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<ul><li>700 million Indians have received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, this is more than the population of the US, UK, Russia, Germany and France combined.</li><li>Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are currently topping this domain with over 90% of their population receiving the first dose.</li><li>Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are yet to vaccinate nearly a third of their adult population.</li></ul>The government of India has successfully administered over a billion (100 crore) vaccine doses in a relatively short span of 10 months. The data shared by government authorised COVID-19 vaccine registration app ‘CoWin’ has revealed that over 700 million or 70 crore Indians have received at least the first dose of the vaccine. This is <a href="https://www.worldometers.info/world-population/population-by-country/">more than</a> the population of the United States, Russia, United Kingdom, Germany and France combined. About 290 million Indians have received the second dose of the vaccine, which is nearly as much as the population of Indonesia. <div type="image" title="The depth of India’s vaccination drive — Gujarat tops the list, UP and Bihar yet to vaccinate a third of their population" msid="87186474" hostid="261"></div> About 88% of these vaccinated preferred Covishield over Covaxin, as per data on CoWin app. India — with the largest population in the world after China — was not only under the pressure to control massive human casualty and strengthen the healthcare infrastructure, but also had the burden to carry out the world’s largest vaccination drive yet. Central and state governments, along with several private players, took part in this vaccination drive to ensure that this turns out to be successful. Both small and big enterprises decided to vaccinate their employees as well as contractual workers, while others decided to take vaccination drives into people’s localities. <div type="image" title="The depth of India’s vaccination drive — Gujarat tops the list, UP and Bihar yet to vaccinate a third of their population" msid="87186763" hostid="261"></div> In a state-wise break up, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh are currently topping this domain with over 90% of their population receiving the first dose. Delhi, Assam, and Karnataka are not far behind either. Meanwhile, Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are yet to vaccinate nearly a third of their adult population. Tamil Nadu is just marginally behind. <div type="image" title="The depth of India’s vaccination drive — Gujarat tops the list, UP and Bihar yet to vaccinate a third of their population" msid="87186500" hostid="261"></div> The above mentioned data has been calculated on the basis of the National Commission on Population report of 2019 by the ministry of health and family welfare. The report <a href="https://twitter.com/ShamikaRavi/status/1450893301641404447">highlighted</a> the eligible adult population of each of these states. To give you a deeper perspective, this is the breakup of the population above 18 years of age in each of the states versus people who have received their first dose. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;" class="redcator-table-advance"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">State </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Population above 18+ </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Vaccinated with at least one dose </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Gujarat </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4.8 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4.4 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Madhya Pradesh </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5.4 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4.9 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Delhi </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1.5 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1.3 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Assam </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2.3 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1.98 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Karnataka </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4.8 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4.1 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Haryana </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1.75 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Rajasthan </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5.1 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4.2 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Odisha </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3.1 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2.47 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Andhra Pradesh </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3.9 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3.1 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Telangana </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2.7 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2.1 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Chhattisgarh </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1.96 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1.43 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Maharashtra </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">9.1 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">6.4 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">West Bengal </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">7.2 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Punjab </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2.27 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">1.56 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Tamil Nadu </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">5.7 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">3.9 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Bihar </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">7.3 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">4.8 crore </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Uttar Pradesh </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">14.7 crore </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-right:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 0.9375pt;border-top:solid #000000 0.9375pt;vertical-align:bottom;padding:2pt 2pt 2pt 2pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">9.4 crore </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody><tbody></tbody></table>Source: National Commission on Population report of 2019 for target population, CoWin app for vaccinated people SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/with-scoopwhoop-and-popxo-on-its-side-heres-what-myglamm-intends-to-do/articleshow/87177789.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">With ScoopWhoop and POPxo in its kitty, here’s what MyGlamm intends to do</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/reliances-oil-to-chemicals-business-seems-to-be-in-the-right-spot-to-leverage-chinas-climate-crackdown/articleshow/87152945.cms">Reliance’s oil-to-chemicals business seems to be in the right spot to leverage China’s climate crackdown</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/reliances-oil-to-chemicals-business-seems-to-be-in-the-right-spot-to-leverage-chinas-climate-crackdown/articleshow/87152945.cms"></a><a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-cements-its-lead-over-airtel-in-both-total-as-well-as-active-subscribers/articleshow/87156675.cms">Reliance Jio cements its lead over Airtel in both total as well as active subscribers</a>

The depth of India’s vaccination drive — Gujarat tops the list, UP and Bihar yet to vaccinate a third of their population

