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UK Begins Covid Booster Vaccine Rollout

The National Health Service said that its vaccination programme will now invite eligible people, who had their second COVID jab at least six months ago, for a top up, reports Asian Lite News

The United Kingdom has begun to administer third coronavirus vaccine doses to medical and social care workers as part of their vaccination campaign, which will fully launch next week, the National Health Service said on Thursday.

The vaccination agencies are currently identifying those eligible for third doses.

“The NHS vaccination programme will now invite eligible people, who had their second COVID jab at least six months ago, for a top up,” the authority said in a statement.

The priority groups also include nursing home residents, adult house-contacts of “immunosuppressed individuals,” vulnerable people aged 16-49, and adults aged 50 and older, according to the statement.

Patients will be invited to vaccination without appointments once they become eligible, the service said, adding that around 4.5 million people from priority groups will receive shots in the coming weeks.

Earlier this week, the government allowed minors aged 12 to 15 to be offered one dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine starting next week.

To date, 48.5 million people in the UK were vaccinated at least once, and 44.2 million people have received two doses.

Meanwhile, another 26,911 people in the UK have tested positive for Covid-19, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 7,339,009, according to official figures released on Thursday.

The country also recorded another 158 coronavirus-related deaths.

The total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 134,805. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test.

The latest data came as modelling prepared for the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), a British government advisory body, showed that there is still “the potential for another large wave of hospitalisations” after the return of schools and more people going back to their workplaces.

“While the relationship between cases and hospitalisations has changed due to vaccination, increasing cases remain the earliest warning sign that hospital admissions are likely to rise,” the Scientific Pandemic Influenza Group on Modelling Operational sub-group (Spi-M-O) said.

University modelling provided to Spi-M-O showed that the hospital admissions in the next few months could skyrocket to more than 7000 per day.

The British government on Tuesday released a COVID-19 Autumn and Winter Plan, outlining the possible measures and restrictions the country may see towards the end of this year.

According to the plan unveiled by British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, there is “significant uncertainty” about what will happen later this year and there is a “plausible” risk of cases rising to an extent that would place the National Health Service (NHS) under “unsustainable pressure”.

The government’s Plan A consists of a booster jabs campaign which will begin next week, and guidance that people meet outdoors or open windows if inside. “Plan B” could include vaccine passports, compulsory masks and working from home guidance.

Johnson said “Plan B” would aim to prevent the NHS being overwhelmed.

The total number of people in hospital with coronavirus in the country currently stands at 8,340. It has been over 8,000 for eight of the past nine days.

More than 89 percent of people aged 16 and over in Britain have had their first dose of vaccine and more than 81 percent have received both doses, the latest figures showed.

Meanwhile, in its latest weekly COVID-19 vaccine surveillance report, the Public Health England (PHE) has announced that 230,800 hospitalisations prevented by COVID-19 vaccines in those over 45.

The latest report included hospitalisations averted in those aged 45 to 64 years for the first time. Around 51,900 hospitalisations have been prevented in this age group, which includes healthy individuals and at-risk groups, the latter prioritised earlier in the campaign. (with inputs from ANI/Sputnik)

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Jabs for kids as UK accelerates vaccine programme


The move means that around 3 million children could be eligible for the jab and comes despite Britain’s vaccine advisory body deciding not to recommend mass vaccination of 12 to 15-year-olds…reports Asian Lite News.

Children aged 12 to 15 will be offered the Covid-19 vaccine, Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) of Britain’s all four nations have confirmed.

England’s CMO Chris Whitty said on Monday that they came to their decision after considering “what effect this will have on transmission in schools and effects on education”, Xinhua news agency reported.

“It’s a useful tool to reduce the disruption,” he added. It is expected the vaccinations will be given through school immunisation programme.

Healthy children aged 12 to 15 will be offered a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine and the rollout should begin “as soon as possible”, England’s deputy CMO Jonathan Van-Tam was quoted by local media as saying.

