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The pharmaceutical giant <keyword id="19910149" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AstraZeneca" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="AstraZeneca" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="AstraZeneca">AstraZeneca</keyword>'s <keyword id="20040659" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19-vaccine" source="keywords">COVID-19 vaccine</keyword> is being withdrawn worldwide after the company acknowledged for the first time in court documents that it can cause a rare and dangerous side effect, according to a report in the British Newspaper 'The Telegraph'. AstraZeneca has announced that the <keyword id="19959412" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccine" source="keywords">vaccine</keyword> was being removed from markets for commercial reasons. It further said that the vaccine was no longer being made or supplied, having been superseded by updated vaccines that fight new variants. The application to withdraw the vaccine was made on March 5 and came into effect on May 7. The vaccine can be no longer used in the European Union following the company's decision to withdraw its "marketing authorisation." Similar applications will be submitted in the UK and other nations in the coming months that have given a go-ahead to the vaccine, known as Vaxzevria. In recent months, Vaxzevria has come under scrutiny over a very rare side effect, which causes blood clots and low blood platelet counts. In court documents, AstraZeneca in the High Court in February admitted that the vaccine "can, in very rare cases, cause <keyword id="20218859" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="TTS" source="keywords">TTS</keyword>". TTS which stands for <keyword id="21475609" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Thrombosis-with-Thrombocytopenia-Syndrome" source="keywords">Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome</keyword> has been associated with at least 81 deaths in the UK and hundreds of serious injuries. More than 50 alleged victims and grieving relatives have filed a lawsuit against AstraZeneca in a High Court case. AstraZeneca has insisted that the decision to withdraw the vaccine is not related to the case or admission that it can cause TTS and termed the timing a pure coincidence, according to The Telegraph report. "We are incredibly proud of the role Vaxzevria played in ending the global pandemic. According to independent estimates, over 6.5 million lives were saved in the first year of use alone and over three billion doses were supplied globally. Our efforts have been recognised by governments around the world and are widely regarded as being a critical component of ending the global pandemic," The Telegraph quoted AstraZeneca as saying. In a statement, the pharmaceutical giant said, "As multiple, variant Covid-19 vaccines have since been developed, there is a surplus of available updated vaccines", adding that it has led to a decline in demand for Vaxzevria, which is no longer being manufactured or supplied, The Telegraph reported. It further announced its decision to initiate the withdrawal of the marketing authorisations for Vaxzevria within Europe. The company said, "We will now work with regulators and our partners to align on a clear path forward to conclude this chapter and significant contribution to the Covid-19 pandemic." Last week, AstraZeneca reiterated its commitment to patient safety while emphasising the vaccine's overall safety profile. An AstraZeneca spokesperson had stated, "Our sympathy goes out to anyone who has lost loved ones or reported health problems. Patient safety is our highest priority, and regulatory authorities have clear and stringent standards to ensure the safe use of all medicines, including vaccines." This comes in the wake of a recent admission by AstraZeneca, the pharmaceutical company, that its <keyword id="19896627" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid" source="keywords">Covid</keyword> vaccine Covishield and Vaxzevria "can, in very rare cases, cause Thrombosis Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS)." Despite these rare occurrences, the pharmaceutical company maintained that extensive clinical trial data and real-world evidence consistently support the vaccine's safety and efficacy. Regulatory agencies worldwide continue to assert that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks of such extremely rare side effects. 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AstraZeneca withdraws COVID-19 vaccine worldwide, cites commercial reasons

