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No plans to reduce gap between Covid jabs

Boris Johnson visits Covid-19 Vaccine Centre (No 10 Flickr)

The advisory body said this gap would “avoid confusion and simplify booking, and will help to ensure a good balance between achieving rapid and long-lasting protection.”…reports Asian Lite News.

The UK government has ruled out plans to decrease the gaps between two doses of Covid-19 vaccinations, even as infections driven by the Delta variant are surging in the country.

The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation ruled out the three week gap and recommended “an interval of 8 to 12 weeks between doses of all the available Covid-19 vaccines”, dashing hopes that the UK might be able to speed up the vaccination programme by closing the gaps between doses, the Financial Times reported.

The advisory body said this gap would “avoid confusion and simplify booking, and will help to ensure a good balance between achieving rapid and long-lasting protection.”

Last week, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said that the UK is “very likely” to ease lockdown measures on July 19. It was pushed back by four weeks from June 21 amid concern over the spread of the Delta variant.

Easing of lockdown measures could be a cause of concern as the country will not meet its target of ensuring two-thirds of adults with two jabs, FT cited people familiar with the UK vaccination programme.

Experts from the National Health Service (NHS) and scientists are concerned as only 63 per cent in the country are fully vaccinated, while more than 85 per cent received only the first dose of a Covid vaccine. At the same time latest data showed Covid-19 infections have jumped by 74 per cent week-on-week.

“We may have weakened the link between infections, hospitalisations and deaths but this significant increase in infections with the Delta variant raises serious concerns,” Professor Lawrence Young, a virologist at Warwick Medical School, was quoted as saying.

“One risk was that, as the virus spread it would continue to generate new variants increasing the risk that one will pop up that is more vaccine resistant,” he added.

While some suspect that the decision to not reduce the gap between the two jabs is due to difficulty in accessing supplies. However, government insiders have denied supply constraints, the report said.

But, Prof Anthony Harnden, deputy chair of the JCVI said: “regardless of supply constraints the minimum eight-week gap was preferable as it meant young people, who may not receive boosters in the autumn, had robust and long-lasting protection.

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COVID-19 India News

Govt caps Covid jab rates in private hospitals

Meanwhile, the Centre has also asked the state government to ensure that private hospitals don’t levy more than Rs 150 as service charge…reports Asian Lite News.

The Central government has fixed the maximum price that private hospitals can charge for Covid vaccines, amid sharp allegations that people are being forced to pay a heavy amount to get a jab at private hospitals.

As per the notification issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW) on Tuesday, the price of Covishield has been fixed at Rs 780 per dose, Covaxin at Rs 1,410 and Russian vaccine Sputnik V at Rs 1,145 per dose.

This also includes taxes as well as a Rs 150 service charge for the hospitals.

Meanwhile, the Centre has also asked the state government to ensure that private hospitals don’t levy more than Rs 150 as service charge. The state governments have been asked to monitor the private hospitals regularly and take strict action against any private vaccination centre charging more.

“The price of vaccine doses for private hospitals would be declared by each manufacturer, and any subsequent changes would be notified in advance. The private hospitals may charge up to a maximum of Rs 150 per dose as service charges. State government may monitor the price being charged,” according to a ministry circular.

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SOPs issued for vaccination of people going abroad

The ministry said that it is advised that vaccination may be availed in cases through passport which is one of the permissible ID documents as per the current guidelines so that the passport number is printed in the certificate…reports Asian Lite News.

Following several requests for second dose of vaccines from people planning to travel abroad, the Centre on Monday issued guidelines to states and Union Territories to provide vaccines to such people who have completed 28 days of their first dose.

In a statement, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said: “Taking note of the several representations received by the Ministry for allowing administration of second dose of Covishield for such persons who have only taken first dose of Covishield and are seeking to undertake international travel for educational purposes or employment opportunities or as part of India’s contingent for Tokyo Olympic games, but whose planned travel dates fall prior to completion of the currently mandated minimum interval of 84 days from the date of first dose, the Ministry has written to states/UTs to facilitate vaccination of such persons.”