There are concerns of a rise in cases following children’s return to school after the summer holiday. The latest decision takes into account the impact of the pandemic on children’s education as well as the risks to their mental health from missing school.

The move means that around 3 million children could be eligible for the jab and comes despite Britain’s vaccine advisory body deciding not to recommend mass vaccination of 12 to 15-year-olds.

“They are particularly effective as ‘vectors’, transmitting the infection between households.

Now that the much more infectious Delta variant is prevalent we will struggle to control the virus with vaccination alone — and we certainly won’t succeed if this age group is unvaccinated,” said Peter English, immediate past chair of the Public Health Medicine Committee of the British Medical Association.

Previously, Britain’s vaccine advisory body, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), has issued the advice that children aged 12 to 15 with medical conditions should receive two doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, but that healthy children in this age group should still not receive the Covid-19 vaccine.

In its advisory report, the JCVI said the “individual” health benefits from vaccination for children aged 12 to 15 was marginal, while the risk of potentially serious side effects, including myocarditis, is “very rare, but potentially serious”.

More than 89 per cent of people aged 16 and over in Britain have had their first dose of vaccine and nearly 81 per cent have received both doses, the latest figures showed.

Booster jabs over over-50s

A UK-wide programme of booster jabs to help prevent Covid will be confirmed on Tuesday, the BBC reported.

Ministers are expected to announce jabs for the over-50s as part of their Covid Winter Plan, after advice from the independent vaccine panel, the JCVI.

According to BBC, the booster would be a single dose of the Pfizer vaccine at least six months after a second dose.

ALSO READ-Pfizer initially rejected BioNTech’s offer to develop vaccine

READ MORE-UK drops plans for compulsory vaccine passes

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-Top News COVID-19 UK News

UK drops plans for compulsory vaccine passes

The passes, proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or a recent negative test, were expected to be rolled out from the end of this month at most venues and crowded events, reports Asian Lite News

A scheme for vaccine passports or so-called ‘Covid pass’ for entry to nightclubs and other large events in England will not go ahead, the government announced on Sunday.

The passes, proof of being fully vaccinated against Covid-19 or a recent negative test, were expected to be rolled out from the end of this month at most venues and crowded events. However, Health Secretary Sajid Javid has now confirmed that the plan has been axed.

“We just shouldn’t be doing things for the sake of it or because others are doing, and we should look at every possible intervention properly. I’ve never liked the idea of saying to people you must show your papers or something to do what is just an everyday activity, but we were right to properly look at it. We’ve looked at it properly and, whilst we should keep it in reserve as a potential option, I’m pleased to say that we will not be going ahead with plans for vaccine passports,” Javid told the BBC.

There had been an outcry against the plans, which the entertainment industry feared would be a big blow to their post-pandemic reopening.

Scotland had recently confirmed that it will be going ahead with the vaccine passport scheme, under its devolved authority, from October 1.

Meanwhile, Javid said he is also keen to remove the PCR test requirement for travellers returning from some foreign countries “as soon as I possibly can”.

“We have got a huge number of defences; of course we still want to remain very cautious, and there are some things that ‘ when it comes to travel for example ‘ there are some rules that are going to have to remain in place,” he told ‘Sky News’.

“But the PCR test that is required upon your return to the UK from certain countries. I want to try and get rid of that as soon as I possibly can. I am not going to make that decision right now, but I have already asked officials that at the moment we can, let’s get rid of these kind of intrusions, the costs that generates for families, particularly families just trying to go out and holiday. We shouldn’t be keeping anything like that in place for a second longer than is absolutely necessary,” he added.

 At present, passengers returning from green or amber list destinations, such as India, if they are fully vaccinated, must take PCR tests on or before day two after they arrive back in England.

The government last month announced the cost of National Health Service (NHS) coronavirus tests for international travel were being reduced from 88 pounds to 68 pounds each, with the sum for others reducing from 170 pounds to 136 pounds.

