India's health minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed that people in six states and Union Territories have&nbsp;been given the first dose of the vaccine covering 100 per cent of the adult population.

It included people from Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Dadra &amp; Nagar Haveli&nbsp;and Daman and Diu.

According to government data, 5.2 million&nbsp;vaccine doses were administered on Sunday.

"Congratulations to these states and Union Territories for administering the first COVID-19 vaccine dose to 100 per cent of the adult population. Special appreciation for the health workers in these regions for their diligence and commitment, the office of Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in a tweet.

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Congratulations to these States &amp; UTs for administering the first <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> vaccine dose to 100% of the adult population. 
 
Special appreciation for the health workers in these regions for their diligence &amp; commitment 👏 <a href="https://t.co/pH89J7lhtF">pic.twitter.com/pH89J7lhtF</a>
— Office of Mansukh Mandaviya (@OfficeOf_MM) <a href="https://twitter.com/OfficeOf_MM/status/1437056217428291588?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The minister also lauded the special efforts of the health workers in achieving the feat.

India had begun its vaccination&nbsp;campaign on January 16 starting with&nbsp;frontline healthcare workers and then it was extended to cover those over 60. India's health officials later expanded the vaccination drive to cover everyone over 45 from April 1. &nbsp;All those over 18 years were allowed vaccination from May 1.

Meanwhile, India reported 27,254 coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours on Monday even as the number of active cases continued to decline.

The death toll due to the virus in the country has climbed to 4,42,874 with 219 fatalities reported in the last 24 hours.

However, the number of active cases in the country declined on Monday, according to the health ministry comprising 1.13 per cent of the total infections.

(With inputs from Agencies)

India's health minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed that people in six states and Union Territories have been given the first dose of the vaccine covering 100 per cent of the adult population.

India's health minister Mansukh Mandaviya informed that people in six states and Union Territories have been given the first dose of the vaccine covering 100 per cent of the adult population. It included people from Ladakh, Lakshadweep, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, Goa, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu. According to government data, 5.2 million vaccine doses were administered on Sunday. "Congratulations to these states and Union Territories for administering the first COVID-19 vaccine dose to 100 per cent of the adult population. Special appreciation for the health workers in these regions for their diligence and commitment, the office of Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said in a tweet. Congratulations to these States & UTs for administering the first #COVID19 vaccine dose to 100% of the adult population. Special appreciation for the health workers in these regions for their diligence & commitment 👏 pic.twitter.com/pH89J7lhtF — Office of Mansukh Mandaviya (@OfficeOf_MM) September 12, 2021 × The minister also lauded the special efforts of the health workers in achieving the feat. India had begun its vaccination campaign on January 16 starting with frontline healthcare workers and then it was extended to cover those over 60. India's health officials later expanded the vaccination drive to cover everyone over 45 from April 1. All those over 18 years were allowed vaccination from May 1. Meanwhile, India reported 27,254 coronavirus cases in the last 24 hours on Monday even as the number of active cases continued to decline. The death toll due to the virus in the country has climbed to 4,42,874 with 219 fatalities reported in the last 24 hours. However, the number of active cases in the country declined on Monday, according to the health ministry comprising 1.13 per cent of the total infections. (With inputs from Agencies)

All adults in six states, Union Territories have got first vaccine dose: Indian health ministry

European Union(EU) today approved AstraZeneca vaccine for all those over 18 years old even as the European Commission launched a scheme to monitor exports of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/eu-publishes-redacted-astrazeneca-vaccine-contract-amid-row-360098">vaccines</a> produced in EU plants.

Watch:

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"We paid these companies to increase production and now we expect them to deliver," EU Commission vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis said, adding, "Today's measure has been adopted with the utmost urgency. The aim is to provide us immediately with full transparency ... And if needed, it also will provide us with a tool to ensure vaccine deliveries."

The European Commission had earlier published a redacted version of its contract with AstraZeneca after row over vaccine delivery.

AstraZeneca's CEO Pascal Soriot had said deliveries of the vaccine in Europe were hit due to glitches in its Belgian plant. The row erupted after reports said Britain had signed its contract three months earlier than Brussels angering EU.