Prime Minister <keyword id="826044" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="scott-morrison" source="Orion">Scott Morrison</keyword> has confirmed that <keyword id="179209" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="international-travel" source="Orion">international travel</keyword> will resume for vaccinated Australians in November. Under Phase C of the federal government’s reopening plan, national caps on international flights in and out of the country will be lifted “within weeks”, the prime minister said. In mid-November, doubled dose vaccinated Australians will be able to book flights out of the country, with uncapped travel restrictions for returning home. Morrison also confirmed fully vaccinated Australian citizens and residents would no longer be required to quarantine for 14 days. Vaccinated returning travellers who have received two doses will be able to self-isolate in home quarantine for seven days. Unvaccinated Australian citizens and residents will still need to attend hotel quarantine for 14 days. The Prime Minister said this new process would come into effect once at-home quarantine trials concluded. He also reiterated the rapid rate of vaccination in recent weeks had allowed the country to stick to its plan to reopen. Twenty-eight million doses have now been administered in <keyword id="6355478" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="australia" source="Orion">Australia</keyword>. “Australia has set records when it comes to saving lives,” Morrison said. “Australia will be ready for takeoff very soon. That will enable Australians who are fully vaccinated… to be able to travel again. <h2 style="font-family: LabGrotesque, helvetica, arial, sans-serif; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-size: 2rem; line-height: 1.1875; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Uncapped restrictions on international travel</h2> The Prime Minister confirmed New South Wales will be the first state to welcome international travellers. The government is also arranging chartered flights for more Australian citizens overseas to return to the country. In addition, it was developing plans to reopen travel with other highly-vaccinated countries. “We will be moving toward complete freedom for some countries, such as New Zealand,” Morrison said. Morrison also confirmed the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) had recognised several new vaccines, including the SinoVac and <keyword id="9728672" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="covidshield" source="Orion">CovidShield</keyword> vaccines, ensuring students and skilled migrants from nations like India can enter the country. “It’s time to give Australians their lives back,” Morrison said. “We’ve saved lives. We’ve saved livelihoods, but we must work together to ensure that Australians can reclaim the lives that they once had in this country, and we must work together to achieve that goal. That’s what the national plan is all about.” Disclaimer: This story was originally published by Business Insider Australia written by Bianca Healey. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/adani-green-shares-jump-as-the-group-adds-5-gigawatts-of-renewable-energy-capacity-with-a-3-5-billion-deal-with-softbank-and-bharti-group/articleshow/86746182.cms">Adani Green shares jump as the group adds 5 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity with a $3.5 billion deal with Softbank and Bharti Group</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/apple-macbook-pro-with-m1x-chipset-expected-to-launch-this-month/articleshow/86746361.cms">Apple MacBook Pro with M1X chipset expected to launch this month</a>

Australia is ready to resume international travel within weeks

After a Chennai-based volunteer served a legal notice to the <keyword id="95879" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute-of-India">Serum Institute of India</keyword> (<keyword id="52604" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="SII">SII</keyword>) demanding Rs 5 crore compensation for the alleged neurological complications he developed after being administered a test dose of its <keyword id="9809209" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covidshield-vaccine">Covidshield vaccine</keyword>, the SII has now countered the allegation with a demand of Rs 100 crore as damages to its reputation while terming his claims "malicious and misconceived in nature". The Pune-based pharma giant claimed that "there is absolutely no correlation with the <keyword id="137233" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccine-trial">vaccine trial</keyword> and the medical condition of the volunteer". "The allegations in the notice are malicious and misconceived. While the <keyword id="242973" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute">Serum Institute</keyword> of India is sympathetic with the volunteer's medical condition, there is absolutely no correlation with the vaccine trial and the medical condition of the volunteer. The volunteer is falsely laying the blame for his medical problems on the Covid vaccine trial," the SII held. The SII stated that the medical team informed the volunteer that the complications were unrelated to the test dose administered to him. "The claim is malicious because the volunteer was specifically informed by the medical team that the complications he suffered were independent of the vaccine trial he underwent. In spite of specifically being made aware of the same, he still chose to go public and malign the reputation of the company," it stated. "It is evident that the intention behind the spreading of such malicious information is an oblique pecuniary motive. The Serum Institute of India will seek damages in excess of 100 crore for the same and will defend such malicious claims," the SII warned. The 40-year-old volunteer, who works as a business consultant, had, in the legal notice, stated that he "must be compensated, in the least, for all the sufferings that he and his family have undergone and are likely to undergo in future". According to the notice, the participant has been diagnosed with acute neuro encephalopathy, which has allegedly been linked as a side-effect of the <keyword id="9617748" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covishield">Covishield</keyword> shots that he took on October 1. Along with the SII, the notice was served to other avenues involved in the development and production of the Covid-19 vaccine candidate. "Our client developed severe neurological health complications after he was given the test dose. We had sent a legal notice to the Serum Institute; Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR); <keyword id="6409874" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="astrazeneca">AstraZeneca</keyword>, UK; Drugs Controller General of India; Andrew Pollard, Chief Investigator, Oxford Vaccine Trial; The Jenner Institute Laboratories, University of Oxford; and the Vice Chancellor of Sri Ramachandra Higher Education and Research," N.G.R. Prasad, advocate of the volunteer, had told IANS.

