People who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus will require a booster shot to remain protected, according to the US’ top infectious disease expert Dr Anthony Fauci.
Terming the low Covid vaccination coverage among the healthcare and frontline workers, especially for the second dose, a cause of "serious concern", the Centre advised the states and Union territories on Thursday to sharpen their focus and prepare effective plans for expediting the second dose coverage among these priority groups.
Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Thursday said that he was "amazed" at Central government's order preventing states from sharing information regarding vaccine stocks. He advised the government to focus on ensuring an adequate supply of vaccines to all states.
India will have as many as 200 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses by the end of this year, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda said Thursday. He lauded the preparations of the Central government to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Government officials said Thursday they will offer the vaccine to about 240,000 children from 12 to 15 years old starting Friday, joining other countries that have started vaccinating children.
The senior BJP minister said Women Self Help Groups will also be included in the campaign. These groups will inform the people about “some narrow-minded self-interests creating fear and confusion” on the vaccines.
While Kerala reported -6.37 per cent vaccine wastage, West Bengal recorded -5.48 per cent. Chhattisgarh reported 15.79 per cent vaccine wastage while Madhya Pradesh reported 7.35 per cent.
Filmmakers Rajkumar Hirani, Karan Johar and producer Mahaveer Jain have joined hands to start vaccine drive for the cine workers. Apart from this, as a part of a separate cause, producer Anand Pandit will also sponsor a vaccination drive to help all workers associated with IFTDA.
President Joe Biden was set to make the announcement Thursday in a speech before the start of the Group of Seven summit.
In the global race to vaccinate people against COVID-19, Africa is tragically at the back of the pack. In fact, it has barely gotten out of the starting blocks.
The campaign is aimed at spreading awareness and encouraging citizens aged above 45 to get vaccinated against COVID-19 at local polling booths in their assembly constituencies.
The Delta variant (B.1.617.2) was first found in India and is the dominant strain in the country, the Beta variant (B.1.351) was first discovered in South Africa.
The Pfizer vaccine, which is manufactured in collaboration with German Biotechnology firm BioNTech, is the only vaccine currently being administered to children in a few countries.
Senior BJP leader Sushil Modi on Tuesday suggested levying 0.1 per cent each of CGST and SGST on vaccines, oxygen ventilators and other essential medical devices required for treating coronavirus infections.
More than 1.19 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses are still available with the states and UTs to be administered, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday.
Brain tumour patients, especially malignant brain tumour patients, can be grouped in the high-risk category, as chemotherapy compromise immune system, making them more susceptible to Covid.
Vaccines will be allocated to the states by the Centre based on several factors like population, disease burden or number of cases, and progress of vaccination.
In a complete U-turn, former Uttar Pradesh chief minister and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav on Tuesday said that he will take Covid vaccine. He said that he will also appeal to those who could not take vaccine due to shortage get inoculated.
Asserting that India is on track to vaccinate its entire adult population by December, top officials sources on Monday said a blueprint is in place to ensure a total supply of 187.2 crore doses by the year-end that would be enough for the country's 94 crore 18-plus population.
Moments after PM Modi concluded his address to the nation, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh attacked him and said that the prime minister has finally accepted the Opposition's demand concerning vaccine procurement.
Top News