Several countries in the EU have been hit with shortage of vaccines leading to a halt in vaccination drive even as the continent battles the virus.

AstraZeneca and the EU had signed a deal for up to 400 million doses of the vaccine, however, last week, the firm announced production cuts of up to 60 per cent to the European body due to problems in its Belgian factory.

European Union(EU) today approved AstraZeneca vaccine for all those over 18 years old even as the European Commission launched a scheme to monitor exports of vaccines produced in EU plants.

European Union(EU) today approved AstraZeneca vaccine for all those over 18 years old even as the European Commission launched a scheme to monitor exports of vaccines produced in EU plants. Watch: "We paid these companies to increase production and now we expect them to deliver," EU Commission vice-president Valdis Dombrovskis said, adding, "Today's measure has been adopted with the utmost urgency. The aim is to provide us immediately with full transparency ... And if needed, it also will provide us with a tool to ensure vaccine deliveries." The European Commission had earlier published a redacted version of its contract with AstraZeneca after row over vaccine delivery. AstraZeneca's CEO Pascal Soriot had said deliveries of the vaccine in Europe were hit due to glitches in its Belgian plant. The row erupted after reports said Britain had signed its contract three months earlier than Brussels angering EU. Several countries in the EU have been hit with shortage of vaccines leading to a halt in vaccination drive even as the continent battles the virus. AstraZeneca and the EU had signed a deal for up to 400 million doses of the vaccine, however, last week, the firm announced production cuts of up to 60 per cent to the European body due to problems in its Belgian factory.

EU adopts coronavirus vaccine export control scheme; approves AstraZeneca vaccine

British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca on Monday signed a memorandum of cooperation with Russia's Gamaleya Institute, which developed Sputnik V,&nbsp;will sign a memorandum of intent on cooperation on Monday, the Kremlin said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin&nbsp;hailed British drugmaker AstraZeneca's decision&nbsp;to test combining its own experimental COVID-19 vaccine with Russia's Sputnik V shot, as Moscow said the start of clinical trials was imminent.

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Clinical trials, still underway, have shown Sputnik V has an efficacy rate of over 90 per cent, higher than that of AstraZeneca's own vaccine and similar to those of US&nbsp;rivals Pfizer and Moderna.

Putin praised Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca's chief executive, who had dialed in by video conference.

Alexander Gintsburg, the head of Gamaleya research center said "The trials are starting very soon, practically right now. They will not require any big investment and long time simply because the two technologies that underpin AstraZeneca's vaccine and Sputnik V are very similar."

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/all-you-want-to-know-about-russias-coronavirus-vaccine-sputnik-v-319775">All you want to know about Russia's coronavirus vaccine 'Sputnik V'</a>

Meanwhile, Kirill Dmitriev, the head of RDIF, told the event that clinical trials combining the Russian and British vaccines would start soon in three countries.

He did not name the countries but mentioned some of them were in the Middle East and the former Soviet Union.

Dmitriev has previously said Russia believes the combination will boost the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

The cooperation between one of Britain's most valuable listed companies and the state-backed Russian research institute highlights the pressure to develop an effective shot to fight the pandemic, which has killed over 1.6 million people.

In Moscow, the move is seen as a long-awaited vote of confidence by a Western manufacturer in Sputnik V, which Russian authorities say is the target of a foreign-backed smear campaign.

Russia wants to produce the new vaccine jointly if it is proven to be effective.

Dmitriev, head of RDIF, which has financed and promoted Sputnik V, also announced on Monday that Russia believed Sputnik was highly effective against a new strain of the coronavirus found in Europe.

British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca on Monday signed a memorandum of cooperation with Russia's Gamaleya Institute, which developed Sputnik V, will sign a memorandum of intent on cooperation on Monday, the Kremlin said.

