Best printers for Home

Best Mixer Grinder

Best wired Earphones

Best 43 Inch TV in India

Best Wi Fi Routers

Best Home Theatre in India

Smart Watch under 5000

Best Laptops for Education

Best Laptop for Students

<keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> on Tuesday recorded 3038 fresh cases of covid in the last 24 hours with the active caseload standing at 21,179. The COVID cases in India have seen an upward trend in the past few days with the daily fresh infections ranging between 2,994 on April 1 to 3,824 on April 2 and 3,641 on April 3 now dropped to 3038 in the last 24 hours. With 2,069 recoveries in the last 24 hours, total recoveries have increased to 4,41,77,204. India's recovery rate is currently at 98.76 per cent. The daily and weekly positivity rates are 1.84 per cent and 2.49 per cent respectively. A total of 1,894 doses were administered in the last 24 hours. Of the 92.20 crore total tests conducted so far, 1,64,740 tests were conducted in the last 24 hours. Under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive, India has so far administered 220.65 crore Covid-19 <keyword id="24209" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="vaccine" source="Orion">Vaccine</keyword> doses (95.20 crores <keyword id="7334317" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="second-dose" source="Orion">Second Dose</keyword> and 22.86 crores <keyword id="12813770" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="precaution-dose" source="Orion">Precaution Dose</keyword>), of which 9,497 doses were administered in the last 24 hours. In the wake of rising COVID cases in India, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday said that Omicron's sub-variant which is circulating in the country has not led to an increase in hospitalisations and there is no need to worry. The Minister said that there is a need to remain vigilant. "We need to remain alert but there is no need to worry. Currently, the sub-variant of Omicron which is circulating in the country hasn't increased hospitalisations," Mandaviya said. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued revised guidelines for Covid-19 in the wake of the surge of cases in the past week across the country. "Antibiotics should not be used unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection. The possibility of coinfection of COVID-19 with other endemic infections must be considered. Systemic corticosteroids are not indicated in mild disease," revised guidelines said. "Antibiotics should not be used unless there is clinical suspicion of bacterial infection. The possibility of coinfection of COVID-19 with other endemic infections must be considered. Systemic corticosteroids are not indicated in mild disease," revised guidelines said. "Seek immediate medical attention if difficulty breathing, High-grade fever/ severe cough, particularly if lasting for more than 5 days. A low threshold is to be kept for those with any of the high-risk features," guidelines discussed and prepared in January said. Additionally, in moderate or severe diseases at high risk of progression, the guidelines recommend, "Consider <keyword id="8775508" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="remdesivir" source="Orion">Remdesivir</keyword> for up to 5 days (200 mg IV on day 1 followed by 100 mg IV OD for the next 4 days)". SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/virat-kohli-ms-dhoni-rohit-sharma-rule-brand-endorsements-in-indian-sports-industry/articleshow/99237494.cms">With 30 brands each, Kohli, Dhoni &amp; Rohit Sharma rule Indian sports endorsements</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/harsh-discipline-with-young-children-can-lead-to-lasting-mental-health-problems-says-new-study/articleshow/99238367.cms">Harsh discipline with young children can lead to lasting mental health problems says new study</a>

Remain alert says Union Health Minister as India records 3,038 fresh Covid-19 cases

