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<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

<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

Singapore, Mar 4 (PTI) A third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine is recommended for people with a weakened immune system, especially for organ transplant recipients who are least able to make antibodies to fight off the SARS-CoV-2 virus, according to a study. The research, published in The BMJ, reinforces the importance of additional doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to protect people with a weakened immune system. The researchers from National University of Singapore analysed the results of 82 observational studies comparing the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines in immunocompromised and immunocompetent people. Of these studies, 77 used mRNA vaccines, 16 viral vector vaccines, and four inactivated whole virus vaccines. After one COVID-19 vaccine dose, seroconversion was found to be reduced among immunocompromised groups, except people with HIV. Seroconversion is the process of making antibodies after infection or vaccination -- priming the immune system to fight off a specific virus. The study found that seroconversion rates were about half as likely in patients with blood cancers, immune-mediated inflammatory disorders, and solid cancers compared with immunocompetent control. Organ transplant recipients were 16 times less likely to seroconvert, the researchers said. After a second dose, seroconversion was significantly increased in patients with blood cancers, immune-mediated inflammatory disorders, and solid cancers, but remained severely reduced in transplant recipients, with only a third achieving seroconversion, they said. Further review of 11 studies showed that the third dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine was associated with seroconversion among vaccine non-responders with solid cancers, blood cancers, and immune-mediated inflammatory disorders. However, the response was variable in transplant recipients and no published evidence was available on the effectiveness of a third dose in people with HIV, the researchers said. Among the immunocompromised groups studied, antibody levels (titers) were also lower than in immunocompetent controls, they said. The researchers point to several limitations of the study. For instance, the included studies were observational and used different definitions of seroconversion. The researchers cannot rule out the possibility that other unmeasured factors, such as age and underlying conditions, might have affected their results. The findings show that seroconversion rates and antibody titres after COVID-19 vaccines are significantly lower in immunocompromised patients, especially organ transplant recipients, the researchers said. "Targeted interventions for immunocompromised patients, including a third dose, should be performed," they added. PTI SAR SAR