Serum Institute of India threatens to seek ₹100 crore in damages from Chennai volunteer

New Delhi, Days before the <keyword id="23914" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="commencement">commencement</keyword> of the <keyword id="10584544" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="nationwide-covid-19-vaccination-drive">nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive</keyword>, the <keyword id="83655" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-health-ministry">Union Health Ministry</keyword> said on Tuesday that 1.1 crore <keyword id="9617748" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covishield">Covishield</keyword> and 55 lakh <keyword id="9485939" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="covaxin">Covaxin</keyword> vaccines have been procured at a cost of ₹200 and ₹206 per dose, respectively. "As many as 110 lakh (1.1 crore) doses of Covishield vaccine are being procured from the <keyword id="95879" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute-of-India">Serum Institute of India</keyword> at a cost of ₹200 per dose, excluding taxes. A total of 55 lakh doses of Covaxin vaccine are being procured from <keyword id="149108" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharat-Biotech">Bharat Biotech</keyword>," Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said during a press conference.2 The cost of 38.5 lakh doses of Covaxin is ₹295 per dose, excluding taxes. Bharat Biotech is providing 16.5 lakh doses of Covaxin free of cost to the Central government. Hence, the cost of Covaxin comes to ₹206 per dose," he added. Vaccines have already reached some states. Till 4 p.m., about 54,72,000 doses were received by the states and <keyword id="390245" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Union-Territories">Union Territories</keyword>. By January 14, 100% doses will be received. The much-awaited Covid-19 vaccination drive will kick-off on January 16. The Central government plans to vaccinate nearly 30 crore people in the first phase of the drive. Priority will be given to the healthcare and frontline workers who are estimated to be around three crore, followed by those above 50 years of age and the under-50 population with comorbidities numbering around 27 crore. On January 3, two vaccines -- Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield manufactured by the Serum Institute of India -- were approved for 'restricted emergency use'. Few more vaccines are in the pipeline and are conducting trials. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/how-to/how-to-backup-and-restore-messages-in-signal-app/articleshow/80226649.cms">How to backup and restore messages in Signal app</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/whatsapp-says-your-privacy-wont-be-affected-if-you-dont-use-these-features/articleshow/80225748.cms">WhatsApp says your privacy won't be affected if you don't use these two optional features</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/supreme-court-puts-indias-three-farm-laws-on-hold-forms-a-five-member-panel-to-resolve-the-deadlock/articleshow/80229881.cms">India's top court puts three new farm laws on hold — forms a five-member panel to resolve the deadlock</a>

Indian government procures over 1 crore Covidshield vaccine doses for ₹200 apiece and 55 lakh Covaxin doses for ₹206

New Delhi, Jan 12 (IANS) Days before the commencement of the nationwide Covid-19 vaccination drive, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday that 1.1 crore Covishield and 55 lakh Covaxin vaccines have been procured at a cost of Rs 200 and Rs 206 per dose, respectively. "As many as 110 lakh (1.1 crore) doses of Covishield vaccine are being procured from the Serum Institute of India at a cost of Rs 200 per dose, excluding taxes. A total of 55 lakh doses of Covaxin vaccine are being procured from Bharat Biotech," Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said during a press conference. The cost of 38.5 lakh doses of Covaxin is Rs 295 per dose, excluding taxes. Bharat Biotech is providing 16.5 lakh doses of Covaxin free of cost to the Central government. Hence, the cost of Covaxin comes to Rs 206 per dose," he added. Vaccines have already reached some states. Till 4 p.m., about 54,72,000 doses were received by the states and Union Territories. By January 14, 100 per cent doses will be received. The much-awaited Covid-19 vaccination drive will kick-off on January 16. The Central government plans to vaccinate nearly 30 crore people in the first phase of the drive. Priority will be given to the healthcare and frontline workers who are estimated to be around three crore, followed by those above 50 years of age and the under-50 population with comorbidities numbering around 27 crore. On January 3, two vaccines -- Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield manufactured by the Serum Institute of India -- were approved for 'restricted emergency use'. Few more vaccines are in the pipeline and are conducting trials. --IANS aka/arm

1.1 cr Covidshield vaccines procured for Rs 200 per dose, 55L Covaxin for Rs 206 apiece