Ever since the virus reared its ugly head and briefly sent the world into despair, the coronavirus has remained a staple, albeit almost sidelined, part of the news cycle. Despite this, the topic has come to the forefront of controversy once again, with an extremely popular <keyword id="20040659" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19-vaccine" source="keywords">COVID-19 vaccine</keyword> now under scrutiny. Considering that the world is still healing from the scars left behind by the coronavirus tragedy, it is imperative that we gauge the situation to avoid any unwarranted public paranoia. Let’s look at the facts behind the ongoing <keyword id="19910149" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AstraZeneca" source="keywords" meta.keywordsubtype="org" meta.entityname="AstraZeneca" meta.hostid="261" meta.entityid="AstraZeneca">AstraZeneca</keyword> (or <keyword id="19960109" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="covishield" source="keywords">Covishield</keyword>, as it is known in India) vaccine controversy, and determine if there really is a cause for worry. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="What happened?" comment="subhead" text="What happened?">What happened?</cmsannotation> Shortly after receiving the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in 2021, UK-based <keyword id="21472612" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="jamie-scott" source="keywords">Jamie Scott</keyword> experienced a harrowing ordeal. He developed a brain clot and severe bleeding, resulting in permanent brain injury. This condition, known as <keyword id="21475609" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Thrombosis-with-Thrombocytopenia-Syndrome" source="keywords">Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome</keyword> (<keyword id="20218859" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="tts" source="keywords">TTS</keyword>), can lead to dangerously low blood clot and platelet levels, posing a grave risk to those affected. Jamie's struggles with memory loss, impaired vision, and diminished cognitive abilities compelled him to seek legal recourse against the pharmaceutical company in 2023. Jamie's legal representative contends that AstraZeneca minimized the potential risks linked to their vaccines. Moreover, reports indicate that over 50 vaccinated individuals experienced similar adverse conditions, with numerous cases resulting in fatalities or severe injuries. Despite these assertions, the pharmaceutical company refutes the allegations, stating that they do not acknowledge a causal relationship between the vaccine and Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) on a generic level. However, a year of court wrangling later, legal documents submitted by AstraZeneca have now admitted that their vaccine can cause TTS in very rare cases, although the causal mechanism is still not well known. This revelation has led to renewed uproar against the vaccine’s side-effects. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Is there cause for worry?" comment="subhead" text="Is there cause for worry?">Is there cause for worry?</cmsannotation> In short words, not really. Links between the <keyword id="21483117" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="AstraZeneca-vaccine" source="keywords">AstraZeneca vaccine</keyword> and vaccine-induced immune TTS have been scientifically identified since early 2021, soon after the first COVID-19 vaccines had come out. However, it is so very rare — a few dozen reported cases among the millions administered — that even the World Health Organisation has deemed the vaccine “safe and effective” for all individuals aged 18 and above. Moreover, even influenza, H1N1 and rabies vaccines can cause TTS in very rare instances. Further, it is important to note that an infection with COVID-19 is itself a major cause for clot, heart attacks and strokes. Being vaccinated actually lowers these risks. There is also the fact that all vaccines or drugs carry potential side-effects, and these medical interventions are only cleared for release after determining that their benefits vastly outweigh any complications. Finally, the <keyword id="21483118" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="TTS-side-effects" source="keywords">TTS side-effects</keyword> — which include symptoms such as headaches, blurred vision, chest pain, leg swelling or tiny blood spots under the skin — manifest between 1-6 weeks of vaccination. Considering that most Indians received their Covishield jab a couple of years ago, there should be no reason to panic now. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Is it time to consider alternate vaccines?" comment="subhead" text="Is it time to consider alternate vaccines?">Is it time to consider alternate vaccines?</cmsannotation> There is no particular hard evidence that suggests the supremacy of one vaccine over another, considering that they all carry varying degrees of side-effects. That being said, <keyword id="9485939" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="covaxin" source="Orion">Covaxin</keyword> boasts a higher efficacy than Covishield, and has better research data among Indian subjects. However, it may also be important to know that the administration of the AstraZeneca vaccine has been discontinued in many countries, mainly due the aforementioned risk of blood clotting in certain age groups. Whatever the choice, the fact of the matter remains that these vaccines have saved millions since their introduction, and it is pertinent that we continue taking them diligently, unless any premier health authorities recommend otherwise.

Should you be worried about the potential side-effects of the Covishield vaccine?