<ul><li>The Indian immunisation panel is discussing a fourth dose of <keyword id="8764262" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="covid" source="Orion">Covid</keyword> vaccine, or a <keyword id="10424474" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="second-booster-dose" source="Orion">second booster dose</keyword>. </li><li>India started its booster or precaution dose drive in January 2022 and has so far inoculated over 15 crore Indians in the age group of 15-59 years. </li><li>Only 28% of the eligible population in India have received the first <keyword id="2825536" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="booster-dose" source="Orion">booster dose</keyword> so far.</li></ul>Covid-19 cases are once again <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/indias-case-tally-of-new-omicron-variant-xbb-1-5-reaches-five-heres-what-you-need-to-know/articleshow/96704832.cms">rising across various parts</a> of the world and the Indian government has already started taking precautionary measures. As India has also reported cases of new variants like XBB.1.5, BF.7, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) is considering to roll out a second booster dose or fourth dose of Covid vaccine for the Indian population. “Discussions have started on the matter of opening a second booster among members of the technical group. There is a section that is keen on allowing another booster dose. They will be minutely going through all the scientific data before making any recommendations,” an expert on one of the committees of NTAGI <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/discussions-begin-in-govt-panel-on-2nd-booster-dose-101672684219149.html">said</a>. Last week, doctors of <keyword id="6365835" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Indian-Medical-Association" source="Orion">Indian Medical Association</keyword> (IMA), in a discussion with the union health minister <keyword id="2607815" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="mansukh-mandaviya" source="Orion">Mansukh Mandaviya</keyword>, suggested that the government must approve a fourth Covid-19 vaccine for people. <a href="https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/medicines/c/covid-19-vaccine-booster/">New Zealand</a> is one such country which has approved a second booster dose for people at increased risk of severe illness from COVID-19. The second booster dose is offered at least six months after the previous dose or three months after a COVID-19 infection. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="Booster dose coverage" comment="subhead" text="Booster dose coverage">Booster dose coverage</cmsannotation> Amid Covid fears, the government is also taking steps to boost the coverage of the first booster dose in the country. India started its booster or precaution dose drive in January 2022 and has given 15 crore booster doses to people in the age group of 15-59 years; and over 69 crore in the age group of 60 plus years, according to <a href="https://www.mohfw.gov.in/pdf/CummulativeCovidVaccinationReport06Jan2023.pdf">data</a> by <keyword id="210071" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="ministry-of-health" source="Orion">ministry of health</keyword>. As of January 6, 2023, around 92 crore adults have taken their first dose, while 86 crore vaccines have been administered a second dose in India. Additionally, over 6 crore children aged between 15-18 years have received the first dose, and over 5 crore children in this age group have received the second dose. In the age group of 12 to 14, around 4 crore children have received the first dose, and 3 crore have received the second dose. Other than Covaxin (by Bharat Biotech) and Covishield (by Serum Insitute of India), the government has also approved two more vaccines — Corbevax (by Biological E) and a nasal vaccine named as <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/covid-19-nasal-vaccine-bharat-biotechs-incovacc-is-the-first-approved-intranasal-vaccine-in-the-world/slidelist/96542239.cms">iNCOVACC</a> (by Bharat Biotech) as booster dose. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="People reluctant to take booster dose" comment="subhead" text="People reluctant to take booster dose">People reluctant to take booster dose</cmsannotation> Even as discussions around the fourth vaccine are going on, people in various states are reluctant to get their precaution doses. In fact, as per <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/delhi-news/discussions-begin-in-govt-panel-on-2nd-booster-dose-101672684219149.html">reports</a>, currently only 28% of the eligible population in India has taken the first booster dose. The West Bengal health department also saw the number of booster dose nosedive, which led to 80,000 Covaxin vaccines expiring by December last year. As per <a href="https://ians.in/news/public-reluctance-to-go-for-covid-booster-dose-worries-bengal-govt/C-1-1550083.html">IANS</a>, the WB health department said that over seven crore people went for the first dose, but the number slid down for the second dose. However, when it came to the third dose aka the booster dose, the number fell to just 1.5 crore. The department official also said this reluctance of people will further lead to more expiration of Covid-19 vaccines in January. A <a href="https://ians.in/news/over-6-in-10-indians-avoiding-covid-booster-due-to-heart-attack-fears-report/C-1-1545504.html">LocalCircles survey</a> also revealed that 64% of Indians are reluctant to take the booster dose of Covid vaccine. The major reason cited by people is rising cases of heart attacks in young people. However, as cases are rising the demand for Covid-19 vaccine seems to be surging and in fact, states like Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh reported a vaccine shortage. "Since the Covid cases had dropped drastically, people had started taking Covid-19 lightly and were less enthusiastic in taking booster doses, so the government, too, was keeping a low stock. As of Monday (December 26) there are 35,000 vaccine bottles available with the state government," <a href="https://ians.in/news/sudden-surge-in-demand-for-vaccine-leads-to-shortage-in-gujarat/C-1-1546640.html">said</a> Nilam Patel, additional director (Health), government of Gujarat. Patel further said, “Till the first week of December (2022), on an average 3,000 vaccinations were taking place on a daily basis but since December 15, all of a sudden, people were turning up in large numbers to take the booster dose." Similarly, the health department of Uttar Pradesh also reported that four government vaccine centres ran out of Covid vaccines, on Wednesday, January 4. However, the department has placed a fresh order of the Covid-19 vaccines and expects it to come by next week. "More than 10 lakh vaccines will be arriving in the state shortly to fulfill the demand across the state. We are also monitoring the COVID-19 situation," Brajesh Pathak, Deputy Chief Minister of UP told <a href="https://www.cnbctv18.com/healthcare/uttar-pradesh-lucknow-government-hopital-run-out-of-covid-doses-india-15580451.htm">PTI</a>. A new <a href="https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/newsblogs/covid-outbreak-live-news-coronavirus-india-china-cases-latest-updates-5-january-2023/liveblog/96752025.cms">report</a> also reveals that around 11 types of Covid-19 variant were found in India, when testing international passengers at airports, seaports and landports between December 24 and January 3. (With inputs from PTI and IANS) SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/kreditbee-closes-200-million-series-d-from-advent-international-mufg-bank-others/articleshow/96791309.cms">KreditBee closes $200 million Series D from Advent International, MUFG Bank, others</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/reliance-makes-open-offer-to-acquire-26-stake-in-lotus-chocolate/articleshow/96791043.cms">Reliance makes open offer to acquire 26% stake in Lotus Chocolate</a>

