US experts will meet Thursday to decide whether to recommend approval of Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine for emergency use.

Moderna vaccine inches closer to emergency use approval in United States

The World Health Organization (WHO) regional office for the Western Pacific on Thursday called for greater vigilance amid the roll-out of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, saying the vaccine is not a "silver bullet" that will end the nearly year-long pandemic which has already killed over 1.6 million.

"Whoever you are, wherever you live, as long as the virus is circulating somewhere, we all remain at risk, and we must keep preparing for the worst-case scenario," WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Takeshi Kasai said in a virtual media briefing.

Kasai appealed to the younger and socially active people aged under 40 to "do everything you can to avoid infection for yourself and everybody around you" despite the anxiety and uncertainties brought about by the pandemic. "By following the advice of health authorities you can directly contribute to protecting the lives of people in your community and in doing so to reviving your society's economies in 2021," Kasai said.

"I urge you to think about those who may be at high risk of severe COVID. If you catch the virus, you could unknowingly pass it on to your parents or grandparents, your neighbour or friend with an underlying condition," Kasai said.

Moreover, he urged the young to "think of health workers who have been working day and night for almost a year. They are exhausted". Kasai also appealed to the governments across the region "to use an additional layer of surveillance that picks up an early sign of infection among those groups that are difficult to catch with the existing system."

Kasai said the COVID-19 vaccines "are not a silver bullet that will end the pandemic in the near future". "The development of a safe and effective vaccine is one thing but producing them in adequate quantities and reaching everyone that needs them is another. They will initially only be available in limited quantities and high-risk groups should be prioritized first," he said.

"This means that we are tired of this pandemic, we must stick to the actions and behaviour which protect not only ourselves but also those around us. Hand washing, mask-wearing, physical distancing and avoiding places that have a high risk of transmission. For now, we must keep making the choices that will reduce transmission of the virus and protect our families and our communities. By doing so we can go into 2021 with hope," he added.

Babatunde Olowokure, WHO regional emergency director, echoed Kasai, saying that the "COVID-19 vaccine itself is not a silver bullet to end the COVID-19". "There is no room for complacency. So we must continue to remain vigilant, continue to comply with our public health interventions," he said.

He further urged governments to "look at strategies" which could help the younger population cope with public health interventions and to manage those appropriately. There are now 985,539 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Western Pacific Region, including 18,641 deaths.

The World Health Organization (WHO) regional office for the Western Pacific on Thursday called for greater vigilance amid the roll-out of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, saying the vaccine is not a "silver bullet" that will end the nearly year-long pandemic which has already killed over 1.

The World Health Organization (WHO) regional office for the Western Pacific on Thursday called for greater vigilance amid the roll-out of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, saying the vaccine is not a "silver bullet" that will end the nearly year-long pandemic which has already killed over 1.6 million. "Whoever you are, wherever you live, as long as the virus is circulating somewhere, we all remain at risk, and we must keep preparing for the worst-case scenario," WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Takeshi Kasai said in a virtual media briefing. Kasai appealed to the younger and socially active people aged under 40 to "do everything you can to avoid infection for yourself and everybody around you" despite the anxiety and uncertainties brought about by the pandemic. "By following the advice of health authorities you can directly contribute to protecting the lives of people in your community and in doing so to reviving your society's economies in 2021," Kasai said. "I urge you to think about those who may be at high risk of severe COVID. If you catch the virus, you could unknowingly pass it on to your parents or grandparents, your neighbour or friend with an underlying condition," Kasai said. Moreover, he urged the young to "think of health workers who have been working day and night for almost a year. They are exhausted". Kasai also appealed to the governments across the region "to use an additional layer of surveillance that picks up an early sign of infection among those groups that are difficult to catch with the existing system." Kasai said the COVID-19 vaccines "are not a silver bullet that will end the pandemic in the near future". "The development of a safe and effective vaccine is one thing but producing them in adequate quantities and reaching everyone that needs them is another. They will initially only be available in limited quantities and high-risk groups should be prioritized first," he said. "This means that we are tired of this pandemic, we must stick to the actions and behaviour which protect not only ourselves but also those around us. Hand washing, mask-wearing, physical distancing and avoiding places that have a high risk of transmission. For now, we must keep making the choices that will reduce transmission of the virus and protect our families and our communities. By doing so we can go into 2021 with hope," he added. Babatunde Olowokure, WHO regional emergency director, echoed Kasai, saying that the "COVID-19 vaccine itself is not a silver bullet to end the COVID-19". "There is no room for complacency. So we must continue to remain vigilant, continue to comply with our public health interventions," he said. He further urged governments to "look at strategies" which could help the younger population cope with public health interventions and to manage those appropriately. There are now 985,539 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Western Pacific Region, including 18,641 deaths.

'Not a silver bullet': WHO calls for greater vigilance of COVID-19 vaccine

COVID-19 vaccine is likely to be authorised on friday in U.S., Moderna vaccine will be the second authorised vaccine in United States for the emergency purposes.

United States near to second COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use

The Union health ministry on Tuesday said 29,000 cold chain points, 240 walk-in coolers, 70 walk-in freezers, 45,000 ice-lined refrigerators, 41,000 deep freezers and 300 solar refrigerators will be used for COVID-19 vaccine storage.

Providing the details about cold-chain management at a press conference here, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said guidelines for estimation of electrical and non-electrical cold chain equipment and their strengthening have been issued to states by the Centre.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/183-covid-19-cases-in-iit-madras-lesson-for-the-public-say-authorities-349899" hreflang="en">183 Covid-19 cases in IIT-Madras: Lesson for the public, say authorities</a>

The guidelines for management of cold chain at last cold chain points and session sites have also been issued, he said.

"A total of 29,000 cold chain points, 240 walk-in coolers, 70 walk-in freezers, 45,000 ice-lined refrigerators, 41,000 deep freezers and 300 solar refrigerators will be used," Bhushan said. "All these equipment have already been delivered to the states. Some other equipment are being supplied," he said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-triggering-rare-deadly-fungal-infection-claim-indian-hospitals-349845" hreflang="en">Covid-19 triggering rare, deadly fungal infection, claim Indian hospitals</a>

Giving more details about the preparations, the senior official said 36 states and Union territories have concluded meetings of State Steering Committees and State Task Force, while 633 districts have concluded meetings of the District Task Force in this regard.

Twenty-three ministries and departments in the Centre and states have been identified and assigned roles like planning, implementation, social mobilisation, awareness generation, among others, for the vaccine roll-out, he said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/over-313-lakh-people-fined-for-not-wearing-masks-in-ahmedabad-rs1841-cr-collected-349823" hreflang="en">Over 3.13 lakh people fined for not wearing masks in Ahmedabad, ₹18.41 cr collected</a>

Training modules for medical officers, vaccinator officers, alternative vaccinator officers, cold chain handlers, supervisors, data managers and ASHA coordinators are also finalized, and physical training, as well as training on virtual/online platforms, have started, the health secretary said.

National and state Training of Trainers (ToTs) workshops have also been completed, he added. In reply to a media query, Bhushan said state governments have been allowed to form vaccination session sites even at units where the Army or paramilitary is posted.

Vaccinating 100-200 people in each session per day, monitoring them for 30 minutes after administering the shots for any adverse event and allowing only one beneficiary at a time are among the guidelines issued by the Centre for the COVID-19 inoculation drive.

According to the guidelines issued to states recently, the COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network (Co-WIN) system — a digitalised platform — will be used to track enlisted beneficiaries for the vaccination and anti-coronavirus vaccines on a real-time basis.

The Union health ministry on Tuesday said 29,000 cold chain points, 240 walk-in coolers, 70 walk-in freezers, 45,000 ice-lined refrigerators, 41,000 deep freezers and 300 solar refrigerators will be used for COVID-19 vaccine storage.