It said that with the receipt of several representations, the issue was discussed in Empowered Group 5 (EG-5) and appropriate recommendations received in this context.

According to the ministry, with a view to providing full vaccination and facilitating international travel for these segments of people, states and Union Territories were asked to designate a competent authority in each district for according permission for such administration of second dose of Covishield.

“The competent authority shall check the following before according a permission for administration of second dose before the period of 84 days after date of first dose — whether a period of 28 days has elapsed after the date of first dose, genuineness of the purpose of travel based on documents related to admission offers or associated formal communications for education, whether a person is already studying at a foreign educational institution and has to return to that institution for continuing their education, interview calls for a job or offer letters for taking up employment, and nomination to participate in the Tokyo Olympic Games,” it said.

The ministry said that it is advised that vaccination may be availed in cases through passport which is one of the permissible ID documents as per the current guidelines so that the passport number is printed in the certificate.

“If passport was not used at the time of administration of first dose, the details of the photo ID Card used for vaccination will printed in the vaccination certificate and mention of the passport in the vaccination certificate is not to be insisted upon,” it said, adding that wherever necessary, the competent authority may issue another certificate linking the vaccination certificate with the passport number of the beneficiary.

The ministry said that the facility shall be available to those who need to undertake international travel for these specified purposes in the period up to August 31.

The government also clarified that Covishield, produced by the Serum Institute of India and approved by the DCGI, is one of the vaccines by the WHO for use as on June 3, 2021. The relevant entry is at serial number 4 of the WHO EUL.

“Mention of vaccine type as Covishield is sufficient and no other qualifying entries are required in the vaccination certificates,” it said. It further said that the CoWIN system will soon provide the facility for administration of 2nd dose in such exceptional cases.

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Expert advice on post-vaccine care at home

Vaccine (ANI)
First of all, you should not worry about the side effects and be completely relaxed as these are minor side effects. For pain at the injection site, you can keep a wet cloth (cool) or if necessary some medicines to reduce pain…writes Siddhi Jain.

Getting vaccinated as soon as possible is the only way to shield yourself from the pandemic.A sore injection site, pain in the injected arm, mild fever, moderate fatigue, headaches, chills, and even diarrhoea are symptoms commonly seen after administration of the Covid-19 vaccine. While one may have taken the right step towards protection from the virus, doctors say the post-vaccination symptoms can be managed at home.

Vaccination (Pallav Paliwal)

According to Sujeet Ranjan, Executive Director of The Coalition for Food and Nutrition Security (CFNS), after vaccination, staying on site for monitoring is crucial. The healthcare provider should observe you for about 30 minutes after the vaccine is administered to make sure there are no immediate reactions. However, it is extremely rare to have severe health reactions.

“Vaccines are designed to give immunity without the dangers of getting the disease. While it’s normal to build immunity without side effects, it is also common to experience some mild-to-moderate side effects that go away within a few days on their own,” Ranjan told.

Tejaswini Deepak, Physician, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Koramangala, Bengaluru, says that getting vaccinated does not guarantee full immunity against the virus but it is a wise decision to get the dose to move towards a collective fight against this pandemic. The vaccine has mild side effects depending on the body of an individual and these symptoms can be easily managed at home.

“Fatigue, headache and body weakness are a few ailments that can be noticed post the vaccination. Adequate water intake is important to stay hydrated. Alongside proper sleep, a balanced diet, less strenuous exercise and low intake of caffeine is recommended. A paracetamol tablet can be taken to reduce the body pain,” says the physician.

“The pain at the local injection site usually resolves within one day, while fever and body ache resolve in 2-3 days. First of all, you should not worry about the side effects and be completely relaxed as these are minor side effects. For pain at the injection site, you can keep a wet cloth (cool) or if necessary some medicines to reduce pain. For fever, you should take antipyretics (medicines to reduce fever) and keep yourself hydrated. You are also advised rest, in case of fever.

