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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?

<ul><li>The latest study, which was conducted in Brazil and Scotland, reportedly showed that the effectiveness of the vaccine reduced 18-19 weeks after the second shot of the Astrazeneca vaccine.</li><li>The study went on to conclude that those who took the Covishied vaccine may need to consider booster shots.</li><li>Business Insider has reached out to Serum Institute of India for comments and will update the story if and when we receive a response.</li></ul>Amid heated debates on whether people should be told to get booster shots of vaccine, in the face of a fresh outbreak of Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus, a new article published in the Lancet weighs in favour of additional jabs. This was based on a study of those who got Covishied, developed by Astrazeneca and sold by the Serum Institute in India. The latest study, which was conducted in Brazil and Scotland, reportedly showed that the effectiveness of the vaccine reduced 18-19 weeks after the second shot of the Astrazeneca vaccine. Reduced effectiveness can be read as higher chances of need for hospitalisation and even deaths. The study went on to conclude that those who took the Covishied vaccine may need to consider booster shots. This may be significant for India as the biggest chunk of those vaccinated in the country have been given Covishield jabs. As of December 21, 2021, more than 89% of the vaccine doses administered in India were Covishield. Business Insider has reached out to Serum Institute of India for comments and will update the story if and when we receive a response. In Brazil, the vaccine effectiveness was found to be generally lower as compared to Scotland. The randomised trials revealed that the vaccine’s effectiveness improved up to 4-5 weeks after the second dose and started decreasing at 18-19 weeks. The report further highlighted that the patterns for COVID hospitalisation and deaths were broadly similar in both the countries. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/meta-files-lawsuit-against-over-39000-websites-to-disrupt-phishing-attacks-designed-to-steal-login-credentials-of-its-users/articleshow/88405129.cms">Meta files lawsuit against over 39,000 websites to disrupt phishing attacks designed to steal login credentials of its users</a>

Lancet article makes a case that those who took Covishield vaccine need booster shots

<ul><li>The <keyword id="46535" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Health-ministry">health ministry</keyword> of India issued an advisory, on Monday, for those who administered Serum Institute of India’s <keyword id="9626040" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Covishield-vaccine">Covishield vaccine</keyword>.</li><li>The National Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) Committee submitted a report to the health ministry.</li><li>Watch out for these <keyword id="7726752" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="blood-clot-symptoms">blood clot symptoms</keyword>.</li></ul> The health ministry of India issued an advisory, on Monday, for those who administered Serum Institute of India’s <keyword id="9617748" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covishield">Covishield</keyword> vaccine to watch out and be aware of suspected thromboembolism or blood clotting symptoms which may occur within 20 days of receiving the vaccine. In case of any such symptoms, vaccine beneficiaries are advised to immediately consult/report to the health facility where the vaccine was administered. The National Adverse Event Following Immunization (AEFI) Committee submitted a report to the health ministry that said, “Bleeding and clotting events following <keyword id="8764262" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid">COVID</keyword> vaccination are minuscule in India.” Many countries in Europe like Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Italy temporarily halted the use of <keyword id="6409874" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="astrazeneca">AstraZeneca</keyword> COVID-19 vaccine which is manufactured by SII in India as ‘Covishield’ after reports came of rare brain blood clot post vaccination but restarted administering in March after their leaders reassured their population on its safety. Watch out these blood clot symptoms — <ol><li>Difficulty in breathing/breathlessness </li><li>Chest pain </li><li>Pain/swelling in limbs or pain on pressing limbs </li><li>Pinhead sized red spots or skin bruising beyond injection site </li><li>Abdominal pain with or without vomiting </li><li>Seizures with no record history of seizures with or without vomiting </li><li>Severe headache with or without vomiting (absence of recorded history of migraine or chronic headache) </li><li>Weakness or paralysis of limbs or any particular part of the body including face </li><li>Persistent vomiting without any obvious reason </li><li>Pain in eyes or blurred vision or double vision </li><li>Changes in mental status including depressed level of consciousness </li><li>Any other symptom or health condition of concern to the recipient of the vaccine </li></ol> SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/news/facebooks-mark-zuckerberg-has-six-months-to-answer-these-five-questions/articleshow/82729482.cms">Facebook’s Mark Zuckerberg has six months to answer these five questions</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/indian-cryptocurrency-exchange-wazirx-has-listed-shiba-inu-tokens-for-trading-in-indian-rupees/articleshow/82731429.cms">WazirX has listed Shiba Inu — here's everything you need to know about the said Dogecoin killer</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/maharashtra-to-consider-staggered-reopening-depending-on-the-covid-19-cases-in-the-state/articleshow/82735056.cms">Maharashtra to consider staggered reopening depending on the COVID-19 cases in the state</a>