The Union health ministry on Tuesday said 29,000 cold chain points, 240 walk-in coolers, 70 walk-in freezers, 45,000 ice-lined refrigerators, 41,000 deep freezers and 300 solar refrigerators will be used for COVID-19 vaccine storage. Providing the details about cold-chain management at a press conference here, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said guidelines for estimation of electrical and non-electrical cold chain equipment and their strengthening have been issued to states by the Centre. Also read| 183 Covid-19 cases in IIT-Madras: Lesson for the public, say authorities The guidelines for management of cold chain at last cold chain points and session sites have also been issued, he said. "A total of 29,000 cold chain points, 240 walk-in coolers, 70 walk-in freezers, 45,000 ice-lined refrigerators, 41,000 deep freezers and 300 solar refrigerators will be used," Bhushan said. "All these equipment have already been delivered to the states. Some other equipment are being supplied," he said. Also read| Covid-19 triggering rare, deadly fungal infection, claim Indian hospitals Giving more details about the preparations, the senior official said 36 states and Union territories have concluded meetings of State Steering Committees and State Task Force, while 633 districts have concluded meetings of the District Task Force in this regard. Twenty-three ministries and departments in the Centre and states have been identified and assigned roles like planning, implementation, social mobilisation, awareness generation, among others, for the vaccine roll-out, he said. Also read| Over 3.13 lakh people fined for not wearing masks in Ahmedabad, ₹18.41 cr collected Training modules for medical officers, vaccinator officers, alternative vaccinator officers, cold chain handlers, supervisors, data managers and ASHA coordinators are also finalized, and physical training, as well as training on virtual/online platforms, have started, the health secretary said. National and state Training of Trainers (ToTs) workshops have also been completed, he added. In reply to a media query, Bhushan said state governments have been allowed to form vaccination session sites even at units where the Army or paramilitary is posted. Vaccinating 100-200 people in each session per day, monitoring them for 30 minutes after administering the shots for any adverse event and allowing only one beneficiary at a time are among the guidelines issued by the Centre for the COVID-19 inoculation drive. According to the guidelines issued to states recently, the COVID Vaccine Intelligence Network (Co-WIN) system — a digitalised platform — will be used to track enlisted beneficiaries for the vaccination and anti-coronavirus vaccines on a real-time basis.

Indian government prepares cold storage facilities for COVID-19 vaccines

According to authorities the first phase of highly awaited Pfizer-Biotech vaccine rollout is all set to start from Monday onwards. 145 sites across U.S to receive vaccine on Monday. Head of U.S food and drug administration on Saturday said the efforts to distribute in nations first vaccine are well and truly underway.

U.S Pfizer-Biotech vaccine rollout to begin on Monday

The clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine candidate being developed in Australia has been scrapped after trial participants returned false-positive test results for HIV, the developers announced on Friday.

The COVID-19 vaccine, which was being developed by the University of Queensland (UQ) and biotech firm CSL, have been scrapped, the company said in a statement released to the Australian Stock Exchange, CSL said it would halt the further trials.

The vaccine was one of four candidates that Australia had committed to buy and accordingly agreements were made to secure 51 million doses of the vaccine.

Stressing the vaccine had a "strong safety profile", CSL said: "The potential for this cross-reaction had been anticipated prior to the commencement of the trial".

In a statement, CSL said that no serious adverse effects had been reported in the 216 trial participants, and the vaccine was shown to have a "strong safety profile."

However trial data revealed that antibodies generated by the vaccine interfered with HIV diagnosis and led to false positives on some HIV tests, CSL said.

If the vaccine was rolled out nationally, CSL said it could undermine public health in Australia by causing a wave of false-positive HIV tests in the community.

"Follow up tests confirmed that there is no HIV virus present, just a false positive on certain HIV tests. There is no possibility the vaccine causes infection," the statement added.

CSL also said participants were told before the trial started that the vaccine could interfere with certain HIV diagnostic tests.

Human trials have been conducted since July this year with 120 volunteers in Brisbane.

The vaccine, manufactured at CSL's biologics facility in Victoria, was developed using an existing UQ technology called a "molecular clamp", a patented system that is designed to stimulate an immune response and protect against people developing COVID-19.

Reacting to the CSL news, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said abandoning the trial should show Australians the Government and researchers were proceeding carefully.

"What happened today is not a surprise to the Government. We are moving swiftly but not with any undue haste,' he said, adding the system's working as it should and Australians are protected, as always.

The University of Queensland commenced a Phase 1 trial of their COVID-19 vaccine candidate, v451 in July 2020 to assess safety and immunogenicity in healthy volunteers.

CSL was working towards taking responsibility for the Phase 2/3 clinical trial and large-scale manufacture of the vaccine, upon completion of successful trials.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Deborah Terry said while the outcome was disappointing, she was immensely proud of the UQ team who had shouldered a heavy burden of responsibility while the world watched on.

"I also want to thank our many partners, our donors, including the Federal and Queensland Government, and of course the 216 Queenslanders who so willingly volunteered for the Phase 1 trials," Terry said.

UQ vaccine co-lead Paul Young said that although it was possible to re-engineer the vaccine, the team did not have the luxury of time needed.

"Doing so would set back development by another 12 or so months, and while this is a tough decision to take, the urgent need for a vaccine has to be everyone's priority," Young said.

Australia has so far reported 28,011 cases of coronavirus and 908 deaths related to it, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine candidate being developed in Australia has been scrapped after trial participants returned false positive test results for HIV, the developers announced on Friday.

The COVID-19 vaccine, which was being developed by the University of Queensland (UQ) and biotech firm CSL, have been scrapped, the company said in a statement released to the Australian Stock Exchange, CSL said it would halt the further trials.

The vaccine was one of four candidates that Australia had committed to buy and accordingly agreements were made to secure 51 million doses of the vaccine.

Stressing the vaccine had a "strong safety profile", CSL said: "The potential for this cross-reaction had been anticipated prior to the commencement of the trial".

In a statement, CSL said that no serious adverse effects had been reported in the 216 trial participants, and the vaccine was shown to have a "strong safety profile."

However trial data revealed that antibodies generated by the vaccine interfered with HIV diagnosis and led to false positives on some HIV tests, CSL said.

If the vaccine was rolled out nationally, CSL said it could undermine public health in Australia by causing a wave of false positive HIV tests in the community.

"Follow up tests confirmed that there is no HIV virus present, just a false positive on certain HIV tests.

There is no possibility the vaccine causes infection," the statement added.

CSL also said participants were told before the trial started that the vaccine could interfere with certain HIV diagnostic tests.

Human trials have been conducted since July this year with 120 volunteers in Brisbane.

The vaccine, manufactured at CSL's biologics facility in Victoria, was developed using an existing UQ technology called a "molecular clamp", a patented system that is designed to stimulate an immune response and protect against people developing COVID-19.

Reacting to the CSL news, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said abandoning the trial should show Australians the Government and researchers were proceeding carefully.

"What happened today is not a surprise to the Government.

We are moving swiftly but not with any undue haste,' he said, adding the system's working as it should and Australians are protected, as always.

The University of Queensland commenced a Phase 1 trial of their COVID-19 vaccine candidate  v451 in July 2020 to assess safety and immunogenicity in healthy volunteers.

CSL was working towards taking responsibility for the Phase 2/3 clinical trial and large-scale manufacture of the vaccine, upon completion of successful trials.

UQ Vice-Chancellor Deborah Terry said while the outcome was disappointing, she was immensely proud of the UQ team who had shouldered a heavy burden of responsibility while the world watched on.

"I also want to thank our many partners, our donors, including the Federal and Queensland Government and of course the 216 Queenslanders who so willingly volunteered for the Phase 1 trials," Terry said.

UQ vaccine co-lead Paul Young said that although it was possible to re-engineer the vaccine, the team did not have the luxury of time needed.

"Doing so would set back development by another 12 or so months, and while this is a tough decision to take, the urgent need for a vaccine has to be everyone's priority," Young said.

Australia has so far reported 28,011 cases of coronavirus and 908 deaths related to it, according to Johns Hopkins University.

The clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine candidate being developed in Australia has been scrapped after trial participants returned false-positive test results for HIV, the developers announced on Friday.

The clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine candidate being developed in Australia has been scrapped after trial participants returned false-positive test results for HIV, the developers announced on Friday. The COVID-19 vaccine, which was being developed by the University of Queensland (UQ) and biotech firm CSL, have been scrapped, the company said in a statement released to the Australian Stock Exchange, CSL said it would halt the further trials. The vaccine was one of four candidates that Australia had committed to buy and accordingly agreements were made to secure 51 million doses of the vaccine. Stressing the vaccine had a "strong safety profile", CSL said: "The potential for this cross-reaction had been anticipated prior to the commencement of the trial". In a statement, CSL said that no serious adverse effects had been reported in the 216 trial participants, and the vaccine was shown to have a "strong safety profile." However trial data revealed that antibodies generated by the vaccine interfered with HIV diagnosis and led to false positives on some HIV tests, CSL said. If the vaccine was rolled out nationally, CSL said it could undermine public health in Australia by causing a wave of false-positive HIV tests in the community. "Follow up tests confirmed that there is no HIV virus present, just a false positive on certain HIV tests. There is no possibility the vaccine causes infection," the statement added. CSL also said participants were told before the trial started that the vaccine could interfere with certain HIV diagnostic tests. Human trials have been conducted since July this year with 120 volunteers in Brisbane. The vaccine, manufactured at CSL's biologics facility in Victoria, was developed using an existing UQ technology called a "molecular clamp", a patented system that is designed to stimulate an immune response and protect against people developing COVID-19. Reacting to the CSL news, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said abandoning the trial should show Australians the Government and researchers were proceeding carefully. "What happened today is not a surprise to the Government. We are moving swiftly but not with any undue haste,' he said, adding the system's working as it should and Australians are protected, as always. The University of Queensland commenced a Phase 1 trial of their COVID-19 vaccine candidate, v451 in July 2020 to assess safety and immunogenicity in healthy volunteers. CSL was working towards taking responsibility for the Phase 2/3 clinical trial and large-scale manufacture of the vaccine, upon completion of successful trials. UQ Vice-Chancellor Deborah Terry said while the outcome was disappointing, she was immensely proud of the UQ team who had shouldered a heavy burden of responsibility while the world watched on. "I also want to thank our many partners, our donors, including the Federal and Queensland Government, and of course the 216 Queenslanders who so willingly volunteered for the Phase 1 trials," Terry said. UQ vaccine co-lead Paul Young said that although it was possible to re-engineer the vaccine, the team did not have the luxury of time needed. "Doing so would set back development by another 12 or so months, and while this is a tough decision to take, the urgent need for a vaccine has to be everyone's priority," Young said. Australia has so far reported 28,011 cases of coronavirus and 908 deaths related to it, according to Johns Hopkins University. The clinical trials of a coronavirus vaccine candidate being developed in Australia has been scrapped after trial participants returned false positive test results for HIV, the developers announced on Friday. The COVID-19 vaccine, which was being developed by the University of Queensland (UQ) and biotech firm CSL, have been scrapped, the company said in a statement released to the Australian Stock Exchange, CSL said it would halt the further trials. The vaccine was one of four candidates that Australia had committed to buy and accordingly agreements were made to secure 51 million doses of the vaccine. Stressing the vaccine had a "strong safety profile", CSL said: "The potential for this cross-reaction had been anticipated prior to the commencement of the trial". In a statement, CSL said that no serious adverse effects had been reported in the 216 trial participants, and the vaccine was shown to have a "strong safety profile." However trial data revealed that antibodies generated by the vaccine interfered with HIV diagnosis and led to false positives on some HIV tests, CSL said. If the vaccine was rolled out nationally, CSL said it could undermine public health in Australia by causing a wave of false positive HIV tests in the community. "Follow up tests confirmed that there is no HIV virus present, just a false positive on certain HIV tests. There is no possibility the vaccine causes infection," the statement added. CSL also said participants were told before the trial started that the vaccine could interfere with certain HIV diagnostic tests. Human trials have been conducted since July this year with 120 volunteers in Brisbane. The vaccine, manufactured at CSL's biologics facility in Victoria, was developed using an existing UQ technology called a "molecular clamp", a patented system that is designed to stimulate an immune response and protect against people developing COVID-19. Reacting to the CSL news, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said abandoning the trial should show Australians the Government and researchers were proceeding carefully. "What happened today is not a surprise to the Government. We are moving swiftly but not with any undue haste,' he said, adding the system's working as it should and Australians are protected, as always. The University of Queensland commenced a Phase 1 trial of their COVID-19 vaccine candidate  v451 in July 2020 to assess safety and immunogenicity in healthy volunteers. CSL was working towards taking responsibility for the Phase 2/3 clinical trial and large-scale manufacture of the vaccine, upon completion of successful trials. UQ Vice-Chancellor Deborah Terry said while the outcome was disappointing, she was immensely proud of the UQ team who had shouldered a heavy burden of responsibility while the world watched on. "I also want to thank our many partners, our donors, including the Federal and Queensland Government and of course the 216 Queenslanders who so willingly volunteered for the Phase 1 trials," Terry said. UQ vaccine co-lead Paul Young said that although it was possible to re-engineer the vaccine, the team did not have the luxury of time needed. "Doing so would set back development by another 12 or so months, and while this is a tough decision to take, the urgent need for a vaccine has to be everyone's priority," Young said. Australia has so far reported 28,011 cases of coronavirus and 908 deaths related to it, according to Johns Hopkins University.

Australia ends COVID-19 vaccine trials after participants develop antibodies for HIV

Malaysian pharmaceutical company Pharmaniaga has said it is planning to build the world's first halal vaccine facility by 2022.

Malaysia says halal issue won't affect Covid-19 vaccine roll-out

As the United Kingdom began administering people with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, foreign delegates from more than 60 countries on Wednesday arrived in Hyderabad to visit leading biotech companies in India which are developing COVID-19 vaccines.

The envoys first stopped at Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech and will next visit Biological E. Ltd.

Bharat Biotech, developing India's first indigenous vaccine candidate, Covaxin, with Indian Council of Medical Research. Covaxin is claimed to be at least 60 per cent effective.

Bharat Biotech had started the phase 3 trials earlier in November with 26,000 volunteers across 22 sites in India, making it the largest COVID-19 clinical trial in the country.

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Telangana: The 64 foreign envoys seated for briefing, at Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad. They are being briefed by Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman &amp; Managing Director of Bharat Biotech International Limited.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVID19?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#COVID19</a> <a href="https://t.co/Oq6o7U8N7b">https://t.co/Oq6o7U8N7b</a> <a href="https://t.co/cmot8mGpo0">pic.twitter.com/cmot8mGpo0</a>
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The visit of the Foreign Heads of Missions (HoMs) in India was organised in continuation of the COVID-19 briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on November 6.

The first batch of diplomats included envoys from Australia, Denmark, Iran, Bhutan, Brazil, Myanmar, Slovenia, Trinidad &amp; Tobago, South Korea, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, among others.

(With inputs from agencies)

As the United Kingdom began administering people with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, foreign delegates from more than 60 countries on Wednesday arrived in Hyderabad to visit leading biotech companies in India which are developing COVID-19 vaccines.

As the United Kingdom began administering people with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, foreign delegates from more than 60 countries on Wednesday arrived in Hyderabad to visit leading biotech companies in India which are developing COVID-19 vaccines. The envoys first stopped at Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech and will next visit Biological E. Ltd. Bharat Biotech, developing India's first indigenous vaccine candidate, Covaxin, with Indian Council of Medical Research. Covaxin is claimed to be at least 60 per cent effective. Bharat Biotech had started the phase 3 trials earlier in November with 26,000 volunteers across 22 sites in India, making it the largest COVID-19 clinical trial in the country. Telangana: The 64 foreign envoys seated for briefing, at Bharat Biotech in Hyderabad. They are being briefed by Dr Krishna Ella, Chairman & Managing Director of Bharat Biotech International Limited.#COVID19 https://t.co/Oq6o7U8N7b pic.twitter.com/cmot8mGpo0 — ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2020 × The visit of the Foreign Heads of Missions (HoMs) in India was organised in continuation of the COVID-19 briefing by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on November 6. The first batch of diplomats included envoys from Australia, Denmark, Iran, Bhutan, Brazil, Myanmar, Slovenia, Trinidad & Tobago, South Korea, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, among others. (With inputs from agencies)

64 foreign envoys arrive at Bharat Biotech facility in Hyderabad that is developing Covid-19 vaccine

Hari Shukla, an Indian-origin man, will become one of the first people in the world to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as he is scheduled to get a shot of the&nbsp;Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in Newcastle, the UK on Tuesday.

The 87-year-old man from&nbsp;Tyne and Wear says he feels it is his duty to be the first one to receive the first dose on the first day, which is being dubbed as 'V-Day' or 'Vaccination day'. "I'm so pleased we are hopefully coming towards the end of this pandemic and I am delighted to be doing my bit by having the vaccine, I feel it is my duty to do so and do whatever I can to help," Shukla said.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beginning-of-the-end-for-pandemic-britain-begins-roll-out-of-pfizers-drug-to-the-public-348249" hreflang="en">'Beginning of the end' for pandemic: Britain begins roll-out of Pfizer's drug to the public</a>

The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has hailed this 'V Day' as a "huge step forward".&nbsp;

Shukla was contacted by the&nbsp;UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation as a part of the phased rollout plan, which is based&nbsp;at the highest risk of death from the deadly virus.

