What is the news? The new variant of COVID-19 i.e. Omicron is spreading across India. The experts say that the surge is likely due to reinfections (people getting infected with the virus again) and even vaccinated people getting infected. What are the concerns about this variant? More transmissible than Delta. This is evident from the… Continue reading Omicron likely to cause re-infections, surge in cases, say experts
Tag: vaccines
Omicron’s lesson: We’re not covid-safe until everyone is
News: The emergence of Omicron has evoked fresh demands for booster shots. Rich countries continue to stockpile and administer booster shots, while people in many low and low-middle income countries wait for their first jab. However, the emergence of new variants from low-vaccination-coverage regions essentially means that covid could be a never-ending battle. The only… Continue reading Omicron’s lesson: We’re not covid-safe until everyone is
It’s time for a paradigm shift in how we treat illnesses
News: Antibiotics have become our preferred method of treatment nowadays. This has made treatments more standardised with no customised treatment for individuals irrespective of their genetic diversity. But, the indiscriminate use of antibiotics has resulted in the emergence of antibiotic resistance, a worldwide health concern. Hence, we need to push for a better alternative medicine… Continue reading It’s time for a paradigm shift in how we treat illnesses
India needs to sign up for life course immunization
News Right from the days of smallpox, vaccines were designed for all age groups. However, after the smallpox eradication and launch of an expanded programme on immunisation (EPI), there were efforts to increase vaccination for children. But as the COVID-19 pandemic has shown that there is a need to take stock of the status of… Continue reading India needs to sign up for life course immunization
Covaxin junior: Bharat Biotech’s kids’ vaccine is good news. But why is its vaccine for adults yet to get WHO clearance?
What is the news? Bharat Biotech is on the threshold of becoming the second Indian vaccine maker to receive an emergency use approval in the domestic market for a children’s Covid vaccine. The company’s vaccine for children has received a conditional approval from an expert committee of the drug regulator. The next steps will have… Continue reading Covaxin junior: Bharat Biotech’s kids’ vaccine is good news. But why is its vaccine for adults yet to get WHO clearance?
Explained: What is Mosquirix, the first malaria vaccine to get the WHO’s backing?
Contents1 2 What is the news? 3 About the vaccine – Mosquirix 4 What is the significance of the WHO recommendation? 5 About Malaria6 What are the criteria for obtaining malaria-free status? What is the news? The new vaccine “RTS,S/ASO1 (RTS.S)” with its trade name “Mosquirix” was endorsed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently. This is the first and only vaccine shown to have the… Continue reading Explained: What is Mosquirix, the first malaria vaccine to get the WHO’s backing?
“COVID Teeka Sang Surakshit Van, DhanaurUddyam” was launched to accelerate the pace of Covid vaccination among tribal communities
What is the News? The Union Minister for Tribal Affairs has launched the “COVID Teeka Sang Surakshit Van, DhanaurUddyam” campaign. What is the “COVID Teeka Sang Surakshit Van, DhanaurUddyam” campaign? Aim: To accelerate the pace of Covid vaccination among tribal communities of India. Under the campaign, the Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation of India (TRIFED)… Continue reading “COVID Teeka Sang Surakshit Van, DhanaurUddyam” was launched to accelerate the pace of Covid vaccination among tribal communities
India warns of reciprocal measures if UK doesnt recognise COVISHIELD
Synopsis: The UK seems to have adopted a discriminatory policy towards Indian manufactured Covishield. This has not gone down well within India. Contents1 Introduction2 Why new UK rules are considered discriminatory?3 What is the impact of the new UK policy?4 What is UK’s response?4.1 About the UK’s new travel rules5 What should be the way… Continue reading India warns of reciprocal measures if UK doesnt recognise COVISHIELD
India will resume exports of covid-19 vax from Oct to meet its commitments
What is the News? India will resume the export of COVID-19 vaccines under its ‘Vaccine Maitri’ programme to fulfil the commitment towards COVAX (COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access). What is the Vaccine Maitri Programme? Vaccine Maitri Initiative was launched by the Government of India in January 2021. Purpose: It is a humanitarian initiative undertaken by India… Continue reading India will resume exports of covid-19 vax from Oct to meet its commitments
A spike – India must prioritise vaccines to States and districts that are at greatest infection risk
Synopsis: Given the Indian population, vaccinating all adults itself is a challenge in India, given that supply challenges still persist. Introduction Recently, India administered a record 2.5 crore vaccine shots in a day to mark the celebration of the Prime Minister’s birthday. It is equivalent to the populations of the whole of Australia, two-thirds of… Continue reading A spike – India must prioritise vaccines to States and districts that are at greatest infection risk