Third Covid vaccine dose advised for immunocompromised people: BMJ study

<ul><li><keyword id="1609796" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="omicron" source="Orion">Omicron</keyword> may be a milder variant than Delta but it’s too soon to be sure of that.</li><li>If you haven’t taken the first two shots of the vaccine, the risk of infection and hospitalisation is higher.</li><li>Taking a third dose of the COVID-19 vaccine may provide better protection against the virus.</li><li>The third wave of COVID-19 infections may peak in India by February first week.</li><li>Countries like the US and UK have refrained from imposing stringent restrictions on people’s movement despite rising cases.</li></ul>There are at least 5 learnings emerging from different countries facing the third wave of COVID-19 infections where the most number of cases are that of the latest variant, Omicron. First, Omicron is likely to be a milder variant although the World Health Organisation has said that it needs more data to make that point conclusively. Moreover the emergence of a new variant called <keyword id="12876991" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ihu" source="Orion">IHU</keyword>, discovered by researchers in France, which is likely to be <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/new-covid-19-variant-named-ihu-discovered-in-france-said-to-be-stronger-than-omicron/amp_articleshow/88685048.cms">stronger than Omicron</a>, has increased the need for caution. Second, the WHO has said that the risk of infection and the potential need for hospitalisation is higher for those who have not taken the vaccines. Third, India’s covid cases would peak by February 2 <table style="border-width: initial; border-style: none;" class="redcator-table-advance"></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;">Rank </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;">Country </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;">Total Cases </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;">New Cases </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;">Death toll </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;">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;">USA </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;">5,71,31,187 </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;">4,26,051 </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;">+767 </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;">2 </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;">UK </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;">1,34,22,815 </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;">1,57,758 </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;">+42 </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;">3 </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;">Spain </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;">66,67,511 </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;">+93,190 </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;">+42 </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;">4 </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;">Italy </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;">63,96,110 </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;">+68,052 </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;">+140 </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;">5 </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;">France </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;">1,03,17,819 </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;">+67,461 </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;">+270 </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;">6 </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;">Turkey </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;">95,97,670 </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;">+44,869 </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;">+160 </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;">7 </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;">Argentine </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;">57,39,326 </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;">+44,396 </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;">+41 </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;">8 </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;">India </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;">3,49,60,261 </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;">+37,379 </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;">+124 </td></tr></tbody><tbody></tbody></table>Source: Worldometers Note: Data, as of January 3, 2022 The forecast, from researchers at IIT Kanpur, is based on the assumption that India will follow the trends of rise in cases seen in other countries. The research also used the rate of increase in cases from the first and second waves in India. Fourth, a booster dose may be needed New studies conducted in the United Kingdom have<a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/omicron-chart-protection-2-3-vaccine-booster-effectiveness-hospitalization-symptomatic-2022-1"> revealed</a> that the third dose of the Covid-19 vaccine may be necessary to boost a person’s resistance to the Omicron variant by as much as 88%. This is a significantly higher degree of protection against the latest variant when compared to the second dose, whose effectiveness begins to reduce after a period of six months. Oxford<a href="https://theprint.in/health/booster-dose-of-covishield-can-increase-antibody-levels-against-omicron-oxford-study-says/786422/"> has said </a>that a third booster shot of AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine Vaxzevria is necessary to boost the antibody levels. Covershield is the Indian version of Vaxzevria, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India (SII) Fifth, night curfews are useless and other countries have refrained from stringent restrictions on movement of people. Even though the US and UK are recording high covid-19 cases on a daily basis, the countries have decided not to introduce any new restrictions. However, work from home has once again become a norm in these countries. Many states in India, on the other hand, have proactively imposed night curfews, weekend lockdowns and other such restrictions in order to beat the third wave. Whereas, the need may be to enforce the COVID-19 protocols in places, and at times, when crowds do gather for business or otherwise. Even now, large crowds sans social distancing, and people without masks on the street, is not a rare sight in India. However, the policy response has been limited to night curfews. WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan, in a TV interview, <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/no-science-behind-night-curfews-in-india-whos-swaminathan-1066559.html">noted</a> that there is no science behind night curfews when it comes to tackling Covid-9. "Entertainment venues are places where these viruses spread the most. It's natural to bring in some restrictions there," he added. SEE ALSO <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/delhi-cm-arvind-kejriwal-tests-positive-for-covid-19/articleshow/88679427.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal tests positive for COVID-19</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/infoedge-and-zomatos-deepinder-goyal-invested-money-in-geniemode-10-month-old-tech-startup/articleshow/88683920.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">After Deepinder Goyal and Kunal Shah, Info Edge backs this 10-month-old tech startup</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/ongc-appoints-alka-mittal-as-chairperson-and-managing-director/slidelist/88681434.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Meet Alka Mittal, the first woman to head oil giant ONGC</a>

From new variant IHU to utility of booster doses ⁠— these are five lessons India can learn from the third wave of COVID-19 in other countries

<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.

