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Infectious diseases

Vaccination coverage surpasses 35 crore

The number of COVID-19 vaccinations administered in India has surpassed 35 crore, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. This marks a shot in the arm for vaccination coverage in a country hard-hit by the pandemic where such coverage has been lagging.  In a statement released yesterday, the Ministry said 351,221,306 doses …

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Delta variant identified in 96 countries

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced in its weekly epidemiological update that the so-called Delta variant is present in 96 countries. This marks an increase of eleven countries where the Delta variant has been detected compared to last week.  First identified in India, the Delta variant is considered to be more transmissible. It has been …

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Covishield approval sought from EU

India is seeking approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for Covishield, one of its COVID-19 vaccines. Covisheld approval is being sought on an emergency authorisation basis from the bloc’s apex medical regulatory body.  The Serum Institute of India (SII) manufactures Covishield, which is the Indian variant so to speak of the COVID-19 vaccine produced …

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Environmental degradation contributed to COVID-19 origins, UNEP India says

The COVID-19 pandemic’s origins can be traced to degradation of environmental space, species’ loss and exploitation, according to a leading United Nations Environment Programme official for India. As investigations into the origins of COVID-19 continue, United Nations Environment Programme India Country Office Head, Atul Bagai, highlighted the interconnected balance between environmental degradation and public health, …

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Covishield: A single dose may be enough for those previously infected with COVID-19

New research claims that a single dose of Covishield may be sufficient to protect those previously infected with the novel coronavirus which causes COVID-19.  If someone has previously contracted severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV), researchers at the Assam Medical College and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) suggest that they may not …

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Pfizer vaccine on the cusp of securing Indian approval, CEO says

The Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 is on the verge of securing approval for use in India. This is according to the drugmaker’s chief executive officer Albert Bourla who, speaking at a virtual event, said they were in the “final stages” of receiving the nod and said “I hope very soon we will finalise an agreement …

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Delta plus: How worried should we be?

The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recognised the Delta plus variant as one of concern, with more than forty cases identified. The Delta plus variant (B.1.617.2) is spreading in the country, the Ministry said. More than forty cases have been confirmed across three states, those being Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The …

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Inoculation record achieved, but concerns remain

Monday saw India administer a record 8.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Nonetheless, concerns remain surrounding the pace of an inoculation campaign once billed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as set to be the largest in the world. “Today’s record-breaking vaccination numbers are gladdening,” Modi tweeted. “The vaccine remains our strongest weapon to fight COVID-19. …

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Covaxin to face WHO scrutiny this week

India’s homegrown COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin is to face scrutiny from the World Health Organization (WHO) on June 23rd when a pre-submission hearing will be held.  Manufacturer Bharat Biotech received the WHO’s nod for its expression of interest for emergency use listing of Covaxin, in a step commentators regard as moving the vaccine closer to securing …

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Inquiry into fake COVID-19 tests begins

The Kumbh Mela festival, attended by millions of people in Uttarakhand, may have used fake COVID-19 tests, generating more than 100,000 falsified records according to recent allegations. Media reports say fake names, mobile numbers, and addresses were used in more than 100,000 tests during the Kumbh festival in April. Such allegations add fuel to the …

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