai, Nilgiris, Tirunelveli, and Tiruvallur districts, while the number is five in Coimbatore.

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BioNTech founders warn of Covid-19 vaccine supply gaps: Report

The German biotech startup has led the vaccine race but its shot has been slow to arrive in the European Union due to relatively slow approval from the bloc's health regulator and the small size of the order placed by Brussels.

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Govt allows import and export of Covid-19 vaccine without any value limitation

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) has amended the regulations to facilitate the import/export of Covid-19 vaccines through courier, at locations where the Express Cargo Clearance System (ECCS) is operational.

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Covid-19 vaccine, geopolitics, budget to drive Indian equities in 2021, say analysts

The global Covid-19 situation, rollout of vaccines, geopolitical trends, Union Budget and economic recovery would be the major factors driving investor sentiments in 2021 after a tumultuous year which saw both 'the worst of times and the best of times' for the stock market, said analysts.

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Why Covid-19 vaccines take a while to kick in

Experts said the sickness is nothing unexpected: The protective effects of vaccines are known to take at least a couple of weeks to kick in. And getting sick before completing a two-dose vaccine regimen, they said, should not undermine the potency of Pfizer’s product.

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Karnataka set for Covid-19 vaccine dry run in five select districts

The BBMP has identified five vaccination officers each for Kamakshipalya urban PHC (west zone), Vidyapeetha urban primary health centre (south zone), and Hargade PHC in Anekal that comes under the Bangalore Urban district. These officers will undergo training on Friday.

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Expert panel approves Serum Institute's Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use

Sources said the approval for the first Indian Covid-19 vaccine came from the Central Drug Standards and Control Organisation’s subject expert committee after a lengthy presentation by the company officials and detailed deliberations on the data they shared with the experts.

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WHO clears Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use

The World Health Organization says it has cleared the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirusvaccinefor emergency use, meaning poorer countries may soon get access to the shot already available in Europe and North America.

Every country that has a drug regulatory agency will have to issue its own approval for any Covid-19vaccine, but countries with weak systems usually rely on WHO to vet the shots.

The global body said late Thursday that the decision to issue its first emergency use validation for a Covid-19vaccine"opens the door for countries to expedite their own regulatory approval processes to import and administer thevaccine."

India likely to get vaccine in New Year, hints Somani

India is likely to have a Covid-19vaccinein the New Year, Drug Controller General of India V G Somani hinted on Thursday.

Speaking at a webinar, Somani said the most important thing is that the industry and research organisations have stood the test of time.

He saidvaccinecandidates have got the funding and also talked about the efforts made by the Department of Biotechnology. "...and probably we will have a very happy New Year with something in hand. That's what I can hint at," Somani said.

Dry run for Covid-19 vaccination in all states and UTs on January 2

A dry run for Covid-19vaccinationwill be conducted by all state and union territory administrations on January 2 to test the linkages between planning and implementation and to identify the challenges, the Centre said on Thursday.

The activity is proposed to be conducted in all state capitals in at least 3 session sites.

Some states will also include districts that are situated in difficult terrain/have poor logistical support, while Maharashtra and Kerala are likely to schedule the dry run in major cities other than their capital, the Union Health Ministry said.

Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine receives conditional approval from Chinese authorities

China has granted conditional approval to the country's first homegrown Covid-19 vaccine developed by state-owned pharmaceutical giantSinopharm, an official announcement said on Thursday.

The approval comes a day afterSinopharmsaid its vaccine showed 79.34 per cent efficacy and a 99.52 per cent antibody-positive conversion rate in the interim results of the Phase III clinical trials.

Pakistan to purchase 1.2 million doses of Chinese Sinopharm vaccine

Pakistan will purchase 1.2 million Covid-19 vaccine doses from China's Sinopharm, a minister said on Thursday.

"The Cabinet Committee has decided to initially purchase 1.2 million doses of the vaccine from the Chinese company Sinopharm, which will be provided free of cost to frontline workers in the first quarter of 2021," Pakistani Minister for Science and Technology said on Twitter.

China approved a Covid-19 vaccine developed by an affiliate of state-backed pharmaceutical giant Sinopharm on Thursday, its first approved shot for general public use.

US Warp Speed officials say vaccine distribution too slow

The distribution of vaccines in the United States has gotten off to a slower-than-expected start, federal health officials acknowledged in a news conference Wednesday, though they also voiced confidence that the pace would accelerate in the coming weeks.

As of Wednesday, more than 14 million doses of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines had been sent out across the United States, up from 11.4 million doses Monday morning. But just 2.1 million people had received their first dose as of Monday morning, according to a dashboard maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Following UK, Mexico likely to approve AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine

Mexico's government on Wednesday hailed Britain's approval of a coronavirus vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, and said that Mexican authorities were also close to authorizing its deployment.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told a regular news conference that news of the British approval of the vaccine was very "reassuring." Mexico is helping to produce AstraZeneca's vaccine and has agreements to receive doses from March.

Later, Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said on Twitter that Mexican authorization of the vaccine was "imminent."

Algeria to roll out 500,000 doses of Sputnik V vaccine from January

Algeria will begin rolling out the contentious Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine developed by Russia in January, the government said late Wednesday.

The country had signed a "mutual agreement with a Russian laboratory for acquisition of the coronavirus vaccine from January", said Communications Minister Ammar Belhimer.

Authorities will receive an initial shipment of 500,000 doses, finance ministry director general Abdelaziz Fayed told local broadcaster Echorouk.

India's drug regulator meets to discuss AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine

Experts at India's drug regulator were meeting on Wednesday to consider approving an AstraZeneca-Oxford coronavirus vaccine for emergency use after Britain became the first country to do so, two sources with knowledge of the matter said.

Expert committee to consider SII vaccine for emergency use

Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of Drugs Controller of India is set to hold a meeting to consider Serum Institute of India's application for emergency use approval of its Covid-19 vaccine, says a government official, according to news agency ANI.

This comes after the United Kingdom gave its nod to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on Wednesday as it battles a major winter surge driven by a new, highly contagious variant of the virus.

AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine effective against new virus strain, says CEO

The AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine approved by Britain on Wednesday should be effective against a rapidly spreading new variant of the virus, AstraZeneca's Chief Executive Pascal Soriot said.

"Our belief at this point is that this vaccine should be effective against the variant," he told BBC radio.

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Czech Republic allow usage of extra doses of vaccine from vials

The Czech Republic has allowed squeezing an extra dose from Covid-19 vaccine vials supplied by Pfizer and BioNTech, taking advantage of an extra reserve amount put into the vials by the maker, the Health Ministry said.

Under standard rules, five doses can be drawn from each vial of the vaccine, but experts have said it is possible to obtain sixth or even seventh dose from the vials.

Prime Minister Andrej Babis had asked the European Commission earlier this week to allow using the extra amount.

Britain become first country in the world to approve AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine

Britain on Wednesday became the first country in the world to approve a coronavirus vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca as it battles a major winter surge driven by a new, highly contagious variant of the virus.

"The government has today accepted the recommendation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to authorise Oxford University/AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine for use," the health ministry said.

Taiwan to get 20 million Covid-19 vaccines; 10 million from AstraZeneca

Taiwan has agreed to buy almost 20 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine, including 10 million from AstraZeneca Plc, the government said on Wednesday.

The vaccines will arrive by March at the earliest, the Central Epidemic Command Centre said in a statement.

Sinopharm seeks approval from Chinese authorities for general public use of vaccine

A vaccine developed by a unit of China National Biotec Group (CNBG) is 79.34% effective at protecting people from Covid-19 and the company is seeking regulatory approval for general public use in China, the developer said on Wednesday.

The efficacy rate, based on interim analysis of Phase 3 clinical trials, is lower than 86% rate for the same vaccine announced by the United Arab Emirates on December9, based on preliminary data from trials there.

Turkey receives first shipment of Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines

Turkey received its first shipment of Covid-19 vaccines from China's Sinovac early on Wednesday, Reuters television footage showed, almost a week after Ankara said the vaccine was safe and effective, based on interim Phase III trial results.

The shipment of 3 million doses, part of a pact for a total of 50 million, was initially set to arrive on December11 but faced setbacks.

Sinopharm vaccine 79% effective against Covid-19

Phase III trials of a vaccine developed by Sinopharm found it was 79 percent effective against Covid-19, the Chinese pharma giant announced Wednesday, lower than rival jabs developed by Pfizer and Moderna.

"Sinopharm CNBG Beijing's inactivated coronavirus vaccine exhibits safety after vaccination... the protective effect of the vaccine against Covid-19 is 79.34%," said Beijing Institute of Biological Products -- a Sinopharm subsidiary.

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Sputnik V vaccine applies for phase 3 trials in Brazil

Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine has requested regulatory approval to launch Phase 3 trials in Brazil, Brazilian health regulator Anvisa said late on Tuesday.

The Sputnik vaccine is being developed by Moscow's Gamaleya Research Institute and marketed by the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF). Brazilian partner Uniao Quimica, a pharmaceutical company, entered the request with Anvisa, the regulator said.

Anvisa said it would review the request within 72 hours.

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Trump's vaccine plan falling far behind: Joe Biden

Speaking after a briefing by experts, President-Elect Biden promised that as president he will undertake the "greatest operational challenge we've ever faced as a nation" to inoculate against the illness that has claimed more than 1.7 million lives globally.

"The Trump administration's plan to distribute vaccines is falling far behind," Biden said, promising: "I'm going to move Heaven and Earth to get us going in the right direction."

CanSino to submit clinical trial results to Mexico next week

China's CanSino Biologics Inc will submit the results of clinical trials for its Covid-19 vaccine to Mexican authorities next week, a top health official said on Tuesday, marking another step toward its potential approval in the country.

Mexico began importing vaccines from Pfizer last week and has inoculated 18,529 healthcare workers so far. It also has an agreement to buy vaccines from CanSino, once the vaccine is approved.

The company was due to submit the vaccine for review last week.

46-year old nurse first to receive Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine in Singapore

A 46-year-old nurse became the first person in Singapore to receive Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine on Wednesday, making the city-state among the first Asian countries to begin an inoculation campaign against the coronavirus.

Sarah Lim, a senior staff nurse at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, was the first of more than 30 staff at the centre who are being vaccinated on Wednesday, the health ministry said. They will return for the second dose of the vaccine on Jan. 20.

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Covid-19: Kamala Harris gets vaccinated on camera, urges public to trust process

US Vice President-elect Kamala Harris received her Covid vaccine live on television Tuesday and urged public trust in the process, while her choice of hospital highlighted the plight of the hard-hit African-American community.

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Will Covid-19 vaccines work on the new coronavirus variant?

Experts believe so, but they're working to confirm that.

A coronavirus variant in the United Kingdom has caused alarm because of the possibility that it might spread more easily. But even if that turns out to be true, experts say the Covid-19 vaccines being rolled out will likely still work on the variant.

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Argentina on Tuesday launched a Covid-19vaccinationcampaign with the controversial Sputnik V shots developed by Russia, the government said. It is the first country in the Americas to use thisvaccineagainst the pandemic.

Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin can work against mutated coronavirus: Bharat Biotech

Covaxin, a vaccine candidate being developed by Bharat Biotech for Covid-19, can offer protection against mutations of coronavirus, Chairman and Managing Directorof the city-based vaccine maker Krishna Ella said on Tuesday. Read more

What Covid-19 vaccine side effects felt like to those who got it

Two and a half hours after being injected with a Covid-19 vaccine, Dr. Taneisha Wilson was hit with the worst headache of her life.

In her home office in Cranston, Rhode Island, Wilson, 36, an emergency physician with a constitution she calls “horse-like,” laid her head down on the desk. Fighting a wave of nausea, she let out an involuntary groan loud enough to be heard by her husband in a room down the hall.

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Serum Institute of India expects approval for AstraZeneca vaccine in days

TheSerumInstitute of India, the local maker of the Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine, said on Monday it expected the British and Indian governments to approve shots for emergency use within a few days.

Covax gets 2 billion doses, 250 million for India

Covax, the global initiative to secure Covid-19 vaccines for international distribution announced on Friday that agreements had been inked with vaccine manufacturers to procure two billion doses for 192 countries, including 250 million doses for India.

The announcement was made during a press conference on Friday evening, with top World Health Organisation (WHO) officials, CEOs of several vaccine manufacturing firms as well as government officials from several countries.

Dry run preparations for Covid-19 vaccinations in Ludhiana

Covid-19 vaccination dry run preparationsare underway at Dayanand Medical College in Ludhiana.