If you have taken Covishield shots, watch out for these blood clot symptoms listed out by India’s Health Ministry

<keyword id="18568" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="kathmandu">Kathmandu</keyword>, Ahead of signing a major Covid <keyword id="24209" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="vaccine">vaccine</keyword> deal with <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>, probably on Friday, Nepal's Department of Drug Administration (DDA) has given permission for the <keyword id="9156702" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="emergency-use">emergency use</keyword> of India-made coronavirus vaccine Covishield in the country. Nepal's Foreign Minister Pradeep Gyawali is currently in New Delhi to take part in the sixth meeting of Nepal-India Joint Commission. One of the major agreements that both sides are likely to ink is on cooperation in Covid vaccine manufactured in India. The vaccine, developed by the <keyword id="30725" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Oxford-university">Oxford University</keyword> and Astra-Zeneca and produced by the <keyword id="95879" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute-of-India">Serum Institute of India</keyword>, has been given conditional permission for emergency use, the department said. The DDA had two days ago called for the registration of vaccines to be used for emergency use. This is the first time that any Covid-19 vaccine has been approved for use in Nepal. Other manufacturing countries like China and Russia were also interested in providing vaccines to Nepal but due to climatic conditions, pricing, logistic facility and ease of import, Nepal preferred the Indian Covid vaccine. India has already permitted the use of Covishield as well as Covaxin of <keyword id="149108" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharat-Biotech">Bharat Biotech</keyword>. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/defense/news/these-amazing-facts-about-the-indian-army-will-make-you-beam-with-pride/slidelist/80270052.cms">Army Day 2021: These amazing facts about the Indian Army will make you beam with pride</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/corporates/news/hcl-tech-clocks-in-nearly-27-jump-in-profit-crosses-the-10-billion-revenue-in-third-quarter-of-year-2020-21/articleshow/80278852.cms">HCL Tech clocks in nearly 27% jump in profit, crosses the $10 billion revenue milestone with one more quarter left</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-will-begin-its-covid-19-vaccination-drive-tomorrow-heres-everything-you-need-to-know/articleshow/80281740.cms">India will begin its COVID-19 vaccination drive tomorrow — here’s a look at how the world’s largest vaccine rollout is set to take place</a>

Nepal approves Covishield vaccine for emergency use

The <keyword id="54656" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="indian-embassy" source="Orion">Indian Embassy</keyword> in Rome said on Friday that the country has recognised the <keyword id="9617748" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="covishield" source="Orion">Covishield</keyword> vaccine and people who have received the jab are now eligible for a <keyword id="9276440" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="green-pass" source="Orion">Green Pass</keyword>. With <keyword id="21474" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="italy" source="Orion">Italy</keyword>'s recognition, a total 19 European Union (EU) nations have given their go-ahead to Covishield. This is the outcome of a G20 Health Ministers meeting between Union Health Minister <keyword id="2607815" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="mansukh-mandaviya" source="Orion">Mansukh Mandaviya</keyword> and his Italian counterpart Roberto Speranza, the Embassy said in a tweet. "Indian vaccine CardHolders are now eligible for the Green Pass," it added Prior to this, Italy had recognised Comirnaty - Pfizer, Moderna, Vaxzervria - AstraZeneca, and <keyword id="92247" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="johnson-johnson" source="Orion">Johnson &amp; Johnson</keyword> vaccines as valid. The other 18 EU nations that have recognised the Covishield vaccine are Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Latvia, Netherlands, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Meanwhile, the vaccine row with the UK continues as it has recognised the jab but a 10-day quarantine has been made mandatory which will come into the effect from October 4. Terming the present UK travel restrictions as discrimatory, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that "we have the right to reciprocate in the same manner". However, the British High Commissioner to India Alex Ellis said that Covishield vaccine is not a problem and the UK is open to travel. "We're clear Covishield is not a problem. The UK is open to travel and we're already seeing a lot of people going from India to the UK, be it tourists, business people or students". SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/heres-how-researchers-are-considering-fly-ash-recycled-phones-and-slag-to-lower-global-carbon-emissions-from-cement/articleshow/86477965.cms">Here’s how researchers are considering fly ash, recycled phones and slag to lower global carbon emissions from cement</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/bharat-bandh-called-by-dmk-on-september-27-to-protect-the-rights-of-the-farming-community/articleshow/86474697.cms">Bharat Bandh called by DMK on September 27 to 'protect the rights of the farming community'</a>

