A top World Health Organisation official estimated Monday that COVID-19 vaccination coverage of at least 80% is needed to significantly lower the risk that ‘imported’ coronavirus cases like those linked to new variants could spawn a cluster or a wider outbreak. Dr. Michael Ryan, WHO’s emergencies
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, whose tenure as the WHO Executive Board chairperson ended on Wednesday, called for ensuring affordable access to key drugs during crises like the coronavirus pandemic and advocated a shared and collaborative response to conquer future health challenges. Vardhan addressed the 149th Session
The B.1.617.1 and B.1.617.2 variants of the COVID-19, first identified in India, have been named as ‘Kappa’ and ‘Delta’ respectively, the World Health Organisation (WHO) announced on Monday as it named various variants of the coronavirus using Greek alphabets. “Today, @WHO announces new, easy-to-say labels for
Vaccine, being a biological product, takes time for harvesting and quality testing and this cannot be done overnight to ensure a safe product, the Union Health Ministry said on Friday. The ministry said Government of India, through the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19
The government is examining Pfizer’s request for indemnity and will take a decision in the larger interest of people and on merit, NITI Aayog Member (Health) V K Paul said on Thursday. At a press conference, Paul said, “Yes we are engaged with Pfizer and they
The Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF, Russia’s sovereign wealth fund) and Panacea Biotec, one of the leading vaccine and pharmaceutical producers in India, today announced the launch of production of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine against coronavirus. The first batch produced at Panacea Biotec’s facilities at