Andhra Pradesh gets ready for a vaccine rollout dry run

Preparations have started in Prakash Nagar, Vijaywada for the dry run of Covid-19 vaccine rollout.

"We're testing preparedness of cold chain, COVIN software & vaccination programme through 25 beneficiaries," Dr Srihari, Joint Director, State Immunization Programme told ANI.

Mexico elderly could get coronavirus vaccines in January

Mexico expects to wrap up its first-dose Covid-19 vaccinations for healthcare workers by early January, before moving to inoculate elderly people in the month's second half, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Sunday.

The second day of vaccinations for medical staff saw the health ministry record 6,217 new confirmed infections and 400 more deaths, taking Mexico's tally to 1,383,434 cases and 122,426 deaths. (Reuters)

Many Europeans wary of taking the Covid-19 vaccine

Surveys have pointed to high levels of hesitancy towards inoculation in countries from France to Poland, with many vaccines taking decades to develop, not just months. "I don't think there's a vaccine in history that has been tested so quick,"Ireneusz Sikorski, 41, said as he stepped out of a church in central Warsaw with his two children.

In Spain, one of Europe's hardest-hit countries, German, a 28-year-old singer and music composer originally from Tenerife, also plans to wait for now.

A Christian Orthodox bishop in Bulgaria, where 45% of people have said they would not get a shot and 40% plan to wait to see if any negative side effects appear, compared Covid-19 to polio.

Read more at:Despite hi-tech advances, many Europeans wary of taking Covid-19 vaccine shot

South Korea to accelerate virus vaccine efforts as first UK variant detected

South Korean officials are vowing to speed up efforts to launch a public coronavirus vaccination programas the country on Monday announced it had detected its first cases of the virus variant linked to the rapid rise in infections in Britain.

The new variantthought to be more transmissible than others currently circulating, was found in three people who had entered South Korea from London on December22, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said on Monday.

Overall the KDCA reported 808 new cases as of midnight Sunday, the lowest since a record 1,241 infections were logged on Friday. (Reuters)

AstraZeneca Covid vaccine has 'winning formula': CEO

The Covid-19vaccinedeveloped by the British drugs group AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford has achieved a "winning formula" for efficacy, the company's chief executive said on Sunday.

EU kicks off Covid-19 vaccine campaign

Doctors, nurses and the elderly rolled up their sleeves across the European Union to receive the first doses of the coronavirusvaccineon Sunday in a symbolic show of unity and moment of hope for a continent confronting its worst health care crisis in a century.

Russia's president Vladimir Putin will receive the Sputnik Vvaccineagainst the coronavirus, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a Russian state TV channel on Sunday.

India to play vital role in equitable distribution of Covid-19 vaccines around the world: Pharma industry

With vaccine rollout beginning in some countries, the world ravaged by the Covid-19 pandemic is looking to India for the large-scale production and supply of coronavirus vaccines as it enters 2021.

Read more here

Hyderabad set to emerge as global hub for Covid-19 vaccine in 2021

As the world is set to brace for a new year amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the city is poised to emerge as a 'saviour' from the killer virus, with as many as five vaccine manufacturing firms based here racing to bring out an antidote.

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Study sheds light on critical windows for Covid-19 vaccination for pregnant women

Scientists have found evidence of lower than expected transfer of protective antibodies against the novel coronavirus via the placenta from mothers who are infected in the third trimester, findings that shed light on critical windows in pregnancy that may be most desirable for vaccination.

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From the lab to the jab: How BioNTech-Pfizer won the Covid-19 vaccine race

The decision by the couple, founders of a small German company called BioNTech, gave birth to Operation Lightspeed -- in which the scientists in the company diverted all their resources from cancer therapy research to finding a vaccine to stop Covid-19.

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UK to roll out Oxford Covid-19 vaccine from January 4: Report

The United Kingdom will roll out Oxford University’s Covid-19 vaccine from January4, according to plans being drawn up by ministers, The Sunday Telegraph reported.

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Hungarian doctors and health care workers began gettingvaccinatedSaturday with one of the continents first shipments of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirusvaccine, upsetting the European Union's plans for a coordinated rollout of the first shots across the 27-nation bloc on Sunday.

The first shipments of coronavirusvaccineshave arrived across the European Union as authorities prepared to administer the first shots to the most vulnerable people in a coordinated effort on Sunday.

Oxford vaccine may become the first to get Indian regulator's nod for emergency use

With preparations underway for a possible vaccine rollout by January, the Indian drug regulator is looking at the UK, which sources believe may give its nod to the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine next week, before deciding on giving emergency use authorisation to the Serum Institute that is manufacturing the shots here. Read more

Ahmedabad starts online Covid-19 vaccine registration

The civic body in Gujarat's Ahmedabad city has launched an online facility for people from priority groups to register for the Covid-19 vaccine, an official said on Saturday.

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Russia approves Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine for people over 60

Russia on Saturday approved its main Covid-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, for use by people over the age of 60, Russian news agencies cited the health ministry as saying. People over 60 have thus far been excluded from Russia's national inoculation programme, as the shot was tested on this age group separately.

(Reuters)

EU begins vaccine rollout as new coronavirus strain spreads

The European Union began a vaccine rollout Saturday, even as countries in the bloc were forced back into lockdown by a new strain of the virus, believed to be more infectious, that continues to spread from Britain.

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We are ready for Covid-19 vaccination. When a vaccine is available, we will be able to inoculate the identified persons: Jammu & Kashmir Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha

(ANI)

US doctor reports allergic reaction to Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine

A Boston physician said he developed a severe allergic reaction minutes after receiving Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine Thursday, in the first week of the nationwide rollout for the company’s shots.

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Pope urges Covid 'vaccines for all' in Christmas message

Pope Francis in his Christmas message on Friday called for "vaccines for all, especially the most vulnerable and most in need in all regions of the planet" for the coronavirus, which he said had exacerbated existing global crises.

The pontiff also touched on the plight of children caught up by war, singling out victims in Syria, Yemen and Iraq in his Christmas message.

Vaccines were "glimmers of hope in this period of darkness and uncertainty," Francis said in the annual "Urbi et Orbi" speech "to the city and the world".

"I call on everyone, on leaders of states, on businesses, on international organisations, to promote cooperation and not competition, to find a solution for everyone: vaccines for all, especially the most vulnerable and most in need in all regions of the planet."

The pandemic had come at a "moment in history, marked by the ecological crisis and grave economic and social imbalances", the pope added, saying that made it "all the more important for us to acknowledge one another as brothers and sisters".

(AFP)

Kansas to determine Covid-19 vaccine eligibility

Kansas is working through the details of exactly who will be eligible for coronavirus vaccines in exactly what order as it concentrates on giving shots mostly to health care workers this month.

Democratic Governor Laura Kelly told leaders of the Republican-controlled Legislature this week that the vaccines have gone mostly to health care workers, though that group also includes employees in state prisons.

She said vaccines could go “almost exclusively” to health care workers into mid-January but also suggested some doses already have reached nursing homes.

Kelly told The Topeka Capital-Journal in an interview that prison inmates are to get vaccinated before the general public because they're in “congregate” housing, but the state doesn't expect vaccines to be available for some adults for at least several months.

(AP)

Bharat Biotech's top brass calls on vice president

Bharat Biotech's top brass on Friday called on Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu in Hyderabad.

"The discussion revolved around the status of the indigenous vaccine and the plans to make it available in India and rest of the world. It is developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)-National Institute of Virology (NIV)," an official statement said.

The indigenous, inactivated vaccine is being developed and manufactured in Bharat Biotech's BSL-3 (Bio-Safety Level 3) bio-containment facility, the statement said.

(PTI)

Covid-19 vaccine may be available in drugstores: Report

As India gears up to vaccinate over a billion people against the coronavirus, experts dealing with vaccine-related decisions in government are considering making the vaccine available at drugstores for private use, for those who can afford to buy it.

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Chinese Covid-19 vaccines are poised to fill gap, but will they work?

With rich countries snapping up supplies of Covid-19 vaccines, some parts of the world may have to rely on Chinese-developed shots to try to conquer the outbreak.

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Serum Institute of India's Covid-19 vaccine not to get nod till UK authorises AstraZeneca shot

Nearly three weeks after it sought the Indian pharmaceutical regulator’s nod for emergency use of its Covid-19 vaccine, Pune-based Serum Institute of India is yet to receive an approval from the Central Drug Standards Control Organisation primarily due to the absence of such an approval from the UK drug regulator to the original vaccine created by a partnership between Oxford University and AstraZeneca.

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More than 600,000 people in the United Kingdom have received the first dose of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine since inoculations began in the country earlier this month, reports Reuters quoting British government.

(ANI)

Virus-plagued Mexico begins mass coronavirus vaccination

Mexico started a mass coronavirusvaccinationprogram on Thursday with a nurse first to be shown receiving the jab in the country with one of the world's highest Covid-19 death tolls.

The first 10,000 doses of a 10-million order of the Pfizer-BioNtech Covid-19vaccinereached Chile on Thursday with inoculations of health workers in the hardest hit sectors to begin immediately

Delhi govt all set to receive, store, give Covid-19 vaccine to 51 lakh priority category persons: CM Arvind Kejriwal

The Delhi government is fully prepared to receive, store and give Covid-19 vaccine to priority category persons in the city in the first phase of vaccination, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Thursday.

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Aurobindo Pharma to also produce Covid-19 vaccine for India

Aurobindo Pharma Ltd said on Thursday it would make and sell US-based COVAXX's Covid-19 vaccine candidate for supply in India and to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) under a licensing deal.

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Politicians and vaccines: Set an example or cut in line?

As the first round of Covid-19 vaccinations trickled out across the US, many members of Congress lined up at the Capitol physician's office to get inoculated.

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Cool boxes with doses of the Sputnik V (Gam-COVID-Vac) vaccine against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) are loaded in an Aerolineas Argentinas airplane at the Sheremetievo airport, in Moscow. Credit: Reuters Photo

Qatar, Dubai roll out Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine

Qatar and Dubai launched coronavirus vaccination drives within hours of each other on Wednesday, their governments said, with the elderly and front line workers among the first to receive shots.

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Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine submitted for UK approval

The University of Oxford and drug manufacturer AstraZeneca have applied to the UK health regulator for permission to roll out their Covid-19 vaccine, Health Minister Matt Hancock said Wednesday.

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Sinovac's Covid-19 vaccine over 50% effective in Brazil tests

Sinovac Biotech's vaccine against Covid-19 is over 50% effective in late-stage trials, newspaper Folha de S. Paulo reported on Wednesday, adding that the Chinese company had asked the Brazilian institute running tests to wait up to 15 days before publishing their full results.

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Pfizer seals deal with US for 100 million more vaccine doses

The Trump administration and Pfizer announced a deal Wednesday for the pharmaceutical company to provide an additional 100 million doses of its coronavirus vaccine by the end of July, easing a potential shortage.

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Millions of US vaccine doses sit on ice, putting 2020 goal in doubt

Millions of Covid-19 vaccines are sitting unused in US hospitals and elsewhere a week into the massive inoculation campaign, putting the government's target for 20 million vaccinations this month in doubt.

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Covaxin's protection against Covid-19 could last 6 to 12 months, findings show

Covaxin is capable of generating antibodies that may remain effective against Covid-19 for six to 12 months, interim findings from the Phase-2 trials of Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine show. Read more

Moscow's Gamaleya Institute, developer of the first Russianvaccineagainst Covid-19, said on Wednesday it would no longer give placebos to volunteers in its large-scale final-stage trials for the Sputnik V shot, RIA news agency reported.

Anthony Fauci, the United States' top infectious disease specialist, received his Covid-19vaccineon Monday along with other senior officials and six health workers at a live streamed event at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Scientists say UK strain unlikely to affect efficacy of Covid-19 vaccines

The faster spreading coronavirus strain first detected in the UK is unlikely to makevaccinesless effective as of now but the preventives may need to be appropriately altered if more mutations occur over time, say scientists.

Haryana steps up preparations for Covid-19 vaccination drive

Stepping up preparations for Covid-19vaccinationdrive, a senior official on Tuesday said the Haryana government has started registration of healthcare workers who will bevaccinatedin the first phase.

Brazil health regulator certifies Sinovac's CoronaVac production standards

Brazilian health regulator Anvisa said on Monday it had certified the production standards of CoronaVac, China's Sinovac-produced coronavirusvaccinecandidate, which is being tested in Brazil.

Anvisa has certified the quality of Sinovac's production standards, not thevaccineitself. Brazil's Sao Paulo state has said it will announce on Wednesday if CoronaVac has been found to be effective against the coronavirus.

