VACCINE

SII, the world’s largest vaccine maker, sees demand doubling in five years

Serum Institute of India Pvt. is gearing up to meet the growing demand for life-saving vaccines, with expectations to double sales in the next five years. The world's largest vaccine maker, based in Pune, currently has the capacity to produce 3 billion doses annually but only sells about half of that. CEO Adar Poonawalla is optimistic about the increasing uptake of vaccines globally as countries boost their healthcare budgets.

Are Covid vaccines related to unprecedented deaths in USA? Here's what research paper claims

Covid vaccines have come under the scrutiny across the world. Now a new research report has made shocking claims.

Time to stop 'FLiRT'ing: Here is what we know about the Covid variant

A new Covid variant is spreading rapidly across the US, raising alarms within the medical fraternity. There are also concerns about a possible summer wave around this new Covid variant.

CDSCO panel gives nod for continuation of phase-II clinical trial of SII's dengue vaccine

An expert committee recommended continuation of phase-II clinical trial of Serum Institute of India's vaccine against dengue after successful phase-I interim trial in Australia. The SEC recommendations were made on May 31.

Govt issues guidance paper to strengthen vaccine companies' reporting of adverse events

The new report released last week aims to provide guidance to the manufacturers and importers of vaccines in the country so as to strengthen their AE/AEFI (adverse events following immunisation) monitoring and reporting and pharmacovigilance department to ensure patient safety.

‘Doctors knew Covid vaccine’s side-effects killed my daughter. But they didn’t tell us’

Dr Snehal Lunawat was the first case in which the AEFI committee accepted there was a direct correlation between vaccination and death. Many of the petitioners, like her father Dilip, have questioned why information about the side-effects wasn’t made public earlier.

Union health secy highlights India's health achievements, future goals at WHO assembly

India, in collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO), plans to strengthen its drug regulatory system to ensure quick access to high-quality medical products for all. Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra highlighted the country's core capacity score of 86% to detect, assess, report, and respond to health emergencies, surpassing the Southeast Asia Region and Global average.

Another pandemic to happen soon? Here is what former UK chief scientific adviser said

Former UK government chief scientific adviser Sir Patrick Vallance warns that another pandemic is inevitable, urging the British government to focus on better surveillance and preparations as he believes we are not ready yet.

As COVID cases rise again, what do you need to know about the new FLiRT variants?

FLirt Covid 19 Virus: Scientists are studying the FLiRT variants, subvariants of the Omicron lineage, which may be more contagious and evade immunity better. The FLiRT variants, derived from the JN.1 variant, are demonstrating increased 'fitness' and may become the dominant subvariants in Australia. Booster shots targeting Omicron XBB.1.5 provide significant protection against severe illness.

Novavax awaits FDA decision on whether its next COVID shot can be offered in US

Novavax's updated vaccine targets a variant called JN.1, which is in line with European recommendations. The European Union's regulator told vaccine makers last month to update their vaccines for that variant because they would likely be effective against its descendant lineages.

FLiRT variants of COVID-19 'dominate' globally, sparking worries over immune evasion

WHAT IS FLIRT COVID? The FLiRT variants, marked by mutations in the virus' spike protein, including KP.2 now prevalent in the US, have raised questions about immune response and vaccine efficacy. Despite a decline in hospitalizations, experts await updated vaccines targeting these variants amid ongoing surveillance and discussions among regulators.

HPV vaccines may protect men as well as women from cancer claims new study

Vaccinated women had a lower risk of developing cervical cancer within at least five years of getting the shots. For men, there were benefits too. Vaccinated men had a lower risk of developing any HPV-related cancer, such as cancers of the anus, penis and mouth and throat.

New Covid wave in Singapore: No need for panic, assures Tamil Nadu govt

Dr. T S Selvavinayagam, Director of the Directorate of Public Health and Preventive Medicine in Tamil Nadu, reassured the public about the new Covid wave in Singapore, describing it as a "milder infection" that does not warrant panic. He stated that there have been no significant hospital admissions in Singapore following the outbreak. The Singapore variant, KP.2, a sub-variant of Omicron, has been reported in some parts of India, with 290 cases of KP.2 and 34 cases of KP.1 found in the country. Selvavinayagam emphasized that Tamil Nadu has the required infrastructure to handle any situation and that the state has almost fully vaccinated the 18-plus population.

Covaxin, Covishield alert: Scammers exploiting vaccine fears, police issue alert

Authorities are alarmed by a surge in fraudulent activities exploiting Covid-19 vaccine inquiries, targeting unsuspecting individuals for personal information. Scammers, posing as health officials, prompt citizens for Covishield or Covaxin details, aiming to harvest sensitive data. Kolkata residents report such incidents, including calls from interactive voice systems causing network disruptions.

Patanjali misleading ads case: SC exempts Ramdev, Balkrishna from personal appearance

The Supreme Court granted Baba Ramdev and Acharya Balkrishna more time to file affidavits in the Patanjali fake advertisements case. The case involves allegations by the Indian Medical Association against Patanjali for disparaging modern medicine and the Covid-19 vaccination drive. The SC also criticized the IMA's president for comments made to the media.

Nearly 12 pc of India's eligible children received no dose of measles vaccine, study finds

Researchers from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi investigated previously overlooked critical aspects of measles vaccination, focusing on zero-doses, partially vaccinated, and those fully immunised. They analysed data of over 43,000 children aged 2-3 years, collected through the National Family Health Survey 2019-21 (NFHS-5).

'If India had not been clear on Russia-Ukraine war, petrol price would have gone up': EAM Jaishankar on foreign policy

Jaishankar emphasized the crucial role of foreign policy in citizens' lives, citing India's clear stance on the Russia-Ukraine war. He highlighted world issues, UNSC membership aspirations, and the importance of strong leadership.

AstraZeneca vaccine side effect rare, occurs within a month of getting jab: Ex-ICMR Scientist

R Ganga Ketkar allays fears of Covid vaccine side effects, focusing on TTS. Covishield's low TTS risk 5-30 days post-vaccination. ICMR ensures post marketing surveillance. AstraZeneca dispels myths, promoting childhood vaccination.

Covishield Clots: Are Indians at risk of TTS because of Covishield?

The makers of the Covishield Covid vaccine, AstraZeneca, have made the shocking admission that thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) could be a side effect. Astrazeneca admitted that the vaccine developed with the University of Oxford to protect against Covid-19 may cause Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) in "very rare cases"

Covishield Vaccine Row: PM Modi's image no more on your vaccination certificate? Here's why

Covishield Vaccine: The recent admission by vaccine maker AstraZeneca in a UK court has sparked discussions about the potential side effect of Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) in Covishield, leading many in India to reexamine their vaccination certificates.

Centre should urgently address alleged side-effects of Covishield, says Delhi health minister

UK-headquartered pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca has admitted that in "very rare cases", its COVID-19 vaccine can cause a blood clot-related side-effect but the causal link is unknown, according to court papers being quoted in the UK media.

"Told people to clang vessels, light lamps": PM Modi shares COVID battle stories with Bill Gates

When Bill Gates asked about how the PM managed communication with the people during the pandemic that rumors regarding vaccines were controlled in India unlike other parts of the world, PM replied that he himself used to set examples in front of people.

Covid Battle: Modi reveals logic behind Thali Bajao, Diya Jalao projects