"Having been in contact with the NHS (National Health Service), I know how hard they all work and the greatest respect for them - they have a heart of gold and I am grateful for everything they have done to keep us safe during the pandemic," Shukla explained.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/beginning-of-the-end-for-pandemic-britain-begins-roll-out-of-pfizers-drug-to-the-public-348249" hreflang="en">'Beginning of the end' for pandemic: Britain begins roll-out of Pfizer's drug to the public</a>

Boris Johnson, while congratulating the experts and country on this achievement, also issued a call of caution saying even though the vaccine is being rolled out, people should still take care and practice social distancing.&nbsp;

"Today marks a huge step forward in the UK's fight against coronavirus, as we begin delivering the vaccine to the first patients across the whole country. I am immensely proud of the scientists who developed the vaccine, members of the public who took part in trials, and the NHS who have worked tirelessly to prepare for rollout," Johnson said.

As of now, the people over 80-years will be the ones receiving the vaccine. The UK authorities have carefully monitored the health graph of the recipients of the vaccine.

We will look back on today, V-day, as a key moment in our fight back against this terrible disease, and I am proud our health services across the United Kingdom are about to embark on our largest ever vaccination programme," said UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Hari Shukla, an Indian-origin man, will become one of the first people in the world to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as he is scheduled to get a shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in Newcastle, the UK on Tuesday.

Hari Shukla, an Indian-origin man, will become one of the first people in the world to receive the COVID-19 vaccine as he is scheduled to get a shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in Newcastle, the UK on Tuesday. The 87-year-old man from Tyne and Wear says he feels it is his duty to be the first one to receive the first dose on the first day, which is being dubbed as 'V-Day' or 'Vaccination day'. "I'm so pleased we are hopefully coming towards the end of this pandemic and I am delighted to be doing my bit by having the vaccine, I feel it is my duty to do so and do whatever I can to help," Shukla said. Also read| 'Beginning of the end' for pandemic: Britain begins roll-out of Pfizer's drug to the public The UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has hailed this 'V Day' as a "huge step forward". Shukla was contacted by the UK's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation as a part of the phased rollout plan, which is based at the highest risk of death from the deadly virus. "Having been in contact with the NHS (National Health Service), I know how hard they all work and the greatest respect for them - they have a heart of gold and I am grateful for everything they have done to keep us safe during the pandemic," Shukla explained. Also read| 'Beginning of the end' for pandemic: Britain begins roll-out of Pfizer's drug to the public Boris Johnson, while congratulating the experts and country on this achievement, also issued a call of caution saying even though the vaccine is being rolled out, people should still take care and practice social distancing. "Today marks a huge step forward in the UK's fight against coronavirus, as we begin delivering the vaccine to the first patients across the whole country. I am immensely proud of the scientists who developed the vaccine, members of the public who took part in trials, and the NHS who have worked tirelessly to prepare for rollout," Johnson said. As of now, the people over 80-years will be the ones receiving the vaccine. The UK authorities have carefully monitored the health graph of the recipients of the vaccine. We will look back on today, V-day, as a key moment in our fight back against this terrible disease, and I am proud our health services across the United Kingdom are about to embark on our largest ever vaccination programme," said UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock.

Hari Shukla, Indian-origin man, among first in world to receive COVID-19 vaccine

This is a historic week&nbsp;in the fight against the Wuhan virus as two major <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccine</a>&nbsp;programs are now underway.&nbsp;Russia and the United Kingdom have started inoculating their citizens against the novel coronavirus this week.

The world's big powers have been racing for a vaccine for months in an attempt to be the first to begin the long road to recovery.

The approval of a vaccine for use almost exactly a year since the novel coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China, is a triumph for science,&nbsp;Pfizer&nbsp;boss Albert Bourla and his German biotechnology partner BioNTech.

Russia and the United Kingdom are the first two countries that have kickstarted the vaccination process giving them an edge over other countries.

Moscow wants to vaccinate up to seven million people, its Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said, as&nbsp;Russia&nbsp;on Sunday reported yet another record high number of new COVID-19 cases.

Also see:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/russia-begins-large-scale-vaccination-as-coronavirus-cases-surge-347542">Russia begins large scale vaccination as coronavirus cases surge</a>

Moscow began distributing its Sputnik V COVID-19 shot via 70 clinics on Saturday to the most exposed groups, marking&nbsp;Russia's first large-scale vaccination against the disease.

The&nbsp;Russian-made vaccine will first be made available to doctors and other medical workers, teachers and social workers because they run the highest risk of exposure to the disease.

Russia&nbsp;reported a record daily increase of 29,039 new cases, taking the national total to 2,460,770 since the pandemic began, while the official national death toll rose to 43,141.

Russia, which has the world's fourth-highest number of coronavirus cases, puts high hopes on its vaccines but some scientists have raised concerns about the speed at which it gave the regulatory go-ahead and launched mass inoculations.

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Britain

Britain is preparing to become the first country to roll out the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine this week, initially making the shot available at hospitals before distributing stocks to doctors' clinics, the government said on Sunday.

Footage posted by the National Health Service (NHS) showed boxes containing doses of the vaccine being delivered to Croydon University Hospital in south London and being stored in a special, securely locked fridge.

The first doses are set to be administered on Tuesday, with the NHS giving top priority to vaccinating the over-80s, frontline healthcare workers and care home staff and residents.

Britain gave emergency use approval for the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech last week - jumping ahead in the global race to begin the most crucial mass inoculation programme in history.

In total, Britain has ordered 40 million doses. As each person requires two doses, that is enough to vaccinate 20 million people in the country of 67 million.

About 800,000 doses are expected to be available within the first week.

Initial doses that have arrived from Belgium are being stored in secure locations across the country, where they will be quality checked, the health ministry said.

The&nbsp;rollout&nbsp;coincides with a crucial and perilous moment in negotiations between Britain and the European Union on a post-Brexit trade agreement.

This is a historic week in the fight against the Wuhan virus as two major vaccine programs are now underway. Russia and the United Kingdom have started inoculating their citizens against the novel coronavirus this week.

This is a historic week in the fight against the Wuhan virus as two major vaccine programs are now underway. Russia and the United Kingdom have started inoculating their citizens against the novel coronavirus this week. The world's big powers have been racing for a vaccine for months in an attempt to be the first to begin the long road to recovery. The approval of a vaccine for use almost exactly a year since the novel coronavirus emerged in Wuhan, China, is a triumph for science, Pfizer boss Albert Bourla and his German biotechnology partner BioNTech. Russia and the United Kingdom are the first two countries that have kickstarted the vaccination process giving them an edge over other countries. Moscow wants to vaccinate up to seven million people, its Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said, as Russia on Sunday reported yet another record high number of new COVID-19 cases. Also see: Russia begins large scale vaccination as coronavirus cases surge Moscow began distributing its Sputnik V COVID-19 shot via 70 clinics on Saturday to the most exposed groups, marking Russia's first large-scale vaccination against the disease. The Russian-made vaccine will first be made available to doctors and other medical workers, teachers and social workers because they run the highest risk of exposure to the disease. Russia reported a record daily increase of 29,039 new cases, taking the national total to 2,460,770 since the pandemic began, while the official national death toll rose to 43,141. Russia, which has the world's fourth-highest number of coronavirus cases, puts high hopes on its vaccines but some scientists have raised concerns about the speed at which it gave the regulatory go-ahead and launched mass inoculations. × Britain Britain is preparing to become the first country to roll out the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine this week, initially making the shot available at hospitals before distributing stocks to doctors' clinics, the government said on Sunday. Footage posted by the National Health Service (NHS) showed boxes containing doses of the vaccine being delivered to Croydon University Hospital in south London and being stored in a special, securely locked fridge. The first doses are set to be administered on Tuesday, with the NHS giving top priority to vaccinating the over-80s, frontline healthcare workers and care home staff and residents. Britain gave emergency use approval for the vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech last week - jumping ahead in the global race to begin the most crucial mass inoculation programme in history. In total, Britain has ordered 40 million doses. As each person requires two doses, that is enough to vaccinate 20 million people in the country of 67 million. About 800,000 doses are expected to be available within the first week. Initial doses that have arrived from Belgium are being stored in secure locations across the country, where they will be quality checked, the health ministry said. The rollout coincides with a crucial and perilous moment in negotiations between Britain and the European Union on a post-Brexit trade agreement.