“You should avoid googling about side effects and try to manage it by yourself. We have seen that people panic after reading up on the internet and this leads to irrational and harmful practices. Better to consult a physician. If you have any other side effect, or if the pain persists beyond one day or the fever persists beyond 2-3 days, you need to consult a physician,” said Khan Amir Maroof, Professor, Department of Community Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi.

Keeping a clean wet cloth on the vaccinated arm helps to reduce the pain, swelling and the redness. It also helps to keep the infections at bay, say doctors.

Navneet Kaur, General Physician, Apollo Spectra Nehru Enclave, New Delhi suggests: “Eat anti-inflammatory foods like strawberries, cherries, oranges, mackerel, green vegetables, and nuts after vaccination. Limit your intake of processed and junk food. Remember that a healthy diet will reduce inflammation and strengthen your immune system. Moreover, you will have to get a good night’s sleep and avoid exertion.”

Maroof adds: It takes around two weeks after the second dose for the immunity to develop. Also, the vaccine is not 100 per cent effective and so there are some chances of infection (known as breakthrough infection) even after being vaccinated.

While opinions on post-vaccine alcohol consumption vary, many doctors are advising a distance from liquor and smoking. Needless to say, compulsory wearing of masks, continuous washing of hands and maintaining social distancing should still be followed. These side effects should not discourage you from taking the second dose.

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Team India to get second Covid jab in UK

The BCCI made a foolproof plan for the national team before they depart for the UK and arrangements were made for all the players to undergo three RT-PCR tests before assembling in Mumbai on Wednesday…reports Bhaidurjo Bhose.

With the first dose of COVID-19 vaccination done for the Indian players who are set to travel to England for the World Test Championship (WTC) final and the five-match Test series against England, the second dose will be administered by the UK health department.

Speaking to ANI, sources in the know of developments said the Indian players will receive the second dose under the guidance of the UK health department.

“The team has already taken the first dose here after the government opened the vaccination process for all above 18. The second dose will be administered by the UK health department once the players are eligible to get the second jab as per rules,” the source said.

The BCCI made a foolproof plan for the national team before they depart for the UK and arrangements were made for all the players to undergo three RT-PCR tests before assembling in Mumbai on Wednesday.

After completing the two-week quarantine in Mumbai, the team will undergo another 10-day quarantine in the UK. The second period will see them first undergo a hard quarantine before they take the field to train for the WTC final against New Zealand in Southampton. (ANI)

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Bharat Biotech ready to share Covaxin formula

A health worker looks at a vial of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine at a vaccination centre
Announcement came days after several states have been complaining about shortage of vaccines, reports Asian Lite News

With several states urging the Centre to share the formula of Covid-19 vaccines with other manufacturers to increase production, NITI Aayog member Dr. VK Paul has informed that ‘Bharat Biotech has welcomed this.’

The Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Dr. Vinod K. Paul along with the DG, ICMR, Dr. Balram Bhargava addressing a press conference on the actions taken, preparedness and updates on COVID-19 (Including Vaccination), in New Delhi on May 13, 2021. The Principal Director General (M&C), Press Information Bureau, Shri Jaideep Bhatnagar and the Joint Secretary, MoHFW, Shri Lav Agarwal are also seen. (PIB)

Dr. VK Paul said, “People say that Covaxin be given to other companies for manufacturing. I am happy to say that Covaxin manufacturing company (Bharat Biotech) has welcomed this when we discussed it with them. Under this vaccine live virus is inactivated and this is done only in BSL3 labs. Not every company has this. We give an open invitation to companies who want to do this. Companies that want to manufacture Covaxin, should do it together. Govt will assist so that capacity is increased,” he said.

The announcement came days after several states have been complaining about shortage of vaccines for eligible candidates.

DCGI nod for clinical trial of Covaxin on 2 to 18-years-old

Meanwhile, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has accorded permission to conduct the Phase II-III clinical trial of Covaxin in the age group of two to 18-years-old to its manufacturer Bharat Biotech Ltd, Union Health Ministry has said.

“The trial will be conducted in 525 healthy volunteers,” said the Ministry.

In the trial, the Ministry said, the vaccine will be given by intramuscular route in two doses at day 0 and day 28.