Not allowing yourself to be peer-pressured into downloading those tiresome dating apps may be the first best precaution you can take to protect your heart. Getting vaccinated for COVID-19 may well be the second, it turns out. A new international study examining the effects of vaccines on millions of patients in the UK, Spain and Estonia found that being vaccinated may be the trick to a healthier heart. In the first month after infection, the researchers found that the risk of <keyword id="25186" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="blood-clotting" source="Orion">blood clotting</keyword> plummeted by a whopping 78% in the limbic veins and 47% in the arteries of the vaccinated individuals. Avoiding these complications helped more than halve the <keyword id="32031" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heart-failure" source="Orion">heart failure</keyword> risk among vaxxers compared to the non-vaccinated. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="What does blood clotting have to do with COVID?" comment="subhead" text="What does blood clotting have to do with COVID?">What does blood clotting have to do with COVID?</cmsannotation> Unfortunately, just having blood inside your body isn’t enough to help you survive; the stuff needs to constantly move and slosh through your blood vessels, transporting and depositing oxygen and other nutrients around like silt on a river edge. However, certain conditions — such as diabetes and obesity — can cause some of your blood to abnormally coagulate, forming giant blockages that prevent your veins and arteries from moving blood around efficiently. This places an extra burden on your heart, which can lead it to fail. Research has shown that COVID-19 infections have the capability to cause unusual blood clots in multiple parts of the body, including the lungs and the legs. This can lead to organ failures, <keyword id="6357661" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="heart-attack" source="Orion">heart attack</keyword> and <keyword id="25191" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="stroke" source="Orion">stroke</keyword>. Fortunately, simply taking a wee bit of time off to get yourself jabbed by the <keyword id="24209" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccine" source="Orion">vaccine</keyword> helps tremendously, it turns out. It wasn’t just heart failure and stroke; being vaccinated also reduced the risk of developing other heart-related diseases. This included scary conditions such as heart attacks and ventricular arrhythmia (an abnormal heartbeat), although this shield only persisted for the first 30 days after the infection. Despite not being at peak efficacy, the vaccine’s protection was potent enough to slash risk of heart failure by nearly 50% for up to a year after vaccination, the study found. This showed that even as the protective halo of the vaccine waned over time, it still continued to pack a punch. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Will this squash the vaccine side-effect debate?" comment="subhead" text="Will this squash the vaccine side-effect debate?">Will this squash the vaccine side-effect debate?</cmsannotation> There has been a second-wave of reluctance to take the COVID-19 vaccine, majorly due to concerns of long-term complications that can arise from them. The important thing to note is that while the vaccine can lead to heart issues in some people, it only takes place in extremely rare circumstances. Conversely, one study even showed that vaccination reduced the risk of long-COVID by a massive 67%. The researchers thus hope that these positive heart-related findings will help clear any vaccination hesitations among sceptics. However, more studies need to be conducted to conclusively understand the protection offered by booster doses in different populations. "Our findings probably reflect the fact that the vaccines are effective in reducing infection, and minimise the risk of severe COVID-19," explains study author Núria Mercadé-Besora. "These results could encourage COVID-19 vaccination among hesitant people who are worried about the potential risk of vaccine side effects." The findings of this study have been published in Heart and can be accessed <a href="https://heart.bmj.com/content/early/2024/01/24/heartjnl-2023-323483" data-type="tilCustomLink">here</a>.

COVID-19 vaccine can slash risk of post-infection heart failure by half, study finds

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The US Army is telling soldiers kicked out over COVID-19 vaccinations that they can come back.</li><li>The Army missed its recruiting goal by about 25% in 2022.</li></ul>The US Army is <a target="_blank" href="https://www.businessinsider.com/army-trains-recruits-who-fail-initial-standards-during-recruitment-crisis-2022-7">having such a difficult time recruiting</a> that it's sending soldiers who were kicked out for refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 instructions on how to rejoin.The Army sent the letters to about 1,900 active-duty soldiers who were separated for refusing to get vaccinated against COVID-19, according to the military blog <a target="_blank" href="https://taskandpurpose.com/news/army-covid-vaccine-mandate-reversal/">Task and Purpose</a>. Bryce Dubee, an Army spokesperson, told the blog that the letters were sent "specifically as part of the COVID mandate recession process."A January 2023 <a target="_blank" href="https://media.defense.gov/2023/Jan/10/2003143118/-1/-1/1/SECRETARY-OF-DEFENSE-MEMO-ON-RESCISSION-OF-CORONAVIRUS-DISEASE-2019-VACCINATION-REQUIREMENTS-FOR-MEMBERS-OF-THE-ARMED-FORCES.PDF">Department of Defense memo</a> rescinded the military rules that required service members to get vaccinated against COVID-19, which the department put in place in August and November 2021. The memo said that no one serving in the armed forces will be separated for refusing to take the vaccine if they seek a religious, administrative, or medical accommodation.Still, the memo said that the department will continue to "promote and encourage" vaccination for all service members.The <a target="_blank" href="https://www.reddit.com/media?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.redd.it%2Fletter-of-return-to-service-v0-8v09ym5mht0c1.jpg%3Fs%3Da8ae6a9b332a1018a514242d6f666acf1d93e3d5&amp;rdt=46698">letter</a>, which has been circulated on social media, says former soldiers who were separated for refusing to take the vaccine can request a correction of their military record and instructs those who wish to rejoin to contact a recruiter.The new outreach to these soldiers comes amid a recruiting crisis for the US military. In 2022, the Army fell short of its recruiting goal by about 15,000 soldiers, or 25%, <a target="_blank" href="https://www.armytimes.com/news/your-army/2022/10/02/army-misses-recruiting-goal-by-15000-soldiers/">Army Times</a> reported.The Army recently revived its classic "<a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwx-2R9swDg">Be All You Can Be</a>" <a target="_blank" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lwx-2R9swDg">campaign</a> to combat its constant decline in recruits, according to <a target="_blank" href="https://www.npr.org/2023/10/05/1203766333/us-army-military-recruit-pentagon-air-force-navy">NPR</a>.Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth told the outlet that the percentage of young Americans who are physically fit and mentally prepared enough to join the military has been shrinking over time and is now at about 23% of people between the ages of 18 and 24.Wormuth also said that younger people are not as interested in joining the military due to institutional skepticism."When you look at Generation Z, you see a lot of the declining trust in institutions," Wormuth told NPR.The US Army did not immediately return a request for comment from Business Insider Saturday.