After UK and US, Italy also gives green pass to Covishield vaccine

<ul><li>India's expert panel has recommended SII’s Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine dubbed Covishield in India for emergency use with 'restrictions.'</li><li>The SEC recommendation on Covishield has been forwarded to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), which is likely to take a final call soon.</li><li>The Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, has tied up with AstraZeneca to manufacture Covishield. </li></ul>An expert panel of India's drug regulator on Friday recommended emergency use approval for Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine Covishield, being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, paving the way for the roll-out of the first COVID-19 shot in the country in the next few days.. The SEC recommendation on Covishield has been forwarded to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), which is likely to take a final call soon. The SEC, which earlier had sought additional safety, immunogenicity and efficacy data from SII and Bharat Biotech, deliberated on their applications seeking emergency use authorisation (EUA) for their shots on Wednesday, and met again on Friday to review the matter. While granting the restricted emergency use approval for the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, the panel imposed certain regulatory provisions, including that the shot is indicated for active immunisation in individuals of 18 years or more to prevent the disease and that it should be administered intramuscularly in two doses at an interval of 4 to 6 weeks. Further, the SII should submit safety, efficacy and immunogenicity data from the ongoing clinical trials in the country and across the globe for review at the earliest. Also, the Pune-based firm should submit the safety data including the data on adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) and adverse event of special interest (AESI) with due analysis every 15 days for the first two months and monthly thereafter till the completion of the ongoing clinical trial in the country. The Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, has tied up with AstraZeneca to manufacture Covishield. The approval comes at a time when the Indian government is wary of the new strain of COVID-19, which has been wreaking havoc in the UK. So far 29 cases of the new mutant variant have been detected in India. As compared to Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine is <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/india-needs-to-ramp-up-its-cold-storage-facilities-to-accommodate-the-distribution-of-the-covid-19-vaccine-within-the-country/articleshow/79422624.cms">more suited to India’s requirements</a> with storage temperature requirements of between two to eight degrees Celsius. COVID-19 vaccine candidates and the temperatures they need to survive: <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Vaccine </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Cold chain </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Pfizer/BioNTech </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-70 degrees Celsius </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Moderna </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">-20 degrees Celsius </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Oxford/AstraZeneca </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2-8 degrees </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Johnson and Johnson </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2-8 degrees </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Novavax </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">2-8 degrees </td></tr></tbody></table>Source: Respective companies The government is also reportedly in favour of Covishield because it's considerably cheaper than Pfizer and Moderna. According to the SII, the vaccine will only cost the government $3 per dose. Pfizer, on the other hand, is selling its vaccine at $37 per dose. Cost of COVID-19 vaccines: <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; width: 468pt; table-layout: fixed;"></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">COVID-19 vaccine candidate </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Projected price per dose </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Covishield </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$3 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Bharat Biotech </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$3-6 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Zydus </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$3-6 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Sputnik V </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$10 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Pfizer </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$37 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;"><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/coronavirus/moderna-covid-19-vaccine-cost-7060816/">Moderna</a> </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">$25-37 </td></tr></tbody></table> SII CEO Adar Poonawalla <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/oxford-covid-19-vaccine-india-approval-likely-to-be-considered-today/articleshow/80025755.cms">told reporters</a> on December 28 that it has 40 to 50 million vaccine doses stockpiled so far, most of which are intended for the Indian market. “We will get some good news this New Year’s… All the data has been submitted and we must respect the process as regulators evaluate data,” he said. The Indian government is also ready to roll out the vaccine having run a <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/covid-vaccine-dry-run-prep-up-before-the-actual-vaccine-reaches-you/articleshow/79996397.cms">two-day dry run</a> of its vaccination drive. The mock exercise was aimed at end-to-end testing of Covid-19 vaccination process, including planning and preparations as per the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/covid-19-vaccine-punjab-completes-dry-run-for-vaccination-in-two-districts-amid-concerns-over-new-virus-strain/articleshow/80010928.cms">operational guidelines</a>. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/isro-chairman-k-sivan-gets-one-year-extension-as-space-secretary/articleshow/80038663.cms">ISRO Chairman K Sivan gets one year extension as Space Secretary</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/finance/banks/news/cbi-books-hyderabad-based-infra-firm-ivrcl-for-defrauding-eight-public-banks-for-4837-crore/articleshow/80038439.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">CBI books Hyderabad-based infra firm IVRCL for defrauding eight public banks for ₹4,837 crore</a>