It has also been accompanied by a crackdown on rogue testing services that overcharge people, with a penalty of up to 10,000 pounds being brought in against companies that break the law.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to repeal some powers of the government’s emergency Coronavirus Act brought in to tackle the pandemic last year, as he sets out the government’s plan for managing Covid-19 over the next few months.

The sections likely to be repealed include powers to close down the economy; powers to impose restrictions on events and gatherings; powers to temporarily close or restrict access to schools; and powers to detain infectious people.

It comes as UK recorded 156 further coronavirus-related deaths and 29,547 new COVID-19 infections under the official daily tally on Saturday.

A further 25,019 first vaccine doses were administered in the latest 24 hours, taking the first dose total to 48,395,359 or 89 per cent of those aged 16 and above.

Some 89,832 people received their second dose, taking the total of double-jabbed people in the country to 43,895,440 (80.8 per cent of those aged 16 and above).

The government is now awaiting formal advice on the rollout of a booster third dose of a COVID vaccine for the wider population, with vulnerable groups set to receive these along with an annual flu vaccine for added protection.

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-Top News COVID-19 India News

India achieves single-day record of 1.09 cr vaccinations

vaccine

In wake of the incident, the state government has now decided to distribute coupons for vaccination…reports Asian Lite News.

India on Tuesday achieved a new milestone of administrating over 1 crore Covid vaccine doses across the country.

The numbers are the highest achieved by India on a single day since the beginning of the vaccination drive on January 16.

The data of 1.09 crore vaccinations is as per the provisional reports received till 7 pm on Tuesday.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted, “Congratulations, as India administers another 1 crore Covid 19 vaccinations today. Highest one-day record of 1.09 crore vaccine doses achieved till 6 pm – and still counting! Under PM Narendra Modi ji, India is fighting strongly against Corona.”

Five days back, India had administered over 1 crore (1,08,83,963) vaccine doses for the first time.

India’s Covid vaccination coverage has now crossed 65 crore (65,12,14,767) doses.

25 injured in stampede at Bengal vax centre

At least 25 people were injured, including six seriously, when hundreds of local residents tried to enter a vaccination centre in West Bengal’s Jalpaiguri district, leading to a stampede-like situation on Tuesday, officials said.

Though there was no stampede, similar chaotic situations were noticed at Murshidabad medical college and in several places in North 24 Parganas district.

In wake of the incident, the state government has now decided to distribute coupons for vaccination.

The incident at Jalpaiguri happened in the afternoon when people standing outside the vaccination centre rushed inside. “As soon as the main gate of Dhupguri Health Centre was opened, several people tried to get inside the facility pushing each other. A stampede-like situation arose there. Several women were injured. We are probing the matter,” an official said.

A senior police officer of Jalpaiguri said: “The injured people have been rushed to Jalpaiguri district hospital and they are undergoing treatment. We are probing the matter. According to a preliminary investigation, those who were in the queue tried to enter the centre in the apprehension of a shortage of vaccine doses.”

The inoculation programme at the facility has been stopped following the incident, he added.

Chief Secretary H.K. Diwedi held a meeting with the District Magistrates, Superintendents of Police, and Chief Medical Officer of Health, and instructed them to streamline the vaccination system.

“The district administration has been asked to increase manpower and counters at the vaccination centres to avoid rush. The DMs have been asked to arrange for more police force at the vaccination centres,” an official said.

Senior officials said that several decisions have been taken to control the rush. “It has been decided that the state will arrange for distribution of coupons to the people two days before and none will be allowed inside the vaccination centres without a coupon,” an official said.

“Coupons will be delivered one to two days in advance. In addition to the staff of the district Health Department, ICDS staff must be employed to distribute coupons. Additional District Magistrate, Additional Superintendent of Police or senior health officials should be present at the vaccination centres,” the official added.