<ul><li>India recorded a single-day rise of 10,158 coronavirus cases on Thursday. </li><li>The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.42% while the weekly positivity rate was 4.02%. </li><li>The demand for booster doses has also gone up in the last few weeks, and the country is administering a few hundred shots per day. </li><li>Kerala, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and more states have made masks mandatory in public places and UP has also re-started screening international travellers. </li></ul>India recorded a single-day rise of 10,158 coronavirus cases, the highest in nearly eight months, according to the Union Health Ministry data. The number of active cases has increased to 44,998, the data updated on Thursday showed. India had reported 7,830 coronavirus infections on Wednesday. The daily positivity rate was recorded at 4.42% while the weekly positivity rate was 4.02%. The active cases now constitute 0.1% of the total infections. The nationwide Covid-19 recovery rate has been recorded at 98.7%, according to the health ministry website. The case fatality rate was recorded at 1.19%. The number of people who have recuperated from the disease rose to 4,42,10,127. According to the ministry's website, 220.66 crore doses of Covid vaccine have been administered in the country. The demand for booster doses has also gone up in the last few weeks. The country has been administering a few hundred booster vaccine shots per day in the last few weeks and there are 146 active vaccination sites across the country. Adar Poonawalla, chief executive officer of Serum Institute of India, which is one of world’s largest vaccine manufacturers, said that the company was re-starting the production of Covidshield vaccine. He said the company already has six million booster doses of Covovax vaccine available and adults must take the booster shot. "Just as a precaution, at risk we have done it so that people have Covishield as a choice if they want it," Poonawalla told PTI on restarting manufacturing of the vaccine. He further said Serum Institute of India will make 6-7 million doses of Covishield available in 90 days and it could take up to nine months to further build up the stock based on demand. The company had stopped manufacturing Covishield in December 2021. Mask mandates come back To tackle the growing number of Covid infections, state governments have taken various measures – including advising the elderly, comorbid and pregnant women to mask up. In the same month last year, the government relaxed its mask norms, and made them optional instead of mandatory. Kerala, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and more states have made masks mandatory in public places and UP has also re-started screening international travellers. Mumbai municipality, on the other hand, has made masks mandatory for all — staff and visitors at civic hospitals. It has also advised senior citizens to mask up. Kerala, Maharashtra, Haryana and Gujarat have been reporting the highest number of cases in the last few weeks. As many as 68 people have passed away across the country in the last one week due to the disease. (With PTI inputs)

India’s fresh Covid cases shoot up to 8-month high, states issue mask guidelines

Chennai, Nov 28 (IANS) A city-based 40-year-old business consultant, who was a volunteer for the Covidshield vaccine that is under development at the Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), has sought Rs 5 crore compensation for the neurological complications he developed after being administered the test dose, said an advocate. "Our client developed severe neurological health complications after he was given the test dose. We had sent a legal notice to the Serum Institute; Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR); AstraZeneca, UK; Drugs Controller General of India; Andrew Pollard, Chief Investigator, Oxford Vaccine Trial; The Jenner Institute Laboratories, University of Oxford; and the Vice Chancellor of Sri Ramachandra Higher Education and Research," N.G.R. Prasad, Advocate, Row &amp; Reddy, told IANS. "The notice was issued on November 21 and till now we have not received any reply from any of the parties to whom the notice was sent," Prasad added. As per the notice, the 40-year old male volunteer is married and has two kids aged about 12 and 7 years. On coming to know about the call for volunteers for the third phase of human trial at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (formerly called Sri Ramachandra Medical College &amp; Research Institute or SRMC) for testing the Covid-19 vaccine developed by the Oxford University, the public spirit in him wanted to volunteer, the notice said. The volunteer was informed by the Ramachandra Institute that it was a randomised controlled study to determine the safety and immunogenicity of Covidshield (Covid-19 vaccine) in the health of Indian adults. The 'participant information sheet' given to him said that the sponsors were (a) Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd (SII), and (b) The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR); and the investigation site is Sri Ramachandra Higher Education and Research (deemed university), Chennai, and the investigator is S.R. Ramakrishnan. According to the notice, as per the 'participant information sheet', "Oxford University has developed a vaccine against Covid-19. This vaccine has been previously tested in around 500 healthy adults of 18 to 55 years of age in United Kingdom and was found to be safe and induce an immune response. Currently three large clinical trials in thousands of healthy adults are ongoing with this vaccine in the UK, Brazil and South Africa. The SII has collaborated with the Oxford University and AstraZeneca (a pharmaceutical company in the UK) to manufacture this vaccine on a commercial scale, which is called as Covidshield." According to the notice, the Sri Ramachandra Institute and the trial investigator also assured the volunteer that the vaccine has already been found to be safe and that this study is to further confirm the safety and immune response of Covidshield in Indian adults. "Our client further states that the contents in Page 8 of the participant information sheet further assured the safety of the vaccine, though two participants in the UK developed unexplained neurological symptoms that were concluded to be not related to the vaccine," the notice stated. As per the notice, there is nothing in the participant information sheet to educate or warn the participants about any serious side-effects of the said vaccine, like the one suffered by him. The volunteer had signed the consent form on September 29. As the test for antibodies against Covid-19 was negative, the Covidshield study vaccine was given to him on October 1. For 10 days after vaccination, there was no adverse reaction, but on October 11, the volunteer woke up at 5.30 a.m. with severe headache and went back to sleep and did not get up when his wife tried to wake him up at 9 a.m. At 2 p.m., he woke up and vomited and went back to sleep, saying he had severe headache. There was a total behavioural change in him - he was not aware of his surroundings, he showed irritation towards light and sound, and was resisting any effort to make him get up from bed, the notice said citing his wife. The Covidshield volunteer vomited in the ambulance enroute the emergency ward of the Sri Ramachandra Medical College Hospital. "According to the hospital's discharge summary, he was brought into the hospital "in an altered mental state" and was "disoriented". The Covidshied volunteer was discharged from the hospital on October 26, with the discharge summary stating that he had suffered "acute encephalopathy". "He says that in the 16 days that he was in the hospital, almost all possible medical tests and investigations were done on him to connect his neurological set back to any of his earlier health condition, that is, to connect it to some factor other than the test vaccine that was administered on him on October 1. But all the tests done on him was found to be negative, confirming that the setback in his health was due to the test vaccine he was administered on October 1, and not because of any prior health condition," the notice said. The volunteer was even fastened to the bed as he was aggressive. Citing his wife, the notice stated that the volunteer is still not stable, has severe mood swings, has problems with comprehending and focusing on things, is finding it difficult to even do simple routine things like making online payments, leave alone focusing on work-related matters. So much so that he is feeling utterly frustrated and lacking confidence totally. Even after a month of the severe adverse reaction to the vaccine, neither has the regulator (Drugs Controller General of India/Data and Safety Monitoring Committee), the sponsors (ICMR and SII) or the collaborators of the sponsors (AstraZeneca and Oxford University) got in touch with him to find out about the severe adverse effect after vaccination and investigate the severe reaction the test vaccine has had on him. According to the notice, this clearly goes against the protocols and guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO) in dealing with an Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI)/Vaccination. "The WHO protocol clearly states that 'the criteria for initiating investigation (an AEFI) could be fixed as within two working days for serious events and five working days for non-serious events'. And 'a report must be made as quickly as possible so that an immediate decision can be made on the need for action and investigation'," the notice said. "Our client's wife states that EEG tests done on November 12 (18 days after discharge from the hospital) shows 'dysfunction involving both hemispheres', and 'dysfunction involving the ascending sensory pathways on both sides from both the lower extremities'. Psychiatric evaluation done on the same day shows 'mild deficit in verbal &amp; visual memory functions', 'mild deficit in dealing with complex information', and 'an under-functioning in overall cognitive functions'," the notice stated. The volunteer is claiming a financial compensation of Rs 5 crore for all the trauma he is undergoing and with an uncertain future in his health, and also the testing, manufacturing and the distribution of the vaccine should also be stopped immediately. When contacted, a spokesperson of Sri Ramachandra Higher Education told IANS that the matter is subjudice and cannot comment on the matter. (Venkatachari Jagannathan can be contacted at v.jagannathan@ians.in) --IANS vj/arm