India mulls 2nd Covid booster even as coverage of first dose remains feeble

As of now no second Covid-19 booster dose is required, said government sources amid an apparent increase in Covid-19 cases. "First we have to complete the booster drive in the country," said the government sources. India's active caseload currently stands at 2,582, with 134 new cases recorded in the last 24 hours, as per <keyword id="83655" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="union-health-ministry" source="Orion">Union Health Ministry</keyword> data. As per ministry data, a total of 220.11 cr vaccine doses (95.13 cr <keyword id="7334317" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="second-dose" source="Orion">Second Dose</keyword> and 22.41 cr <keyword id="12813770" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="precaution-dose" source="Orion">Precaution Dose</keyword>) have been administered so far under <keyword id="10580665" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="nationwide-vaccination-drive" source="Orion">Nationwide Vaccination Drive</keyword>. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/series-creators-want-more-money-after-ads-appear-on-netflix/articleshow/96700323.cms">Series creators want more money after ads appear on Netflix</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/news/pope-benedict-xvi-a-man-at-odds-with-the-modern-world-who-leaves-a-legacy-of-intellectual-brilliance-and-controversy/articleshow/96699003.cms">Pope Benedict XVI: A man at odds with the modern world who leaves a legacy of intellectual brilliance and controversy</a>

No second Covid-19 booster dose required: Govt sources

<ul><li> Nearly 600 million more people in India will become eligible for getting the COVID-19 vaccine on May 1.</li><li>At the time, at least 40 million people will be eligible for their second dose and that number would rise every passing day, adding over 65 million people by the end of May.</li><li>According to government guidelines, the second dose needs to be administered within four to eight weeks of the first dose.</li></ul>There will be at least 40 million people eligible for the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine on May 1. According to the Indian government, the interval between the first and second dose should be four to eight weeks. “Most likely, after eight weeks, you should consider your first dose to be a waste of time,” Dr Kunal Sarkar, the chief cardiac surgeon and senior vice chairman of Medica Hospital in Kolkata, told Business Insider. Dr Sarkar’s view echoes the <a href="https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1706597">government guidelines</a> that said that the second dose of Covishield should be administered “not later than stipulated period of 8 weeks.” While a <a href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(21)00528-6/fulltext">Lancet study</a> has shown that a longer interval may improve the vaccine’s efficacy, the study itself recommended a 12-week interval between doses. Moreover, the vaccines currently in use are those that have been given emergency approval and it is wise to err on the side of caution especially with new variants of the virus emerging. “With COVAXIN, they maintain that the interval should be four weeks. With Covishield, as per their trial data, even they said four weeks. Then, based on certain experiences in the UK, it was stretched to six weeks,” said Sarkar. “Now, because of the irregularity in supply, it is anybody's guess… By and large, we are afraid if it stretches beyond eight weeks or so, then will the two-dose concept still remain valid? There is no data.” In order to ensure that people who already have the first dose do not get pushed behind in the queue, the Indian government should allow for separate counters and dedicated slots for people who are eligible for the second dose. This would be easier said than done given the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/vaccine-shortage-in-india-18-people-could-not-find-covid-19-dose-when-they-went-for-vaccination-in-first-ten-days-of-april-says-survey/articleshow/82014884.cms">current shortage </a>of vaccine supply across many states. <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none; table-layout: fixed; width: 468pt;"></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></colgroup></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;">Description </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;">Number of doses </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;">Number of first doses given as of April 1 </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;">58,354,638 </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;">Number of second doses given between April 2 to April 28 </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;">16,572,965 </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;">10-day average for second dose administration as of April 28 </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;">833,782.3 </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;">People likely to get vaccinated between April 29 and April 30 as per 10-day average </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;">1,667,564.6 </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;">Number of people likely to be eligible for the second dose on May 1 </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;">40,114,108.4 </td></tr></tbody></table>Source: Data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) On May 1, as the country opens up its vaccination drive to everyone above the age of 18 years, 600 million additional people will become eligible. This could lead to another crisis as another 40 million will already be waiting in the queue for the second dose. And that number will rise with every passing day, as the 65 million people above the age of 45 — who got the first dose after April 1 — complete their stipulated time of four to eight weeks and join the queue for the second dose. If they don’t get vaccinated in time, they will have to begin the vaccination cycle all over again. <div type="image" title="rush of people vaccine_edited" msid="82304037" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;People queue up to get their second dose of Covid-19 vaccine at the Swarna Bharathi Indoor Stadium in Visakhapatnam on April 28&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> According to Dr Marcus Ranney, founder and chief executive of Human Edge, the need to separate the people coming in for vaccination is also important to avoid the spreading of the virus at the centres. “As the window will open to 18-year-olds, they very clearly need to have centres that are earmarked for different populations. If they try and serve everyone from the same place, it’s just going to create chaos and may even fuel a much larger spread,” he told Business Insider. One way to stall the chaos is to prioritise those who need the second shot. Another filter that can be used is to ask those who may have been infected by COVID-19 in recent weeks to <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/if-you-have-just-recovered-from-covid-19-experts-say-you-dont-need-to-join-in-on-the-rush-for-vaccination-immediately/articleshow/82302460.cms">stay out of the queue</a>. “What hasn’t been used as well as we could have done is the same methodology used with polio and other types of vaccines, which was more door to door — particularly for the elderly folks,” said Ranney. All in all, the government needs to come out with clear guidelines to ensure no one is left behind, and not one precious dose goes to waste — especially since India has already wasted 4.6 million doses till April 11. <div type="image" title="vaccine queue_edited" msid="82304124" hostid="261" caption="&amp;lt;p&amp;gt;People wait in a long queue to get vaccinated in Visakhapatnam on April 27&amp;lt;/p&amp;gt;"></div> <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="There is going to be a crazy rush at vaccination centres in the absence of proper guidelines" comment="subhead" text="There is going to be a crazy rush at vaccination centres in the absence of proper guidelines">There is going to be a crazy rush at vaccination centres in the absence of proper guidelines</cmsannotation> This has become evident from the response to the opening up of online booking of vaccination slots. The government opened up registrations for people between the ages of 18 to 44 on April 28. And, before things could even take off, registration was delayed from midnight to 4:00 pm. According to the government, more than 3.5 million people registered within the first hour of the launch. But when it came to being able to book an appointment, they passed the buck onto state governments and private vaccination centers. When the floodgates opened, the CoWIN app, Aarogya Setu app and UMANG app’s servers crashed. Many of those who got the chance to register via the CoWIN website, <a 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">never found an open slot. </a> Even if the government were to take no new bookings, and only focus on those needing second shots at all centres, at the current rate of vaccination, it would take 48 days to just go through that lot. In such a scenario, it is not unimaginable that those who need the second shot never get the slot before their 12-week deadline. <cmsannotation type="cmsannotation" annotationid="The other challenge will be allocating the limited vaccine supplies" comment="subhead" text="The other challenge will be allocating the limited vaccine supplies">The other challenge will be allocating the limited vaccine supplies</cmsannotation> This would not have been a concern if India had enough vaccines to go around for everyone who wants it. However, that’s not the case because the government dragged its feet in placing the orders. On April 23, the government pledged to increase the monthly production of doses to around 100 million doses by September with the rate of immunisation slowing down amid rising cases. When the government opened up jabs for those above the age of 45 from May 1, it had expected the imported lot of Russia’s Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine to arrive by then. While Russia is now sticking to the date, it is not clear how many doses will come in, especially after a brief attempt to <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/india/exclusive-india-get-russias-sputnik-v-vaccine-only-by-end-may-2021-04-22/">delay the supply</a> to the end of May. Having to repeat the first doses for even one person is a waste of precious resources. Managing a pandemic was never going to be easy. Imagining scenarios and preparing for the possibilities is the only way to keep things from spiraling out of control. The updated version of the story includes additional opinions from Dr Kunal Sarkar and the Lancet study, which recommended an interval of 12 weeks between two vaccine doses. SEE ALSO: <a 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 href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/covid-19-vaccine-price-sc-wants-the-indian-government-to-explain-about-covishield-and-covaxin-pricing/articleshow/82272913.cms">Supreme Court wants the Indian government to explain vaccine pricing — and clarify how many doses it will need as coverage expands from May 1</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/international/news/australia-suspends-incoming-flights-from-india-until-may-15/articleshow/82271595.cms">Australia suspends incoming flights from India until May 15 — IPL cricketers, coaches and broadcasters left in a bind</a>