The District Magistrates have also been asked to make arrangements for vaccination in large grounds to avoid any kind of chaos. They have also been asked to open several counters and disperse people so that there is no crowd at a particular place.

“This will help in crowd management as well help in maintaining the covid protocol,” the official said.

The Chief Secretary also asked the district administration to make arrangements for necessary police force and should ask the Inspector-in-Charge or the Officer-in-Charge of the respective police station to be present at the vaccination centres and personally oversee the crowd management.

Kerala sees 30,203 new Covid cases, TPR at 18.86%

With Onam festivities ending a week back, it appears the relaxation of lockdown norms then has not caused much damage so far, even though Kerala on Tuesday logged 30,203 new Covid cases from 1,60,152 samples tested in the past 24 hours.

As the daily tally crossed 30,000 after a gap of two days, the day’s test positivity rate stood at 18.86 per cent and the figures continue to show that Kerala leads the rest of the country in most indicators of Covid.

In a statement issued here, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also said that 20,687 people turned negative, taking the total number of active cases to 2,18,892, while 115 more deaths were reported, taking the death toll to 20,788.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3ENGAT_OmM

Malappurram district accounted for 3,576 new cases, followed by Ernakulam with 3,548.

Reacting to the latest numbers, Health Minister Veena George said that with the figures that are coming out clearly shows they have “some relief”.

“Following the Onam festivities and the relaxation in the lockdown norms, there were fears, but the figures show things are well under control. Hence we all must continue to be very alert,” she said.

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India administers record 10 million vax doses in a day

The recovery of 31,374 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally of recovered patients (since the beginning of the pandemic) to 3,18,52,802…reports Asian Lite News.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has lauded the record vaccination numbers, stating that crossing 1 crore is a momentous feat.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister on Friday said: “Record vaccination numbers today! Crossing 1 crore is a momentous feat. Kudos to those getting vaccinated and those making the vaccination drive a success.”

Prime Minister Narendra Modi (PIB)

India administered more than 1 Crore COVID-19 vaccine doses on Friday. With the administration of 1,03,35,290 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has surpassed the cumulative figure of 62.29Cr (62,29,89,134) as per provisional reports till 7 am today.

This has been achieved through 67,19,042 sessions.

The Union Government is committed to accelerating the pace and expanding the scope of COVID-19 vaccination throughout the country, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said in a statement.

The recovery of 31,374 patients in the last 24 hours has increased the cumulative tally of recovered patients (since the beginning of the pandemic) to 3,18,52,802.

Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 97.56%.

Sustained and collaborative efforts by the Centre and the States/UTs continue the trend of less than 50,000 Daily New Cases that is being reported for 62 consecutive days now.

46,759new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.

The Active Caseload is presently 3,59,775. Active cases presently constitute 1.10% of the country’s total Positive Cases.

The testing capacity across the country continues to be expanded. The last 24 hours saw a total of 17,61,110tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 51.68 Cr (51,68,87,602) cumulative tests.

While testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, the Weekly Positivity Rate at 2.19% remains less than 3% for the last 64 days now. The Daily Positivity rate stands at 2.66%. The daily Positivity rate has remained below 3% for the last 33 days and below 5% for 82 consecutive days now. (India News Network)

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UK signs deal with Pfizer/BioNTech for 35mn vaccines

The government is preparing for a booster programme this year to ensure those most vulnerable to COVID-19 are protected…reports Asian Lite News.

The UK has agreed a contract for 35 million more doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, to be delivered from the second half of next year.

“The UK’s phenomenal vaccination programme is providing tens of millions of people with protection from COVID-19, saving 95,200 lives and preventing 82,100 hospitalisations in the over 65s in England alone,” Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said.

“While we continue to build this wall of defence from COVID-19, it’s also vital we do everything we can to protect the country for the future too – whether that’s from the virus as we know it or new variants.”

“I am pleased we’ve reached this agreement with Pfizer for more doses as part of our robust preparations to future-proof our vaccine programme, ensuring we have plans in place to keep the nation safe for years to come,” he added.