Coronavirus vaccine rollout: Russia and UK begin inoculating their citizens

While the world is crippling under the COVID-19 pandemic and scientists are rushing to develop and manufacture a vaccine to fight the novel coronavirus, the politics&nbsp;around the vaccine has reached the doors of the US courts.

Dr. Jane Orient is the executive director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons — a group with the aim of resisting the government's involvement in medicine. Orient also believes the federal vaccine mandates are violations of human rights. She has often described vaccine mandates as "a serious intrusion into individual liberty, autonomy and parental decisions."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pfizer-ceo-not-certain-if-coronavirus-vaccine-will-prevent-transmission-347495">Pfizer CEO 'not certain' if coronavirus vaccine will prevent transmission</a>

Orient has been called to attendance in front of&nbsp;Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on Tuesday. His attendance has sparked criticism from the Democratic party who have objected to Republicans giving a platform to a promoter of 'conspiracy theories'.

“A public health threat is the rationale for the policy on mandatory vaccines. But how much of a threat is required to justify forcing people to accept government-imposed risks?” Orient wrote in a statement to the Senate.

Orient claims she is unsure about the method being used by Pfizer and Moderna for the COVID-19 vaccine as both the companies are using new methods to produce the vaccine, which can be a risky move. "It seems to me reckless to be pushing people to take risks when you don’t know what the risks are," Orient told The New York Times. "People’s rights should be respected. Where is 'my body, my choice' when it comes to this?"

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/volunteers-face-severe-hangover-headache-and-pain-after-getting-pfizer-vaccine-shot-342518">Volunteers face 'severe hangover', headache and pain after getting Pfizer vaccine shot</a>

Her selection as a witness has sparked criticism from the Democrats. "At such a crucial time, giving a platform to conspiracy theorists to spread myths and falsehoods about COVID vaccines is downright dangerous and one of the last things Senate Republicans should be doing right now," said&nbsp;Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. and the Senate minority leader.

This hearing has at a point in the pandemic when the American federal officers are enlisting lawmakers and personalities to reach out to the general public and encourage them to take the COVID-19 vaccine, instead of getting affected by the anti-vaxxers — a term Dr. Orient disassociates herself with.

She has also raised concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine being used for the younger generation as she claims "the effect on fertility has not been determined". However, no such report has been found that suggests the vaccine has any effect on fertility.

Orient has also taken a hit at Dr. ANthony Fauci, who has been a leading face of the White House's COVID-19 response team — and has been on the bad side of the outgoing US President Donald Trump for the last few months. "Why is he dictating care for 340 million Americans?," Orient lashed out.

While the world is crippling under the COVID-19 pandemic and scientists are rushing to develop and manufacture a vaccine to fight the novel coronavirus, the politics around the vaccine has reached the doors of the US courts.

While the world is crippling under the COVID-19 pandemic and scientists are rushing to develop and manufacture a vaccine to fight the novel coronavirus, the politics around the vaccine has reached the doors of the US courts. Dr. Jane Orient is the executive director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons — a group with the aim of resisting the government's involvement in medicine. Orient also believes the federal vaccine mandates are violations of human rights. She has often described vaccine mandates as "a serious intrusion into individual liberty, autonomy and parental decisions." Also read| Pfizer CEO 'not certain' if coronavirus vaccine will prevent transmission Orient has been called to attendance in front of Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee hearing on Tuesday. His attendance has sparked criticism from the Democratic party who have objected to Republicans giving a platform to a promoter of 'conspiracy theories'. “A public health threat is the rationale for the policy on mandatory vaccines. But how much of a threat is required to justify forcing people to accept government-imposed risks?” Orient wrote in a statement to the Senate. Orient claims she is unsure about the method being used by Pfizer and Moderna for the COVID-19 vaccine as both the companies are using new methods to produce the vaccine, which can be a risky move. "It seems to me reckless to be pushing people to take risks when you don’t know what the risks are," Orient told The New York Times. "People’s rights should be respected. Where is 'my body, my choice' when it comes to this?" Also read: Volunteers face 'severe hangover', headache and pain after getting Pfizer vaccine shot Her selection as a witness has sparked criticism from the Democrats. "At such a crucial time, giving a platform to conspiracy theorists to spread myths and falsehoods about COVID vaccines is downright dangerous and one of the last things Senate Republicans should be doing right now," said Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. and the Senate minority leader. This hearing has at a point in the pandemic when the American federal officers are enlisting lawmakers and personalities to reach out to the general public and encourage them to take the COVID-19 vaccine, instead of getting affected by the anti-vaxxers — a term Dr. Orient disassociates herself with. She has also raised concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine being used for the younger generation as she claims "the effect on fertility has not been determined". However, no such report has been found that suggests the vaccine has any effect on fertility. Orient has also taken a hit at Dr. ANthony Fauci, who has been a leading face of the White House's COVID-19 response team — and has been on the bad side of the outgoing US President Donald Trump for the last few months. "Why is he dictating care for 340 million Americans?," Orient lashed out.

Anti-vaccine scientist to testify before US Senate Committee

The monarch, 94, and her 99-year-old husband Prince Philip are in line to get the jab early due to their age and will not receive preferential treatment

Britain: Queen Elizabeth, husband to get Covid-19 vaccine

The World Health Organization's&nbsp;director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said he will be 'happy' to take a shot of the approved COVID-19 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-begins-mass-covid-19-vaccination-with-its-sputnik-v-shot-347693">vaccine</a>&nbsp;in front of the cameras, after the US President-elect&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/joe-biden">Joe Biden</a>, former President <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/barack-obama">Barack Obama</a> and many others volunteered for the same.

"I would be happy to do the same thing. I would be happy to do it," he told reporters while talking about the decision taken by Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. "I need to make sure it's my turn. I don't want to take anybody's vaccine," he added.

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/i-wouldnt-demand-it-be-mandatory-biden-on-vaccine-347715">&nbsp;I wouldn't demand it be mandatory: Biden on vaccine</a>

He also took the opportunity to appreciate the decision taken by the former Presidents and President-elect to spread awareness about the COVID-19 vaccine. "It's a good idea... I think it's very good that they already have shown their commitment. They can influence," he said. "They are influencers."

The statements came after the UK approved usage of the COVID-19 vaccine by&nbsp;Pfizer-BioNTech for the general public, making it the first country to do so.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-us-presidents-biden-agree-to-get-vaccinated-on-camera-to-spread-awareness-347341">Former US presidents, Biden agree to get vaccinated on camera to spread awareness</a>

Former US President and Biden's aid, Barack Obama, had assured that he would be willing to a shot of the&nbsp;vaccine if it is approved by Dr. Anthony Fauci, White House infectious disease expert. "If Anthony Fauci tells me this vaccine is safe, and can vaccinate, you know, immunize you from getting Covid, absolutely, I'm going to take it," he had said in an interview. "I may end up taking it on TV or having it filmed, just so that people know that I trust this science, and what I don't trust is getting Covid."

George W. Bush's chief of staff, too, had issued a statement on similar lines, saying "First, the vaccines need to be deemed safe and administered to the priority populations.&nbsp;Then, president Bush will get in line for his, and will gladly do so on camera."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/haryana-minister-anil-vij-tests-positive-for-covid-19-after-trial-covaxin-shot-347705" hreflang="en">Haryana minister Anil Vij tests positive for COVID-19 after trial Covaxin shot</a>

The US is expected to approve the COVID-19 vaccine very soon. However, the President-elect Joe Biden has said the vaccine won't be made "mandatory" but he would do everything in his "powers as president" to encourage people to do the "right thing".

The World Health Organization's director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said he will be 'happy' to take a shot of the approved COVID-19 vaccine in front of the cameras, after the US President-elect Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama and many others volunteered for the same.

