First-of-its-kind study in India looked at reinfection rates among 4,978 healthcare workers, who had tested positive for Covid between 3 March 2020 and 18 June 2021.
Trial on third Covaxin shot ongoing, results to be out soon, says Bharat Biotech. ICMR officials say 9-month interval based on studies that show antibodies last 6-13 months.
Only Covaxin will be used for vaccinating an estimated 7.4 crore 15-18-year-olds, so finding a slot for the first shot of the indigenous vaccine could get more difficult.
PM Modi had announced on 25 December that adolescents above the age of 15 will be able to take their vaccines from 3 January. The campaign began Monday.
The Union health ministry’s website claims that Covaxin has received Emergency Use Listing for 15-18-year-olds, but the WHO had noted in November that this was not the case.
Paediatric vaccinations will begin across centres in India at 9 am. Even those who have not registered on the Co-WIN app can walk into any centre to get their jabs.
The data was submitted to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation during October 2021 and received emergency use nod for children aged 12-18 from DCGI recently.
No decision has been taken yet on whether booster shots will be given, even as healthcare workers who got fully vaccinated in February near 10 months of vaccination.
With Omicron on the prowl and decision pending on vaccinating children, government may wait before using the one crore doses of ZyCoV-D, the only vaccine licensed for use in minors
Dr Samiran Panda says Covaxin, being a whole virion vaccine, could work better, while there are chances of Omicron escaping targeted vaccines such as those based on the mRNA platform.
Compassion and cohabitation with animals are ingrained in the Indian value system. A humane solution must be found for the rising conflict between man and free-range animals.
New bill aims to fix key issues with IBC 2016, including delays & patchy implementation, and protect creditors, with window for genuine promoters to retain control of their companies.
Putin sees this as a victory. Europeans have decided to deal with Trump on his terms for the sake of the larger Western alliance. We look at the lessons for us in India.
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