India may end up wasting millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses if there is no separate queue for second shots

<ul><li><keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> is likely to reduce the gap between the second dose and the <keyword id="2825536" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Booster-dose" source="Orion">booster dose</keyword> from nine months to six months.</li><li>This decision might come soon for people travelling abroad as countries have started mandating a third dose.</li><li>Health experts have also said that reducing the gap between both the doses will also help in speeding up the booster dose drive in the country.</li></ul>India is reportedly considering allowing people who are travelling abroad to get their booster doses early i.e before completing nine months of gap between the second and booster dose of COVID-19. According to a <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/covid19-some-outbound-flyers-may-be-able-to-get-boosters-early-101651714101322.html">report</a> by Hindustan Times, the gap between second dose and booster dose may be reduced to six months from nine months. The <keyword id="46535" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="health-ministry" source="Orion">Health ministry</keyword> may set out this new rule keeping in mind the countries requiring travellers to have been administered a third shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. According to the report, several people have appealed to the central government lately to reduce the gap because many countries have started mandating a third dose for international travellers travelling for jobs, education, or business. Also, many health experts have also said that reducing the gap between both the doses will also help in speeding up the booster dose drive in the country. According to the data by the Health Ministry, around 105 billion people were eligible for a booster shot, as of May 1, 2022, however, only 28.3 million people have only taken it. “The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) is looking at the data to see if it is good to reduce the gap from existing nine months. They might prioritise those who urgently need a booster for the purpose of travel as many countries have made it a requirement for travel. However, the ultimate decision will be based on the opinion of experts on the technical panel,” told a senior government official to HT in case of anonymity. One of the other reasons behind this is that reducing the gap will also help in bringing down the number of vaccine wastage and reduced immunity in people. Due to lack of people to administer, the number of vaccine wastage is increasing. Several studies have suggested that the level of antibody declines over time in the vaccinated population, which shows an urgent need for booster shots to protect the people from getting infected. NTAGI members, on Wednesday, had a discussion on reducing the gap between second dose and the booster dose and opening up the vaccination drive for children below the age of 11 years. However, no final decision was taken by the body on both the matters. India started the booster dose vaccination drive for healthline workers and <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/booster-shots-against-covid-19-for-all-adults-to-be-available-from-april-10/articleshow/90728511.cms">people aged above 60 years</a> from January 10, 2022. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/cognizants-latest-earnings-have-a-silver-lining-for-indian-it-majors-tcs-infosys-and-wipro/articleshow/91334290.cms">Cognizant’s latest earnings have a silver lining for Indian IT majors TCS, Infosys and Wipro</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/second-day-to-subscribe-to-lic-ipo-post-poor-demand-on-day-1-and-gmp-falls-to-65/articleshow/91324706.cms">LIC IPO: Second day to subscribe to the issue post poor demand on Day 1; GMP falls to ₹65</a>