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

<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

By Nathan Bartlett, University of Newcastle Newcastle (UK), Feb 8 (The Conversation) Australian Health Minister Greg Hunt said last week he expects the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI) to change the definition of "fully vaccinated" to three doses instead of two. It comes as evidence emerges suggesting the highly infectious Omicron variant has the ability to escape the protection two vaccine doses offer. So, how effective are two doses compared to three against Omicron? Let's break it down. Two doses don't protect much against Omicron Vaccine protection against Omicron is reduced for two reasons. First, antibodies generated by vaccination gradually wane over time. There are now many countries that are more than a year into their COVID vaccine rollout, so many people have received their second COVID jab over six months ago. Without boosting, their antibody levels will have dropped significantly. Australia was a little slower off the mark – but now finds itself in a similar situation. The second reason is Omicron can escape vaccine-induced immunity because of its constellation of mutations. Its spike protein (the bit that helps the virus access our cells) is significantly different to Delta's, and to the original virus from which our vaccines are based. The critical part of the spike protein is the "receptor binding domain". It latches onto a protein on our cells called ACE-2 so the virus can gain entry. Delta had two mutations in the receptor binding domain, and Beta had three. Omicron has 15 mutations in its receptor binding domain. As a result, only some of the antibodies the vaccine induces will still bind to Omicron's spike and inhibit it getting into your cells. For these reasons, emerging evidence suggests two doses of a COVID vaccine provide just 0-10% protection against infection with Omicron five to six months after the second jab. So, you really cannot claim you are "fully vaccinated" with just two doses now, particularly if it's been months since your second dose. Some protection against severe disease and hospitalisation remains. UK data suggests two doses of AstraZeneca or Pfizer offer around 35% protection against hospitalisation by six months after the second dose. What about three doses? Having a booster dose bumps up your antibodies – which is particularly important for Omicron because only some of those antibodies are protective. Emerging evidence suggests protection from symptomatic Omicron infection is restored to 60-75% two to four weeks after a Pfizer or Moderna booster dose. However, third-dose protection also wanes, down to 30-40% against Omicron infection after 15 weeks. So, unfortunately breakthrough infections will still be common. Fortunately, protection against hospitalisation remains much higher, up around 90% after a Pfizer booster dose and only dropping to 75% after 10-14 weeks, and 90-95% up to nine weeks after a Moderna booster. Pfizer and Moderna are currently developing vaccines matched to Omicron, which if approved, should induce better immunity against this variant. How much more protection is gained from having a third COVID vaccination dose? Protection against COVID-19 severity; second vs third dose of Pfizer, Moderna or AZ vaccines against COVID-19. Will we need a new dose every three months? Israel is currently rolling out fourth Pfizer doses to some high-risk groups. Some people will be concerned this trend means we'll need a new dose every few months. But I don't think that will be the case. We can't keep boosting people every few months chasing waning immunity. It's likely after each round of boosting, faith in the vaccines will diminish. It's worth remembering we have never tried to vaccinate against a respiratory coronavirus so we are still learning about how to best generate protective immunity. There's also the ethical question of rolling out multiple rounds of booster doses in wealthy countries when many people in some parts of the world haven't received their first two doses yet. While there are high levels of infection in countries with low rates of vaccination, all countries remain at risk of outbreaks, particularly if new viral variants emerge – which is sure to happen while there's so much transmission globally. But better vaccines are coming. Universal COVID vaccines are in development, which target areas of the virus that don't easily mutate, meaning they'll likely be effective across different variants. In the future, we may get a yearly COVID vaccine combined with the flu vaccine. Treatments will improve, too, so you can minimise symptoms at home. These developments will reduce the impact the virus has on us, so eventually COVID will stabilise to a predictable level of transmission that doesn't cause disruption – that is, it becomes endemic. Your existing immunity will be boosted with naturally acquired infections every year or so that will almost always be asymptomatic or very low (cold-like) symptoms. However, for those more vulnerable, such as the elderly and those who are immune compromised or have chronic diseases, vaccines are less effective and the virus will still be able to cause severe illness and death, similar to the flu. So we need to continue to progress research into new treatment approaches that will better protect these individuals. A silver lining One silver lining from COVID has been intensified research efforts towards vaccines and treatments. We're seeing multiple new anti-viral drugs being approved which will reduce disease and death. Some of these treatments are likely to be effective across different viruses, not just COVID. And mRNA vaccine technology can churn out new vaccines in a matter of months, which was completely inconceivable two years ago. All this means we're better prepared against COVID, but also future respiratory virus outbreaks and pandemics, whether that's a new coronavirus, influenza virus or any of the multitude of other respiratory viruses out there. (The Conversation) AMS

What's the difference in protection against Omicron between 2 doses and 3 doses of vaccine?

<ul class="summary-list"><li>About a third of US adults have received their <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/03/27/world/covid-vaccine-coronavirus-cases#covid-vaccine-eligibility-arkansas-new-york">first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine</a>. </li><li>The push by states coincides with <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/when-can-i-get-a-covid-vaccine-map-by-state-2021-3">Biden's May 1 deadline</a> to make vaccines accessible to all adults.</li><li>Most states have announced they will meet the deadline, aside from Wyoming, New York, and Arkansas.</li></ul>At least a third of all adults in the US have received at least one dose of one of the <keyword id="8763838" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="60" keywordseo="covid-19">COVID-19</keyword> vaccines, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/03/27/world/covid-vaccine-coronavirus-cases">reported the New York Times. </a>The push by states to get more residents vaccinated comes after <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/when-can-i-get-a-covid-vaccine-map-by-state-2021-3">President Joe Biden announced a May 1 deadline</a> for states to make vaccines accessible for all adults. <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-could-beat-bidens-vaccine-goal-as-10-of-americans-are-vaccinated-2021-3">Six states,</a> including Alaska, Arizona, and Utah, have already started vaccinating all people over the age of 16. Five others will likely beat the deadline to expand <keyword id="24209" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="vaccine">vaccine</keyword> access by late March. According to <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/covid-19-vaccine-doses.html">the New York Times</a>, nearly all states have agreed to meet Biden's May 1 deadline for vaccine rollout with the exception of Wyoming, New York, and Arkansas, which have yet to release a hard deadline. Wyoming has yet to announce a firm date for when all adults in the state will have access to the vaccine, but 20 out of 23 counties have begun vaccinating all adults.<a href="https://twitter.com/AsaHutchinson/status/1375075404667625472">Arkansas</a> has begun <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/recommendations.html">Phase 1C</a> of vaccinations which makes most adults eligible, though state officials have yet to announce whether the state will meet Biden's deadline. New York Governor Andrew Cuomo <a href="https://www.rev.com/transcript-editor/shared/ULcFVkLFWVlRiet4CYwxH1hUxEaXVeQm2dhLViHNWKppjbr-X-Ts4qD7zU9OEOQcIQFlYvSoAgW1XxyWX6Ok14z1sZc?loadFrom=PastedDeeplink&amp;ts=3925.795.79">said during a press briefing</a> he would rather wait to set a deadline on when all adults can be vaccinated "so we don't have to change advice and we don't create pandemonium for the scheduling operation."