Biden receives the coronavirus vaccine

President-elect Joe Biden received the coronavirusvaccineon live television Monday at the Christiana Hospital in Newark, Delaware, sending a message to Americans across the country that thevaccineis safe to take.

First batch of Covid-19 vaccines arrives in Singapore

Singapore has received its first shipment of Covid-19vaccines, making it the first country in Asia to take thevaccinedeveloped by Pfizer and BioNTech as it plans to inoculate its 5.7 million people by the third quarter of 2021.

No evidence Pfizer vaccine won't work against new strain: EMA chief

The head of the EU's medicines regulator said Monday it appeared the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine would protect against a new strain of the coronavirus found mainly in Britain.

Interpol expects 'dramatic' jump in crime over vaccine shipments

Interpol chief Juergen Stock predicted Monday a sharp rise in crimes with robbers seeking to get their hands on preciousvaccinesaimed at stopping the coronavirus pandemic.

New coronavirus strain 70% more infectious: Here's all you need to know

The United Kingdom has gone back into strict lockdowndue to the discovery of the new strain of the Sars-CoV-2 virus, which causes Covid-19, weeks after it started vaccinating against the virus.

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A company's quest for an antibody drug to fight Covid-19

On a Saturday afternoon in March, as Covid-19 was bearing down on New York City, a dozen scientists anxiously crowded around a computer in a suburban drug company's lab.

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EU awaits watchdog's coronavirus vaccine decision

The EU's drug regulator will decide on Monday whether to authorise the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, with desperate countries hoping for the green light to finally start inoculating their citizens.

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‘Big fight’ breaks out over which interest groups get Covid-19 vaccine first

The chief executive of Uber, the ride-hailing company whose six New York lobbying firms include Albany’s best connected, wrote last week to Gov. Andrew Cuomo with an ask: priority for its drivers in the next round of coronavirus vaccinations.

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Canada's Justin Trudeau to be vaccinated publicly 'when turn comes'

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will receive the Covid-19 shot in public once those in his age group are in line to be vaccinated, he said in an interview broadcast Sunday.

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European medicines regulator to review Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine

Europe's medicines regulator will on Monday assess the Covid-19vaccinejointly developed by U.S. company Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, with a green light to put Europe on course to start inoculations within a week.

PTI

Have prioritised over 30 crore people for first Covid-19 vaccine shot: Health Minister

After consultation with experts, we've prioritized 30 crore people for Covid-19 vaccine. It includes health workers, frontline workers like police, military & sanitation staff, people above 50 yrs & those who are below 50 yrs but are suffering from certain diseases: Health Minister

Centre preparing with states for past four months for Covid-19 vaccination, says Harsh Vardhan

First Covid-19 vaccine shot likely in January: Harsh Vardhan

Our first priority has been the safety & effectiveness of vaccines. We don't want to compromise on that. I personally feel, maybe in any week of January, we can be in a position to give first Covid-19 vaccine shot to people of India: Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan to ANI

Joe Biden to receive Covid-19 vaccine; Donald Trump remains on sidelines

The leader of the Trump administration's vaccination program says people who have been infected with the coronavirus — a group that includes President Donald Trump — should receive the vaccine.

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A President who can’t put aside grudges, even for good news

It was among the most consequential weeks of President Donald Trump’s tenure: Across the country, health care workers began receiving a lifesaving coronavirus vaccine. On Capitol Hill, lawmakers neared a deal on economic relief aimed at averting a deeper recession. And Friday, federal regulators authorized a second vaccine.

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What does a mutating coronavirus mean for us?

Just as vaccines begin to offer hope for a path out of the pandemic, officials in Britain this past weekend sounded an urgent alarm about what they called a highly contagious new variant of the coronavirus circulating in England.

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India may start Covid-19 vaccination in January, says Harsh Vardhan

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Sunday that India may be able to start Covid-19 vaccinations as early as January, highlighting the importance of the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine.

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Workers on Sunday began packaging shipments of the second Covid-19vaccineauthorised in the US, a desperately needed boost to efforts to bring the coronavirus pandemic under control.

Moderna Inc and partners have begun distributing its Covid-19vaccinewith trucks expected to start rolling out to more than 3,700 U.S. locations on Sunday, U.S. Army General Gustave Perna said on a Saturday press call.

Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine likely to get clearance by year-end

London, Dec 19 (PTI) The Oxford Universityvaccineagainst Covid-19 being produced by AstraZeneca is likely to get regulatory approval from the UK’s independent regulator by the end of this year for a rollout to begin in early 2021, according to a UK media report.

US FDA nod to Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use

Moderna Inc's coronavirus vaccine on Friday became the second to receive emergency use authorisation (EUA) from the USFood and Drug Administration, welcome news to a nation with a staggering Covid-19 death toll of over 307,000 lives lost. The FDA announced the authorisation the day after the agency's panel of outside experts endorsed its use.

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Poorer nations to get virus vaccine early next year: WHO

Poorer countries will begin to receive coronavirus vaccination doses early next year from a facility created to ensure fair access, the World Health Organization and its partners said Friday.

Almost two billion doses of candidate vaccines have been secured for the Covax facility, run by the WHO along with the Gavi vaccine alliance and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI).

Countries including the United States and Britain have already begun to roll out a vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNtech, with another developed by Moderna expected to gain widespread approval soon.

(AFP)

India has enough capacity to produce Covid-19 vaccines for itself and others

India's has enough capacity to produce COVID-19 vaccines for its needs and also export it to other countries that need its help, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Friday.

Sitharaman also said India has to invest a lot more in health infrastructure and get more private partners into the sector, while adding the country would be a major contributor to the revival of the global economy after the pandemic.

(Reuters)

Covid-19 vaccine delivery to poor countries to start in early 2021: WHO

The UN health agency, the Gavi vaccine alliance, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) announced they had now secured nearly two billion doses of various vaccine candidates still under development on behalf of the 190 countries taking part in Covax.

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Mike Pence gets Covid-19 vaccine as US deaths top 3,000 for third straight day

President Donald Trump's administration helped deliver vaccinations against the coronavirus earlier than even some in his administration thought possible, launching Operation Warp Speed — the government campaign to help swiftly develop and distribute vaccines — this spring with great fanfare in the White House Rose Garden.

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India says ready to soon start voluntary Covid-19 vaccination

India's government said on Friday it could soon start voluntary inoculation against the COVID-19 disease as it considers emergency use authorization for three vaccine candidates including those from AstraZeneca and Pfizer.

Indian company Bharat Biotech has also applied for emergency approval.

The country recorded 22,890 new coronavirus infections in the past 24 hours, taking the total to near 10 million, with 144,789 deaths. It has the world's second highest number of cases after the United States, though the gap between them is now widening as India is reporting fewer cases since a mid-September peak.

The government says it could take more than one year to administer two doses of vaccines - 28 days apart - to most of India's 1.35 billion people.

"The government of India is geared to launch a vaccine for Covid-19 soon," the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a public advisory.

"Vaccination for Covid-19 is voluntary. However, it is advisable to receive the complete schedule of Covid-19 vaccine."

It also said that even those who have been infected by the virus should be vaccinated.

(Reuters)

India's Biological E. to start vaccine late-stage trials in April: Executive

India's Biological E. Ltd plans to start large late-stage trials of its potential COVID-19 vaccine candidate in April next year, according to a top executive at the Hyderabad-based drugmaker.

The privately held company said in November it had started early-stage and mid-stage human trials of its vaccine candidate, being developed in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine in Houston and U.S.-based Dynavax Technologies Corp, and expects results by February.

"We should be in a position to offer about 100 million doses per month as soon as the product is approved," Narender Dev Mantena, who heads the company's global strategy as well as its speciality generic injectables and synthetic biology divisions, told Reuters.

(Reuters)

Some US states say Pfizer vaccine allotments cut for next week

Several states say they have been told to expect far fewer doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in its second week of distribution, prompting worries about potential delays in shots for health care workers and long-term care residents.

But senior Trump administration officials on Thursday downplayed the risk of delays, citing a confusion over semantics, while Pfizer said its production levels have not changed.

The first US doses were administered Monday, and already this week, hundreds of thousands of people, mostly health care workers, have been vaccinated. The pace is expected to increase next week, assuming Moderna gets federal authorization for its vaccine.

Efforts to help ward off the coronavirus come amid a staggering death toll that surpassed 300,000 on Monday. Johns Hopkins University says about 2,400 people are dying daily in the U.S., which is averaging more than 210,000 cases per day.

(AP)

Johnson & Johnson enrolls 45,000 people for late stage vaccine trials

J&J also said it plans to submit an emergency use authorization application to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in February if the data from the study is safe and effective.

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Insurers, drugmakers sail into unknown with Covid-19 vaccine rollout

The first USvaccine shipments departed Pfizer's facility in Kalamazoo, Michigan this week, while tens of thousands of people in Britain have had their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, which was developed with Germany's BioNTech.

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India’s Covid-19 tally approaches 1 crore-mark

With 22,889 new Covid-19 infections, India's total cases increased to 99,79,447. With 338 new deaths, toll mounts to 1,44,789.

Total active cases stood at 3,13,831, while total discharged cases at 95,20,827 with 31,087 new discharges in the last 24 hours.

A total of 15,89,18,646 samples tested for Covid-19 up to 17th December. Of these 11,13,406 samples were tested on December 17.

Vaccinating billions against Covid-19 means finding ways around a patent impasse

Covid-19 vaccines look set to protect millions of citizens of the world’s richest countries in the coming months. But inoculating the rest of the planet’s population may mean finding a way around an impasse over intellectual property.

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US FDA panel endorses Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine

The coronavirus vaccine made by Moderna moved closer to authorisation Thursday, a significant step that would expand the reach of the nation’s vaccination campaign to rural areas and many more hospitals.

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Oxford says vaccine has good immune response with two-dose regime

Oxford's Covid-19vaccinecandidate has a better immune response when a two full-dose regime is used rather than a full-dose followed by a half-dose booster, the university said on Thursday.

USHealth and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar on Thursday said nearly 6 million doses of Moderna Inc's experimental Covid-19vaccinewere poised to ship nationwide as soon as it secures Food and Drug Administration approval.

Pfizer assures affordable price for its Covid-19 vaccine

Global pharma major Pfizer has said its Covid-19 vaccine is being priced in a way that will help governments to ensure that there is little to no out-of-pocket costs for their people, as it seeks to ensure access to the vaccine across the world.

With many of thevaccinedevelopment efforts almost reaching fruition, India isgetting ready to have multiplevaccinesin the next few weeks or months, Minister for Chemicals and Fertilizers D V Sadananda Gowda said on Thursday.

Alaska health worker has a serious reaction after Pfizer’s vaccine

A health worker in Alaska had a serious allergic reaction after getting Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine Tuesday and was hospitalized, according to three people familiar with official reports of the person’s health. The person is in stable condition.

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Over 100 experts from friendly nations trained for phase-3 clinical trials of Indian Covid-19 vaccine: Official

Over 100 experts from friendly neighbouring nations have so far been trained to strengthen capacities in their countries for facilitating phase-3 clinical trials of Indian Covid-19 vaccine, a senior official of the department of biotechnology said on Wednesday.

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Pfizer may face challenges manufacturing Covid-19 vaccine: Top US official

Pfizer did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but it's Chief Executive Albert Bourla told CNBC earlier this week the company was asking the U.S. government to use the Defense Production Act to relieve some "critical supply limitations," particularly in some components. He did not provide further details on the areas of shortage.

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USofficials are working with Pfizer Inc to help maximize production capacity for its Covid-19vaccineafter the drugmaker told them it may be facing production challenges, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar said on Wednesday.

Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine well tolerated with no serious adverse events: Phase 1 trial findings

The interim findings of phase 1 clinical trial of Covid-19vaccineCovaxin, indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the ICMR, showed that it was well tolerated in all dose groups with no serious or adverse events.

Indonesian President Joko Widodo said Wednesday he would be the first person in the country to bevaccinatedfor Covid-19 as he unveiled a campaign promising free inoculations for everyone in world's fourth most-populous nation.

Adverse event can take place after any immunisation. Some adverse events are mild fever, pain. Some can be severe like toxic shock syndrome, anaphylactic shock: Dr Sanjay Rai, Professor, Centre for Community Medicine, AIIMS & principal investigator for Covaxin trials at AIIMS

With first dibs on Covid-19 vaccines, rich countries have ‘cleared the shelves’

As a growing number of coronavirus vaccines advance through clinical trials, wealthy countries are fueling an extraordinary gap in access around the world, laying claim to more than half the doses that could come on the market by the end of next year.