After careful examination, the DCGI accepted the recommendation of Subject Expert Committee (SEC). The national drug regulator of the country on Wednesday gave the approval to conduct the clinical trial in the age group of youngest age group till now paving way for them to be saved from the deadly pandemic outbreak.

Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Ltd (BBIL) had proposed to carry out a Phase II-III clinical trial of Covaxin in the age group of two to 18 years.

As rapid regulatory response, the proposal was deliberated in Subject Expert Committee (SEC) (Covid-19) on May 11 this year.

The committee after detailed deliberation recommended for grant of permission to conduct proposed Phase II-III clinical trial to certain conditions.

India reports 3,43,144 new coronavirus cases

With 3,43,144 people testing positive for coronavirus in a day, India’s Covid-19 tally of cases climbed to 2,40,46,809, while the death toll rose to 2,62,317 with 4,000 fresh fatalities, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday.

The active cases have reduced to 37,04,893 comprising 15.41 per cent of the total infections. The national Covid-19 recovery rate has improved to 83.50 per cent, the data updated at 8 am showed.  

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 2,00,79,599, while the case fatality rate was recorded at 1.09 per cent, the data stated.

The 4,000 new fatalities include 850 from Maharashtra, 344 from Karnataka, 308 from Delhi, 297 from Tamil Nadu, 277 from Uttar Pradesh, 186 from Punjab, 195 from Chhattisgarh, 163 from Haryana, 159 from Rajasthan, 129 from West Bengal, 122 from Uttarakhand, 109 from Gujarat and 108 from Jharkhand.

A total of 2,62,317 deaths have been reported so far in the country including 78,857 from Maharashtra, 20,712 from Karnataka, 20,618 from Delhi, 16,768 from Tamil Nadu, 16,646 from Uttar Pradesh, 12,857 from West Bengal, 11,297 from Punjab and 11,289, from Chhattisgarh.

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India to produce 9 crore vaccine doses by June

AstraZeneca vaccine
According to the plan submitted by Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute the pharma majors plan to raise production to 7.82 crore and 10 crore doses respectively by August, reports Asian Lite News

India’s vaccine production is likely to reach eight crore doses in May and 9 crore doses in June. Presenting their plans on Covid-19 vaccine production in the next coming months, both Pune’s Serum Institute of India and Hyderabad’s Bharat Biotech said they are ramping up their monthly production capacity.

In a meeting on Wednesday with seven states/UTs which are lagging behind in terms of vaccinating people against Covid-19, Union health minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said both the vaccine majors are will double their output.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan

According to the plan, Bharat Biotech is all set to raise the production of Covaxin to 3.32 crore doses in July and 7.82 crore in August. Serum Institute aims at increasing the production up to 10 crore doses in August.

Apart from Hyderabad’s Bharat Biotech facility, three public sector companies, including Mumbai’s Haffkine Biopharmaceutical Corporation Ltd, Hyderabad’s Indian Immunologicals Limited and Bulandshah’s Bharat Immunologicals and Biologicals Limited, have been given the nod to produce Covaxin.

In April this year, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) had announced financial support to four firms including Bharat Biotech International and Haffkine Biopharmaceutical Corporation Ltd, to ramp up production of the indigenously-developed Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin.

Among the grants, Bharat Biotech, the co-developer of the vaccine, would get Rs 65 crore to repurpose its new Bengaluru facility to increase the capacity of Covaxin production, while Maharashtra state-owned Haffkine will also be provided around Rs 65 crore for setting up a facility to make the inactivated vaccine.

Apart from these two companies, two more public sector undertakings Indian Immunologicals Ltd and Bharat Immunologicals and Biologicals Ltd will also be getting funds to produce 10-15 million dozes per month by August or September.