One-third of US adults have gotten their first COVID-19 vaccine dose: report

Taking the first dose of <keyword id="44612" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Pfizer">Pfizer</keyword> <keyword id="8764262" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid">Covid</keyword> vaccine and then AstraZeneca for the second can provide good protection against the pandemic virus, a study has found. The Com-Cov trial, led by researchers from the <keyword id="150557" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="University-of-Oxford">University of Oxford</keyword>, looked at the efficacy of either two doses of Pfizer, two of AstraZeneca, or one of them followed by the other. The results showed that all combinations worked well, priming the immune system, the <keyword id="60684" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="BBC">BBC</keyword> reported. The study included 850 volunteers aged 50 and above, who were given the doses four weeks apart. The team found that people who took AstraZeneca shot followed by Pfizer showed higher antibodies and T cell responses than those who took Pfizer followed by AstraZeneca. Both of these mixes induced higher antibodies than two doses of AstraZeneca, while the highest antibody response was seen after two doses of Pfizer, and the highest T cell response from AstraZeneca followed by Pfizer. "We already know that both standard schedules are very effective against severe disease and hospitalisations, including against the Delta variant when given at eight to 12 weeks apart," lead investigator Professor Matthew Snape, from varsity was quoted as saying. He however, added that the findings did not undermine the UK policy of giving people the same jab twice. But, they do offer such flexibility for vaccine rollout in the future. "Mixing doses could provide us with even greater flexibility for a booster programme, while also supporting countries who have further to go with their vaccine rollouts, and who may be experiencing supply difficulties," UK's deputy chief medical officer, Prof Jonathan Van-Tam, was quoted as saying by the BBC. Two doses are important to give the fullest protection and teach the body to make antibodies and T cells to block and kill Covid. Meanwhile, a pre-print study suggests that a third dose of AstraZeneca vaccine, given more than six months after the second, boosts the immune system, the BBC reported. But, there is currently no data to support that a Covid-19 vaccine booster shot is needed for the general population, according to the US <keyword id="116293" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="Centers-for-Disease-Control-and-Prevention">Centers for Disease Control and Prevention</keyword>. An extra dose may be needed for more-vulnerable groups, such as older adults or organ transplant patients. See Also - <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/one-year-of-chinese-apps-ban-indian-alternatives-take-over-tiktok/articleshow/83943865.cms">https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/apps/news/one-year-of-chinese-apps-ban-indian-alternatives-take-over-tiktok/articleshow/83943865.cms</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/kims-ipo-listed-in-stock-market-at-over-20-premium/articleshow/83912694.cms">KIMS IPO: Stock listed at over 20% premium, loses initial gains after soaring to ₹1059 per share</a>

A combination of Pfizer and AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines can produce more antibodies, say researchers

