How the idea of vaccine protection changed in one year

As the virus evolved, our perception of protection conferred by vaccines changed dramatically. From the popular notions of herd immunity and vaccinating our way out of the pandemic, the discussion is now centred around booster doses and the eventuality of living with the virus. As the virus evolved, our perception of protection conferred by vaccines … Continue reading How the idea of vaccine protection changed in one year

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More studies show hybrid immunity provides better protection

One more study has shown that a combination of natural infection and a single dose of vaccine provides greater immunity than either natural infection without vaccination or full vaccination in infection-naïve individuals. Yet another study has shown that a combination of natural infection with a single dose of vaccine provides greater immunity than either natural … Continue reading More studies show hybrid immunity provides better protection

As U.S approves booster shots, under 3.5% vaccinated in Africa

Of the nearly 6 billion doses administered globally, only 2% have been in Africa; about 80% have been administered in high- and upper-middle income countries. Less than 3.5% of people in Africa have been fully vaccinated so far compared with 54% of the total population in the U.S. Unkept promises of supplying vaccines to COVAX, … Continue reading As U.S approves booster shots, under 3.5% vaccinated in Africa

Government passes off factually incorrect vaccination information as ‘fact’

While Dr. Vinod Paul, Chair of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19, said no country is vaccinating children, the U.S. has been vaccinating children older than 16 years since April 20. On May 10, the FDA authorised Pfizer vaccine in children 12-15 years, and five other countries too have approved the vaccine … Continue reading Government passes off factually incorrect vaccination information as ‘fact’

Causality assessment of COVID-19 vaccine deaths will be made public, says National AEFI Committee advisor

Vaccine as a biological cause is least likely to cause deaths. The adenovirus vector and the genetic material that helps in making the spike protein are unlikely to cause deaths. But other ingredients in the vaccine and the quality of the vaccine in the particular batches that were used in these situations should be investigated. … Continue reading Causality assessment of COVID-19 vaccine deaths will be made public, says National AEFI Committee advisor

Confusion reigns as CDC takes down guidance that confirmed aerosol transmission

A draft of the proposed changes to its recommendations, which was later withdrawn pending finalisation, the CDC confirmed that airborne particles can spread even by breathing, remain suspended in air and be inhaled and spread beyond six feet in certain enclosed settings.

CDC says revised guidance on coronavirus spread ‘posted in error’, removes it

On September 21, CDC removed the revised coronavirus spread guidance that acknowledged airborne transmission through aerosols, saying it was "posted in error". The revised guidance posted three days ago stated that particles carrying the virus can remain suspended in air and spread to distances beyond six feet and is the "main way" the virus spreads.

Finally, CDC acknowledges aerosol as the ‘main way’ of coronavirus spread

On September 18, CDC revised its guidelines to acknowledge that the “main way” the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) spreads is through aerosols. It also for the first time mentions that virus can spread through breathing, stay suspended in air and travel to distances beyond six feet.

COVID-19: To wear or not to wear a mask — a disastrous public health messaging

If WHO, CDC and the U.S. Surgeon General were equally responsible for the public health message disaster of discouraging mask use by the public to cut the transmission risk of novel coronavirus, a paper published in PNAS tried to overcompensate for it with a highly unscientific work. Now, 35 scientists want the paper to be … Continue reading COVID-19: To wear or not to wear a mask — a disastrous public health messaging

Coronavirus: Fewer infected people account for larger virus spread

Three studies have found that a small percentage of people who have been infected with novel coronavirus account for a large proportion of novel coronavirus spread, much above the expected average. These are called “superspreading events. Three different studies using very different methods and patient cohorts have found that a small percentage of people who … Continue reading Coronavirus: Fewer infected people account for larger virus spread