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Pfizer may price Covid-19 vaccine lower in India than in UK, US: Report

India may get access to cheaper Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccines as compared to the UK and US, as the nation races to get its hands on effective vaccines after several foreign countries grant approval.

Pfizer's vaccine, at $37 per dose, was not one of the major vaccine candidates for the country due to its steep pricing and possible issues with cold storage.

However, a Pfizer India spokesperson told Business Standard that the company would price the vaccine "in a way that can help governments ensure there is little or no out-of-pocket costs for their population."

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Trump 'absolutely open' to taking Covid-19 vaccine: White House

US President Donald Trump is "absolutely open" to taking the coronavirus vaccine but his priority is frontline workers and the most vulnerable, the White House has said.

The US on Friday allowed the emergency use of Covid-19 vaccine developed by American pharmaceutical giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech with a critical care nurse in New York receiving the first jab.

“The President, currently at this moment, has said he is absolutely open to taking the vaccine. He's been emphatic about that to me privately and to you all publicly. But he did recently recover from COVID,” White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters on Tuesday when asked if the president plans to take the vaccine in public to inspire confidence among the people.

“He has the continued protective effects of the monoclonal antibody cocktail that I mentioned, and he will receive the vaccine as soon as his medical team determines it's best. But his priority is frontline workers, those in long-term care facilities, and he wants to make sure that the vulnerable get access first,” McEnany said.

Trump was hospitalised with Covid-19 in October.

Indonesia pledges free Covid-19 vaccines, with president first in line

Indonesia will provide free coronavirus vaccines to its citizens when the world’s fourth most populous nation starts its inoculation programme, President Joko Widodo said on Wednesday, adding he would get the first shot to reassure people on safety

The sprawling, developing country received its first shipment of vaccines, 1.2 million doses from China’s Sinovac Biotech in early December, but is awaiting emergency use authorisation from its food and drug agency.

BioNTech to supply 100 million doses of Covid-19 vaccine to China: Fosun Pharma

Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group said on Wednesday that BioNTech SE agreed to supply 100 million doses of its Covid-19 vaccine, if approved, to mainland China next year.

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Moderna vaccine is highly protective against Covid-19, US FDA reveals in new data

The Food and Drug Administration said there were "no specific safety concerns identified that would preclude issuance of an EUA (emergency use authorization)" and confirmed an overall efficacy of 94.1 per cent.

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Bihar cabinet gives its nod to free Covid-19 vaccination

Inoculation of the entire population of Bihar for Covid-19 will be done free of cost upon the availability of thevaccine, the state cabinet resolved on Tuesday.

Possibility of adverse event after Covid-19 vaccination can't be ruled out: Centre

As India plans for a massive vaccination drive against Covid-19, every state has been advised to create dedicated centres in each block to manage possible post-vaccination adverse events ranging from allergic reactions, high fever to more serious issues that can develop a day after being administered the shot. Read more

The proudest example of the UK-India partnership is on Covid-19 and both countries want to make sure the most vulnerable countries around the world get equitable distribution and access to thevaccineagainst the virus, British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said on Tuesday.

Moderna says its Covid-19 vaccine may prevent asymptomatic infection

Moderna Inc said data from the late stage trial of its Covid-19vaccinesuggests that it could prevent some asymptomatic infections as soon as the first dose of the shot is given.

First Covid-19 vaccinations in EU likely this year, EU Commission head says

European Union countries could begin coronavirus inoculations as soon as this year, the head of the European Commission said on Tuesday.

Moderna Covid vaccine shows 'no specific safety concerns': US regulator

The US Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday issued a positively-worded briefing document about theModernaCovid-19 vaccine ahead of a meeting by experts on whether to grant it emergency approval. The FDA was upbeat on the vaccine, saying there were "no specific safety concerns identified that would preclude issuance of an EUA (emergency use authorization" and confirmed an overall efficacy of 94.1 percent.

At this time, six vaccines are undergoing clinical trials in this nation: Dr VK Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog. (ANI)

Britain's capital will be placed under the highest level of coronavirus restrictions from Wednesday amid a "very sharp" spike in Covid-19 cases in London and its surrounding areas and a new variant of coronavirus being identified as responsible for the "faster spread", the UK government announced in Parliament on Monday.

Canada will begin inoculating people against Covid-19 on Monday after doses of the Pfizer/BioNTechvaccinebegan arriving over the weekend, making Canada one of the few Western nations to roll out avaccinationcampaign.

Largest vaccination campaign in US history gets underway

The biggestvaccinationdrive in American history got underway on Monday as health care workers started receiving Covid-19vaccinedeveloped by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, providing a glimpse of hope as the nation nears the grim milestone of 300,000 coronavirus deaths.

"First Vaccine Administered. Congratulations USA! Congratulations WORLD! (sic)," Donald Trump tweeted on Monday.

Moderna expects the European Union to approve its Covid-19 vaccine candidate in mid-January and is ready to start distribution immediately afterwards, the head of its European division told German daily Stuttgarter Zeitung.

Russia repeats 91.4% efficacy rate in new Covid-19 vaccine data

Russian coronavirus vaccine developers published fresh results from their trial of theSputnikVvaccine on Monday based on new data, and said the shot had again been found to be 91.4% effective in providing protection from Covid-19.

Centre issues guidelines for Covid-19 vaccination drive, says recipients to be monitored for 30 minutes

Vaccinating 100-200 people in each session per day, monitoring them for 30 minutes after administering the shots for any adverse event and allowing only one beneficiary at a time are among the guidelines issued by the Centre for the Covid-19 inoculation drive.

Singapore approves Pfizer Covid-19 shot; CureVac starts clinical trial for vaccine candidate

Singapore has approved Pfizer-BioNTech's novel coronavirus vaccine and expects delivery of the first shots by the end of December, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Monday.The city-state of 5.7 million people expects to have enough vaccines for everyone by the third quarter of 2021 and will make it free for citizens and long-term residents, Lee said. (Reuters)

First Covid-19 vaccine shipments arrive in Canada

The first of many freezer-packed Covid-19 vaccine vials have arrived in Canada. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau late Sunday tweeted a picture of them being taken off a plane. Canada's health regulator approved the vaccine made by US drugmaker Pfizer and Germany's BioNTech last Wednesday.

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Covid-19 vaccination in India may start in January 2021, says Adar Poonawalla

Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla said that India's Covid-19 vaccination drive would begin in January 2021 and normal life can be expected to return by October 2021 after everyone is vaccinated.

US expects to immunise 100 million against Covid-19 by end of Q1 2021

The United States expects to immunise100 million people with the coronavirusvaccineby the end of the first quarter of 2021, the chief USadviser for efforts on Covid-19vaccinessaid on Sunday.

US Covid vaccine campaign launches with convoy of trucks

Workers at a Pfizer Inc factory in Michigan dispatched the first shipments of its Covid-19vaccineshortly after 6:30 a.m. on Sunday - launching the largest and most complexvaccinedistribution project ever in the United States.

CDC advisory panel recommends Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for widespread use, begin largest vaccination campaign ever

A US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advisory panel on Saturday recommended the nation's first Covid-19 vaccine, helping clear the way for public health authorities to begin the largest vaccination campaign in US history.

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Pfizer Covid vaccine will reach hospitals across US on Dec 14

The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine will reach hospitals and other sites across the United States by Monday morning, a top official said Saturday, ready to be injected into the arms of millions of the most vulnerable Americans.

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US poised for mass vaccine campaign as world Covid-19 death toll nears 1.6 million

The Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine will reach hospitals and other sites across the United States by Monday morning, a top official said Saturday, ready to be injected into the arms of millions of the most vulnerable Americans as the world's death toll approached 1.6 million.

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Bahrain gives go-ahead to Sinopharm's Covid-19 vaccine

Bahrain said Sunday it approved the use of a Chinese coronavirus vaccine, following its earlier approval of a vaccine made by Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech.

Bahrain's state-run news agency said the Sinopharm vaccine would be available in the island kingdom off the coast of Saudi Arabia in the Persian Gulf.

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Emergency use authorisation for Covid vaccine only after detailed analysis: Niti Aayog member V K Paul

The emergency use authorisation for Covid-19vaccinewould be given by the country's drug regulator after analysing all aspects of safety and efficacy, Niti Aayog member V K Paul said on Saturday.

Oxford/AstraZeneca in ‘mix-match’ Covid-19 vaccine trial with Russia’s Sputnik

The Oxford University and AstraZeneca Covid-19vaccine, currently awaiting regulatory approvals, is set to be used for a “mix and match” trial with Russia’s Sputnikvaccineagainst the novel coronavirus, according to UK media reports.

Telangana govt forms committees from state to mandal level for Covid-19 vaccine distribution

Gearing up for distribution of Covid-19vaccinewhen it is made available, the Telangana government has constituted committees at the state, district and mandal levels for planning and execution, with priority to high risk groups, followed by others.

Peru has temporarily suspended clinical trials of a Covidvaccinemade by Chinese drug giant Sinopharm after detecting neurological problems in one of its test volunteers.

First Pfizer Covid vaccine shot in US will be given in less than 24 hours: Donald Trump

President Donald Trump said the US will start administering the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine "in less than 24 hours," after the Food and Drug Administration granted it an emergency use authorisation late Friday.

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BREAKING | US FDA clears Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine; millions of doses to be shipped right away

The Food and Drug Administration authorised Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use Friday, according to two people with knowledge of the decision who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to discuss it. The action means millions of highly vulnerable people will begin receiving the vaccine within days.

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ADB launches $9 bn COVID-19 vaccine initiative for its developing member economies

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday said it has launched a $9 billion vaccine initiative that will offer support to its developing member economies to procure and deliver COVID-19 vaccines.

ADB has launched a $9 billion vaccine initiative — the Asia Pacific Vaccine Access Facility (APVAX) — offering rapid and equitable support to its developing members as they procure and deliver effective and safe coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccines, it said in a release.

"As ADB's developing members prepare to vaccinate their people as soon as possible, they need financing to procure vaccines as well as appropriate plans and knowledge to be able to safely, equitably, and efficiently manage the vaccination process," ADB President Masatsugu Asakawa said.

AstraZeneca to test combining Covid vaccine with Russia's Sputnik

Britain's AstraZeneca signalled on Friday it would investigate combining its own experimental COVID-19 vaccine shot with Russia's Sputnik V, a move Russian scientists have suggested could sharply boost efficacy.

The developers of Sputnik V last month used Twitter to suggest AstraZeneca try the combination.

They said it was worth experimenting with the Russian model and using two different shots rather than the same ones.

"Sputnik V is happy to share one of its two human adenoviral vectors with AstraZeneca to increase the efficacy of (the) AstraZeneca vaccine. Using two different vectors for two vaccine shots will result in higher efficacy than using the same vector for two shots," they said on Nov. 23.

GSK, Sanofi say COVID-19 shot won't be ready until late 2021

Drugmakers GlaxoSmithKline and Sanofi say their potential COVID-19 vaccine won't be ready until late next year as they seek to improve the shot's effectiveness in older people.

The companies said Friday that early-stage trials showed the vaccine produced an “insufficient” immune response in older adults, demonstrating the need to refine the product so it protects people of all ages. They said they now expect the vaccine to be available in the fourth quarter of 2021.

GSK and Sanofi, based in London and Paris, respectively, said they were confident of the vaccine's ultimate success due to positive results from other tests.

In adults 18 to 49, the vaccine produced an immune response comparable to patients who had recovered from COVID-19, the companies said. In addition, they reported positive results from a “challenge study” in which non-human primates were intentionally exposed to the virus.

It will still take two months after licensing for worldwide vaccine distribution: Serum Institute Of India's Adar Poonawalla

Ensuring no compromise on scientific, regulatory norms of Covid vaccine: Vardhan

Thevaccineagainst Covid-19 is expected to be available in the coming weeks and with stringent oversight, it is being ensured that there is no compromise on the scientific and regulatory norms, stretching from the safety of the trials to the efficacy of thevaccine, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said on Thursday.

Data from Pfizer/BioNTeh, Moderna for Covid-19 vaccines 'very robust': EMA

The data submitted to the European Medicines Agency (EMA) by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna for their Covid-19vaccinecandidates is "very robust", its executive director said on Thursday.

Moderna begins study of Covid-19 vaccine in adolescents

Moderna Inc said on Thursday it had dosed the first participant in a mid-to-late stage study testing its Covid-19vaccinecandidate in adolescents aged 12 to less than 18.