The US Army is having a hard time recruiting. Now it's asking soldiers dismissed for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine to come back.

India may begin inoculating children in the 12-14 age group against COVID-19 in March as the 15-18 population is likely to get fully vaccinated by then, <keyword id="3730388" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Dr-N-K-Arora" source="Orion">Dr N K Arora</keyword>, chairman of the COVID-19 working group of NTAGI, said on Monday. Of the estimated 7.4 crore (7,40,57,000) population in the 15-18 age bracket, over 3.45 crore have received the first dose of Covaxin so far and their second dose is due in 28 days, he said. "Adolescents in this age group have been actively participating in the inoculation process, and going by this pace of vaccination, the rest of the beneficiaries in the 15-18 age group are likely to be covered with the first dose by January-end and subsequently their second dose is expected to be done by February-end," said the Chairman of the Covid working group of the <keyword id="6040531" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="National-Technical-Advisory-Group-on-Immunisation" source="Orion">National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation</keyword> (NTAGI). Once the 15-18 age group is covered, he said, the government is likely to take a policy decision for initiating the vaccination drive for the 12-14 age group in March, he said. According to him, there is an estimated 7.5 crore population in the 12-14 age group. Provisional vaccination reports till 7 am on Monday showed that with more than 39 lakh doses being administered in a span of 24 hours, the cumulative number has exceeded 157.20 crore doses. According to government data, over 3.45 crore first doses have been given to children in the 15-18 years age group so far. The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 last year with healthcare workers (HCWs) getting inoculated in the first phase. The vaccination of frontline workers (FLWs) started from February 2, 2021. The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from March 1 last year for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions. The country launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 years from April 1, 2021. The government then decided to expand its vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 to be vaccinated from May 1. The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination has commenced from January 3 this year for adolescents in the age group of 15-18 years. India began administering the precaution dose -- a third jab of COVID-19 vaccine -- to healthcare, frontline workers including personnel deployed for election duty and those aged 60 and above with comorbidities from January 10 amid the country witnessing a spike in coronavirus infections, driven mainly by the Omicron variant of the virus. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-reports-4-lesser-new-covid-19-cases-omicron-cases-surge-by-6/articleshow/88943248.cms">India reports 4% lesser new COVID-19 cases, Omicron cases surge by 6%</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/us-sees-highest-rate-of-covid-19-hospitalisations-for-children-below-17-years/articleshow/88942785.cms">US sees highest rate of COVID-19 hospitalisations for children below 17 years</a>

Vaccination for 12-14 age group likely to begin in March, says NTAGI chairman

<ul><li>Indian Prime Minister <keyword id="6354477" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="narendra-modi" source="Orion">Narendra Modi</keyword> decided to address the nation on December 25 at 9:45 pm in the wake of rising cases of Omicron infections.</li><li>He announced that people under the age of 18 will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines from January 3 (first Monday of 2022).</li><li>People can be given preventive doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from January 10.</li></ul> Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi decided to address the nation on December 25 at 9:45 pm in the wake of rising cases of Omicron infections in India. He announced that people under the age of 18 will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccines from January 3 (first Monday of 2022). People can be given preventive doses of the COVID-19 vaccine from January 10. This is aimed for people above the age of 60, with comorbidities, based on doctor's advice. The unexpected address raised a lot of eyebrows. These are the highlights from his address. "We have 18 lakh isolation beds, 5 lakh oxygen beds, 1.4 lakh ICU beds, 90,000 beds reserved for children (including ICU and non-ICU beds) across the country," he said in his address. "While virus is getting mutated, our ability to innovate has also improved," Modi added. Today, more than 61% of India's adults have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Indian Prime Minister. A study of the first 183 cases showed that nine out of 10 cases with Omicron infections in India had already received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccines. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/christmas-and-new-year-celebrations-are-being-restricted-in-some-states-as-nine-out-of-10-omicron-cases-in-india-are-among-those-fully-vaccinated/articleshow/88477307.cms">Christmas and New Year celebrations are being restricted in some states as nine out of 10 Omicron cases in India are among those fully vaccinated</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/interview-after-six-months-of-lending-sheroes-founder-learns-it-is-tougher-than-it-looked/articleshow/88474677.cms">INTERVIEW: After six months of lending, Sheroes founder learns it is tougher than it looked</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/heres-why-lt-finance-sold-its-mutual-fund-business-to-hsbc/articleshow/88474214.cms">Here’s why L&amp;T Finance may have sold its mutual fund business so cheap</a>