Chennai volunteer for SII's Covid vaccine claims Rs 5 cr compensation for health complications

Chennai, Dec 1 (IANS) Vaccine development company Serum Institute, India on Tuesday said the Covidshield vaccine will not be released for mass use unless it is proven immunogenic, and safe. The company also said the serious adverse event (SAE) that happened to a city based volunteer though unfortunate was in no way induced by the vaccine. Serum Institute which had earlier said it would claim over Rs 100 crore damage from the volunteer for damaging its reputation said it was sympathetic with the volunteer's medical condition and the incident is highly unfortunate. "However, we would like to clarify that all the requisite regulatory and ethical processes and guidelines were followed diligently and strictly," the company said. According to Serum Institute, the concerned authorities were informed and the Principal Investigator, Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) and the Ethics Committee independently cleared and reckoned it as a non-related issue to the vaccine trial. "Post which we submitted all the reports and data related to the incident to the DCGI (Drug Controller General of India). It is only after we cleared all the required processes that we continued with the trials," the company said. "Taking into consideration the complexities and existing misnomers about vaccination and immunisation; the legal notice was sent therefore to safeguard the reputation of the company which is being unfairly maligned," the company added. The 40-year-old city based volunteer, who works as a business consultant had wanted to investigate the cause of him contracting severe neurological health complications he had suffered after being vaccinated with Covidshield shots under development at Serum Institute, but the company was intimidating him with a threat of over Rs 100 crore damage suit, his advocates had said. According to the advocates, their client was vaccinated on September 29 and developed severe neurological health complications and instead of probing the cause and stopping the trials Serum Institute and others kept silent. "We are yet to get any reply for the legal notice sent to various parties, including Serum Institute. We have seen news reports about Serum Institute threatening our client with a suit for over Rs 100 crore," N.G.R. Prasad, Advocate, Row &amp; Reddy, told IANS. "Our client had restricted his claim only for Rs 5 crore and wanted investigation to start as to the cause of him suffering severe neurological problems and stop the vaccine from affecting other people," Prasad added. A family friend of the volunteer told IANS: "He was a healthy young male. He had no pre-existing ailments. Not even blood pressure. But 10 days after the vaccination, he had developed severe neurological complications." --IANS vj/dpb

Vaccine will not be released for mass use unless proven immunogenic: Serum Institute