Third wave of Covid-19 pandemic in Delhi 'on the wane': Jain

The third wave of Covid-19 pandemic in the national capital is not over yet but it is "definitely on the wane", Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain said on Thursday.

Efficacy results may not be ready for months from a trial of AstraZeneca and Oxford University's coronavirusvaccinein South Africa, the principal investigator of the South African study told Reuters.

UK medicine regulator examining Pfizer vaccine reactions as matter of priority

Britain's medical regulator said on Wednesday it was urgently examining reports of two serious adverse reactions to the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccineamong people who have a history of allergies.

Around 2.6 lakh government employees in the healthcare sector including doctors and nurses will get the coronavirusvaccinein the first round of inoculation in Maharashtra, an official said on Wednesday

Britain advises people with allergy history to avoid Pfizer vaccine

Britain's medicine regulator has advised that people with a history of significant allergic reactions do not getPfizer-BioNTech's vaccine after two people reported adverse effects, England's National Health Service (NHS) said on Wednesday.

As US companies push to get workers vaccinated, states disagree on who's essential

Companies and industry groups lobbying to get their USworkers to the front of the line for Covid-19 vaccination are running into a patchwork of state plans and confusion over who is essential, and who is not.

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Joe Biden outlines Covid-19 vaccine goal: 100 million shots in 100 days

President-elect Joe Biden, setting ambitious goals to change the course of the coronavirus pandemic, vowed Tuesday to get “at least 100 million Covid-19 vaccine shots into the arms of the American people” during his first 100 days in office, and said he would make it a “national priority” to get children back toschoolduring that time.

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Israel gets first delivery of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine

Israel received its first batch of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine on Wednesday, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declaring the pandemic's end was "in sight" and vowing to get the first jab.

The shipment was the first of eight million doses ordered from US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer BioNTech.

It came ahead of Hanukkah, the Jewish Festival of Lights, which begins on Thursday.

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'Sinopharm vaccine shows 86% efficacy against Covid-19'

The United Arab Emirates health ministry said on Wednesday an interim analysis of in-country Phase III clinical trials of Sinopharm's Covid-19 vaccine has 86% efficacy against the infection. It also said it had registered the vaccine, for which it approved emergency use in September for certain groups.

Expert panel to review SII, Pfizer, Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine applications today: Report

As India readies the distribution of the Covid-19 vaccine, an expert panel appointed by the government will review the applications of companies that applied for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for their Covid-19 vaccination. Over the last four days, the Indian arm of US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer, Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) and Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International (BBIL) have applied to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking EUA for their Covid-19 vaccines.

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Trump to sign vaccine decree after questions raised on supply

President Donald Trump plans to issue a decree Tuesday aimed at granting Americans priority access to certain vaccines, but faced questions over whether the White House missed an opportunity to shore up sufficient doses in the months ahead.

President-elect Joe Biden will meanwhile announce his appointments and nominations for his health team as he continues to push ahead with the transition process despite Trump's refusal to concede.

With Covid-19 inoculations expected to begin within days in the United States, the outgoing president will host what the White House is calling a "vaccine summit" to hail their rapid development and spell out details of the process.

The event follows a raft of positive news related to vaccines, including US regulators calling the Pfizer-BioNTech immunization -- which Britain began rolling out on Tuesday -- safe and effective in a briefing document.

(AFP)

Present cold chain system can hold additional Covid-19 vaccines required for 3 crore key workers: Govt

"The current cold chain system is capable of storing additional quantity of Covid-19 vaccine required for first 3 crore i.e. Health Care Workers and Front Line Workers," Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said.

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Oxford/Astra first to publish final-stage vaccine trial results

Oxford University and AstraZeneca became the first Covid-19 vaccine makers to publish final-stage clinical trial results in a scientific journal Tuesday, clearing a key hurdle in the global race to develop safe and effective drugs for the new coronavirus.

The study published in the respected Lancet medical journal confirmed that the vaccine works in an average 70 percent of cases, with efficacy of 62 percent for those given two full doses, and of 90 percent in those given a half then a full dose.

The results are the "first full peer-reviewed efficacy results" published for a Covid-19 vaccine, the Lancet said.

(AFP)

US FDA says Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine 'strongly protective against Covid-19'

“People worry, reasonably, how about six months later?” The other critical issue: Safety. Pfizer has reported no serious side effects.

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Centre's vaccination plan unveiled; each Covid-19 shot to take 30 minutes: Report

Only 100 individuals will be administered the vaccine in each session per vaccination centre because administering each shot will take over 30 minutes.

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DCGI nod for Covid-19 vaccine emergency use likely in 2 weeks: Report

The government may allow emergency use of Covid-19 vaccine in two weeks.

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Husband-wife first Indian-origin recipients of vaccine against Covid-19 in UK

An 87-year-old man and his 83-year-old wife from the north east of England on Tuesday became the first Indian-origin couple in the world to get a vaccine against Covid-19, after they got injected with their first of two doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech jab at a hospital in Newcastle.

Dr Hari Shukla, a race relations campaigner based in Tyne and Wear, had been contacted by the National Health Service (NHS) based on the criteria set for the world's first vaccine to receive regulatory approvals in the UK last week.

His wife, Ranjan, then volunteered for the jab as she also falls within the first phase of people aged 80 and over, care home workers as well as NHS workers at high risk eligible to receive the "life-saving jab".

"Hari Shukla and his wife Ranjan have become the first two patients at Newcastle Hospitals – and two of the first people in the world – to receive the Covid-19 vaccine," Newcastle Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said.

(PTI)

Bharat Biotech seeks emergency use authorisation from DCGI for its Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin

After Pfizer and Serum Institute, Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical firm Bharat Biotech on Monday applied to the central drug regulator seeking emergency use authorisation for its Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin, official sources said. Covaxin is being indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

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The Lead: The pandemic and drugs used to treat Covid-19

Pfizer to deliver first vaccine doses to Canada in December: PM Trudeau

Pfizer and BioNTech will deliver the first doses of their Covid-19 vaccine to Canada this month, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday.

"Canada has secured an agreement with Pfizer to begin early delivery of doses of their vaccine candidate," Trudeau told a news conference. "We are now contracted to receive up to 249,000 of our initial doses of Pfizer BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine in the month of December."

Pending Health Canada approval, he said the first shipment could be delivered next week, with millions more doses to follow in 2021.

(AFP)

U.S. AstraZeneca vaccine trial will clear confusion on how well it works: US scientist

A top U.S. scientist overseeing COVID-19 vaccine trials expects a large U.S. study to determine how effective AstraZeneca's experimental inoculation is, following perplexing results from other trials released by the company and partner Oxford University.

AstraZeneca Plc is one of the leading vaccine developers, but interim data released Nov. 23 from trials in Britain and Brazil showed a vastly divergent performance when the vaccine was tested in two different dose combinations.

According to the company, a small group of trial subjects inadvertently received a half dose followed by a full dose, instead of the planned two full doses. In that group, the vaccine proved to be 90% effective at preventing illness. But the larger group that received two full doses showed a 62% success rate.

(Reuters)

Bharat Biotech seeks emergency use authorisation for Covaxin from DCGI

India's Bharat Biotech has sought emergency-use authorisation from the Indian drug regulator DCGI for its Covid-19 vaccine, a senior government official said on Monday.

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Bharat Biotech seeks from DCGI emergency use authorisation for its indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, say sources (PTI)

Volker Bouffier, federal state Prime Minister of Hesse visits a vaccination centre against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Wiesbaden, Germany, December 7, 2020. Credit: REUTERS Photo

UK to start vaccine jab rollout as south California locks down

Britain geared up to become the first country to roll out the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine on Monday, as southern California locked down 20 million people to ease the burden on hospitals struggling with record cases.

UK health officials warned the nation's biggest-ever inoculation drive would be a "marathon" stretching well into next year.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has volunteered to have a jab live on television on "V-Day" to counter public doubts over the rapid approval.

California's lockdown will see most offices close and gatherings from different households banned. Bars and services such as hair salons will be closed and restaurants only allowed to serve takeaways.

"We are at a tipping point in our fight against the virus and we need to take decisive action now to prevent California's hospital system from being overwhelmed in the coming weeks," said state governor Gavin Newsom.

He said introducing stay-at-home orders when spare capacity in intensive care units falls below 15 percent would help flatten the curve of infections.

(AFP)

Swiss stake slower, more cautious Covid vaccine path

While other countries gear up for rapid roll-outs of Covid-19 vaccines, Switzerland is staking out a slower path, prizing caution over speed, according to a leading vaccine expert.

Britain and Russia will both begin mass vaccination this week, while US and European regulators are expected to provide emergency approval for two vaccines very shortly, with millions of doses set to be given by the end of the year.

But in Switzerland, authorities are in no hurry to approve a vaccine. The first few doses not expected to arrive before late January and larger volumes several months after that.

In an interview with AFP Claire-Anne Siegrist, one of Switzerland's leading vaccine experts, said that while rushing was understandable for the worst-hit countries, a more cautious approach was reasonable in the Swiss context.

"As of today, this prudence is justified," said the head of the Geneva University Hospital's vaccine division.

"Switzerland is not in the same catastrophic situation as the United States," the country hardest-hit by the pandemic, she said.

(AFP)

Modern medicine doctors across country will hold protest at over 10,000 public spots tomorrow

Modern medicine doctors across country will hold protest at over 10,000 public spots tomorrow against notification by Central Council of Indian Medicine enabling Post-Graduate Ayurveda Surgery students to study & practise modern medicine & surgical procedures:Indian Medical Assoction. (ANI Twitter)

Sinovac aims for 600 million dose capacity for Covid-19 vaccines

The company is currently conducting the last stage of clinical trials for its vaccine candidate in Brazil, Turkey and Indonesia and is among the frontrunners of China's vaccine efforts.

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Vaccine airlift delivers shot in the arm for airlines

Airlines battered by Covid-19 are prepping for key roles in the mass vaccine rollout that promises to unlock an immediate boost for the sector - and beyond that, its own recovery and survival.

Big challenges await carriers leading the airlift, as well as the drugmakers, logistics firms, governments and international agencies planning the deployment across networks blighted by the pandemic.

The gargantuan effort should nonetheless help airlines involved to trim their crisis losses, experts say, while bringing additional benefits to the broader sector, from supporting cargo pricing and revenue to restoring routes.

(Reuters)

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon speaks with staff members

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon wearing a protective face covering to combat the spread of the coronavirus speaks with staff members during a visit to Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, Scotland on December 7, 2020, as preparations get underway for the roll-out of the first vaccines against the covid-19 coronavirus. - Britain has pre-ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine in total, and is set to receive an initial batch of 800,000 to kickstart Tuesday's rollout. Elderly care home residents and their carers will be the very first in line, followed by those aged 80 and over and frontline health and care staff.

Credit: AFP Photo

UK readies 'V-Day' Covid vaccination campaign

Britain on Monday prepared to start its biggest ever immunisation campaign but health officials warned the drive to inoculate millions against Covid-19 would be a "marathon" stretching well into next year.

The world-first rollout of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is due to start on Tuesday -- dubbed "V-Day" by Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who has volunteered to take it live on television to assuage any public doubts over the rapid approval.

Croydon University Hospital in south London is one of 50 clinical hubs that started receiving the country's initial consignment of 800,000 doses over the weekend, from a Pfizer plant in Belgium.

The vaccine rollout coincides with the end-game of Brexit talks on Britain's future trading relationship with the European Union.

(AFP)

Some 3,000 to 5,000 Hungarians could participate in trials of Russian vaccine

Some 3,000 to 5,000 Hungarians could participate in clinical trials of Russia's Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19, Hungarian Human Resources Minister Miklos Kasler said on Facebook on Monday.

Hungary's plans to conduct trials of and possibly produce the Russian vaccine, an unprecedented step for an EU member state, have added to existing frictions with Brussels.

Under EU rules, Sputnik V must be authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) before it can be marketed in any state of the 27-nation bloc, the EMA has said.

(Reuters)

Indonesia receives first Covid-19 vaccine from China's Sinovac

Late-stage trials of the Sinovac vaccine are also under way in Brazil and Turkey, with interim results on efficiency from Brazil expected by mid-December.

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Explainer | Does India need to give its entire population the Covid-19 vaccine?

The government made it clear that it will not be inoculating everyone and the vaccination shot would be given to a critical mass to "break the chain" of virus transmission, at least initially.

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Serum Institute applies for emergency use authorisation for COVID-19 vaccin

Vaccine major Serum Institute of India (SII) on Monday said it has applied to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for emergency use authorisation for AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine in the country.