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The Johnson &amp; Johnson single-dose COVID-19 vaccine is no longer available in the US. </li><li>Over two years after it was first approved, the last batch of doses has been thrown out. </li></ul>At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans were clamoring to get vaccinated as soon as they could.But now, millions of doses of the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine are getting tossed in the trash because no one's using them. More than 2 years after Johnson &amp; Johnson's vaccine was first authorized for emergency use by the FDA, it is now no longer available anywhere in the US, <a href="https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2023/05/15/johnson---johnson-covid-vaccine-no-longer-available-us" target="_blank" rel="noopener">according to the CDC</a>. Over 31.5 million doses of the J&amp;J vaccine have been distributed across the country since March 2021 — 19 million of which made it into Americans' arms, <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2023/05/15/health/johnson-johnson-covid-vaccine-end/index.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CNN reported</a>.The 12.5 million remaining doses — nearly a third of the total produced — expired on May 7, and the CDC has told all vaccine providers to get rid of them. Though the J&amp;J vaccine was the least popular of the three vaccines available in the US, its final demise is still a stark contrast to the early days of COVID-19 vaccination when <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/rich-poor-covid-vaccine-disparity-2021-2">rich people were gaming the system</a> to get vaccinated before their turn.During the height of the pandemic, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-get-coronavirus-vaccine-without-skipping-line-2021-1">young people also showed up at pharmacies</a> just before closing time, hoping to snag soon-to-expire shots before they were trashed.And even for those who followed the rules, wait times for vaccine appointments at the height of the public health crisis were often days — or even weeks. The end of the J&amp;J vaccine comes less than a week after the <a href="https://www.hhs.gov/about/news/2023/05/09/fact-sheet-end-of-the-covid-19-public-health-emergency.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">US Department of Health and Human Services</a> officially ended the COVID-19 public health emergency as the Biden administration winds down its COVID-19 response. The World Health Organization recently said that COVID-19 is now a disease we'll need to learn to live with — though it warned that there's still a risk of a relapse with a new variant if countries slack off their preventative measures. Correction: May 26, 2023 — An earlier version of this story misidentified the FDA's decision on the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccine. The vaccine was authorized for emergency use.

People used to fight over getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Now millions of doses are getting tossed in the trash because no one's using them.