<keyword id="8144461" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="biocon-biologics" source="Orion">Biocon Biologics</keyword>, a subsidiary of <keyword id="6358361" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="biocon" source="Orion">Biocon</keyword>, on Thursday said it will offer around 15 per cent stake to <keyword id="12110332" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="serum-institute-life-sciences" source="Orion">Serum Institute Life Sciences</keyword> at a post-money valuation of about USD 4.9 billion. Serum Institute Life Sciences (SILS) is a subsidiary of Serum Institute of India (SII). For offering the 15 per cent stake, Biocon Biologics Ltd (BBL) will get committed access to 100 million doses of vaccines per annum for 15 years, primarily from SILS' upcoming vaccine facility in Pune with commercialisation rights of the SILS vaccine portfolio, including <keyword id="9078985" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19-vaccines" source="Orion">COVID-19 vaccines</keyword>, for the <keyword id="35145" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="global-market" source="Orion">global market</keyword>, Biocon said in a regulatory filing. "Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, BBL will generate a committed revenue stream and related margins, commencing H2, FY23. <keyword id="383467" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="adar-poonawalla" source="Orion">Adar Poonawalla</keyword> will have a Board seat in Biocon Biologics Limited," it added. In addition to vaccines, the strategic alliance will also develop antibodies targeting several infectious diseases like dengue and HIV. "This alliance will complement the strengths and resources of the two leading players in vaccines and biologics. Our shared vision of building large scale businesses having global impact makes it a unique and synergistic value creation opportunity," Biocon and Biocon Biologics Executive Chairperson Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw said. The two companies will enter Service Level Agreements for manufacturing and distribution of the vaccines and antibodies. "We look forward to complementing each other's capabilities and capacities in vaccines and biologics, with the objective of addressing inequitable access both in emerging and developed markets for life saving vaccines and biologics," Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla said. Biocon Biologics will also establish, at its cost, a vaccine R&amp;D division to support the strategic alliance in developing both vaccines and biologics for communicable diseases. Additionally, wherever possible, it will make available its cell culture and sterile fill and finish capacities for vaccine production under the strategic alliance, the filing said. "Biocon Biologics would issue shares and receive the contemplated rights through a merger with Covidshield Technologies Pvt. Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of SILS, on customary closing conditions and receipt of regulatory approvals," it added. Shares of Biocon Ltd closed at Rs 376.90 per scrip on BSE, up 5.47 per cent from its previous close. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/biocon-hero-motocorp-tvs-motor-banks-and-other-top-stocks-to-watch-out-for-on-september-17/articleshow/86281250.cms">Biocon, Hero MotoCorp, TVS Motor, banks and other top stocks to watch out for on September 17</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/news/white-oak-capital-gets-sebi-nod-to-enter-mutual-fund-business/articleshow/86263273.cms">Wealth management firm White Oak Capital gets SEBI’s nod to enter mutual fund business</a>

Biocon Biologics to offer 15% stake to Serum Institute Life Sciences at valuation of $4.9 billion

New Delhi, Nov 29 (IANS) After his visit to three vaccine development centres, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is on Monday scheduled to speak to three other teams involved in developing a Covid-19 vaccine. The PMO, in a tweet, said: "Tomorrow, on 30th November 2020, PM Narendra Modi will interact, via video conferencing, with three teams that are involved in developing a COVID-19 vaccine. The teams he will interact with are from Gennova Biopharma, Biological E and Dr Reddy's." The first two are proceeding with developing their own vaccines, while Dr Reddy's has tied up with Russia to conduct trials of its Sputnik vaccine. The Prime Minister had visited three cities on Saturday to conduct an extensive review of the vaccine development and manufacturing process, going to the Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad, the Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad and the Serum Institute of India in Pune. Expressing pride in the fact that India's indigenous vaccine development has progressed at such a rapid pace so far, he had stressed that India considers vaccines as not only vital to good health but also as a global good, and it is India's duty to assist other countries, including the nations in the neighbourhood, in the collective fight against the virus. Modi asked the scientists to express their free and frank opinion on how the country could further improve its regulatory process. The scientists also presented an overview of how they are also developing various new and repurposed drugs to better fight Covid-19. After visiting Pune, the Prime Minister had tweeted, "Had a good interaction with the team at Serum Institute of India. They shared details about their progress so far on how they plan to further ramp up vaccine manufacturing. Also took a look at their manufacturing facility." The Covidshield vaccine is being developed jointly by the Oxford University, AstraZeneca and the SII, which is the world's largest vaccine manufacturer. Currently, the SII is producing around 50-60 million doses which would be scaled up to to 100 million by January 2021, SII CEO Adar Poonawalla told the media. --IANS miz/vd