COVID-19 vaccines will be given to people aged 15-18 from Jan 3, Prime Minister Narendra Modi says

India is committed to supplying <keyword id="8763838" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19" source="Orion">COVID-19</keyword> vaccines to other nations and such supplies are likely to begin by the end of this year, as the abundant production will not just meet domestic needs but also generate surplus for exports. a top government official said on Monday. The official, however, added that the supply of vaccines to other nations will have to be balanced against the country's vaccination program. "India's commitment to provide vaccines to other nations stands. It has been reiterated by the Indian leadership... However, major supplies to other nations will have to be balanced against India's own needs of vaccines for the country's vaccination program," the official told PTI on condition of anonymity. India, the world's largest <keyword id="12383551" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="producer-of-vaccines" source="Orion">producer of vaccines</keyword> overall, had suspended exports of COVID-19 vaccines in April to focus on inoculating its own population following a sudden spike in infections. "We do foresee that there will be spare supplies, and in fact going into late 2021 and beyond, there will be generous vaccine supplies, which would then become available for exports, so the situation is being watched carefully, it is a dynamic situation," he said. According to the official, currently the priority is to cover the eligible population of India effectively and in the shortest possible time. "The export needs and commitments are also carefully watched and monitored," he said, adding that going forward, the calibrated approach to exporting vaccines would be taken. The official said: "India would particularly like to fulfil its commitment to <keyword id="9549281" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVAX" source="Orion">COVAX</keyword>." COVAX is a worldwide initiative aimed at equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines directed by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, and the WHO. The Ministry of External Affairs on October 14, had said that coronavirus vaccines have been sent to Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Iran as per the government's decision to resume their supplies. External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the government has decided to send the supplies to neighbouring countries initially. India had suspended exports of COVID-19 vaccines in April. Last month, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that India will resume supply of coronavirus vaccines abroad. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi said recently at the UN General Assembly that India will resume supply of coronavirus vaccines. We have decided to start with the neighbourhood," Bagchi had said. On October 21, India achieved a major milestone in its vaccination programme against COVID-19 as the cumulative vaccine doses administered in the country surpassed the 100-crore mark. More than 75 per cent of India's adult population has received at least one dose of the <keyword id="8904563" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19-vaccine" source="Orion">COVID-19 vaccine</keyword>, with nine states and union territories administering the first dose to all eligible people. Over 31 per cent of the country's around 93 crore adults have been administered both doses, according to health ministry officials. Three vaccines -- Covishield manufactured by Serum Institute of India, Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Sputnik V -- are currently being used in the country's COVID vaccination drive. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/education/news/neet-pg-counselling-not-to-commence-till-supreme-court-decides-on-obc-ews-quota-says-centre/articleshow/87253992.cms">NEET-PG counselling not to commence till Supreme Court decides on OBC, EWS quota, says Centre</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/elon-musk-brings-shiba-inu-back-to-earth-dogecoin-is-the-only-meme-token-hes-betting-on/articleshow/87252833.cms">Elon Musk brings Shiba Inu back to Earth — Dogecoin is the only meme token he’s betting on</a>

India to resume exports of COVID-19 vaccine to other nations by the end of this year, says government official