Serum’s Covishield vaccine gets expert panel recommendation, paving the way for first authorized COVID-19 shot in India

<keyword id="9626040" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Covishield-vaccine">Covishield vaccine</keyword> offers protection from double mutant variant of novel coronavirus, shows a study by the <keyword id="395778" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Centre-for-Cellular-and-Molecular-Biology">Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology</keyword> (CCMB). CCMB Director Rakesh K. Mishra termed this as a very preliminary but encouraging result. "Early results using in vitro neutralisation assay show that both convalescent (prior infection) sera and <keyword id="9617748" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covishield">Covishield</keyword> vaccinated sera offer protection against the B.1.617 variant, aka double mutant," he said in a tweet. The CCMB's finding came close on the heels of an announcement by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) that Covaxin neutralises multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 and effectively works against the double mutant strain as well. Covaxin is India's first indigenous Covid vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR. Covishield has been developed by Oxford-Astrazeneca and is being produced by <keyword id="95879" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute-of-India">Serum Institute of India</keyword>, <keyword id="2094" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pune">Pune</keyword>. Both Covaxin and Covishield are part of India's ongoing Covid vaccination programme. The 'double mutant' (B.1.617) is said to be responsible for the current surge in Covid-19 cases in <keyword id="13126" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Maharashtra">Maharashtra</keyword> and other states in India. Scientists earlier feared that vaccines may not offer protection from 'double mutant' as it may escape the immune system. After the CCMB's latest announcement that Covishield too offers protection from 'double mutant', experts say this again underscore the need for people to get vaccinated. CCMB scientist Divya Tej Sowpati tweeted that the convalescent sera is from September 2020, hence most likely of an infection of a variant which is not B.1.617. He also pointed to misinformation and confusion about the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in India. Though B.1.617 is called 'double mutant', it is characterised by more than 15 mutations. "It got dubbed the 'double mutant' because of two <keyword id="16898" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Spike">spike</keyword> mutations, L452R and E484Q, which were mutations of concern because of their immune escape properties, and possible high infectivity," wrote Sowpati, who is leading Covid-19 genomics at CCMB. According to him, B.1.618 is not the 'triple mutant'. "Triple Mutant: Again, WRONG name, because it has many more defining mutations. Dubbed 'triple' because in addition to the two mutations, it also has V382L in its Spike. This is a sub-lineage of B.1.617, found mainly in MH samples and also a bit in other states." He also clarified that B.1.618 which was first sampled in West Bengal in late October 2020, has nothing to do with B.1.617, except for a couple of shared variants that all SARS-CoV-2 strains have at this point such as D614G. According to him, the main concern with B.1.618 is that it is found in growing proportions in West Bengal and has the spike del145-146 as well as E484K, both of which are known immune escape mutations. The scientist said that the names of "double" and "triple" mutants are wrong and misleading and that they have no connection to the lineage seen in West Bengal. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/worsening-air-quality-amid-the-surging-covid-19-cases-could-add-to-the-pressure-on-indias-healthcare-system/articleshow/82213498.cms">Air pollution is back with a vengeance as industries play catch up — and that could further worsen the COVID-19 pandemic</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/checkout-in-images-how-oxygen-is-being-transported-across-the-country-by-air-rail-and-road/slidelist/82212220.cms">By air, rail and road – how oxygen is being transported across India amidst a severe COVID-19 crisis</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/aiims-icmr-new-guidelines-for-treatment-of-covid-19-patients-with-moderate-case/articleshow/82211333.cms">Simplified: AIIMS, ICMR new guidelines for treatment of patients with ‘moderate’ case of COVID-19</a>