The Member (Health), NITI Aayog, Dr. Vinod K. Paul along with the DG, ICMR, Dr. Balram Bhargava addressing a press conference on the actions taken, preparedness and updates on COVID-19 (Including Vaccination), in New Delhi on May 13, 2021. The Principal Director General (M&C), Press Information Bureau, Shri Jaideep Bhatnagar and the Joint Secretary, MoHFW, Shri Lav Agarwal are also seen. (PIB)

Meanwhile, the pace of vaccination has got stymied in some states like Maharashtra, Karnataka and Delhi as they do not have adequate vaccines to inoculate both the population below 45 and above 45, simultaneously. Since the administration of the second doses is of priority, the states are mulling halting the vaccination of the people between the age group of 18 to 44 years.

The Centre on Tuesday appealed to states to prioritise vaccinating those due for second dose of Covid-19 vaccine and reserve at least 70 per cent of the shots supplied from the central pool for the purpose. States have also been urged to minimise wastage of vaccine doses, the health ministry said in a statement.

All wastage more than the national average hereafter is to be adjusted from the subsequent allocations to that state or union territory.

India clocks 3.62L fresh cases

Meanwhile, India on Thursday reported 3,62,727 new Covid cases and 4,120 fatalities, the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said.

On Wednesday, India recorded 4,205 fresh Covid deaths, while on Friday last, the country had recorded its highest ever cases of 4,14,188.

In the past 21 days India’s daily Covid tally has plateaued over the three-lakh-mark and over 3,000 casualties for a fortnight.

India’s total tally of Covid-19 cases now stands at 2,37,03,665 with 37,10,525 active cases and 2,58,317 deaths so far.

According to the Health Ministry, a total of 3,52,181 people have been discharged in the last 24 hours, with 1,97,34,823 being cured from Covid till date.

The Health Ministry said that a total of 17,72,14,256 people have been vaccinated so far in the country, including 18,94,991 who were administered vaccines in the last 24 hours.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 30,94,48,585 samples have been tested up to May 12 for Covid-19. Of these 18,64,594 samples were tested on Wednesday.

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COVID-19 India News

India got 3L Remdesivir vials, over 6K O2 concentrators

How remdesivir can save lives in nations with lower hospital capacity.
A total of 4,668 ventilators or Bi PAP were also sent to India from April 27 to May 8…reports Asian Lite News.

India has cumulatively has received three lakh Remdesivir vials, 6,738 oxygen concentrators, 3,856 oxygen cylinders and 16 oxygen generation plants from the global community in the last 13 days, an official statement said on Sunday.

A total of 4,668 ventilators or Bi PAP were also sent to India from April 27 to May 8.

The major items received on Saturday from Canada, Thailand, the Netherlands, Austria, Czech Republic, Israel, the US, Japan, Malaysia, US (GILEAD), US (salesforce) and Indian community in Thailand include 2,404 oxygen concentrators, 25,000 Remdesivir vials, 218 ventilators, and 6,92,208 testing kits.

A coordination cell has been created in the Union Health Ministry to coordinate the receipt and allocation of foreign Covid relief material. This cell started functioning from April 26, and Standard Operating Procedure has been framed and implemented by the Health Ministry since May 2, the statement said.

According to the statement, the Central government has designed a streamlined mechanism for effective allocation and prompt distribution of the supplies received by India. This will help to supplement the medical infrastructure of the tertiary care institutions and recipient states and UTs, and strengthen their clinical management of the hospitalised Covid-19 patients.

India has been receiving international aid of Covid-19 medical supplies and equipment since April 27 from different countries and organisations.

AIIMS Director, Professor Randeep Guleria, on Sunday, thanked all for sending foreign aid in form of medical equipment – ventilators, oxygen cylinders, and oxygen concentrators to fight huge surge of cases.

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India News

A principal’s fancy ‘avatar’ to create vax buzz

For this, Principal Patki slips into a new fancy attire daily in different areas, goes around singing, dancing, reciting folk-tales, hymns, poems and attempts to remove misconceptions about the Covid-19 pandemic and the life-saver vaccination jabs that have reached the village of 1,750…reports Asian Lite News.

Scores of children in the small village of Biladi in Nandurbar district stare with disbelief at an unusual sight unfolding daily in their neighbourhood.