British-Swedish multinational pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca on Monday signed a memorandum of cooperation with Russia's Gamaleya Institute, which developed Sputnik V, will sign a memorandum of intent on cooperation on Monday, the Kremlin said. Russian President Vladimir Putin hailed British drugmaker AstraZeneca's decision to test combining its own experimental COVID-19 vaccine with Russia's Sputnik V shot, as Moscow said the start of clinical trials was imminent. Clinical trials, still underway, have shown Sputnik V has an efficacy rate of over 90 per cent, higher than that of AstraZeneca's own vaccine and similar to those of US rivals Pfizer and Moderna. Putin praised Pascal Soriot, AstraZeneca's chief executive, who had dialed in by video conference. Alexander Gintsburg, the head of Gamaleya research center said "The trials are starting very soon, practically right now. They will not require any big investment and long time simply because the two technologies that underpin AstraZeneca's vaccine and Sputnik V are very similar." Also see: All you want to know about Russia's coronavirus vaccine 'Sputnik V' Meanwhile, Kirill Dmitriev, the head of RDIF, told the event that clinical trials combining the Russian and British vaccines would start soon in three countries. He did not name the countries but mentioned some of them were in the Middle East and the former Soviet Union. Dmitriev has previously said Russia believes the combination will boost the efficacy of the AstraZeneca vaccine. The cooperation between one of Britain's most valuable listed companies and the state-backed Russian research institute highlights the pressure to develop an effective shot to fight the pandemic, which has killed over 1.6 million people. In Moscow, the move is seen as a long-awaited vote of confidence by a Western manufacturer in Sputnik V, which Russian authorities say is the target of a foreign-backed smear campaign. Russia wants to produce the new vaccine jointly if it is proven to be effective. Dmitriev, head of RDIF, which has financed and promoted Sputnik V, also announced on Monday that Russia believed Sputnik was highly effective against a new strain of the coronavirus found in Europe.

AstraZeneca signs memorandum of cooperation with Russia's Sputnik V to combine COVID-19 vaccine

Health authorities in&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia have registered the Pfizer-BioNTech <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">COVID-19 vaccine</a> for import and use in the country, state news agency SPA said on Thursday.

Saudi Arabia has&nbsp;become the second Gulf country after Bahrain to green-light the&nbsp;Pfizer-BioNTech&nbsp;coronavirus vaccine.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/european-medicines-agency-hacking-pfizer-biontech-confirm-vaccine-documents-unlawfully-accessed-348845">Euro agency hacking: Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine documents 'unlawfully accessed'</a>

Saudi Arabia on Thursday approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech novel coronavirus vaccine, state media reported, becoming the second Gulf country after Bahrain to green-light the drug.

"The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)... has approved the registration of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," it said in a statement released by the official Saudi Press Agency.

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"Health authorities in the kingdom can import and use the vaccine," it added.

The SFDA did not specify when it would begin the rollout of the vaccine by US pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech.

Last week, Bahrain announced it had approved the emergency use of the same vaccine. Britain and Canada have also approved it.

American regulators are due to meet on Thursday to assess the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for emergency approval in the United States, the worst-hit nation with more than 15 million known infections and close to 290,000 deaths.

The US Food and Drug Administration is likely to issue an allergy warning if it approves the vaccine, following Britain's lead, after two health care workers there suffered reactions and needed treatment.&nbsp;

The SFDA said it will analyse samples from "each incoming vaccine shipment before using it" to ensure quality standards.

Saudi Arabia has so far recorded nearly 360,000 novel coronavirus cases, including more than 6,000 deaths –- the highest in the Gulf. But the kingdom has also reported a high recovery rate.

Companies have been racing to find a vaccine for the virus, which has killed over 1.5 million people and infected more than 68 million since it emerged in China in December of last year.

Health authorities in Saudi Arabia have registered the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for import and use in the country, state news agency SPA said on Thursday.