Earlier, the Indian arm of US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer became the first company to seek a similar approval from India's drug regulator for Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine against Covid-19 in the country, after securing such clearance in the UK and Bahrain.

Pune-based SII has collaborated with AstraZeneca and Oxford University for manufacturing the vaccine and is conducting phase-three clinical trials of the Covishield vaccine in India.

(PTI)

Anti-vaccine scientist has been invited to testify before senate committee

A doctor who is skeptical of coronavirus vaccines will be the lead witness at a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing Tuesday, prompting criticism from Democrats who say Republicans should not give a platform to someone who spreads conspiracy theories.

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Serum Institute seeks emergency use authorisation for Oxford Covid-19 vaccine Covishield in India

The Serum Institute of India on Sunday became the first indigenous company to apply to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking emergency use authorisation for the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine in the country citing unmet medical needs due to the pandemic and in the interest of the public at large, official sources said.

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Covishield will save countless lives: Poonawalla on applying for emergency use authorisation

Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), which is manufacturing a Covid-19 vaccine, sought emergency use authorisation from India's drug regulator on Sunday.

Indonesia receives first Covid-19 vaccine from China's Sinovac

Indonesia received its first shipment of coronavirusvaccinefrom China on Sunday, President Joko Widodo said, as the government prepares a mass inoculation programme.

Punjab seeks priority allocation of Covid-19 vaccine once available

Chief Minister Amarinder Singh has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to ensure priority allocation of Covid-19vaccineto Punjab on account of its higher mortality rate and high levels of co-morbidities in the state.

A total of 17 volunteers have been administered Russia's Sputnik V coronavirusvaccineat a Pune hospital as part of the human clinical trials, doctors said on Sunday.

UK vaccine rollout set to begin with queen in line for jab

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirusvaccinewithin weeks, reports on Sunday said, as the biggest immunisation programme in UK history begins next week.

We'll administer Covid-19 vaccines in 4 stages i.e. to healthcare workers, corona warriors, people above 50 years andpeople below 50 years with comorbidities. We're creating a database andworking on infrastructure for vaccine storage andtransportation: Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani said on Sunday

Pfizer seeks emergency authorisation for its Covid-19 vaccine in India

Pfizer India has become the first pharmaceutical firm to seek from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) an emergency use authorisation for its Covid-19 vaccine in the country after its parent company secured such clearance in the UK and Bahrain.

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Is ‘natural immunity’ from Covid-19 better than vaccines?

On the heels of last month’s news of stunning results from Pfizer’s and Moderna’s experimental Covid-19 vaccines, Sen. Rand Paul tweeted a provocative comparison.

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Britain ready to roll-out Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine this week

Britain is preparing to become the first country to roll out the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19vaccinethis week, initially making the shot available at hospitals before distributing stocks to doctors' clinics, the government said on Sunday.

The first doses are set to be administered on Tuesday, with the National Health Service (NHS) giving top priority tovaccinatingthe over-80s, frontline healthcare workers and care home staff and residents.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth to get Covid-19 vaccine 'in weeks': reports

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II will receive the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirusvaccinewithin weeks, after UK regulators granted emergency approval and the world's first roll-out begins next week, reports late Saturday said.

The monarch, 94, and her 99-year-old husband Prince Philip are in line to get the jab early due to their age and will not receive preferential treatment, the Mail on Sunday reported.

Principal Scientific Adviser K VijayRaghavan on Saturday said India has an extraordinary history of bringing out successfulvaccineswhich have transformed the health care system, similar to that for smallpox, "which were administered without much discussion."

WHO warns virus crisis not over as vaccine rollout starts

The World Health Organization warned thatvaccineswere no magic bullet for the coronavirus crisis, as Russia startedvaccinatingits high-risk workers Saturday and other countries geared up for similar programmes.

Bharat Biotech says COVAXIN efficacious, safe, as Anil Vij tests positive for Covid-19

Bharat Biotech on Saturday defended its Covid-19vaccine, Covaxin, terming it safe and efficacious after Haryana Home Minister Anil Vij tested positive for the viral disease despite taking the first shot of the medication

Covaxin a 2-dose anti-coronavirus vaccine, Anil Vij got only 1st dose: Union health ministry

Covaxin is a two-dose anti-coronavirusvaccineand Haryana Health minister Anil Vij, who had volunteered for its phase-three trial, was given only the first dose, the Union Health Ministry clarified on Saturday hours after the minister announced that he has tested positive for Covid-19.

Covid-19 vaccination drive will begin as soon as scientists give nod, says PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said India's vaccination programme against Covid-19 would begin as soon as a go-ahead from scientists is given, and asserted that healthcare workers involved in treating coronavirus patients, frontline workers and old people suffering from serious conditions would be inoculated on priority.

First batch of Pfizer-BioNtech vaccines arrives in the UK

The first consignment of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine has arrived in the UK, the BBC reported.

The consignment hasbene taken to an an undisclosed location, and will now be distributed to hospital vaccination centres around the UK, the news agency said.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador said on Thursday he hopes that distribution of Pfizer's Covid-19vaccinewill begin this month, a day after the government said it had reached a deal with the U.S. drugmaker to acquire 34.4 million doses.

AIIMS Director hopeful of emergency use of Covid-19 vaccine by December-end

AIIMS Director Dr Randeep Guleria on Thursday expressed hope that by the end of this month or early next month, at least one of the five vaccines being locally-tested should get emergency use authorisation from the drug regulator to be administered to the public starting with priority groups.

Promise of Covid-19 vaccines is 'phenomenal', says WHO

The promise of Covid-19vaccinesis 'phenomenal'and 'potentially game-changing', Hans Kluge, the World Health Organization's regional director for Europe, told a briefing on Thursday.

AstraZeneca US Covid-19 vaccine trial results likely in late-Jan, says health official

The company said the vaccine could be 90% effective when given as a half dose followed by a full dose, based on a relatively small number of volunteers, while overall effectiveness was around 70%.

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UK PM Johnson says some months until all vulnerable get Covid jabs

British Prime Minister said on Wednesday it would be some months before all the most vulnerable people received Covid-19vaccineswith England's health service boss saying the bulk of the jabs would be given between January and April.

DCGI finds no link between Covid vaccine shot and 'adverse' reaction in Chennai volunteer during trial

A probe initiated by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) into an alleged"serious adverse event" reportedly suffered by an Oxford Covid-19vaccinetrial participant in Chennai has found that it was not related to the shot administered to him, official sources said.

UK says first batch of 800,000 vaccine doses have been tested

Britain has tested the first batch of 800,000 doses of the newly approved Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, health minister Matt Hancock said on Wednesday.

Amarinder to take first shot of Covid vaccine in Punjab

Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh will take the first shot of the anti-Covidvaccinein the state after it is cleared by the ICMR following which 1.25 lakh health workers would receive it.

Italy's health minister told lawmakers on Wednesday that Italy will distribute 202.6 million doses of Covid-19vaccinesduring 2021 in 'an unprecedented effort that will require a huge collective commitment.'

No 'corners cut' to approve Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine: UK regulator

Britain's independent medicinesregulatorsaid on Wednesday no "corners have been cut" in its recommendation to approve Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine for general use.

'Second wave of Covid-19 in Karnataka expected in Jan, Feb 2021'

The second wave of Covid-19 in Karnataka is expected during January-February, 2021, says State's Technical Advisory Committee for Covid-19; recommends a minimum of 1.25 lakh testing per day till February end.

Who gets vaccine first in UK will depend partly on practicalities, medic says

People in Britain will be prioritised for Covid-19vaccinesaccording to their risk but operational practicalites could influence who gets it first, the chair of the Joint Committee onVaccinationand Immunisation said on Wednesday.

New single dose vaccine shows protection against Covid-19: Study

Scientists have developed a new vaccine candidate against Covid-19 based on the yellow fever vaccine, a single dose of which protects hamsters and monkeys from infection with the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

UK vaccine approval 'historic moment' in Covid-19 battle: Pfizer CEO

Britain's approval of BioNTech-Pfizer's vaccine against Covid-19 marks a "historic moment" in the battle against the pandemic, the US pharma group's chief executive said Wednesday, after his company won the first such authorisation in the West. "Today's Emergency Use Authorisation in the UK marks a historic moment in the fight against Covid-19," said Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla.

Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine gets UK nod for rollout

The British regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), says the jab, which claims to offer up to 95 per cent protection against Covid-19 illness, is safe for rollout.

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First US Covid-19 shots could be given 24-to-48 hours after FDA nod

Healthcare workers and others recommended for the first Covid-19 inoculations could start getting shots within 24 hours after thevaccinereceives regulatory authorization, the chief adviser for the U.S. government's Operation Warp Speed program said on Tuesday.

France plans coronavirus vaccination drive from April

France aims to launch a major Covid-19vaccinationcampaign between April and June next year, President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday.

Initial findings into 'adverse event' did not necessitate halting of Oxford vaccine trial: Govt

The initial findings into an 'adverse event' allegedly suffered by an Oxford Covid-19vaccinetrial participant in Chennai did not necessitate halting of the trials, the Centre said on Tuesday while clarifying that the 'adverse event' will not affect the timelines ofvaccinerollout in any manner.

Centre never said entire country will be vaccinated against Covid-19, says Union Health Secretary

"I just want to make this clear that the govt has never spoken about vaccinating the entire country. It's important that we discuss such scientific issues, based on factual information only," ANI quoted Health Secretary as saying whenasked how much time it will take to vaccinate the entire country.

PM Modi meets 3 Covid-19 vaccine companies, asks for suggestions on regulatory processes

PM Modi appreciated the efforts being taken by the scientists in these companies to come out with a vaccine solution to tackle Covid-19. The potential of various platforms for vaccine development was also discussed. He asked for inputsregarding the regulatory processes & related matters. He also suggested that they should take extra efforts to inform the general public in simple language about the vaccine.

PM Narendra Modiwill interact, via video conferencing, with three teams that are involved in developing a Covid-19 vaccine today. The teams he will interact with are from Gennova Biopharma, Biological E and DrReddy’s.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is assisting an inquiry into an alleged adverse reaction during AstraZeneca's Covid-19vaccinetrial, but has found no reason to recommend halting it, a senior official at the regulator said on Sunday.

Aurobindo Pharma expects to commercialise itsvaccinemanufacturing facility in Hyderabad by April-May next year, according to a top company official.

Serum Institute rejects charges levelled by Covid-19 vaccine trial participant, threatens to seek damages

Vaccine major Serum Institute of India on Sunday rejected charges that a Covid-19 vaccine candidate has serious side effects, and threatened to seek heavy damages for "malicious" allegations. Read more

Covishield vaccine trial participant alleges neuro breakdown; demands Rs 5 crore compensation from Serum Institute

A 40-year-old man who took part in the 'Covishield' vaccine trial has alleged serious side effects, including a virtual neurological breakdown and impairment of cognitive functions and has sought Rs 5 crore compensation in a legal notice to Serum Institute and others, besides seeking a halt to the trial. Read more

DCGI and institutional ethics committee investigating claim of adverse event in Covid vaccine trial: Officials

The Drugs Controller General of India and the institutional ethics committee at the implementationsiteare investigating if the adverse event as claimed to have been suffered by a Covid-19vaccinetrial participant in Chennai are related to the shot administered to him.

SII in process to seek emergency use licensure for Covid-19 vaccine in two weeks: Adar Poonawalla

Vaccine major Serum Institute of India (SII) on Saturday said it is in the process of applying for an emergency use licensure for the AstraZeneca-Oxford's Covid-19 vaccine candidate in India in the next two weeks.

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Serum Institute CEO sees AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine as 'very good' candidate

Serum Institute of India, the world's largestvaccineproducer, sees AstraZeneca Plc's Covid-19vaccinecandidate as a "very good" option, giving it a major vote of confidence after some experts raised questions around its trial data.

Vaccine will be distributed initially in India, then we will look at the COVAX countries which are mainly in Africa. The UK & European markets are being taken care of by AstraZeneca & Oxford. Our priority is India & COVAX countries: Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India

As of now, we don't have anything in writing with the govt of India on how many doses they will purchase but the indication is that it would be 300-400 million doses by July, 2021: Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla

We are in the process of applying for emergency use authorization of Covishield in the next two weeks: Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla

PM Modi reviews vaccine work in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Pune

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday visited Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Pune to review coronavirusvaccinedevelopment work there. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said the day-long visit was aimed at getting a first-hand perspective of the preparations, challenges and roadmap in India's endeavour tovaccinateits citizens.

PM reaches Pune to review vaccine work at Serum Institute

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Pune on Saturday on the last leg of his three-city visit to review coronavirusvaccinedevelopment in India.