Around 9 am onwards, the Biladi Zilla Parishad Primary School Principal Sachin Patki sheds his tough demeanour and ‘school-headmaster’ attitude to walk up and mingle freely with the villagers, comprising mostly farmers or daily labourers, to create awareness about the Covid-19 vaccination.

For this, Principal Patki slips into a new fancy attire daily in different areas, goes around singing, dancing, reciting folk-tales, hymns, poems and attempts to remove misconceptions about the Covid-19 pandemic and the life-saver vaccination jabs that have reached the village of 1,750.

“I don our schoolteachers’ uniform, or self-stitched costumes of Lord Shiva with a damru and a club, a Policeman, a Doctor, Lord Vasudeo (Sage Naradmuni, with a pair of ‘khartals’), etc., to lure the people and make them feel more comfortable among familiar Hindu gods and the frontline workers,” smiles Patki.

The 42-year academician devotes around 30-45 mintues in each area, speaks about the Covid protocols like physical distancing, sporting face-masks, washing hands often, hygiene, and the need to get inoculated, etc. to the wide-eyed parents and villagefolk who gather, of course, at a safe range.

“I am accompanied by my two teachers – Shantaram Wadile and Smita Budhe’ While I convey the messages in an entertaining style, they distribute around 40-50 masks, soaps or handwashes to the crowds to drive home the importance of following Covid-appropriate behavior,” Patiki said.

The idea dawned on Patki a couple of weeks ago after hearing how medical or social workers and aanganwadi staff were hounded out by the villagers when they went to conduct Covid-19 tests or register them for vaccination.

“Most villagers slammed doors shut, those in the fields would scoot from the volunteers, others would surround and abuse them, at times there were minor fisticuffs after which the perplexed workers retreated,” he recalled.

The ZP school, now a temporary quarantine-cum-innoculation centre, is manned by two other teachers – Sarla Patil and Sachin Bagal — who killed hours of boredom on the designated ‘Vaccination Thursdays’ with barely a handful of villagers turning up for the jab.

Last month, only 35 sceptics turned up for the dose, but after Patki’s public awareness drive, it shot up to 100 the next week and last Thursday notched a record 140 people queing up for their jabs.

“My small campaign has apparently clicked… The simple folks have lot of misconceptions… They apprehend illnesses, some short-term or permanent handicap or even death…! I gently try to erase all their doubts and convince them to go for the life-saver jab…” said Patki, sounding relieved.

In Biladi, he touches around 25 families daily in his two-hour long road-shows and buoyed by the response, took it even to the adjoining Bankheda village (1,500 pop.) too.

On an average, Patki — who also works as a part-time Hindu priest and revered as ‘Brahmin Sir’ – spends around Rs 5,000 each month from his pocket toward the ‘extra-curricular social activities’ for his 110-school kids who hail from economically weaker sections… But he desires to do even more for them.

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B’desh okays Russian vaccine Sputnik

Sputnik V.

The approval comes after Bangladesh health authorities stopped administering Covishield vaccine from India…reports Asian Lite News

The Bangladeshi government has approved the import and use of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine against Covid-19.

Major General Mahbubur Rahman, Director General of the country’s Drug Administration, made the announcement on Tuesday, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The decision came days after Dhaka suspended the first dosing of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on a supply crunch.

“We’ve given permission for the emergency use of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine,” Rahman told journalists.

Amid uncertainty over timely arrival of the next Covid-19 vaccine shipment from India, the Bangladeshi government halted administering first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine across the country from Monday.

Also read:Peaceful Bangladesh a boon for India and South Asia

Nearly 6 million people have so far received the first dose of the vaccine in Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on January 28 virtually inaugurated the country’s Covid-19 vaccination drive.

The Bangladeshi government on Monday announced that it decided to extend the ongoing lockdown which began on April 14 for another week.

Bangladesh recorded 112 deaths from Covid-19 on April 19, its highest daily toll from the pandemic, the government said.

On Tuesday, the country’s Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) reported 3,031 new cases of Covid-19 and 78 new deaths, bringing the number of total cases to 751,659 and the total death toll to 11,228.

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