India may consider reducing the gap between second dose and the booster dose of COVID-19 for those travelling abroad

The ideal time for a <keyword id="2825536" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="booster-dose" source="Orion">booster dose</keyword> for COVID-19 vaccine is six months after the second dose, <keyword id="10494595" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharat-Biotech-Chairman" source="Orion">Bharat Biotech Chairman</keyword> and Managing Director Krishna Ella said on Wednesday, and also emphasised the importance of having a nasal vaccine. He also pointed out that his company was the first in the world to develop a <keyword id="3225534" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Zika-vaccine" source="Orion">Zika vaccine</keyword>. Taking the <keyword id="9485939" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="covaxin" source="Orion">Covaxin</keyword> vaccine by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi showed confidence in Indian Science, he said at the Times Now Summit 2021. "The ideal time for a booster dose is six months after the second dose," Ella stated. <keyword id="149108" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="bharat-biotech" source="Orion">Bharat Biotech</keyword> is also looking at nasal vaccine as a booster dose as its scaling up capacity is very easy when compared with Covaxin, he added. About the importance of nasal vaccine, he said the entire world is looking at nasal vaccines. That is the only way to stop transmission. Everyone is trying to figure out the immunology and fortunately, Bharat Biotech has figured it out. "We are coming out with a nasal vaccine, we are thinking that Covaxin can be given as first dose, the second dose can be given a nasal, that is also strategically, scientifically very important because with the second dose, if it is a nasal one, you stop the transmission of the virus...," Ella said. Nasal vaccine works well if someone has been infected or if someone has been vaccinated with one dose, he added. About the PM taking the Covaxin shot, he said, "What would a scientist like to have? A country head taking his vaccine. That is the best satisfaction a scientist can get... It shows confidence in the Indian science, confidence in the startup, and confidence in our innovation...". Speaking about a vaccine for Zika, Ella said Bharat Biotech is ready with a vaccine for Zika virus. Phase I is complete. The government has to take up more trials because there are more cases now. "We were the first company in the world to develop the Zika vaccine in 2014... We were the first one to file for a global patent for Zika vaccine", he added. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/mobile/news/heres-how-you-can-protect-your-smartphone-from-exploding/slidelist/87625685.cms">Here’s how you can protect your smartphone from exploding</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/union-cabinet-approves-declaration-of-november-15-as-janjatiya-gaurav-diwas/articleshow/87629229.cms">Union Cabinet approves declaration of November 15 as Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas</a>

Ideal time for COVID-19 booster shot is six months after the second dose, says Bharat Biotech MD