Covishield vaccine also protects from 'double mutant' strain of COVID-19, says CCMB

<ul><li>SII chairperson Cyrus Poonawalla emphasised that a third booster shot of <keyword id="8904563" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19-vaccine">COVID-19 vaccine</keyword> is a “must” for people with weak immune systems.</li><li>The US government last week approved the third dose of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines for people with weakened immune systems.</li><li>Meanwhile, <keyword id="6366244" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="who">WHO</keyword> and SII have confirmed the existence of fake Covishield vials in India and Africa.</li></ul><keyword id="242973" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute">Serum Institute</keyword> of Indi's (SII) chairperson Cyrus Poonawalla has said that a third shot or a ‘booster dose’ of COVID-19 vaccine is desirable six months after taking the second dose of the vaccine. This is especially a “must” for those with weak immune systems, news agency PTI reported. SII makes India's primary COVID-19 vaccine, locally known as Covishield. Poonawalla also revealed that he, along with 7,000 employees of SII, have already taken the third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine as a precautionary measure. “After six months, the antibodies go down and that is why I have taken the third dose. We have given the third dose to our seven to eight thousand SII employees. For those who have completed the second dose, it is my request to take a booster dose (third dose) after six months,” Poonawalla said. This development comes a week after the government of the United States (US) <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/who-is-eligible-third-covid-19-vaccine-dose-us-2021-08-15/">approved</a> the third/booster shot of Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for people with weakened immune systems. Now, Pfizer and BioNTech have also <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2021/08/16/covid-vaccine-booster-shot-pfizer-submits-data-to-fda-for-approval.html">submitted</a> preliminary clinical data — evaluating the safety and efficacy of a third shot — to US health authorities to seek authorisation for a third dose of COVID-19 vaccine for all Americans and not just the ones with weakened immune systems. "The data we've seen to date suggest a third dose of our vaccine elicits antibody levels that significantly exceed those seen after the two-dose primary schedule,'' Albert Bourla, Pfizer’s chairperson and chief executive officer, said in a statement. The menace of fake vaccine vials continues Another major issue that has been surrounding the Indian vaccination drive has been the administration or availability of fake COVID-19 vaccines in India. The <keyword id="6356311" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="World-Health-Organisation">World Health Organisation</keyword> (WHO) has <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-58253488">identified</a> counterfeit versions of Covishield in India and Africa. As per the BBC report, the doses were seized by authorities in India and Africa between July and August. Even vaccine maker <keyword id="95879" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute-of-India">Serum Institute of India</keyword> has confirmed, to WHO, that the vaccine was fake. Multiple media reports, published in the past months, have also highlighted the existence of a vaccine scam in India under which victims were given saline water in lieu of the COVID-19 vaccine. Health minister of Maharashtra Rajesh Tope also <a href="https://www.indiatoday.in/cities/mumbai/story/mumbai-covid-vaccination-scam-victims-given-saline-water-antibody-test-first-week-july-1820847-2021-06-29">confirmed</a> the scam, and ensured that the victims would undergo antibody tests and will be administered with two doses of Covishield vaccine. Covishield is the local name of Oxford-AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine and has been administered to more than 48.6 crore Indians, as per government data, as of August 17, 2021. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/retail/news/a-third-of-internet-users-would-be-actively-shopping-online-by-the-end-of-this-decade-offline-retail-to-take-a-back-seat/articleshow/85390712.cms">A third of internet users would be actively shopping online by the end of this decade, offline retail to take a back seat</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/with-pharmeasy-mobikwik-and-ixigo-all-set-to-hit-the-public-market-orios-plans-to-go-deeper-into-pre-ipo-bets/articleshow/85359703.cms">With PharmEasy, MobiKwik and ixigo all set to hit the public market, Orios plans to go deeper into pre-IPO bets</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/auto/news/tamil-nadu-government-is-upset-about-losing-money-on-luxury-cars/articleshow/85322536.cms">Tamil Nadu government is upset about losing money on luxury cars</a>