PM to interact with more teams of Covid-19 vaccine developers

Pune, Nov 28 (IANS) The Government of India is looking at getting 300-400 million doses of coronavirus vaccine by July, which is being developed by an international health consortium that includes Punes Serum Institute of India (SII), a top official said here on Saturday. The Covidshield vaccine is being developed jointly by the Oxford University, AstraZeneca and SII. SII is the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi spent time on Saturday evening to check on the vaccine status. Mod was accorded a warm welcome by SII's Founder-Chairman Cyrus Poonawalla, CEO Adar Poonawalla, his wife and Executive Director Natasha A. Poonawalla and other officials. Currently, the SII is producing around 50-60 million doses which would be scaled up to to 100 million by January 2021, said SII CEO Adar Poonawalla in a video-conference with the media. "Presently, we have nothing in writing from the government on how many doses it will buy, but the indication is that the need would be for around 300-400 million doses by July 2021," Poonawalla said, shortly after the PM's visit at SII's sprawling manufacturing facility in Hadapsar, on the outskirts of Pune. The SII discussed with the PM the implementation plan for the vaccine after getting the emergency use approval. After that the Health Ministry will roll out the doses in the first and second quarter of 2021, subject to SII making its submissions and securing the necessary clearances. He said the vaccine trials have got good efficacy results with "zero hospitalisation" among those who took it and those who had caught the virus were not infecting it, with plans to extend the trials to persons below 18 years of age, said Poonawalla. The CEO added that the company honchos were impressed by the PM's "good knowledge of vaccines and its production", saying "there was very little he needed to be explained". The SII CEO added that the company's priority is India since the Covidshild vaccine will be initially distributed domestically. "Then we shall look at at the COVAX countries which are mainly in Africa, while the UK and European markets are being handled by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. Our priority is India and COVAX countries," Poonawalla asserted. The PM came to the SII during his daylong flying visits to three cities where he visited the facilities engaged in developing Covid-19 vaccine, including Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad and Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad. During his visit to SII, Modi went around the plant premises, including the state-of-the-art new facility which can handle manufacturing of one billion doses, accompanied by senior officials of the company, who explained the details of the vaccine manufacturing process to the Prime Minister. "Had a good interaction with the team at Serum Institute of India. They shared details about their progress so far on how they plan to further ramp up vaccine manufacturing. Also took a look at their manufacturing facility," Modi tweeted after his visit, sharing pictures. --IANS qn/arm

