Scientists in India are divided over the issue of whether young, healthy children need to be vaccinated in the absence of data showing their risk of suffering from severe disease or death. While there are certain advantages of vaccinating as many people as possible, including young, healthy children, will targeting them result in adults, who … Continue reading Should healthy children be vaccinated on priority?
Sero survey
Why the priority should be to reopen primary schools
Based on Indian as well as global data, the risk of severe disease and death is rare in adolescents and children younger than 12 years. Adults have almost 15 times higher risk of death and severe disease compared with children below 18 years. Even susceptibility to infection is low in younger children. At least six … Continue reading Why the priority should be to reopen primary schools
India unlikely to witness a huge surge in cases in September
While NITI Aayog has predicted four-five lakh cases a day in September, the ground reality suggests otherwise. Daily cases in all States except Kerala have been steadily declining since the second wave peaked in early May. Unlike in other countries such as the U.S. which is witnessing a surge in cases caused by the Delta … Continue reading India unlikely to witness a huge surge in cases in September
Erroneous to conclude that we have attained herd immunity, says Srinath Reddy
While 67.6% of the Indian population appears to have antibodies either from natural infection or vaccination, as per the fourth sero survey , Dr. Srinath Reddy dispels the wrong notion that India is close to reaching herd immunity and explains the uncertainty of protection even among those already infected. The fourth sero survey conducted across … Continue reading Erroneous to conclude that we have attained herd immunity, says Srinath Reddy
India will add four million more cases by May 1, says Giridhara Babu
A small proportion of the population might have reinfections due to waning antibodies. With newer areas seeing the surge in cases, we cannot rule out older variants spreading to these areas. There may be a dual problem facing the country. The old and newer variants might be in circulation in the uninfected regions in an … Continue reading India will add four million more cases by May 1, says Giridhara Babu
As cases spike in a few States, what is causing a decline in Kerala?
Even as daily new cases and test positivity rates have been declining in Kerala since end-January, the Health Ministry has been mischievously implicating the State for a surge in new cases. While researchers think the decline could be due to infection rate reaching close to herd immunity, serosurvey results show otherwise. Kerala pioneers post-COVID care … Continue reading As cases spike in a few States, what is causing a decline in Kerala?
Pune coronavirus sero survey results find 51.5% seroprevalence
The sero survey carried out in five zones in Pune has found 51.5% seroprevalence, with the spread ranging from 36.1% in the lower bound to 65.4% in higher bound. The spread of the virus was found across all types of dwellings. Those living in hutments (62%) and tenement (56.2%) had the highest seroprevalence, while those … Continue reading Pune coronavirus sero survey results find 51.5% seroprevalence
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