The World Health Organization's director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has said he will be 'happy' to take a shot of the approved COVID-19 vaccine in front of the cameras, after the US President-elect Joe Biden, former President Barack Obama and many others volunteered for the same. "I would be happy to do the same thing. I would be happy to do it," he told reporters while talking about the decision taken by Joe Biden, Barack Obama and Bill Clinton. "I need to make sure it's my turn. I don't want to take anybody's vaccine," he added. Also read| I wouldn't demand it be mandatory: Biden on vaccine He also took the opportunity to appreciate the decision taken by the former Presidents and President-elect to spread awareness about the COVID-19 vaccine. "It's a good idea... I think it's very good that they already have shown their commitment. They can influence," he said. "They are influencers." The statements came after the UK approved usage of the COVID-19 vaccine by Pfizer-BioNTech for the general public, making it the first country to do so. Also read| Former US presidents, Biden agree to get vaccinated on camera to spread awareness Former US President and Biden's aid, Barack Obama, had assured that he would be willing to a shot of the vaccine if it is approved by Dr. Anthony Fauci, White House infectious disease expert. "If Anthony Fauci tells me this vaccine is safe, and can vaccinate, you know, immunize you from getting Covid, absolutely, I'm going to take it," he had said in an interview. "I may end up taking it on TV or having it filmed, just so that people know that I trust this science, and what I don't trust is getting Covid." George W. Bush's chief of staff, too, had issued a statement on similar lines, saying "First, the vaccines need to be deemed safe and administered to the priority populations. Then, president Bush will get in line for his, and will gladly do so on camera." Also read| Haryana minister Anil Vij tests positive for COVID-19 after trial Covaxin shot The US is expected to approve the COVID-19 vaccine very soon. However, the President-elect Joe Biden has said the vaccine won't be made "mandatory" but he would do everything in his "powers as president" to encourage people to do the "right thing".

WHO Chief Tedros to take COVID-19 vaccine on camera

Dr. Anthony Fauci,&nbsp;the White House expert on the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> pandemic, had earlier criticised the UK for rushing to approve the COVID-19 <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccine</a>, alleging a failure to scrutinize data from the manufacturers.

"They kind of ran around the corner of the marathon and joined it in the last mile," he said in a local interview. "They really rushed through that approval."

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/joe-biden-asks-anthony-fauci-to-stay-on-the-exact-same-role-in-covid-19-response-team-347426">Joe Biden asks Anthony Fauci to 'stay on the exact same role' in COVID-19 response team</a>

The statement came after the UK became the first country in the world to approve a coronavirus vaccine for the general public. The vaccine has been jointly developed by the American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany's BioNTech.

"I love the Brits, they're great, they're good scientists, but they just took the data from the Pfizer company and instead of scrutinizing it really, really carefully, they said, 'OK, let's approve it, that's it.' And they went with it," Fauci had said. "In fact, they were even rather severely criticized by their European Union counterparts who were saying, you know, 'That was kind of a hot dog play.' I didn't say that they did."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-us-presidents-biden-agree-to-get-vaccinated-on-camera-to-spread-awareness-347341">Former US presidents, Biden agree to get vaccinated on camera to spread awareness</a>

Fauci's statement faced an extreme backlash from experts and the general public who believe this statement could raise serious doubts in minds of people and make them sceptical about using the vaccine to fight off the deadly virus. The British regulatory agency also dismissed Fauci's claims saying their experts had "rigorously assessed the data in the shortest time possible without compromising the thoroughness of our review."

After the criticism, Fauci backtracked on his statements claiming his comment was a "misunderstanding". He claims his comments simply meant that in the context of his own country, US, it would not have been appropriate to conduct the process in the same way and at the same speed as what happened in Britain, considering the population difference and the intensity of the spread of the virus in the US.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/coronavirus-in-us-highest-ever-210000-new-cases-recorded-347351">Coronavirus in US: Highest-ever 210,000 new cases recorded</a>

"There really has been a misunderstanding. I apologize for that," he later said. "I do have great faith in the scientific community and regulatory community in the UK." He told the BBC there was "no judgment on the way the UK did it."

"Our process is one that takes more time than it takes in the UK. And that's just the reality," he continued. "I did not mean to imply any sloppiness even though it came out that way."

He had also talked about vaccine development and approval by the US'&nbsp;Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "They're doing it in a very careful way, appropriately," he said. "Because if we did anything that was cutting corners and rushing — we have enough problems with people being sceptical about taking a vaccine anyway — if we had jumped over the hurdle here quickly and inappropriately to gain an extra week or a week and a half I think that the credibility of our regulatory process would have been damaged."

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House expert on the coronavirus pandemic, had earlier criticised the UK for rushing to approve the COVID-19 vaccine, alleging a failure to scrutinize data from the manufacturers.

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the White House expert on the coronavirus pandemic, had earlier criticised the UK for rushing to approve the COVID-19 vaccine, alleging a failure to scrutinize data from the manufacturers. "They kind of ran around the corner of the marathon and joined it in the last mile," he said in a local interview. "They really rushed through that approval." Also read| Joe Biden asks Anthony Fauci to 'stay on the exact same role' in COVID-19 response team The statement came after the UK became the first country in the world to approve a coronavirus vaccine for the general public. The vaccine has been jointly developed by the American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany's BioNTech. "I love the Brits, they're great, they're good scientists, but they just took the data from the Pfizer company and instead of scrutinizing it really, really carefully, they said, 'OK, let's approve it, that's it.' And they went with it," Fauci had said. "In fact, they were even rather severely criticized by their European Union counterparts who were saying, you know, 'That was kind of a hot dog play.' I didn't say that they did." Also read | Former US presidents, Biden agree to get vaccinated on camera to spread awareness Fauci's statement faced an extreme backlash from experts and the general public who believe this statement could raise serious doubts in minds of people and make them sceptical about using the vaccine to fight off the deadly virus. The British regulatory agency also dismissed Fauci's claims saying their experts had "rigorously assessed the data in the shortest time possible without compromising the thoroughness of our review." After the criticism, Fauci backtracked on his statements claiming his comment was a "misunderstanding". He claims his comments simply meant that in the context of his own country, US, it would not have been appropriate to conduct the process in the same way and at the same speed as what happened in Britain, considering the population difference and the intensity of the spread of the virus in the US. Also read| Coronavirus in US: Highest-ever 210,000 new cases recorded "There really has been a misunderstanding. I apologize for that," he later said. "I do have great faith in the scientific community and regulatory community in the UK." He told the BBC there was "no judgment on the way the UK did it." "Our process is one that takes more time than it takes in the UK. And that's just the reality," he continued. "I did not mean to imply any sloppiness even though it came out that way." He had also talked about vaccine development and approval by the US' Food and Drug Administration (FDA). "They're doing it in a very careful way, appropriately," he said. "Because if we did anything that was cutting corners and rushing — we have enough problems with people being sceptical about taking a vaccine anyway — if we had jumped over the hurdle here quickly and inappropriately to gain an extra week or a week and a half I think that the credibility of our regulatory process would have been damaged."

Anthony Fauci backtracks on UK vaccine comments; apologises for 'misunderstanding'

As the world is bracing itself for COVID-19 vaccines, which are being expected to be rolled out in a few days, the World Health Organization (WHO) has another worry — keeping a track of the receivers of the coronavirus vaccine.

WHO is now considering introducing electronic vaccination certificates to identify and monitor people who have received the vaccination. "We are looking very closely into the use of technology in this Covid-19 response and one of them is how can we work with members states towards something called an e-vaccination certificate," said&nbsp;WHO Europe expert Siddhartha Datta.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-becomes-first-country-to-approve-pfizer-biontech-covid-vaccine-for-general-use-346858">UK becomes first country to approve Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine for general use</a>

The announcement has come a few days after the UK approved first COVID-19 vaccination of Pfizer-BioNTech company and is expecting to roll it out in the near future for the general public.

This certificate will make it possible for the authorities to identify and monitor people who have been vaccinated. However, the details of this have not yet been finalised and will be drawn in accordance with the national laws, Datta informed in a media briefing.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-vaccines-may-be-targetted-by-criminals-warns-interpol-346905">Covid vaccines may be targetted by criminals, warns Interpol</a>

The authorities have also made it clear that this will not serve as the immunity passport which was supposed to guarantee that the passport-holder is protected against the novel coronavirus after being infected and recovered. Talking about the immunity passports, WHO's senior emergency officer, Catherine Smallwood said, "We do not recommend immunity passports."

WHO is planning to take a final decision as soon as possible as the European Union, too, is expected to announce their decision of approving the COVID-19 vaccine by December 29.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-hopes-for-millions-of-pfizerbiontech-vaccine-doses-this-year-347441" hreflang="en">UK hopes for millions of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine doses this year</a>

"Whilst we are seeing a slight decrease in the number of cases in western Europe, this does not mean the entire WHO European region faces an improvement in the epidemiological situation,"&nbsp;WHO Europe regional director Hans Kluge said.