<ul><li>Personal data of thousands of Indians has reportedly been leaked from the CoWIN portal.</li><li>According to a report, details such as name, ID proof, gender and more have been leaked.</li><li>The data has been spotted on <keyword id="1275203" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="telegram" source="Orion">Telegram</keyword> and a bot sends the data when you send the user’s phone number.</li></ul>In what could be a major data breach, personal information of people who received the Covid-19 vaccine has reportedly been leaked online. This data includes the user’s name, date of birth, gender, and their ID. According to a report by Malayala Manorama, the data has been leaked through the CoWIN portal that was designed to help citizens book their vaccine slots. As per the report, all you need to do is enter the phone number of a person who has received the Covid-19 vaccine on a Telegram bot and it will fetch important details about the user. This, as per the report, has put important data such as Aadhaar, PAN, voter ID and passport of thousands of users at risk. The government has not revealed anything about the leak yet. <div type="twitter" handle="SaketGokhale" handlename="SaketGokhale" favoritecount="0" retweetcount="0" id="1668104757704269824"></div> Trinamool Congress (TMC) spokesperson Saket Gokhale has <a href="https://twitter.com/SaketGokhale/status/1668104757704269824">shared</a> screenshots of the Telegram bot, with vaccination information of people like P Chidambaram, Jairam Ramesh and Derek O Brien. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Not the first Covid-19 related data leak" comment="subhead" text="Not the first Covid-19 related data leak">Not the first Covid-19 related data leak</cmsannotation> This is not the first time that CoWIN data has come under the scanner. In 2022, data of over 20,000 people, including their name, mobile number, Covid-19 test result and their address was<a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/data-meant-for-cowin-portal-leaked-online-over-20-000-indians-likely-affected-101642767559692.html"> reportedly</a> leaked. This data was meant to be uploaded on the CoWIN platform. In another instance, data of over 15 crore citizens was<a href="https://www.timesnownews.com/technology-science/article/cowin-apps-covid-19-vaccination-data-of-15-crore-users-leaked-and-up-for-sale-government-denies-breach/769434"> reportedly</a> leaked in 2021 and the hackers put the data on sale. The government however refuted the claim and said that the CoWIN platform was never hacked. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/vision-pro-to-ios-17-apples-top-six-announcements-at-wwdc-2023/articleshow/100786632.cms">Vision Pro to iOS 17: Apple’s top six announcements at WWDC 2023</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/2000-note-withdrawal-how-to-exchange-notes-is-it-a-legal-tender-and-other-questions-answered/articleshow/100412941.cms">₹2,000 note withdrawal – How to exchange them, is it a legal tender and other questions answered</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-app-store-prevented-over-2-billion-in-fraudulent-transactions-last-year-banned-282-million-user-accounts/articleshow/100322718.cms">Apple App Store prevented over $2 billion in fraudulent transactions last year, banned 282 million user accounts</a>

Covid-19 vaccination data reportedly leaked – ID proof, date of birth and other details available on Telegram

<ul><li><keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword> may consider giving the American vaccine makers protection from lawsuits and liability if they offer at least a 100 million doses.</li><li>The comment was made by NK Arora, the head of the Indian government’s vaccine panel, on August 2.</li><li><keyword id="4912868" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="moderna">Moderna</keyword> offered 7.5 million doses of its vaccine to India and <keyword id="44612" type="CITY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pfizer">Pfizer</keyword> had offered another 50 million doses in May 2021.</li><li>So far, India has been reluctant to provide the indemnity to foreign vaccine makers even at the cost of slow vaccinations.</li><li> Check out the latest news and updates on <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/">Business Insider</a>.</li></ul>“If COVID-19 vaccine makers Pfizer and Moderna were ready to give us at least a 100 million doses to India,then probably we would have considered it in a different manner” Dr. NK Arora, head of the Indian government’s vaccine panel, said in an interview to a television channel. The two US-based companies, Pfizer and Moderna, have been in a tug of war with the Indian government. The two companies have been seeking indemnity i.e legal protection against lawsuits if anyone who takes the vaccine in India gets any grievous side effects. Countries like the US and UK have given the vaccine makers the indemnity they sought for but India has been reluctant even at the cost of delay in vaccinations. India has already waived off the need for local trials in the case of Pfizer but the American drug maker wants nothing of full protection from any lawsuit or liability. It is not an easy decision. If one company is given indemnity then all others will also get it, a source told Reuters in June. “There was a possibility of relooking the issue but the amount offered is miniscule” further said Arora. Moderna offered 7.5 million doses of its vaccine to India and Pfizer had offered another 50 million doses in May 2021. As of August 2, India has administered over 63.2 million doses. The companies want indemnity because the vaccines have been developed in a matter of months, instead of the many years that it usually takes to approve a vaccine. The risks of side-effects are likely to be higher. However, it is difficult for the government to ignore the risks to public health as well. “The government should most definitely be on its guard and should take the public into confidence because of the risk of striking an uneven bargain for 50 million doses,” Malini Aisola, a public health activist and co-convenor of the NGO All India Drug Action Network (AIDAN), <a href="https://theprint.in/health/pfizer-wants-it-so-do-serum-institute-moderna-but-what-exactly-is-indemnity/674634/">reportedly</a> said in June this year. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/google-shows-off-pixel-6-pixel-6-pro-smartphone-with-new-camera-system/articleshow/84996577.cms">Google shows off Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro with custom Tensor processor and a new camera system</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/skill-lync-raises-17-5-million-to-offer-more-upskilling-courses-for-engineers/articleshow/84995007.cms">Three-year-old Skill-Lync gets $17.5 million funding from Flipkart founder Binny Bansal and others</a>