WHO confirms existence of fake Covishield vaccines in India; Serum Institute pushes for a booster shot

<ul><li>The CEO of the world's largest vaccine maker has been getting much flak from those who think the vaccine prices are too high.</li><li>From defending the policy of charging different prices for different customers, Poonawalla has now take a small step back by reducing the price charged to state governments. </li><li>Business Insider has argued that the price of the vaccine should be the same for everyone otherwise there is a risk that the precious vials may be moved to more lucrative private hospitals, making the poorer sections of the society wait longer. </li></ul>After much backlash for the last set of pricing announced by <keyword id="95879" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Serum-Institute-of-India">Serum Institute of India</keyword> (SII), for its <keyword id="9617748" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covishield">Covishield</keyword> vaccine, Chief Executive Officer <keyword id="383467" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Adar-Poonawalla">Adar Poonawalla</keyword> today annnounced that the world's largest vaccine maker would give the state governments a ₹100 discount on every dose. In a tweet, Poonawalla called this cut a "philanthropic gesture" that will save crores of rupees of state funds and save countless lives. That's a sharp departure from his stand just a few days ago. <div type="twitter" handle="adarpoonawalla" handlename="Adar Poonawalla" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/1302181254746509313/Kn1fTCv6_normal.jpg" favoritecount="17114" retweetcount="4403" status="As a philanthropic gesture on behalf of @SerumInstIndia, I hereby reduce the price to the states from Rs.400 to Rs.… https://t.co/kHmxPnv4K7" createdat="1619611993000" id="1387379373452390409"></div> These are the prices fixed by Serum Institute of India (SII) for the Covishield vaccine: <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup><tbody><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">If the vaccine is sold to… </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Price per dose </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Central government </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹150 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">State government </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹300 </td></tr><tr><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">Private hospitals </td><td style="border-left:solid #000000 1pt;border-right:solid #000000 1pt;border-bottom:solid #000000 1pt;border-top:solid #000000 1pt;vertical-align:top;padding:5pt 5pt 5pt 5pt;overflow:hidden;overflow-wrap:break-word;">₹600 </td></tr></tbody></table>*The earlier price announced for state governments was ₹400 a dose. On April 24, Poonawalla's company was defending the prices announced by the company earlier. "We have to ensure sustainability as we must be able to invest in scaling up and expanding our capacity to fight the pandemic and save lives," said a statement from SII. However, now the company has decided to cut the prices but the debate is far from over. Many people argue that it should be free for all. And many state governments like those Delhi, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and many others, have already said that the state will bear the cost of vaccination. Business Insider has argued, earlier, that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/politics/policy/article/if-the-covid-19-vaccine-prices-are-too-high-for-some-then-why-not-use-direct-benefit-transfer/articleshow/82200370.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink" target="_blank">the price of the vaccine should be the same for everyone</a> otherwise there is a risk that the precious vials may be moved to more lucrative private hospitals, making the poorer sections of the society wait longer. A petition filed in the High Court of Kerala has also argued that the three-tier pricing is a violation of a citizen's 'right to health'. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/reliance-jio-needs-tariff-hikes-to-sustain-earnings-growth-as-subscriber-additions-slow-down/articleshow/82289799.cms">Look for this number in Reliance Jio’s earnings⁠ — it will tell you if the tariff will rise</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/cowin-website-is-back-up-after-an-early-crash-finding-a-vaccination-slot-may-still-be-difficult/articleshow/82291583.cms">CoWIN website is back up after an early crash⁠ — finding a vaccination slot may still be difficult</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/checkout-zomato-top-executives-salaries-including-co-founder-and-ceo-deepinder-goyal/slidelist/82289352.cms">From Deepinder Goyal to Zomato’s top executives – here’s how much they earn</a>