Washington, US President-elect <keyword id="99719" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Joe-Biden">Joe Biden</keyword> has received the <keyword id="7334317" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="second-dose">second dose</keyword> of the <keyword id="8904563" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19-vaccine">Covid-19 vaccine</keyword>, four weeks after he was administered the first shot. Biden was injected the second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Monday at a hospital in Newark, Delaware, his home state where his transition headquarters are based, He received the first dose on December 21, 2020. Wearing a short-sleeved polo shirt so that the jab can be easily injected into his arm, Biden urged Americans to continue wearing masks, waving a black one of his own. Taking to Twitter, he said: "Folks, I just received the second dose of my Covid-19 vaccine  and just like the first dose, it was safe, quick, and painless. "I urge everyone to get vaccinated once it's your turn. Because only together can we save lives and beat this virus. "Getting America vaccinated will be one of the greatest operational challenges we've ever faced, but my administration will spare no effort to get it done. "We're going to ensure the vaccine is distributed quickly, equitably, and free of charge to every American." The Pfizer vaccine, which, together with the <keyword id="4912868" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="moderna">Moderna</keyword> vaccine, is being distributed across the country after gaining emergency use authorization -- requires two doses to be injected several weeks apart. So does the Moderna vaccine. Biden has recently vowed to release nearly all of the coronavirus vaccines the country now possesses after taking office on January 20, rather than withhold millions of vials to guarantee second doses are available. He also plans to get 100 million Americans vaccinated in his first 100 days in office. While the rollout of vaccines under the administration of outgoing President Donald Trump has been heavily criticised for being so slow that it failed to hit the initial target of delivering 20 million doses by the end of last year, Biden's plan seems to remain fluid, as reports surfaced that the President-elect vented frustration over the under-performance of his own transition team. Asked about his disappointment, Biden shrugged off those concerns by expressing confidence in his coronavirus task force. "I'm confident we can get done what we have to get done," said the President-elect, reiterating that some 3,000 to 4,000 Americans dying of the virus per day is "beyond the pale." Transition officials have complained about the lack of long-term planning by the Trump administration on immunizing the American people. The US distributed some 25.5 million vaccine doses as of Monday morning, and administered nearly 9 million first doses, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The country still leads by a big margin in confirmed cases worldwide, now at 22,612,384, more than doubling the number in second-placed India, according to Johns Hopkins University. The death toll has increased to 376,051, also the highest in the world. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/telecom/news/employment-opportunities-in-the-telecom-sector-are-expected-to-grow-by-20-in-2021/articleshow/80183579.cms">Fiber layers and field engineers to researchers ⁠— telecom jobs may see a 20% spike in 2021 as India leaps into the 5G era</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/budget/news/india-may-be-considering-a-covid-cess-on-high-income-earners-aside-from-more-levy-on-fuel/articleshow/80208520.cms">India may be considering a COVID cess on high income earners — aside from more levy on fuel</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/with-whatsapp-popularity-hit-zoho-plans-to-launch-arattai-messaging-app/articleshow/80206802.cms">Zoho plans to woo WhatsApp defectors with its own messaging app Arattai</a>

US President-elect Joe Biden receives second dose of COVID-19 vaccine

New Delhi, As India gets readied for a <keyword id="10424473" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="massive-covid-vaccination-programme">massive Covid vaccination programme</keyword>, heath experts on Sunday said that 21 days is an ideal gap between the first and the <keyword id="10424474" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="second-booster-dose">second booster dose</keyword>, and those who get vaccinated have to maintain the same health hygiene as they are supposed to do sans vaccine for a certain time period. Union Health Ministry Secretary Rajesh Bhushan had said that 30 crore people have been listed in prioritised population groups, which involves one crore healthcare workers, two crore personnel from the police department, armed forces, home guard, civil defence organisation and 27 crore people above the age of 50 and below 50 with co-morbidities. The government is expected to roll out its <keyword id="9849917" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="first-vaccines">first vaccines</keyword> in the next few weeks with at least three candidates under the <keyword id="6681091" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="active-consideration">active consideration</keyword> of India's drug regulator. According to Dr Manoj Goel, Director, Pulmonology at Fortis Hospital in Gurugram, after taking the first dose, the second dose has to be ideally taken on the 21st day. "After the vaccination, one can resume their normal day to day activities. In between also, there are no guidelines to sit at home and people can carry on their usual activities by taking the basic precautions like social distancing, wearing a mask and frequent sanitising of hands," Goel told IANS. The Union Health Ministry had said that 1.54 lakh vaccinators or auxiliary nurse midwives will administer the <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19">Covid-19</keyword> vaccine to people under the universal immunisation programme when the vaccination process begins. According to Dr Jyoti Mutta, Senior Consultant, Microbiology at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute in New Delhi, there are a number of vaccines which have different schedules and these vaccine schedules are determined by clinical trials. "Talking about Pfizer vaccine in this regard, two doses are suggested 21 days apart and two doses 28 days apart for AstraZeneca vaccine. Also, the proper rest and precautions are suggested during this period in order to avoid infection and proper care," she told IANS. Dr Mutta also stressed that staying at home is not particularly defined as a precautionary measure but complete care is recommended. "Taking precautions like wearing a mask, social distancing and hand hygiene is important to avoid infection," she noted. Dr Neha Gupta, Infectious Diseases Physician at Medanta Hosptial in Gurugram told IANS: "Vaccine requires two doses 21 days apart and usually the protective efficacy is seven days after the second dose. So, patients need to continue precautions after the first dose of vaccine." There are as many as eight <keyword id="8983421" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="Covid-vaccine">Covid vaccine</keyword> candidates under different stages of clinical trials which could be ready for authorisation in near future. The vaccines include Covaxin, Astrazeneca and Oxford university developed and Serum Institute of India manufactured <keyword id="9617748" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covishield">Covishield</keyword>, ZyCoV-D by Zydus Cadila, Russian vaccine candidate Sputnik-V, NVX-CoV2373 by SII, HGCO19 by Geneva, and two unlabelled vaccines - Recombinant Protein antigen-based vaccine by Biological E Limited and Inactivated rabies vector platform by <keyword id="7330627" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharat-Biotech-Limited">Bharat Biotech Limited</keyword>. Pune-based Serum Institute of India and Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical firm Bharat Biotech have already applied to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking emergency use authorisation for their potential Covid-19 vaccines. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/dos-and-donts-during-solar-eclipse-surya-grahan/articleshow/76436997.cms">The do’s and don’ts of a Solar Eclipse — here what you need to know to protect yourself</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/solar-eclipse-december-2020-time-date-everything-you-need-to-know/articleshow/79697355.cms">The total solar eclipse and its 'diamond rings' won't be visible in India on December 14</a>