Biden to let health experts decide who will get a Covid-19 vaccine first: Gounder

US President-elect Joe Biden will let health experts decide who will get a Covid-19vaccinein the country first, according to Dr. Celine Gounder, a member of his coronavirus advisory board.

Will vaccinate entire Delhi in 3-4 weeks whenever Covid-19 shot is available: Satyendar Jain

With several potential Covid-19 vaccines expected to see the light of day in coming months, Delhi Health Minister Satydenar Jain on November 28 said that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government will vaccinate the entire population of the national capital within 3-4 weeks after the availability of a shot.
“Whenever the vaccine is available in Delhi, within 3-4 weeks it will be administered all over the national capital with the help of our health facilities such as polyclinics,” the Delhi Health Minister told ANI.

PM Modi congratulates Bharat Biotech scientists for their progress in trials

PM Narendra Modi was briefed about the indigenous Covid-19 vaccine of Bharat Biotech at its facility in Hyderabad, Telangana today. "Congratulated scientists for their progress in the trials so far. Their team is closely working with ICMR to facilitate speedy progress," he tweeted.

PM Modi arrives in Hyderabad

After the vaccine is out, within 3-4 weeks, it will be given to every person in Delhi: Satyendra Jain

Whenever the vaccine is available in Delhi, within 3-4 weeks it will be administered all over the national capital with the help of our health facilities such as polyclinics: Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain

PM Modi 'leading like a general' in fight against coronavirus, says Harsh Vardhan

Govt actively working with the vaccine manufacturers to support them in this journey: PM

Visited the Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad to know more about the indigenous DNA-based vaccine being developed by Zydus Cadila. I compliment the team behind this effort for their work. The government of India is actively working with them to support them in this journey: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at the Zydus Biotech Park to review the development of Covid-19 vaccine candidate ZyCOV-D

PM Modi arrives in Gujarat to review Covid-19 vaccine development

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrives at Gujarat's Ahmedabad, to visit the Zydus Biotech Park to review the Covid-19 vaccine development. Later today, the PM will visit Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad and Serum Institute of India in Pune

Coronavirus news live updates: India's caseload tops 93.44 lakh; spread of Covid-19 across the world slows down

India's coronavirus tally reached 93.44 lakh with 43,082 new cases. The number of active cases in India has increased by 3,211 and now stands at 4,55,555. The total number of recoveries is at 87,18,517. Stay tuned on DH for more latest updates.

Ten Covid-19 vaccines likely by June 2021: Global pharma group head

Ten Covid-19 vaccines could be available by the middle of next year if they win regulatory approval, but their inventors need patent protection, the head of the global pharmaceutical industry group was quoted as saying on Friday byReuters.

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Type O blood linked to lower risk of Covid-19, taking Vitamin D unlikely to help

The following is a roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for Covid-19, the illness caused by the virus.

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Visuals from Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad ahead of PM Modi's visit

'Vaccine supply for Indian seafarers on priority basis'

India's leading maritime union MUI on Friday said it has been assured of supply of Covid-19 vaccines for Indian seafarers on a priority basis by Union Shipping Minister Mansukh Mandaviya.

Read more here

PM Modi to personally review Covid-19 vaccine development today

PM Modi to embark on a 3 city visit today to personally review the Covid-19vaccine development and manufacturing process. He will visit the Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad (Gujarat), Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad (Telangana), and Serum Institute of India in Pune

DH Deciphers | When will India get Covid-19 vaccines?

The news of the high efficacy of four Covid-19 vaccines in the last two weeks has generated hopes at a time when the pandemic has infected more than 93 lakh Indians and killedover 135,000 of them. But notwithstanding the promises, Covid-19 shots are unlikely to be available to the people immediately as there are multiple hurdles that need to be overcome. Here's what you need to know:

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War-hardened general to lead Canada's Covid-19 vaccination effort

A general who led NATO's mission in Iraq, as well as Canadian troops in Afghanistan and Bosnia, will spearhead efforts to immunise most Canadians against the novel coronavirus by September 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Friday.

Read more here

Russian army starts mass coronavirus vaccination campaign

Russia's military has started a mass coronavirus vaccination campaign which aims to innoculate more than 400,000 servicemen, Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced on Friday.

Shoigu said that over 2,500 soldiers had already been vaccinated, adding that by the end of the year the number is expected to reach 80,000.

Russia this week said that its Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine was 95 percent effective according to preliminary data -- similar to other international vaccine makers that have also published test results showing efficacy rates of 90 percent and higher.

Sputnik V's developers have touted it as easier to store than some alternatives and at less than $10 (8.38 euros) per dose the cheapest among frontrunners in a global race to develop a vaccine.

Coronavirus won’t stop evolving when the vaccine arrives

Vaccines will not put an end to the evolution of this coronavirus, as David A. Kennedy and Andrew F. Read of Penn State, specialists in viral resistance to vaccines, wrote in PLoS Biology recently. Instead, they could even drive new evolutionary change.

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COVID-19: Have enough infra to vaccinate Delhi's entire population in few weeks, says Jain

Health Minister Satyendar Jain on Friday said Delhi has sufficient infrastructure and equipment to vaccinate its entire population in a few weeks once a COVID-19 vaccine is available.

"There is no need to worry about storage of vaccines. We have a large number of health care facilities, such as mohalla clinics, poly clinics, and hospitals etc, where a COVID-19 vaccine can be administered to people," Jain told reporters.

"Once a vaccine is available, we can vaccinate the entire population of Delhi in a few weeks," the minister said.

Jain also said Delhi should be given priority during the distribution of the vaccine as it is the national capital.

(PTI)

Amid Covid-19 vaccine rush, China raises fears of booming black market

As developers from AstraZeneca Plc to Pfizer Inc. near the finish line for their coronavirus vaccines, nations are preparing for the challenge of rolling them out, with inevitable supply shortages fueling concerns about inequitable distribution and even the emergence of illegal markets. One place where vaccine delivery is already being road-tested is China, which has allowed local developers’ shots for emergency use since mid-year.

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Brazil's Bolsonaro says won't take virus vaccine

Brazil president Jair Bolsonaro has said he will not take a vaccine against the coronavirus even after it receives approval from his own government.

"I'm telling you, I won't take it (the vaccine)," he said in a video posted to social media on Thursday. "It is my right."

Brazil has recorded over 170,000 coronavirus deaths, according to an AFP tally, behind only the United States.

(AFP)

Russia agrees to produce coronavirus vaccine Sputnik V in India

Russia's sovereign wealth fund and Indian pharmaceutical company Hetero have agreed to produce over 100 million doses per year in India of the Sputnik V vaccine against Covid-19, according to a statement on the Sputnik V Twitter account on Friday.

Hetero and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), which has been backing the vaccine and marketing it globally, plan to start production of Sputnik V in India at the beginning of 2021, the statement said.

Phase II-III trials are ongoing in India, the statement said. Drugmaker Dr Reddy's Laboratories Ltd has said it expects late-stage trials to be completed by as early as March 2021.

Coronavirus vaccine deliveries to begin next week, says Trump

USPresident Donald Trump said on Thursday that delivery of the coronavirus vaccine would begin next week and the week after.

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Canada could approve Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine around December

Canada could approve Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine "around December," about the same time as the United States and the European Union, a senior official at Canada's drug regulator said on Thursday.

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Assess Oxford Covid vaccine for temporary use: UK

Britain on Friday asked its medicine regulator to assess Oxford University and AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine candidate for temporary supply, a step towards beginning a roll-out before the end of the year.

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Russia's Sputnik V developers call on AstraZeneca to try combining Covid-19 vaccines

Developers of the Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine said on Thursday that AstraZeneca should try combining its experimental shot with the Russian one to boost efficacy.

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Covid-19 vaccine to be administered in booths

Bengaluru is preparing to administer the coronavirus vaccine, expected in early 2021, to large numbers of citizens.

Many questions remain about the vaccine and its storage, but the government is now drafting a standard operating procedure, according to Dr K Sudhakar, health and medical education minister.

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AstraZeneca likely to run new global trials to assess efficacy of its Covid-19 vaccine

AstraZeneca Plc is likely to conduct an additional global trial to assess the efficacy of its Covid-19 vaccine, according to the company’s chief executive officer, after current studies raised questions over its level of protection.

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AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine safe, Indian trials progressing smoothly: Serum Institute

Vaccine major Serum Institute of India on Thursday said the Covid-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University is safe and effective, and the Indian trials are progressing smoothly with strict adherence to all protocols.

'Reason to believe effective vaccine for general public in India to be available by Apr 2021'

State Bank of India Chairman Dinesh Kumar Khara on Thursday said there is a "reason to believe" that an "effectivevaccine" to prevent COVID-19 may be available by April next year.

Entire Delhi can be vaccinated in a month, says State Immunization Officer

Delhi is geared up for the Covid-19vaccinationprogramme and the city's entire population can be covered in a month if hospital staff and nurses are involved, State Immunization Officer Suresh Seth said Thursday.

PM Modi to visit Serum Institute of India in Pune on November 28

The Central Drug Standard Control Organisation has granted permission for the manufacture of Covid-19 vaccine for pre-clinical test, examination and analysis to seven firms, two of which are the Serum Institute of India (SII) and the Gennova Biopharmaceuticals.

Read more here

When and which Covid-19 vaccines are likely to be available in Asia

If regulators approve any of the vaccines in coming weeks, the companies have said distribution could begin almost immediately with governments around the world.

Read more here

'Infodemic' risks jeopardising coronavirus vaccines

As early as February, with the global pandemic spreading fast, the World Health Organization issued a warning about an "infodemic", a wave of fake news and misinformation about the deadly new disease on social media.

Read more here

Narcolepsy fiasco spurs Covid-19 vaccine fears in Sweden

Take a vaccine developed in haste? Never again, says Meissa Chebbi, who, like hundreds of other young Swedes suffered debilitating narcolepsy after a mass vaccination campaign against the 2009-2010 swine flu pandemic.

Read more here

After year-long sprint, Covid-19 vaccines finally at hand

Less than a year after an unknown coronavirus that has claimed 1.4 million lives began spreading across the globe, a number of highly promising Covid-19vaccinesare on the cusp of release.

Health authorities could give a green light for emergency use within weeks, which would mark the most rapidvaccinedevelopment for a pandemic in history -- but many questions remain.

After admitting mistake, AstraZeneca faces difficult questions about its vaccine

The announcement this week that a cheap, easy-to-make coronavirusvaccineappeared to be up to 90% effective was greeted with jubilation. “Get yourself a vaccaccino,” a British tabloid celebrated, noting that thevaccine, developed by AstraZeneca and the University of Oxford, costs less than a cup of coffee.

But since unveiling the preliminary results, AstraZeneca has acknowledged a key mistake in thevaccinedosage received by some study participants, adding to questions about whether thevaccine’sapparently spectacular efficacy will hold up under additional testing.

In Brazil, Pfizer begins process to register Covid-19 vaccine

Pfizer gave the office of Brazil's health regulators results of the tests of their Covid-19vaccine, a necessary step to approve and register thevaccine, the US-based pharmaceutical said Wednesday.

"This is an important step so that thevaccinecan be available in Brazil," Pfizer said in a statement in Portuguese.

Robust Covid-19 vaccine manufacturing, delivery ecosystem initiated to meet demand: Harsh Vardhan

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhansaid that as the world races to develop the vaccine for Covid-19, India is looking to be self-reliant in both its development and mass production.

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Govt launches 'Mission COVID Suraksha' to help accelerate vaccine candidates

The government has launched 'Mission COVID Suraksha' to help accelerate the development of approximately 5-6vaccinecandidates and ensure that these are brought closer to licensure and introduction in the market, the Department of Biotechnology said on Wednesday.

The mission envisages Covid-19vaccinedevelopment with end-to-end focus from preclinical through clinical development and manufacturing and regulatory facilitation, the DBT said.

Earlier this month, the government had announced a package of Rs 900 crore forvaccines.

"Government of India (GOI) announced the third stimulus package of Rs 900 crore for the Mission COVID Suraksha -- the Indian Covid-19VaccineDevelopment Mission. This grant will be provided to the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) for research and development of Indian Covid-19vaccines.

PTI

UP to be ready by Dec 15 to accept Covid-19 vaccine: Health minister

Uttar Pradesh Health Minister Jay Pratap Singh on Wednesday said the state already has an established system of cold chain across all its districts and remaining work at some places will be completed by December 15 to acceptvaccinefor Covid-19 whenever it is ready.