Adar Poonawalla's Serum cuts Covishield vaccine price for state governments to ₹300 a dose after much backlash

<keyword id="9265079" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-serum-institute-of-india">The Serum Institute of India</keyword> on Sunday became the first indigenous company to apply to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking emergency use authorisation for the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine in the country citing unmet medical needs due to the pandemic and in the interest of the public at large, official sources said. A day earlier, the Indian arm of US pharmaceutical giant Pfizer became the first to seek a similar approval from India's drug regulator for its own COVID-19 vaccine in the country, after securing such clearance in the UK and Bahrain. The phase-three clinical trial of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine, Covishield, is being conducted by the Pune-based Serum Institute of India on Sunday (SII), co-sponsored by <keyword id="6364555" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Council-of-Medical-Research">Indian Council of Medical Research</keyword> (ICMR), in various parts of the country in addition to clinical studies being carried out by <keyword id="9605255" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="oxford-astrazeneca">Oxford-AstraZeneca</keyword> in the UK and Brazil. Based on phase two and three clinical trial results, the SII with the help of the ICMR will pursue early availability of the vaccine for India, the country's apex health research body had said last month. According to the ICMR, the SII has already manufactured 40 million doses of the vaccine under the at-risk manufacturing and stockpiling license it obtained from the DCGI. Official sources, citing the SII application, said the firm has stated that data from four clinical studies, two in the UK and one each in Brazil and India, shows that Covishield is highly efficacious against symptomatic and most importantly against severe COVID-19 infections. The results are in line with other anti-coronavirus vaccines and because of the huge disease burden, Covishield is predicted to alleviate substantial COVID-19 mortality and morbidity, the firm is learnt to have said. "In terms of safety, Covishield was well tolerated with respect to solicited adverse events and was not associated with an increased number of SAEs and deaths. A majority of solicited reactions were mild in severity and resolved without any sequelae. "Therefore, Covishield is safe and well-tolerated and can be used effectively for prevention of COVID-19 in the targeted population. Thus, the benefit to risk ratio strongly supports the widespread use of Covishield," a source said quoting the application. In order to introduce an urgently needed vaccine against COVID-19 in India, SII, the world's largest vaccine manufacturer, has entered into a collaboration with the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca to manufacture the vaccine. The SII has also submitted 12 batches of the vaccine to <keyword id="9576145" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="the-central-drugs-laboratory">the Central Drugs Laboratory</keyword> (CDL) in Kasauli for testing, a source said. "In line with our philosophy we assure you that for COVID-19 vaccines also, we are committed to make our country 'aatmanirbhar' (self-reliant) and fulfil our prime minister's clarion call of 'vocal for local' and 'making in India' for the world," stated the application signed by Prakash Kumar Singh, Additional Director, <keyword id="2344259" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Government-and-Regulatory-Affairs">Government and Regulatory Affairs</keyword> at Serum Institute of India (SII). In view of all these facts and unmet medical needs in the interest of the public at large to save millions of people in the country and across the globe, early availability of a vaccine against COVID-19 is a necessity, it stated. "So, in the national interest, we request you to grant us emergency use authorisation of Covishield based on our application and in view of immediate need for a safe, effective, programmatically suitable and affordable vaccine for our country," the application read. According to sources, this vaccine is logistically feasible for distribution in the country's both urban and rural parts as it can be stored at two to eight degrees Celsius, which is an ideal temperature for being kept in cold storages in the country. As a rapid regulatory response, the DCGI on August 2 had given nod to SII for conducting the combined phase two and three human clinical trials of the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine in the country. PLB BJ NSD NSD NSD

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