Page 6 - Coronavirus Vaccine

Boosters limit Omicron transmission in Californian prisons, finds study

The study, published in the journal Nature Medicine, demonstrated the benefits of vaccination and boosting, even in settings where many people are still getting infected, in reducing transmission

India logs 173 new coronavirus infections; active tally declines to 2,670

India has recorded 173 new coronavirus infections, while the active cases have declined to 2,670, according to Union health ministry data updated on Monday. The total tally of Covid cases has been recorded at 4.46 crore (4,46,78,822) and the death toll stands at 5,30,707 with two fatalities -- one reconciled by Kerala and one reported by Uttarakhand -- in the last 24 hours, the data updated at 8 am stated. The active cases comprise 0.01 per cent of the total infections, while the national recovery rate has increased to 98.80 per cent, according to the ministry's website. The ministry said a decrease of 36 cases has been recorded in the active Covid caseload in a span of 24 hours. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease has increased to 4,41,45, 445, while the case fatality rate has been recorded at 1.19 per cent, it said. The ministry on its website stated that 220.10 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country so far. India's COVID-19 ta

Study reveals booster dose increases resilience of Covid antibody response

Recent research from the University of Virginia School of Medicine discussed the benefits of a Covid-19 booster vaccine dose.The most recent study clarifies how Pfizer and Moderna mRNA boosters influence the persistence of our Covid-19 antibodies. According to the researchers, a booster produced more durable antibodies in all individuals, including those who had recovered from a Covid-19 infection.The researchers have published their latest findings in the scientific journal Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology."These results fit with other recent reports and indicate that booster shots enhance the durability of vaccine-elicited antibodies," said senior researcher Jeffrey Wilson, MD, PhD, of UVA Health's Division of Asthma, Allergy and Immunology.Tracking Covid-19 antibodies: Wilson and his collaborators looked at antibody levels following a booster in 117 UVA employee volunteers and compared those results with the levels seen in 228 volunteers after their primary vaccination .

2022: When India learnt to live with Covid as the virus eased its grip

The health sector returned to the old normal; the advice for 2023 is 'watchfulness and appropriate response'

Bengal to write to Centre for more Covid vaccines, testing kits: Official

The West Bengal government on Wednesday decided to write to the Centre to request for more COVID vaccines and testing kits, a senior official said. Along with five lakh doses of nasal vaccines, the state government has decided to request the Union government to send one lakh doses of Covaxin and 15 lakh doses of Covishield, he said. Keeping in mind the warnings of a probable COVID surge, the state government issued guidelines for hospitals and directed them to set up COVID wards in medical establishments where such facilities are unavailable. The decisions were taken during a virtual meeting chaired by Chief secretary H K Dwivedi with the district magistrates and senior officials of the state health department. The official said that hospitals were asked to keep beds ready keeping in mind critical and very critical patients. Meanwhile, nine fresh cases were reported in the state on Wednesday, taking the tally to 21,18,606, a health bulletin said. The toll remained unchanged at 21

Patchy recovery: How 2022 swung from despair to hope to caution

Even as it grappled with new viruses, the human race hit another milestone

Biological E, Bharat Biotech together sitting on 250 mn Covid vaccine doses

Two major vaccine makers from Hyderabad, Biological E Ltd and Bharat Biotech, together are holding about 250 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines ready to dispatch as and when orders are received. According to respective company sources, Biological E is holding 200 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine Corbevax while Bharat Biotech is sitting on a stockpile of 50 million doses of Covaxin. Dr Vikram Paradkar, Executive Vice President (Manufacturing), Biological E, said the firm produced about 30 crore doses of Corbevax in total, abiding by the vaccine manufacturing commitment to the Central government. In March '22, Biological E successfully supplied 10 crore doses to the government. "Currently, we have approximately 20 crore (200 million) doses that are fully tested and ready for supply, as and when we receive orders. Additionally, we manufactured 20 crore doses equivalent of the antigen which will help us ramp up the manufacturing of the Corbevax finished product quickly," Paradkar

Top Headlines: Banks' balance sheet grows, daily vax rates in India double

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India's nasal vaccine not for those who have taken booster: NTAGI chairman

The Indian nasal vaccine cannot be given to those who have allready taken a precaution or booster dose, the head of the country's vaccine task force said

Daily vaccination rates in India surge two-fold amid global Covid scare

This despite an infection rate of about 150-200 cases a day; Vaccine makers say there are sufficient stocks to meet rising demand

Corporate India gears up to hedge China supply risk amid Covid surge

The sectors in India that import from China include pharmaceutical (pharma), automotive (auto), textile, engineering, and electronic goods

Doctors urge govt to allow fourth booster dose for medical fraternity

They say protective effect of vaccine lasts nine months to a year. For health workers that period is already over and this is the right time to boost their immunity

Bharat Bio's nasal Covid vaccine to cost Rs 800/dose in private market

Price at Rs 325 per dose for large-volume government procurement, will be on sale late January

Top headlines: Venugopal Dhoot arrested, Advent buys stake in Suven, & more

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Karnataka makes masks mandatory in public places, increases Covid testing

State govt tells revellers to end New Year celebrations before 1 am; Centre readies for mock drills today

Hyderabad-based drug major Hetero prices Paxlovid generic at $60 per course

Generic version of Pfizer's Covid antiviral treatment would be exported for $70

Sudden surge in demand for Covid-19 vaccine leads to shortage in Gujarat

Due to sudden surge in demand for vaccines, some health centres ran short of it. The supply of vaccines is said to increase soon

Hetero's Covid drug Nirmacom (generic Paxlovid) gets WHO prequalification

Hetero, a city-based leading pharmaceutical company on Monday announced the receipt of World Health Organisation Prequalification of Medicines Programme (WHO PQ) approval for its generic version of COVID-19 oral anti-viral treatment candidate Nirmatrelvir. A press release from the drug maker said it is the first prequalification for a generic version of Pfizer's COVID-19 oral anti-viral drug 'Paxlovid,' which the WHO called, the best therapeutic choice for high-risk patients to date. WHO made a strong recommendation for Nirmatrelvir and Ritonavir for mild and moderate COVID-19 patients at highest risk of hospital admission, such as unvaccinated, aged or immunosuppressed patients, it said. The combi pack, launched by Hetero as Nirmacom, will contain Nirmatrelvir 150 mg (2 tablets) and Ritonavir 100mg (1 tablet). It is available by prescription only and should be initiated as soon as possible after diagnosis of COVID-19 and within five days of symptom onset. Nirmacom will be ...

About 24 mn people over age 60 yet to receive first Covid jab in China

The vaccination figure fell to "just 42.4 per cent for those aged 80 and over"

Facing questions over accuracy, China stops releasing Covid-19 cases data

The commission didn't provide a reason for the change in policy, but said that the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention will release Covid-related info for studies and reference