There have been at least three instances where the drug regulator has approved a drug or vaccine but the COVID-19 National Task Force has taken a diametrically opposite stand and not included the drug/vaccine in the national treatment protocol. But the task force was quick to accept the and include the approval given to repurposed … Continue reading Conflicting signals from drug regulator, COVID-19 national task force
ICMR
India scripts history with one billion vaccine doses administered
India could have probably reached this grand milestone earlier if precious time was not wasted by asking States to procure vaccines directly from the two manufacturers at a higher cost to vaccinate the 18-44 age group. India scripted history on October 21 when the number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered across the country crossed the … Continue reading India scripts history with one billion vaccine doses administered
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
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
Covaxin offers protection against double mutant (B.1.617) variant
A study has found that people who have been vaccinated with Covaxin have protection against the double mutant (B.1.617) variant first found in India. The ability of the sera of vaccinated people to neutralise the B.1.617 variant was found to be two-fold less. A study has found that people who have been vaccinated with Covaxin … Continue reading Covaxin offers protection against double mutant (B.1.617) variant
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?
Covaxin has only 10% takers nationally; less than 1% uptake in 12 States, Union Territories
As on February 21, the uptake of Covaxin across India is just about 10%. Except Sikkim, where the percentage uptake of Covaxin compared with Covishield is 1%, the uptake in 12 States and Union Territories is far less than 1%. At 27%, Gujarat has reported the highest uptake of Covaxin. As on February 21, the … Continue reading Covaxin has only 10% takers nationally; less than 1% uptake in 12 States, Union Territories
Study finds Covaxin effective against the UK variant
Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin has been found to neutralise the UK variant with “similar efficiency” as the strain used for making the vaccine and hence “dispels the uncertainty of possible neutralisation escape” following vaccination. Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin has been found to neutralise the UK variant with “similar efficiency” as the strain used for making the vaccine … Continue reading Study finds Covaxin effective against the UK variant
Serious violations in Covaxin trial in Bhopal show nothing has changed since the egregious HPV vaccine trial
The Covaxin phase-3 clinical trial in Bhopal shows that nothing much has changed even more than a decade since the highly controversial HPV vaccine trial in Andhra Pradesh wherein 23,500 girls were vaccinated without a proper informed consent. There is evidence that the trial in Bhopal has serious ethical violations of informed consent and medical … Continue reading Serious violations in Covaxin trial in Bhopal show nothing has changed since the egregious HPV vaccine trial
COVID-19: Challenges in achieving herd immunity through vaccination
Where everyone is equally affected by COVID-19 disease, immunisation should be available to all when vaccines are ready. It is important to remember that vaccines are a tool to promote health equity. If the goal is to achieve herd immunity, we will need about 70% of the population to be covered. Breaking the chain of … Continue reading COVID-19: Challenges in achieving herd immunity through vaccination
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