Experts believe COVID-19 vaccine doses need a at least a 21-day gap between them

<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 class="summary-list"><li>Lyme disease can be debilitating; symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening. </li><li>Two pharmaceutical companies, Pfizer and Valneva, are developing a vaccine to prevent Lyme disease in people ages 5 and up. </li></ul>Mindi Weidow vividly remembers the moment she found her first tick. She was getting undressed after a hike in woodsy Pennsylvania and found a tiny, pinhead-sized critter nestled near the bottom of her legging in the warm, snug spot where her pant leg met her ankle.The tick had not burrowed too far into her skin yet, and she was <a href="https://www.insider.com/how-to-check-for-tick-bites-this-summer-2023-5">able to pull it off</a> without too much hassle.Her father, however, was not so lucky.Several years ago, a tick burrowed its way under his skin, and unleashed a nasty form of the borrelia bacteria into his blood. It wasn't until around two months later that lab tests confirmed he had Lyme disease. Weidow's father was then treated with antibiotics, but he still weathers arthritic flare ups and inflammation to this day, symptoms of <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/Lyme/postlds/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">what the CDC has deemed Post-Treatment Lyme Disease</a>. Now, Weidow is hoping that an experimental series of injections she's received might help her avoid the same fate. She is a participant in Pfizer's Vaccine Against Lyme for Outdoor Recreationists trial, or VALOR, the only late-stage lyme disease <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/prev/vaccine.html#:~:text=Clinical%20trials&amp;text=Valneva%20and%20Pfizer%20have%20developed,A%20(OspA)%20of%20Borrelia." target="_blank" rel="noopener">vaccine trial</a>. If successful, the VALOR trial could herald <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lyme-disease-vaccine-what-happened-lawsuits-conspiracy-theories-2021-11">a brand new way to prevent lyme disease</a>, the widely underdiagnosed condition that may impact up to<a href="https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/datasurveillance/index.html#:~:text=Recent%20estimates%20using%20other%20methods%20suggest%20that%20approximately%20476%2C000%20people%20may%20get%20Lyme%20disease%20each%20year%20in%20the%20United%20States" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> 500,000 Americans</a> every year, and can lead to chronic, debilitating pain — and in rare cases, even <a href="https://www.insider.com/25-year-old-man-died-misdiagnosed-lyme-disease-infected-heart-2023-2">death</a>.<h2>Lyme disease can impact the body and brain</h2><div type="image" title="Lyme Disease Rash" height="600" width="800" msid="101319098" hostid="261" sizebytes="54678"></div>Researchers estimate that roughly <a href="https://www.insider.com/lyme-disease-symptoms-treatment-research-tick-bullseye-rash-2022-6?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=yahoo.com">15% of the world</a> has had Lyme disease at some point. Symptoms can range from near imperceptible and flu-like at first, to <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/lyme/treatment/lymecarditis.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Flyme%2Fsigns_symptoms%2Flymecarditis.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">life-threatening heart problems</a>. The condition isn't always simple for blood tests to pinpoint, because people often test negative early on. Contrary to popular belief, there is not always a <a href="https://www.insider.com/25-year-old-man-died-misdiagnosed-lyme-disease-infected-heart-2023-2">visible bull's-eye rash</a> on the skin from a tick bite.Once the borrelia bacteria have invaded the bloodstream, Lyme infections can spread from the skin to other areas of the body, impacting the immune system and leading to a wide array of non-specific symptoms. Patients with Lyme are often misdiagnosed with other conditions like chronic fatigue syndrome, also known as myalgic encephalomyelitis.In addition to physical symptoms, Lyme can also cause neuropsychiatric issues. <a href="https://www.columbiapsychiatry.org/news/lyme-disease-heightens-risk-mental-disorders-suicidality" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Studies have documented</a> <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7943444/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">neurological issues</a> associated with the disease, including paranoia, depression, <a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov/health-information/disorders/lyme-disease-neurological-complications" target="_blank" rel="noopener">visual disturbances</a>, and <a href="https://www.insider.com/woman-dies-by-suicide-after-long-battle-with-lyme-disease-2022-9">suicidality</a>. <h2>Could four shots prevent Lyme disease for good?</h2>Currently, there is no vaccine licensed to prevent Lyme disease in people, only shots <a href="https://www.merck-animal-health-usa.com/nobivac/nobivac-lyme/nobivac-lyme-vaccine" target="_blank" rel="noopener">for dogs</a>. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/lyme-disease-vaccine-what-happened-lawsuits-conspiracy-theories-2021-11">One human Lyme shot was briefly released years ago by vaccine-maker GSK</a>. Although studies showed it was about 75% effective at stopping Lyme disease, it received a lukewarm public reception and was the subject of conspiracy-theory lawsuits, driving down sales and leading it to be quickly taken off the market.But now there are skyrocketing numbers of Lyme infections in both the US and Europe, and an <a href="https://www.insider.com/new-tick-diseases-emerging-in-us-asia-heartland-bourbon-sftv-2022-6?utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_source=yahoo.com">expanding range of tick</a> territory due to climate change, making <a href="https://time.com/6287950/worst-tick-season-ever/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2023 potentially the worst tick season on record yet</a>. So Pfizer and its partner — French pharmaceutical-maker Valneva — have decided to try again.Pfizer and Valneva's Lyme vaccine is a series of three initial shots plus one booster jab, delivered about a year later. There are about <a href="https://www.pfizer.com/news/press-release/press-release-detail/pfizer-and-valneva-initiate-phase-3-study-lyme-disease" target="_blank" rel="noopener">6,000 trial participants</a> testing out the vaccine across Lyme-prevalent areas of the US, as well as European countries where Lyme-carrying ticks live, including Germany, Sweden, and Poland.The trial hasn't been without its hiccups. About half of the trial sites in the US were originally run by a private clinical research company called Care Access, but in February <a href="https://valneva.com/press-release/pfizer-and-valneva-issue-update-on-phase-3-clinical-trial-evaluating-lyme-disease-vaccine-candidate-vla15/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Valneva said in a statement</a> that Pfizer was shutting those trial sites down early, due to violations of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) procedures. Care Access <a href="https://careaccess.com/about/news/2023-02-17-statement-about-pfizers-decision-to-discontinue-valor-study-participants" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said in a statement</a> at the time that it did not agree with Pfizer's decision, and that the company was sharing information with the FDA about the case "to ensure they have the facts." Pfizer declined Insider's request for comment on those specific events, but said in an email that "we will continue to enroll participants and carry out the study."<h2>Fishermen, hunters, and biologists are already lining up for this vaccine</h2><div type="image" title="tick biting person" height="1455" width="1940" msid="101319099" hostid="261" sizebytes="93610"></div>Weidow, who is enrolled at an independent trial site that is still up and running, received her first injection last August, then a second shot in November, and her third in April. She hopes it was all the real deal Lyme vaccine, but it's also possible she got fake placebo jabs. She remembers feeling "a little bit of soreness" and "a little bit of fatigue" after her vaccinations, which her trial administrators say are some of the most typical side effect complaints, along with low-grade fevers. She'll go back next year for her final booster shot.Then, the study investigators will wait to see what happens. If Weidow or her boyfriend, who's also enrolled in this trial, notice any new tick bites during the course of the study, which is set to continue through 2025, they've been instructed to keep the tick and bring it in for inspection. This is so vaccine researchers can determine whether or not the participants might've been exposed to Lyme-causing bacteria, and assess how well the vaccine may be working. At the Pennsylvania clinic where Weidow gets her vaccines, roughly 200 trial participants from age 6 to over 90 have enrolled, with more expected to sign up this summer. So far, vaccine-takers have been a mix of outdoor enthusiasts like fisherman, paddlers, and hunters, as well as biology professors and landscapers. In short — almost anyone who lives, works, or has fun around ticks is eligible to try out this vaccine. "Ticks are always a concern in our area," Dr. Alan Kivitz, who runs Weidow's trial at Altoona Center for Clinical Research, told Insider.Weidow said she is looking forward to a day when, maybe, some of that apprehension could be resolved by a vaccine."For me personally, it relieves some of the stress and anxiety of making sure that you do that check the second you get home," she said.

You Searched For "second dose" and got 10 results

Remain alert says Union Health Minister as India records 3,038 fresh Covid-19 cases

ANI

India mulls 2nd Covid booster even as coverage of first dose remains feeble

Vaamanaa Sethi

No second Covid-19 booster dose required: Govt sources

ANI

India may end up wasting millions of COVID-19 vaccine doses if there is no separate queue for second shots

Prabhjote

Sriram

India may consider reducing the gap between second dose and the booster dose of COVID-19 for those travelling abroad

Vaamanaa Sethi

Ideal time for COVID-19 booster shot is six months after the second dose, says Bharat Biotech MD

PTI

US President-elect Joe Biden receives second dose of COVID-19 vaccine

IANS

Experts believe COVID-19 vaccine doses need a at least a 21-day gap between them

IANS

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

BI India Bureau

A woman is trying out a 4-dose Lyme disease vaccine as we approach the worst summer for ticks yet

Hilary Brueck

Popular Keywords

Buying Guides