India may consider indemnity for Pfizer and Moderna vaccines on one condition

<keyword id="11544757" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="dr-aqsa-shaikh">Dr Aqsa Shaikh</keyword>, India’s first and only transwoman serving as a nodal officer at a vaccination centre, <a href="https://sprf.in/a-transpersons-odyssey-to-the-vaccine-booth-in-conversation-with-dr-aqsa-shaikh/">told the author</a> that vaccine hesitancy is the first and the tallest hurdle between an Indian trans person and their two doses. And hesitancy is only one of the many obstacles keeping trans persons from getting immunised. The month of June, also known as international pride month, marks half a year since the start of India’s vaccination programme. As of 30th June 2021, <a href="https://dashboard.cowin.gov.in/">32 crore Indians have gotten vaccinated.</a> Of the total number of people vaccinated, trans citizens constitute 55,886, meaning only 0.01% of the national population and 11.45% of the total transgender population. <div type="image" title="DSC02362-2" msid="83990497" hostid="261"></div> Such low numbers can be attributed to the systemic barriers and the vaccination drive chalking trans persons into the system as an afterthought. Each step towards getting immunised is replete with challenges for the community that already exists on the margins. The foremost barrier, namely vaccine hesitancy, comes from the transgender community's historically traumatic interaction with the Indian healthcare system. Many are denied medical treatment based on their gender. Those who do receive it find themselves up against insensitive registration procedures, hostile medical staff, inferior service, lack of facilities such as washrooms, among a plethora of other problems. Furthermore, the lack of trans-representation in vaccine trials inspires apprehension around how the vaccine would interact with hormone supplements, gender affirmative surgery, STIs or HIV-AIDS treatments. <a href="https://theprint.in/opinion/less-than-4-vaccinated-transgender-indians-have-been-othered-by-vaccines-and-forms/659091/">Alisha, a transwoman from Rajasthan</a>, illustrates this prevalent fear of side-effects by stating: “Didi we already are keeping ourselves indoors and what if something happens after vaccination? Even normal people are not getting beds in hospitals, who will bother about saving an orphan kinnar?” Aside from vaccine hesitancy, the CoWIN system erects many obstacles through its insistence on registering online through a smartphone. This digital divide worsens when combined with the trans community's <a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/first-count-of-third-gender-in-census-4-9-lakh/articleshow/35741613.cms">54% illiteracy rate</a> and inaccessibility to smartphones or the internet. Even those who have technological access sign up only to discover that the vaccine registration form doesn’t offer a transgender category in the gender section. Instead, the application boxes anyone who doesn’t identify as cisgender into the "others" category. This othering goes against the 2014 NALSA judgment, which asserts that the State must undertake all necessary measures to mention a person’s self-affirmed gender correctly, especially when it's in the context of a mandated government policy. Dr Shaikh points out that the CoWIN site's choice to employ the word "others" is especially confusing since all official government IDs, from Aadhar Cards to IRCTC bookings, mention the correct term "Transgender Persons". The CoWIN form also insists on providing a photo ID proof upfront. However, for an average trans person, possessing a valid government document is a rarity since only <a href="https://nhrc.nic.in/sites/default/files/Study_HR_transgender_03082018.pdf">2% of trans individuals live with their parents</a>, most escape or are abandoned from their parental homes at an early age. A <a href="https://nhrc.nic.in/sites/default/files/Study_HR_transgender_03082018.pdf">2017 field survey</a> reports that in UP and Delhi, 16.6% of trans persons have Aadhar cards, 15.4% have voter cards, 2.1% driving licence, and 1.6% PAN cards in their own name. Those who don’t possess identification cards are reluctant to go through the process of obtaining one. Currently, the process doesn't recognise one's right to self-identify and demands a gender certificate. Under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act (2019), a trans-Indian may obtain the certification by 'proving' their gender identity to a District Magistrate. The procedure requires a revised certificate from a Medical Superintendent post-operation or any other proof of undergoing gender affirmative surgery. The system disregards that a majority of the community don't wish to undergo surgery or cannot afford to and places a trans person’s entire legal existence in a District Magistrate’s hands. Expecting anyone to undergo expensive operations to gain government identification without which they cannot access essential welfare services, such as getting vaccinated, borders violation of fundamental rights. The whole ordeal seems even more troubling when considering that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare recognises the transgender community as a high-risk group. The community records the highest Human Immunodeficiency Viruses (HIV) infection rate among all high-risk groups in India. Some <a href="http://c-sharp.in/research_policy/Download/Health%20Care%20System%20Barriers%20Faced%20by%20Indian%20Transgender%20People%20In%20Accessing%20HIV_STI%20Prevention%20and%20Treatment,%20&amp;%20What%20Can%20Be%20Done.pdf">STI clinics record</a> a significant 44-45% positivity rate in the trans community. To put this into context, there are 1,100 HIV-positive trans persons for every one HIV-positive cisgender individual. HIV makes an individual more vulnerable to other viruses allowing deadly infections to thrive in one’s body for more extended periods than average. The situation demands a mix of short and long term policy measures. Long term goals such as socially and economically uplifting the community, improving literacy rates, repealing exclusionary laws such as the 2019 Transgender Persons Act, and allowing the right to self-affirm one's gender are the keys to overcoming systemic hurdles. However, more immediately, measures like vaccine awareness drives, vaccine registration programmes, home to home vaccinations, separate vaccination centres, and special officers responsible for the transgender person's immunisation would boost the vaccination rate in the trans community. Through this blend, India must work towards properly accommodating the trans community into the world’s largest vaccination drive. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/asteroids-contain-metals-worth-quintillions-of-dollars-but-mining-them-wont-necessarily-make-your-richer-than-bezos-or-musk/articleshow/83989878.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" style="">Asteroids contain metals worth quintillions of dollars — but mining them won’t necessarily make your richer than Bezos or Musk</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/whatsapp-rolls-out-disappearing-images-feature-for-android-beta-users/articleshow/83988150.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">WhatsApp rolls out disappearing images feature for Android beta users</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/bharatnet-fibre-broadband-programme-in-2021-expanded-to-16-states-and-3-6-lakh-villages/articleshow/83983845.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">BharatNet, India’s public broadband network, expansion project will now be open to private players</a>