Health authorities in Saudi Arabia have registered the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for import and use in the country, state news agency SPA said on Thursday. Saudi Arabia has become the second Gulf country after Bahrain to green-light the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine. Also read: Euro agency hacking: Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine documents 'unlawfully accessed' Saudi Arabia on Thursday approved the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech novel coronavirus vaccine, state media reported, becoming the second Gulf country after Bahrain to green-light the drug. "The Saudi Food and Drug Authority (SFDA)... has approved the registration of Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine in the kingdom of Saudi Arabia," it said in a statement released by the official Saudi Press Agency. "Health authorities in the kingdom can import and use the vaccine," it added. The SFDA did not specify when it would begin the rollout of the vaccine by US pharmaceuticals giant Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech. Last week, Bahrain announced it had approved the emergency use of the same vaccine. Britain and Canada have also approved it. American regulators are due to meet on Thursday to assess the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for emergency approval in the United States, the worst-hit nation with more than 15 million known infections and close to 290,000 deaths. The US Food and Drug Administration is likely to issue an allergy warning if it approves the vaccine, following Britain's lead, after two health care workers there suffered reactions and needed treatment. The SFDA said it will analyse samples from "each incoming vaccine shipment before using it" to ensure quality standards. Saudi Arabia has so far recorded nearly 360,000 novel coronavirus cases, including more than 6,000 deaths –- the highest in the Gulf. But the kingdom has also reported a high recovery rate. Companies have been racing to find a vaccine for the virus, which has killed over 1.5 million people and infected more than 68 million since it emerged in China in December of last year.

Now, Saudi Arabia approves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

WHO chief scientist Saumya Swaminathan has said that "healthy, young person" might have to wait until 2022 to get the coronavirus <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/oxford-develops-five-minute-covid-19-rapid-antigen-test-335467">vaccine</a>.

Watch:

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“Most people agree, it’s starting with healthcare workers, and frontline workers, but even there, you need to define which of them are at highest risk, and then the elderly, and so on," Swaminathan said.

"There will be a lot of guidance coming out, but I think an average person, a healthy young person might have to wait until 2022 to get a vaccine,” the WHO &nbsp;scientist added.

As Europe witnesses a surge in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-sees-record-rise-in-coronavirus-cases-with-over-6500-infections-335361">virus</a> cases, the WHO said it was of "great concern". France has been the worst-hit due to the virus in recent weeks with 30,000 cases reported for the first time.

Hans Kluge, Europe's WHO regional director said that although the situation wasn't as bad as in March and April in the continent but warned that government's need to "step up the measures" to combat the virus.

"The collateral damage on the people was too much," Kluge asserted.

France has imposed a curfew in Paris including in eight other cities as the virus continues to make inroads into the country. In Poland, the government has asked people to work from home even as Switzerland reported deterioration in virus cases.

The virus has so far infected over 40 million people worldwide and led to over 1.1 million fatalities. Meanwhile, China reported 24 new <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nokia-develops-automatic-covid-19-detection-system-335550">coronavirus</a> cases on Thursday which it said were all "imported".

China also reported ten new asymptomatic cases on Thursday. The country currently has 85,646 confirmed coronavirus cases with 4,634 fatalities.

WHO chief scientist Saumya Swaminathan has said that "healthy, young person" might have to wait until 2022 to get the coronavirus vaccine. Watch: “Most people agree, it’s starting with healthcare workers, and frontline workers, but even there, you need to define which of them are at highest risk, and then the elderly, and so on," Swaminathan said.

WHO chief scientist Saumya Swaminathan has said that "healthy, young person" might have to wait until 2022 to get the coronavirus vaccine. Watch: “Most people agree, it’s starting with healthcare workers, and frontline workers, but even there, you need to define which of them are at highest risk, and then the elderly, and so on," Swaminathan said. "There will be a lot of guidance coming out, but I think an average person, a healthy young person might have to wait until 2022 to get a vaccine,” the WHO scientist added. As Europe witnesses a surge in virus cases, the WHO said it was of "great concern". France has been the worst-hit due to the virus in recent weeks with 30,000 cases reported for the first time. Hans Kluge, Europe's WHO regional director said that although the situation wasn't as bad as in March and April in the continent but warned that government's need to "step up the measures" to combat the virus. "The collateral damage on the people was too much," Kluge asserted. France has imposed a curfew in Paris including in eight other cities as the virus continues to make inroads into the country. In Poland, the government has asked people to work from home even as Switzerland reported deterioration in virus cases. The virus has so far infected over 40 million people worldwide and led to over 1.1 million fatalities. Meanwhile, China reported 24 new coronavirus cases on Thursday which it said were all "imported". China also reported ten new asymptomatic cases on Thursday. The country currently has 85,646 confirmed coronavirus cases with 4,634 fatalities.