"The resurgence is moving eastward with the hardest-hit countries now in central and southern Europe," he added.

Amid the news of vaccines and a hope of the pandemic ending soon, the experts are urging governments to "consider scaling-up the public health infrastructure and preparing for the next surge".

As the world is bracing itself for COVID-19 vaccines, which are being expected to be rolled out in a few days, the World Health Organization (WHO) has another worry — keeping a track of the receivers of the coronavirus vaccine.

As the world is bracing itself for COVID-19 vaccines, which are being expected to be rolled out in a few days, the World Health Organization (WHO) has another worry — keeping a track of the receivers of the coronavirus vaccine. WHO is now considering introducing electronic vaccination certificates to identify and monitor people who have received the vaccination. "We are looking very closely into the use of technology in this Covid-19 response and one of them is how can we work with members states towards something called an e-vaccination certificate," said WHO Europe expert Siddhartha Datta. Also read| UK becomes first country to approve Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine for general use The announcement has come a few days after the UK approved first COVID-19 vaccination of Pfizer-BioNTech company and is expecting to roll it out in the near future for the general public. This certificate will make it possible for the authorities to identify and monitor people who have been vaccinated. However, the details of this have not yet been finalised and will be drawn in accordance with the national laws, Datta informed in a media briefing. Also read| Covid vaccines may be targetted by criminals, warns Interpol The authorities have also made it clear that this will not serve as the immunity passport which was supposed to guarantee that the passport-holder is protected against the novel coronavirus after being infected and recovered. Talking about the immunity passports, WHO's senior emergency officer, Catherine Smallwood said, "We do not recommend immunity passports." WHO is planning to take a final decision as soon as possible as the European Union, too, is expected to announce their decision of approving the COVID-19 vaccine by December 29. Also read| UK hopes for millions of Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine doses this year "Whilst we are seeing a slight decrease in the number of cases in western Europe, this does not mean the entire WHO European region faces an improvement in the epidemiological situation," WHO Europe regional director Hans Kluge said. "The resurgence is moving eastward with the hardest-hit countries now in central and southern Europe," he added. Amid the news of vaccines and a hope of the pandemic ending soon, the experts are urging governments to "consider scaling-up the public health infrastructure and preparing for the next surge".

WHO suggests e-certificates for COVID-19 vaccine receivers

The World Health Organization does not believe there will be enough quantities of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccines</a> in the next three to six months to prevent a surge of infections, its top emergency expert said on Wednesday.

"We are not going to have sufficient vaccinations in place to prevent a surge in cases for three to six months," Mike Ryan told a social media event, calling on people to maintain social distancing and respect other measures to restrict the spread of COVID-19.

The&nbsp;World&nbsp;Health&nbsp;Organization&nbsp;(WHO) has identified 49 "candidate vaccines" at the stage of clinical trials in humans by mid-November, up from 11 in mid-June.

WHO had received data from Pfizer and BioNTech on the COVID-19 vaccine and was reviewing it for "possible listing for emergency use", a benchmark for countries to authorise national use.

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Referring to Britain's regulator, the Medicines and&nbsp;Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, said in a statement: "WHO is also in discussions with MHRA on the possibility of accessing some of the information from their assessment, which could expedite WHO’s emergency listing".

Britain approved Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, jumping ahead of the United States and Europe to become the West's first country to formally endorse a shot it said should reach the most vulnerable people early next week.

Mike Ryan, WHO's top emergency expert, welcomed the news, adding: "We shouldn't stop, we need more than 3-4 vaccines.''

"We need to increase production, we need to pull the price down," he told a social media event. "We need a one-dose vaccine."

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WHO recommended wearing facemasks when indoors with other people, if the ventilation has been deemed inadequate, in an update to its Covid-19 guidance on masks.

The new recommendations apply in areas of known or suspected cluster or community transmission of the new coronavirus.

In June, the WHO urged governments to ask everyone to wear fabric masks in indoor and outdoor public areas where there was a risk of transmission of the virus.

Since then, a second global wave of the epidemic has gathered pace. In all, more than 63 million people globally have caught COVID-19 and 1.475 million died of it.

Dozens of companies, from biotech start-ups to Big Pharma, are in the race to develop a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine, both to meet urgent medical need and for the potential payday.

The World Health Organization does not believe there will be enough quantities of coronavirus vaccines in the next three to six months to prevent a surge of infections, its top emergency expert said on Wednesday.

The World Health Organization does not believe there will be enough quantities of coronavirus vaccines in the next three to six months to prevent a surge of infections, its top emergency expert said on Wednesday. "We are not going to have sufficient vaccinations in place to prevent a surge in cases for three to six months," Mike Ryan told a social media event, calling on people to maintain social distancing and respect other measures to restrict the spread of COVID-19. The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified 49 "candidate vaccines" at the stage of clinical trials in humans by mid-November, up from 11 in mid-June. WHO had received data from Pfizer and BioNTech on the COVID-19 vaccine and was reviewing it for "possible listing for emergency use", a benchmark for countries to authorise national use. Referring to Britain's regulator, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, said in a statement: "WHO is also in discussions with MHRA on the possibility of accessing some of the information from their assessment, which could expedite WHO’s emergency listing". Britain approved Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine on Wednesday, jumping ahead of the United States and Europe to become the West's first country to formally endorse a shot it said should reach the most vulnerable people early next week. Mike Ryan, WHO's top emergency expert, welcomed the news, adding: "We shouldn't stop, we need more than 3-4 vaccines.'' "We need to increase production, we need to pull the price down," he told a social media event. "We need a one-dose vaccine." WHO recommended wearing facemasks when indoors with other people, if the ventilation has been deemed inadequate, in an update to its Covid-19 guidance on masks. The new recommendations apply in areas of known or suspected cluster or community transmission of the new coronavirus. In June, the WHO urged governments to ask everyone to wear fabric masks in indoor and outdoor public areas where there was a risk of transmission of the virus. Since then, a second global wave of the epidemic has gathered pace. In all, more than 63 million people globally have caught COVID-19 and 1.475 million died of it. Dozens of companies, from biotech start-ups to Big Pharma, are in the race to develop a safe and effective coronavirus vaccine, both to meet urgent medical need and for the potential payday.

Vaccines insufficient to prevent surge in coronavirus for next six months: WHO

Britain on Wednesday became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use and said that it will be rolled out from early next week. 
 
The head of the medicines regulator, June Raine, said no corners had been cut. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said it had received the first data on the vaccine in June and carried out a rigorous rolling analysis to international standards before giving its approval. 
 
Britain has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine - enough for just under a third of the population as two shots of the jab are needed per person to gain immunity. 
 
Below are details on the manufacturing and storage process, and the British vaccination programme: 
 
 
MANUFACTURING PROCESS: 
 
- The vaccine needs to be shipped and stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius (-94F) or below. 
 
- The two companies have developed specially designed, temperature-controlled shippers which can maintain their temperature for 10 days unopened. The shippers can also be used for storage, maintaining the required temperature, for a further 30 days. 
 
- Once thawed, the vaccine vial can be stored for up to five days at refrigerated temperatures (2-8 degrees Celsius). 
 
- The UK market will be supplied by Pfizer`s manufacturing site in Puurs, Belgium, one of its largest sterile injectable sites. 
 
 
BRITISH ROLLOUT: 
 
- Britain will start vaccinating people early next week after it gets 800,000 doses from Belgium. The speed of the rollout then depends on how fast Pfizer can manufacture and deliver the vaccine, Britain said. 
 
- It will be administered in two shots, about three weeks apart. The bulk of the rollout will happen in the new year. 
 
- Older care home residents and their carers will be the highest priority to receive the vaccine, followed by those over 80 years of age and frontline health workers, according to the chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). 
 
- People in descending bands from 80 to 50 will follow on in the first wave, along with people aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality. 
 
- Britain will use hospitals, large vaccination centres and community medical centres to distribute the jab. 
 
- 50 hospitals are set up across England and waiting to accept the vaccine, vaccination centres are being set up now, and in time local health centres known as general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists will provide the jab in the community if they have those capabilities. 
 
- The community element is likely to take on a larger role if a rival vaccine from Oxford University and AstraZeneca is approved, because it does not need such cold storage and is easier to deliver.

Britain on Wednesday became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use and said that it will be rolled out from early next week.