Thousands of India's transgenders are missing vaccines due to fear, follies and lack of IDs

The <keyword id="6356311" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-organisation" source="Orion">World Health Organisation</keyword> (<keyword id="6366244" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="who" source="Orion">WHO</keyword>) has said that current <keyword id="9078985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19-vaccines" source="Orion">Covid-19 vaccines</keyword> may need to be updated if they are to provide continued protection against emerging variants, including <keyword id="1609796" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="omicron" source="Orion">Omicron</keyword>. WHO's Technical Advisory Group on Covid-19 Vaccine Composition (TAG-CO-VAC), a group of 18 experts, on Tuesday said that although current vaccines provide a high level of protection against severe disease and death caused by Variants Of Concern (VOC), future vaccines that can prevent infection and transmission need to be developed. In the meantime, the composition of current Covid-19 vaccines may need to be updated in order to protect against the evolution of the virus, Xinhua news agency reported. Such updates need to be based on strains that are genetically and antigenically close to the circulating variants. They should also elicit "broad, strong, and long-lasting" responses in order to "reduce the need for successive booster doses," WHO added. The experts have encouraged Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers to provide data on the performance of current and Omicron-specific vaccines, to help decide when changes to vaccine composition may be required. Regarding the current Omicron variant, the experts emphasised the importance of wider global access to current Covid-19 vaccines. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/this-stock-has-gained-51-in-the-last-five-days-on-investors-new-found-love-for-electric-vehicles/articleshow/88841859.cms">This stock has gained 51% in the last five days on investors’ new-found love for electric vehicles</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/retail/news/dmarts-near-normal-performance-in-q3-fails-to-impress-analysts/articleshow/88837288.cms">DMart is focussing on being a cost-effective grocer, but the market wants it to be more than that</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/government-owning-vodafone-idea-is-just-half-the-task-the-other-half-is-to-find-the-money/articleshow/88836355.cms">Government owning Vodafone Idea is just half the task – the other half is to find the money</a>

You Searched For "covid19 vaccine" and got 11 results

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Covid-19 vaccination data reportedly leaked – ID proof, date of birth and other details available on Telegram

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