Young person might have to wait until 2022 to get vaccine: WHO scientist Saumya Swaminathan

AstraZeneca has paused an experimental vaccine for the coronavirus after the illness of a participant. The World Health Organization's (WHO) chief scientist said that is a “wake-up call” but should not discourage researchers.

Coronavirus vaccine: AstraZeneca pauses COVID-19 vaccine trial

The volunteer whose serious ailment halted clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine candidate being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University

What do halted trials mean for the world?

AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine study is on a temporary hold after a participant falls ill. AstraZeneca didn't reveal any information about the possible side effect expect to call it 'a potentially unexplained illness'.

WION Fineprint: Oxford-Astrazeneca pause major trial for second time

AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine study paused after a participant falls ill in UK

According to preliminary results published in The Lancet journal, the COVID-19 vaccine, Sputnik V, approved by Russia last month has been shown to elicit antibody resonse with no serious adverse events in small human trials.

Russian vaccine is safe, shows no side effects: Lancet Report

After President Vladimir Putin declared that the country had developed the world's first coronavirus vaccine, the World Health Organization(WHO) said it was "discussing the new COVID-19 vaccine with Russia."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-has-developed-worlds-first-coronavirus-vaccine-putin-319696">Also Read:&nbsp;Russia has developed world's 'first' coronavirus vaccine, says&nbsp;Putin</a>

The United Nations health agency's spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said: "We are in close contact with the Russian health authorities and discussions are ongoing with respect to possible WHO pre-qualification of the vaccine."

Watch:&nbsp;

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"Pre-qualification of any vaccine includes the rigorous review and assessment of all the required safety and efficacy data," Jasarevic added. The vaccine has been developed by Russia's Gamaleya research institute along with the country's defence force.

"Every country has national regulatory agencies that approve the use of vaccines or medicines on its territory," Jasarevic informed, adding, "WHO has in place a process of pre-qualification for vaccines but also for medicines. Manufacturers ask to have the WHO pre-qualification because it is a sort of stamp of quality."

"To get this, there is a review and assessment of all required safety and efficacy data that are gathered through the clinical trials. WHO will do this for any candidate vaccine."

Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russian direct investment fund which finances the vaccine project said that Phase 3 trials would start on Wednesday with industrial production due to start next month.

WHO's Jasarevic said that he was encouraged by the speed by which several candidate vaccines have been developing however he cautioned that "accelerating progress does not mean compromising on safety".

After President Vladimir Putin declared that the country had developed the world's first coronavirus vaccine, the World Health Organization(WHO) said it was "discussing the new COVID-19 vaccine with Russia.

After President Vladimir Putin declared that the country had developed the world's first coronavirus vaccine, the World Health Organization(WHO) said it was "discussing the new COVID-19 vaccine with Russia." Also Read: Russia has developed world's 'first' coronavirus vaccine, says Putin The United Nations health agency's spokesman Tarik Jasarevic said: "We are in close contact with the Russian health authorities and discussions are ongoing with respect to possible WHO pre-qualification of the vaccine." Watch: "Pre-qualification of any vaccine includes the rigorous review and assessment of all the required safety and efficacy data," Jasarevic added. The vaccine has been developed by Russia's Gamaleya research institute along with the country's defence force. "Every country has national regulatory agencies that approve the use of vaccines or medicines on its territory," Jasarevic informed, adding, "WHO has in place a process of pre-qualification for vaccines but also for medicines. Manufacturers ask to have the WHO pre-qualification because it is a sort of stamp of quality." "To get this, there is a review and assessment of all required safety and efficacy data that are gathered through the clinical trials. WHO will do this for any candidate vaccine." Kirill Dmitriev, the head of Russian direct investment fund which finances the vaccine project said that Phase 3 trials would start on Wednesday with industrial production due to start next month. WHO's Jasarevic said that he was encouraged by the speed by which several candidate vaccines have been developing however he cautioned that "accelerating progress does not mean compromising on safety".

In contact with Russia over vaccine, rigorous review and assessment required: WHO

Presently, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is one of the few candidates, which is showing satisfactory results based on the ongoing trials and has been cleared for the final phase

Who will get the COVID-19 vaccine first? Race for a Wuhan virus vaccine