The government said the UK is committed to supporting global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and improving access to vaccines, and will be donating 100 million vaccine doses within the next year. The donation of the first 9 million doses was announced last month.

The government is preparing for a booster programme this year to ensure those most vulnerable to COVID-19 are protected. The booster programme will be based on the final advice of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), expected in September.

COVID-19 vaccines have saved 95,200 lives, according to a recent data published.

They have also prevented 82,100 hospitalisations and 23.9 million infections in England alone, according to the latest data from Public Health England and Cambridge University.

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COVID-19 India News

Hyderabad to become 100% vaccinated in 10-15 days

Earlier, the Director of Public Health stated that 1.65 crore doses of Covid vaccines have been administered in the state…reports Asian Lite News.

The Telangana government is working to make Hyderabad a 100 per cent Covid vaccinated city in the next 10-15 days, it was announced on Thursday.

As part of this effort, Chief Secretary Somesh Kumar on Thursday addressed a workshop held at the Secretariat, attended by Health Secretary S.A.M. Rizvi, Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) Commissioner Lokesh Kumar, Collectors of four districts under the GHMC including D. Amoy Kumar (Ranga Reddy), S. Harish (Medchal Malkajgiri), and M. Hanmantha Rao (Sanga Reddy).

Director, Public Health, Dr Srinivasa Rao, OSD to CM, Dr Gangadhar, district medical and health officers Dr Ventati (Hyderabad), Dr Swarajya Lakshmi (Ranga Reddy), Dr Mallikarjun (Medchal Malkajgiri), Dr Gayatri (Sanga Reddy), GHMC zonal Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners, and state public health officers were also present.

The Chief Secretary suggested that the GHMC, health officials, and field staff work in close coordination to make all the colonies in the city 100 per cent vaccinated. He instructed medical and municipal staff to survey every household and map up the eligible people over the age of 18 to be vaccinated, and that the exercise be carried out in mission mode.

Somesh Kumar said there was a good response to the mobile vaccination programme in the GHMC. In the same manner, he said, teams should be formed on a colony-wise basis with manpower and material to vaccinate all those who were yet to be vaccinated.

Earlier, the Director of Public Health stated that 1.65 crore doses of Covid vaccines have been administered in the state.

He said 56 per cent of the people received at least first dose while 34 per cent have received both the doses.

According to him, 90 per cent of the beneficiaries in GHMC area have received at least the first dose.

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No vaccine to provide protection indefinitely: Fauci

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will have to amend emergency use authorisation for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to approve booster shots for immuno-compromised people….reports Asian Lite News

Amid uncertainty over the use of vaccine boosters against coronavirus disease (Covid-19), top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci has said no vaccines that are in use in the United States are going to provide an indefinite amount of protection. Appearing for NBC’s ‘Today’ show, Fauci revealed that booster shots will be recommended “imminently” for fully vaccinated people with weakened immune systems.

While the 80-year-old immunologist said the United States is not going to administer booster shots in coming days to people other than those who are immuno-compromised, he acknowledged that “inevitably there will be a time when we’ll have to get boosts” since “no vaccine, at least not within this category, is going to have an indefinite amount of protection.”

Fauci, the chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden, said researchers are collecting data to determine when the protection for other vaccinated groups, like the elderly, will go below a “critical level”.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will have to amend emergency use authorisation for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to approve booster shots for immuno-compromised people.

Earlier this month, the World Health Organization (WHO) called for a moratorium on booster shots until at least the end of September to enable all countries to vaccinate at least 10% of their population. Highlighting the vaccine disparity, WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said low-income countries have only been able to administer 1.5 doses of the Covid-19 vaccine for every 100 people.

“I understand the concern of all governments to protect their people from the Delta variant. But we cannot accept countries that have already used most of the global supply of vaccines using even more of it, while the Earth globe Europe-Africa’s most vulnerable people remain unprotected,” the WHO chief said.

