The vaccine, marketed as Covishield in India, induced antibody concentrations in children similar to those associated with high efficacy in adults, says study by UK researchers.
CEO of world’s largest vaccine maker says India is better equipped to deal with pandemics now, adds a global treaty is important to allow resource-sharing across borders.
Private hospitals in Pune municipal limits are staring at major vaccine wastage, blame free government drives and strict rules for booster eligibility and second dose gap.
Covishield and Covaxin have been fully authorised only for use in adults, and can only be used in a ‘programmatic setting’, which means you’ll still have to register on CoWin.
Approval was granted under New Drugs & Clinical Trials Rules, 2019 citing conditions that Bharat Biotech & SII will submit clinical trials' data & vaccines will be supplied for programmatic setting.
Bharat Biotech's Covaxin is currently priced at Rs 1,200 per dose while SII's Covishield costs Rs 780 at private facilities. Both the vaccines are only authorised for emergency use.
Preliminary data released by AstraZeneca shows Vaxzevaria vaccine, administered in India as Covishield, increased immune response to Beta, Delta, Alpha, Gamma variants after third dose.
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.
In India, only 17% of public sector banks and 25% of private sector banks claimed to have an internal strategy for integrating climate risks into their risk management framework.
Economists say there are weaknesses in India’s GDP data. But statisticians claim the accusations are based on flawed understanding, saying while GDP has problems, the economists are looking in the wrong places.
Both the governments expressed their commitment to strengthening their maritime cooperation to strengthen the maritime safety and security framework in the region.
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