<ul><li>This year will likely be remembered for marking its emergence as the world's most populous nation.</li><li>By 2050, the UN expects <keyword id="3658" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="india" source="Orion">India</keyword> will have 1.6 billion residents and China 1.3 billion.</li><li>A growing working-age population is an important source of economic growth, so India's emergence will give it new power in international politics.</li></ul> If any major middle-income country is truly outperforming in the coming decades, it's the world's soon-to-be third largest economy (and its largest democracy), India, Eurasia Group said in a report. "In my view, 2023 will be remembered for India's emergence as the third pole of the world," wrote <keyword id="15992875" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="shigesaburo-okumura" source="Orion">Shigesaburo Okumura</keyword>, Editor-in-Chief of Nikkei Asia, in a recent article. Another important factor not to be neglected is India. This year will likely be remembered for marking its emergence as the world's most populous nation, Okumara wrote. According to the UN, China's population last year was 1.426 billion while India's was 1.417 billion. In July, the UN forecast that China's population would fall in 2023 while India's would surpass it. By 2050, the UN expects India will have 1.6 billion residents and China 1.3 billion. A growing working-age population is an important source of economic growth, so India's emergence will give it new power in international politics, Okumara said. Moreover, decoupling between the US and China and the rebuilding of technology supply chains to exclude China benefits India. <keyword id="6354427" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="apple" source="Orion">Apple</keyword> is building iPhone 14s in India. <keyword id="292865" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="natarajan-chandrasekaran" source="Orion">Natarajan Chandrasekaran</keyword>, chairman of <keyword id="46894" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="tata-sons" source="Orion">Tata Sons</keyword>, has talked of plans to produce semiconductors in the subcontinent. In March, India will host the plenary session of the <keyword id="833063" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="trilateral-commission" source="Orion">Trilateral Commission</keyword> for the first time. This year, it is also chairing the Group of 20, a role that will involve a leaders' summit and many ministerial meetings. The Modi government will be eager to show leadership ahead of India's own elections in 2024, Okumara wrote. "The new year thus could mark the beginning of a tripolar world, involving the US, China and India. New Delhi is undeniably on the rise," Okumara concluded. <keyword id="47256" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="challenges" source="Orion">Challenges</keyword>, however, are mounting for India's economy with the GDP forecast at a half-century low. Motilal Oswal Financial Services forecast in a note that after growing strongly for two consecutive years, India's real GDP growth would decelerate to 5.2 per cent YoY in FY24, while nominal GDP growth would weaken even sharply to 7-7.5 per cent, led by easing inflation. A combination of factors such as slower global economy, fading pent-up demand and normalising base effects would contribute to slower real growth. With an expected retail inflation print at just 4.3 per cent and a mere 1 per cent growth in the wholesale price index (<keyword id="46000" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="wpi" source="Orion">WPI</keyword>) in FY24, the GDP deflator could be around 2 per cent, dragging down India's nominal GDP growth to the lowest level compared to any year between the early 1970s and FY19 (that is, half-a-century pre-Covid period), the report said. Such slow growth rate would have some serious implications for the macro economy and financial markets. "Overall, we believe that unlike the past 12-15 months, the narrative will reverse in FY24. Inflation concerns will take a back seat and growth worries will resurface. This may be true not only for India, but also for the entire global economy. At the same time, restrictive monetary policy will fail to boost financial markets. Accordingly, CY23 could be very painful," the report said. Revenue of listed companies is highly correlated with nominal GDP growth (and WPI-inflation). In case of single-digit nominal GDP growth, corporate sales growth is also expected to weaken from an average of &gt;30 per cent YoY in the past seven quarters to single digits in FY24. With an expectation of weaker nominal GDP growth in FY24, we estimate India's debt growth to also weaken. Thus, bank credit growth could also moderate from 15-16 per cent in FY23 to 12 per cent in FY24 with a downward bias, the report said. As central banks across the world simultaneously hike interest rates in response to inflation, the world may be edging toward a global recession in 2023 and a string of financial crises in emerging market and developing economies that would do them lasting harm, according to a comprehensive new study by the <keyword id="6354424" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="world-bank" source="Orion">World Bank</keyword> in September. Several historical indicators of global recessions are already flashing warnings. The global economy is now in its steepest slowdown following a post-recession recovery since 1970. Global consumer confidence has already suffered a much sharper decline than in the run-up to previous global recessions. The world's three largest economies -- United States, China, and the Euro zone -- have been slowing sharply. The experience of the 1970s, the policy responses to the 1975 global recession, the subsequent period of stagflation, and the global recession of 1982 illustrate the risk of allowing inflation to remain elevated for long while growth is weak. The 1982 global recession coincided with the second-lowest growth rate in developing economies over the past five decades, second only to 2020. It triggered more than 40 debt crises and was followed by a decade of lost growth in many developing economies, the World Bank said. India's current account deficit expectedly swelled to a 37-quarter high of $36.4 billion (4.4 per cent of GDP) in Q2 FY23 from $18.2 billion in Q1 FY23 (2.2 per cent of GDP). The resulting net balance of payments (BoP) position registered a deficit of $30.4 billion (3.7 per cent of GDP), its weakest since the 2008 global financial crisis, compared to a surplus of $4.6 billion in Q1 FY23, Acuite Ratings said. Amid an uncertain geopolitical environment and slowing global growth, however, risks will remain on both current account balance and capital flows, it said. With excessive demand supply disparities, bloated supply chain management and battle against inflation weighing down on global economic growth, the New Year started on a gloomy outlook as IMF predicts global GDP growth topping at 2.7 per cent, narrowly escaping recession, Nuvama Professional Clients Group said in a note. The economy has been supported by sturdy domestic demand as indicated in GST collections and consumer spending. However, the industrial output contracted by 4 per cent YoY in October, the worst in over two years, hobbled by the drop in orders from western markets and weak investment at home, the note said. Standard Chartered said in a report that 2023 global macroeconomic backdrop is likely to be challenging given the heightened risk of a slowdown as lagged effects of monetary policy tightening leads to a weaker demand scenario and lower corporate earnings performance. As the monetary policy rate cycle peaks amid receding inflationary pressures in the second half of the year, risk sentiment could improve with the growth outlook stabilising. "In our assessment," the bank noted, "India's growth-inflation dynamics is stable and better than its peers." The post-pandemic economic recovery cycle remains strong amid supportive government policies and a pick-up in investments. Further, the likely broadening of the rural economy's recovery and of the service sectors is a strong tailwind, the note said. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/indias-startup-economy-stares-at-deepening-funding-winter-in-2023/articleshow/96807902.cms">India's startup economy stares at deepening funding winter in 2023</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/thelife/personalities/news/ar-rahman-unknown-facts-about-about-indian-composer-and-oscar-winner/articleshow/96793884.cms">AR Rahman can leave dinner midway if inspiration strikes &amp; other anecdotes about the reticent music maestro</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/india-mulls-2nd-covid-booster-even-as-coverage-of-first-dose-remains-feeble/articleshow/96792098.cms">India mulls 2nd Covid booster even as coverage of first dose remains feeble</a>

You Searched For "third dose" and got 11 results

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

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One-third of US adults have gotten their first COVID-19 vaccine dose: report

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People used to fight over getting a COVID-19 vaccine. Now millions of doses are getting tossed in the trash because no one's using them.

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