However, the call has largely gone unheeded with most of the high-income countries as they have moved ahead with their booster shots plan.

ALSO READ: Covid vax to get full FDA approval in August: Fauci

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-Top News COVID-19 India News

Decision on Covaxin emergency authorisation expected by Sept: MEA

The World Health Organisation has said the agency expects to make a decision next month on an emergency authorisation for the Indian-made COVID-19 vaccine….reports Asian Lite News

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said a decision on emergency authorisation for the Covaxin Covid-19 vaccine made by Bharat Biotech is expected to be announced by September as the World Health Organisation (WHO) takes 6-8 weeks to grant the emergency use listing.

In a media briefing, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, “Covaxin submitted its application on July 9 so we are expecting a response by September as it takes 6-8 weeks for the WHO to grant the EUL.”

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had made a similar statement at the CII annual event.

The World Health Organisation has said the agency expects to make a decision next month on an emergency authorisation for the Indian-made COVID-19 vaccine.

Last week, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin received a Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) compliance certificate from Hungary. The certificate of GMP is now listed on the EudraGMDP database which is the collection of records of the European Community of manufacturing authorisations and certificates of good manufacturing practice, Bharat Biotech said.

Asked about the actions taken by the government on easing Covid travel restrictions, the MEA Spokesperson said, “There are many countries where Covid restrictions are there. Not just students, other people who would like to travel are facing problems. As I have said earlier, we attach high importance to ensuring ease of these restrictions whether they live abroad for education or employment. We have been actively taking up this matter at various levels including at the ministerial levels with all of the countries. I am happy to see some forward movements with some of the countries. MEA will continue to attach high priority to this issue.” (India News Network)

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-Top News COVID-19 UK News

Self-isolation removed for vaccinated close contacts from Aug 16 in UK

With 75% of people having received both doses of the vaccine, the majority of adults will no longer need to self-isolate if they are contacts…reports Asian Lite News.

People who are double jabbed or aged under 18 will no longer be legally required to self-isolate from August 16 if they are identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case. The change was announced last month, as part of step 4 of the Government’s COVID-19 roadmap.

With 75% of people having received both doses of the vaccine, the majority of adults will no longer need to self-isolate if they are contacts.

The latest data from Public Health England and Cambridge University shows that around 60,000 deaths, 22 million infections and 66,900 hospitalisations have been prevented by the vaccines.

As of Monday, double jabbed individuals and under 18s who are identified as close contacts by NHS Test and Trace will be advised to take a PCR test as soon as possible to check if they have the virus and for variants of concern. People can order a PCR home test online or by calling 119, or going to a test site.

As double jabbed people identified as close contacts are still at risk of being infected, people are advised to consider other precautions such as wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces, and limit contact with other people, especially with anyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable. They will not be required to self-isolate while they wait for the results of the PCR test.

Anyone who tests positive following the PCR test will still be legally required to self-isolate, irrespective of their vaccination status or age in order to break onwards chains of transmission. Meanwhile anyone who develops COVID-19 symptoms should self-isolate and get a PCR test, and remain in isolation until the result comes back.

“Asking the close contacts of people with COVID-19 to self-isolate has played a critical role in helping us get this virus under control, and millions of people across the UK have made enormous sacrifices by doing this. Every single one of these sacrifices has helped us protect the NHS and save lives,” Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said in a statement.

“Getting two doses of a vaccine has tipped the odds in our favour and allowed us to safely reclaim our lost freedoms, and from Monday we can take another huge step back towards our normal lives by removing self-isolation requirements for double jabbed people who are contacts of people with COVID-19. Double jabbed people who test positive will still need to self-isolate.”

“Vaccines are what will bring this pandemic to an end – the wall of defence provided by the rollout is allowing us to get even closer to normal life. If you haven’t already, please make sure you come forward for your jab at the earliest opportunity,” he added.

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