He said the cold chain got established in all 75 districts of the state as part of earliervaccinationprocess for various diseases like rubella given to children up to the age of five years.

"We have a centralised management system for cold chains wherein we get alert even if there is a slight reduction in temperature in storage. Still, work has started for the construction of storage rooms wherever we have felt a need for it. These will have walk-in coolers, walk-in deep freezers as per need," Singh said.

"By December 15, we will have these (cold storage chain) remaining ones ready to accept thevaccinewhenever it is ready. By December 15 we will be 100 per cent ready," he told reporters during a visit to Noida to review the pandemic situation.

PTI

Turkey signs 50 million dose Covid-19 vaccine deal with China's Sinovac Biotech

Turkey has signed a contract to buy 50 million doses of Covid-19vaccinefrom China's Sinovac Biotech, Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said on Wednesday.

"We have signed a contract for 50 million doses ofvaccinesto be delivered in the months of December, January and February," Koca told a news conference.

Sinovac's experimental Covid-19vaccineCoronaVac triggered a quick immune response, but the level of antibodies produced was lower than in people who had recovered from the virus, preliminary trial results showed.

Reuters

Indian Covid-19 vaccine candidate 'Covaxin' reaches Gujarat hospital for trial

Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patelsaid that experts from the central government have also arrived to train the local doctors for conducting trials on healthy youths who will be vaccinated twice a month under constant monitoring to check the results.

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US will distribute 6.4 million Covid-19 vaccine doses in first tranche

General Gustave Perna, chief operations officer for the government's Operation Warp Speed, told reporters some 40 million doses of vaccine would be available by the end of December.

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Chinese vaccine maker applies for public use of Covid-19 shot

China National Biotec Group Co. has submitted an application to Chinese regulators, reported state media Xinhua Finance on Wednesday, citing parent company Sinopharm’s vice general manager Shi Shengyi. The application likely includes interim data from the company’s Phase III human testing conducted in the Middle East and South America.

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EU says first Covid-19 vaccinations possible by Christmas

Claiming that “there's finally light at the end of the tunnel,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told EU lawmakers that “the first European citizens might already be vaccinated before the end of December.”

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B S Yediyurappa-led panel to monitor Covid vaccination process in state

Home Minister Basavaraj Bommai said the government is planning toreplicate arrangements made during elections to administer the vaccine to the population.

“Prime Minister Modi has said that arrangements for vaccination centres must be similar to preparations at the booth level for elections. These centres should be formed and workers should be trained for the exercise,” Bommai said.

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French President Emmanuel Macron wants to start Covid-19 vaccination by year-end

"We are going to organise a swift and massive vaccination campaign," Macron said in a televised address to the nation.

"We will very likely, and pending authorisation by health authorities, start vaccination of the most vulnerable populations, hencethe elderly, as soon as the end of December, early January," he said, adding other population groups would be offered vaccination consecutively.

US will distribute 6.4 million Covid-19 vaccine doses in first tranche

The US plans to distribute 6.4 million doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in the first week after it is cleared for emergency use, which is likely next month. Additionally,some 40 million doses of vaccine would be available by the end of December.

BJP govt should promise free Covid-19 vaccination in UP: Akhilesh

The government "should not play with lives" of the people and increase Covid-19 testing, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav said on Tuesday, demanding that the BJP dispensation in Uttar Pradesh should promise "free vaccination".

In a tweet in Hindi, the former Uttar Pradesh chief minister also said the BJP government should ensure that the coronavirus vaccination does not become "a victim of corruption".

"The government should not play with the lives of the people and increase the testing of Corona and bring out the true figures. The BJP government in UP should promise free vaccination in the interest of the state and immediately get ready in advance by making a task force," Yadav said in a tweet.

India has put to use significant scientific calibre in response to Covid-19 pandemic: Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan

From development of indigenous vaccines to novel point-of-care diagnostics and therapeutic formulations, India has put to use its significant scientific calibre in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, Union minister Harsh Vardhan said on Tuesday.

Addressing the first virtual Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Young Scientist Conclave, the minister of Science and Technology said the Covid-19 pandemic is a test, demonstrating that multilateral cooperation is the key to overcoming such global challenges.

Vardhan, who is also the minister for health and family welfare, said Covid-19 has emerged as one of the greatest global challenges, requiring a strategised, collective global response which has seen young scientists play a significant role.

Talking about response by India, he said, "India has put to use its significant scientific calibre.

Centre asks states to strengthen monitoring of adverse effects of Covid-19 vaccination

The Centre has asked states to take steps needed for strengthening surveillance of adverse events following immunisation before the Covid-19 vaccine is introduced, noting that preparations are underway for conducting the vaccinations starting with certain priority groups.

In its letter dated November 18, the Union health ministry listed initiatives which it said are essential to further strengthen the existing adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) surveillance system of India so that timely and complete AEFI reporting for Covid-19 inoculation is possible.

"I request that these initiatives are implemented at the earliest so that required changes take place well before the Covid-19 vaccine is introduced in the state and district," the letter written by Dr Manohar Agnani, additional secretary in the ministry, said.

AstraZeneca must prove claim to cheapest Covid-19 vaccine: MSF

AstraZeneca must prove its claim that its potential Covid-19vaccinehas the lowest price of the main candidates so far, non-governmental organisation Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) said on Tuesday, urging the company to make public its supply contracts.

Frontline workers should get Covid-19 shots on priority: MP CM

The Madhya Pradesh government has made preparations like cold-chain storage for Covid-19vaccineand is also imparting training to health personnel, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan told Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday even as he demanded the shots be administered to frontline workers on priority.

Russia says Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine 95% effective

Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine is 95 percent effective according to a second interim analysis of clinical trial data, its developers said on Tuesday.

The two-dose vaccine will be available on international markets for less than $10 (8.40 euros) per dose, they said, and will be free for Russian citizens.

It can be stored at between two and eight degrees Celsius (between 35.6 and 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit), they said, instead of the temperatures below freezing required for some other vaccines.

The statement said that the vaccine had shown 91.4 percent effectiveness 28 days after the first dose, a figure based on 39 cases.

Forty-two days later, after a second dose, data showed "an efficacy of the vaccine above 95 percent."

EU has reached deal with Moderna for supply of Covid-19 vaccine

The European Commission has reached a deal with U.S. biotech firm Moderna for the supply of its Covid-19 vaccine candidate, an EU official told Reuters on Tuesday.

Last week Moderna said its experimental vaccine was 94.5% effective in preventing Covid-19, based on interim data from a late-stage clinical trial.

In August the Commission, which co-leads talks with vaccine makers on behalf of EU states, said preliminary talks with Moderna had been concluded with the aim of signing a contract for the supply of 80 million doses of its vaccine, with the option of buying another 80 million.

The vaccine will be rolled out internationally in January 2021, said the vaccine maker

Russia's Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine to cost less than $10 per dose; shots 95% effective 42 days after first dose

Russia will charge less for its Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine than rivals as Moscow aims to produce more than 1 billion doses at home and abroad next year, the head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund said on Tuesday.

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Second interim analysis of clinical trial data showed a 91.4% efficacy for the #SputnikV vaccine on day 28 after the first dose; vaccine efficacy is over 95% 42 days after the first dose.

No nation has as much experience as India when it comes to vaccines, says PM Modi

The vaccination program must be smooth, systematic and everybody including governments and other parties must work closely together as team. No nation has as much experience as India when it comes to vaccines, said PM Modi.

India is in close touch with vaccine makers, though we are nearing the end of development of vaccines, we still don't know some details, such as the price, dosage and other details. We are in touch and support of Indian developers too. We are working with multinational institutions, WHO, other countries and international companies and in real time communication with them, said PM Modi at the meeting with CMs.

States must work towards establishing cold storage facilities for vaccines: PM

“Safety is as important as speed for us, whichever vaccine India will give to its citizens will be safe on all scientific standards. Vaccine distribution strategy will be chalked out in collective coordination with states. States must also start working cold storage facilities,” PM Modi said at the meeting with CMs of various states.

It's yet not decided which vaccine will cost how much. Though two India-based vaccines are at the forefront, we're working with global firms also. Few people react to vaccines after years, this is possible in this case also. So a decision needs to be taken on scientific basis: PM Modi

The states are required to establish cold storage facilities for Covid-19 vaccine: PM Modi during a virtual meeting with CMs on Covid-19

Don't have answers to a lot of questions on Covid-19 vaccine: PM

It is not certain whether there will be one, two or three doses of a vaccine. It is also not decided what will be the price of the vaccine. We still don't have answers to these questions: PM Modi during interaction with CM's on Covid-19 situation

In touch with Indian vaccine developers and manufacturers: PM

Government of India is keeping a track of each development in vaccine development. We are in touch with Indian vaccine developers and manufacturers. We are also in touch with global regulators, governments of other countries, multinational orgs & international companies: PM

In second phase, vaccine will be given to essential service providers: Khattar

In the second phase vaccine will be given to essential service providers and then there will two phases in which there will be age-wise distribution: Haryana CM Manohar Lal Khattar

Vaccine will be provided to healthcare personnel in first phase of distribution, says Haryana CM

We have been told to make strategy to make vaccine available to general public. As it is not possible to give vaccine to all at once. In the first phase, vaccine will be provided to health care personnel & people who need it the most: Haryana CM after virtual meeting with PM Modi

We are ready to work with Central and all other stakeholders to ensure speedy and universal vaccination for everyone as soon as the vaccine is available: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee

PM wants India to be ready for vaccine distribution, says Karnataka Minister

PM wants India to be ready to implement the vaccination on a priority basis in different sectors. Priority sectors are health workers, people above 50 years and persons with comorbid conditions. PM has given clear directions on it: Karnataka Minister Basavaraj Bomma

Task force set up in Maharashtra to manage vaccine distribution: CM

The Maharashtra government has formed ataskforcetomanagethe distribution of Covid-19vaccineand howvaccinationwill be carried out in the state, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray said on Tuesday.

According to an official statement, Thackeray made the remarks during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting via video conferencing with chief ministers of eight states which have reported higher number of Covid-19 cases.

PTI

Decades of work, and half a dose of fortune, drove Oxford vaccine success

It tookOxfordUniversity's brightest mindsdecadesofworkto give them the expertise to develop a COVID-19vaccine. In the end, it was a momentary error - and adoseof goodfortune- that carried them over the line.

TheOxfordvaccinologists were exhilarated on Monday when drugmaker AstraZeneca, with whom they developed the shot, announced that it could be around 90% effective, citing data from late-stage trials.

"It can only happen if extraordinary support is provided," Adrian Hill, director ofOxfordUniversity's Jenner Institute which developed the shot, told Reuters. "We had pretty well the whole institute inOxfordworkingon thisvaccine."

Mazumdar-Shaw hopes Oxford's Covid-19 vaccine to get DCGI's emergency approval

Biocon Executive Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw on Tuesday said hopefully drugs regulator DCGI will give Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covid-19 vaccine as soon as it gets approval from the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency.

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One crore frontline health workers identified for Covid-19 vaccination

An estimated one crore frontline health workers will receive the first dose of Covid-19 vaccine whenever it becomes available, with around92 per cent of government hospitalsand 55 per cent of private hospitals across all states and UTs providing data identifying the workers, official sources told PTI.

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Covid-19 vaccines offer hope as world leaders plan for future

France is expected to loosen its coronavirus restrictions on Tuesday as the boss of a major airline said proof of vaccination will likely become the only way people can fly in a post-pandemic world.

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Covid-19 vaccine race heats up — When will one be ready?

The coronavirus outbreak has gripped the world for months now, and different countries are racing to produce Covid-19 vaccine to save mankind. As different agencies have started announcing more improved efficacies of their vaccines, it is expected that the distribution of the vaccine will startsoon. Let us see where the respective vaccine candidates stand at the moment.

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Brazil has enough infection data to analyze Sinovac's Covid-19 vaccine, say officials

Brazil has gathered enough infection data from a late-stage trial of an experimental Covid-19 vaccine developed by China's Sinovac Biotech and expects to have interim results on its efficiency in early December, trial organizers said on Monday.

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Japan stocks hit 29-yr high on vaccine cheer, Biden transition

Japanese shares hit a 29-year high on Tuesday as progress in developing an inexpensivecoronavirusvaccineboosted hopes of a swift recovery, while a formal transition approval for USPresident-elect Joe Biden also lifted sentiment.

The Nikkei 225 Index 2.58% to 26,186.53 by 0204 GMT, reaching its highest since May 1991. The broader Topix was up 2.23% at 1,765.91. Energy, real estate, and financial shares led the advance.