Centre seeks 300-400 mn vaccine doses, says SII's Poonawalla

The 40-year old volunteer, who works as a business consultant had wanted to investigate the cause of him contracting severe neurological health complications he had suffered after being vaccinated with Covidshield shots under development at <keyword id="95879" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute-of-India">Serum Institute of India</keyword>, but the company was intimidating him with a threat of over Rs 100 crore damage suit, said his advocates. "We are yet to get any reply for the legal notice sent to various parties, including Serum Institute. We have seen news reports about Serum Institute threatening our client with a suit for over Rs 100 crore," N.G.R. Prasad, Advocate, Row &amp; Reddy, told IANS. "Our client had restricted his claim only for Rs 5 crore and wanted investigation to start as to the cause of him suffering severe neurological problems and stop the vaccine from affecting other people," Prasad added. On the other hand, Serum Institute without getting into the root cause is intimidating its volunteer with a threat of over Rs 100 crore damage suit. "The client is ready to fight it out legally if needed," R.Rajaram, another Advocate for the volunteer told IANS. The two advocates said this will be a medico-legal case and the evidence of medical professionals will be obtained in support of their client. "The volunteer was a healthy male prior to being vaccinated. He was tested only for coronavirus infection before being vaccinated with Covidshield. He was found negative for coronavirus infection," Prasad said. "No other medical tests were done to ascertain his health condition," Prasad added. He said in case of any adverse reaction, investigation into the issue should have been carried out immediately-whether it is related to the vaccine or not. "But it was not done despite the severe neurological health complications our client had developed," Prasad said. Reacting to the volunteer's legal notice, Serum Institute in a media statement on November 29 said: "The claim is malicious because the volunteer was specifically informed by the medical team that the complications he suffered were independent of the vaccine trial he underwent. In-spite of specifically being made aware of the same, he still chose to go public and malign the reputation of the company." The company is silent on what basis the medical team told the volunteer that his neurological problems are independent of the vaccine trial that he underwent. According to Prasad, no other medical tests were done on his client to ascertain his pre-vaccination health status and other pre-existing ailments. "The allegations in the notice are malicious and misconceived. While the Serum Institute of India is sympathetic with the volunteer's medical condition, there is absolutely no correlation with the vaccine trial and the medical condition of the volunteer. The volunteer is falsely laying the blame for his medical problems on the <keyword id="8983421" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Covid-vaccine">Covid vaccine</keyword> trial," Serum Institute had said. "It is evident that the intention behind the spreading of such malicious information is an oblique pecuniary motive. The Serum Institute of India, will seek damages in excess of 100 crore for the same and will defend such malicious claims," the company issued a counter threat. "We had sent a legal notice to the Serum Institute; Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR); AstraZeneca, UK; Drugs Controller General of India; Andrew Pollard, Chief Investigator, Oxford Vaccine Trial; The Jenner Institute Laboratories, University of Oxford; and the Vice Chancellor of Sri Ramachandra Higher Education and Research," Prasad said. As per the legal notice issued, the volunteer, a 40-year old male is married and has two kids aged about 12 and 7 years. On coming to know about the call for volunteers for the third phase of human trial at Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (formerly called Sri Ramachandra Medical College &amp; Research Institute or SRMC) for testing the Covid-19 vaccine developed by the Oxford University, the public spirit in him wanted to volunteer, the notice said. The volunteer was informed by the Ramachandra Institute that it was a randomised controlled study to determine the safety and immunogenicity of Covishield (Covid-19 vaccine) in the health of Indian adults. The 'participant information sheet' given to him said that the sponsors were (a) Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd (SII), and (b) The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR); and the investigation site is Sri Ramachandra Higher Education and Research (deemed university), Chennai, and the investigator is S.R. Ramakrishnan. According to the notice, as per the 'participant information sheet', "Oxford University has developed a vaccine against Covid-19. This vaccine has been previously tested in around 500 healthy adults of 18 to 55 years of age in the UK and was found to be safe and induce an immune response. Currently, three large clinical trials in thousands of healthy adults are ongoing with this vaccine in the UK, Brazil and South Africa. The SII has collaborated with the Oxford University and AstraZeneca (a pharmaceutical company in the UK) to manufacture this vaccine on a commercial scale, which is called Covishield." According to the notice, the Sri Ramachandra Institute and the trial investigator also assured the volunteer that the vaccine has already been found to be safe and that this study is to further confirm the safety and immune response of Covishield in Indian adults. "Our client further states that the contents in Page 8 of the participant information sheet further assured the safety of the vaccine, though two participants in the UK developed unexplained neurological symptoms that were concluded to be not related to the vaccine," the notice stated. As per the notice, there is nothing in the participant information sheet to educate or warn the participants about any serious side-effects of the said vaccine, like the one suffered by him. The volunteer had signed the consent form on September 29. As the test for antibodies against Covid-19 was negative, the Covishield study vaccine was given to him on October 1. For 10 days after vaccination, there was no adverse reaction, but on October 11, the volunteer woke up at 5.30 a.m. with a severe headache and went back to sleep and did not get up when his wife tried to wake him up at 9 a.m. At 2 p.m., he woke up and vomited and went back to sleep, saying he had a severe headache. There was a total behavioural change in him -- he was not aware of his surroundings, he showed irritation towards light and sound, and was resisting any effort to make him get up from bed, the notice said citing his wife. The Covishield volunteer vomited in the ambulance enroute the emergency ward of the Sri Ramachandra Medical College Hospital. "According to the hospital's discharge summary, he was brought into the hospital "in an altered mental state" and was "disoriented". The Covidshied volunteer was discharged from the hospital on October 26, with the discharge summary stating that he had suffered "acute encephalopathy". "He says that in the 16 days that he was in the hospital, almost all possible medical tests and investigations were done on him to connect his neurological set back to any of his earlier health condition, that is, to connect it to some factor other than the test vaccine that was administered on him on October 1. But all the tests done on him was found to be negative, confirming that the setback in his health was due to the test vaccine he was administered on October 1, and not because of any prior health condition," the notice said. The volunteer was even fastened to the bed as he was aggressive. Citing his wife, the notice stated that the volunteer is still not stable, has severe mood swings, has problems with comprehending and focusing on things, is finding it difficult to even do simple routine things like making online payments, leave alone focusing on work-related matters. So much so that he is feeling utterly frustrated and lacking confidence totally. Even after a month of the severe adverse reaction to the vaccine, neither has the regulator (Drugs Controller General of India/Data and Safety Monitoring Committee), the sponsors (ICMR and SII) or the collaborators of the sponsors (AstraZeneca and Oxford University) got in touch with him to find out about the severe adverse effect after vaccination and investigate the severe reaction the test vaccine has had on him. According to the notice, this clearly goes against the protocols and guidelines set by the World Health Organization (WHO) in dealing with an Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI)/Vaccination. "The WHO protocol clearly states that 'the criteria for initiating investigation (an AEFI) could be fixed as within two working days for serious events and five working days for non-serious events'. And 'a report must be made as quickly as possible so that an immediate decision can be made on the need for action and investigation'," the notice said. "Our client's wife states that EEG tests done on November 12 (18 days after discharge from the hospital) shows 'dysfunction involving both hemispheres', and 'dysfunction involving the ascending sensory pathways on both sides from both the lower extremities'. Psychiatric evaluation done on the same day shows 'mild deficit in verbal &amp; visual memory functions', 'mild deficit in dealing with complex information', and 'an under-functioning in overall cognitive functions'," the notice stated. The volunteer is claiming a financial compensation of Rs five crore for all the trauma he is undergoing and with an uncertain future in his health, and also the testing, manufacturing and the distribution of the vaccine should also be stopped immediately. When contacted, a spokesperson of Sri Ramachandra Higher Education told IANS that the matter is subjudice and cannot comment on the matter despite no suit has been filed by the volunteer.

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