Britain on Wednesday became the first country in the world to approve the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for use and said that it will be rolled out from early next week. The head of the medicines regulator, June Raine, said no corners had been cut. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said it had received the first data on the vaccine in June and carried out a rigorous rolling analysis to international standards before giving its approval. Britain has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine - enough for just under a third of the population as two shots of the jab are needed per person to gain immunity. Below are details on the manufacturing and storage process, and the British vaccination programme: MANUFACTURING PROCESS: - The vaccine needs to be shipped and stored at minus 70 degrees Celsius (-94F) or below. - The two companies have developed specially designed, temperature-controlled shippers which can maintain their temperature for 10 days unopened. The shippers can also be used for storage, maintaining the required temperature, for a further 30 days. - Once thawed, the vaccine vial can be stored for up to five days at refrigerated temperatures (2-8 degrees Celsius). - The UK market will be supplied by Pfizer`s manufacturing site in Puurs, Belgium, one of its largest sterile injectable sites. BRITISH ROLLOUT: - Britain will start vaccinating people early next week after it gets 800,000 doses from Belgium. The speed of the rollout then depends on how fast Pfizer can manufacture and deliver the vaccine, Britain said. - It will be administered in two shots, about three weeks apart. The bulk of the rollout will happen in the new year. - Older care home residents and their carers will be the highest priority to receive the vaccine, followed by those over 80 years of age and frontline health workers, according to the chair of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). - People in descending bands from 80 to 50 will follow on in the first wave, along with people aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and mortality. - Britain will use hospitals, large vaccination centres and community medical centres to distribute the jab. - 50 hospitals are set up across England and waiting to accept the vaccine, vaccination centres are being set up now, and in time local health centres known as general practitioners (GPs) and pharmacists will provide the jab in the community if they have those capabilities. - The community element is likely to take on a larger role if a rival vaccine from Oxford University and AstraZeneca is approved, because it does not need such cold storage and is easier to deliver.

UK approves Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine: Who gets it first?

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday said that COVID-19 vaccines should be voluntary, adding that the country will not make the vaccines mandatory.&nbsp;

Johnson added that he urges people to take the vaccine, but that it is not a part of “our culture or our ambition in this country to make vaccines mandatory”.

“That’s not how we do things”, he said.

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On Wednesday, Britain became the world’s first to approve Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine for COVID-19, which is set to be rolled out starting next week.

"The government has today accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine for use," the British department of health said in a statement.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/in-europe-before-the-end-of-2020-pfizer-biontech-files-for-eu-approval-of-coronavirus-vaccine-346707">'In Europe before the end of 2020': Pfizer-BioNTech files for EU approval of coronavirus vaccine</a>

"The vaccine will be made available across the UK from next week," the statement added.

People working in care home residents, along with health care workers and residents will be prioritised for the shot. Responding to the approval, Pfizer announced that Britain’s authorisation for emergency use is historic in the fight against coronavirus.

After the United Kingdom approved an emergency authorisation request for the general use of COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, the drug regulator of the European Union claimed that a longer process to ascertain the safety of vaccines is required.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/uk-becomes-first-country-to-approve-pfizer-biontech-covid-vaccine-for-general-use-346858" hreflang="en">UK becomes first country to approve Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine for general use</a>

It added that their approval process, which takes longer, is safer than the emergency use authorisation route taken by the UK. The European Medicines Agency said - “EMA considers that the conditional marketing authorisation is the most appropriate regulatory mechanism for use in the current pandemic emergency."&nbsp;

Additionally, conditional authorisation leaves room for more evidence based roll out, and leaves space for more checks of the safety imbued in the vaccines, as opposed to the emergency process chosen by Britain.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday said that COVID-19 vaccines should be voluntary, adding that the country will not make the vaccines mandatory. Johnson added that he urges people to take the vaccine, but that it is not a part of “our culture or our ambition in this country to make vaccines mandatory”.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Wednesday said that COVID-19 vaccines should be voluntary, adding that the country will not make the vaccines mandatory. Johnson added that he urges people to take the vaccine, but that it is not a part of “our culture or our ambition in this country to make vaccines mandatory”. “That’s not how we do things”, he said. On Wednesday, Britain became the world’s first to approve Pfizer-BioNTech’s vaccine for COVID-19, which is set to be rolled out starting next week. "The government has today accepted the recommendation from the independent Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to approve Pfizer-BioNTech's Covid-19 vaccine for use," the British department of health said in a statement. Also read: 'In Europe before the end of 2020': Pfizer-BioNTech files for EU approval of coronavirus vaccine "The vaccine will be made available across the UK from next week," the statement added. People working in care home residents, along with health care workers and residents will be prioritised for the shot. Responding to the approval, Pfizer announced that Britain’s authorisation for emergency use is historic in the fight against coronavirus. After the United Kingdom approved an emergency authorisation request for the general use of COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer and BioNTech, the drug regulator of the European Union claimed that a longer process to ascertain the safety of vaccines is required. Also read: UK becomes first country to approve Pfizer-BioNTech Covid vaccine for general use It added that their approval process, which takes longer, is safer than the emergency use authorisation route taken by the UK. The European Medicines Agency said - “EMA considers that the conditional marketing authorisation is the most appropriate regulatory mechanism for use in the current pandemic emergency." Additionally, conditional authorisation leaves room for more evidence based roll out, and leaves space for more checks of the safety imbued in the vaccines, as opposed to the emergency process chosen by Britain.

'Not how we do things': British PM Boris Johnson on rumours of compulsory vaccination

Biotechnology company Moderna said on Monday that it will request the US and European regulators to issue an emergency authorisation for its coronavirus vaccine, which it said is 100 per cent effective against severe COVID-19 cases.

Moderna said the primary efficacy analysis of the Phase-3 study of its vaccine candidate mRNA-1273 conducted on 196 cases indicates a vaccine efficacy of 94.1 per cent.

While the vaccine efficacy against COVID-19 was 94.1 per cent, vaccine efficacy against severe COVID-19 was 100 per cent, the company said.

Moderna plans to request an Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and conditional approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the vaccine.

"This positive primary analysis confirms the ability of our vaccine to prevent COVID-19 disease with 94.1% efficacy and importantly, the ability to prevent severe COVID-19 disease.

We believe that our vaccine will provide a new and powerful tool that may change the course of this pandemic and help prevent severe disease, hospitalisations and death," Chief Executive Officer of Moderna Stéphane Bancel said.

Bancel said the company "will file today for an Emergency Use Authorisation from the FDA and continue forging ahead with the rolling reviews that have already been initiated with several regulatory agencies around the globe." Moderna anticipates that the shipping of the vaccine to designated distribution points throughout the US will occur shortly after an Emergency Use Authorisation is granted.

Moderna will also submit an application for Conditional Marketing Authorisation (CMA) with the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

The company has already initiated the rolling review process with other global regulatory bodies such as Health Canada, SwissMedic, the United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Ministry of Health in Israel, and Health Sciences Authority in Singapore and intends to seek Prequalification (PQ) and/or Emergency Use Listing (EUL) with the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The Phase 3 study, known as the COVE study, enrolled more than 30,000 participants in the US and is being conducted in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the US Department of Health and Human Services.

The company said efficacy was consistent across age, race and ethnicity, and gender demographics.

The 196 COVID-19 cases included 33 older adults (ages 65+) and 42 participants identifying as being from diverse communities (including 29 Hispanic or LatinX, 6 Black or African Americans, 4 Asian Americans and 3 multiracial participants).

Based on prior analysis, the most common side effects included injection site pain, fatigue, headache, and redness at the injection site.

The company will submit data from the Phase 3 COVE study to a peer-reviewed publication.

Moderna is working with the US CDC and other authorities and global stakeholders to be prepared for the distribution of the vaccine in the event that it receives a EUA and similar global authorisations and approvals.

By the end of 2020, the Company expects to have approximately 20 million doses of the vaccine available in the US and remains on track to manufacture 500 million to 1 billion doses globally in 2021.

Biotechnology company Moderna said on Monday that it will request the US and European regulators to issue an emergency authorisation for its coronavirus vaccine, which it said is 100 per cent effective against severe COVID-19 cases.

Biotechnology company Moderna said on Monday that it will request the US and European regulators to issue an emergency authorisation for its coronavirus vaccine, which it said is 100 per cent effective against severe COVID-19 cases. Moderna said the primary efficacy analysis of the Phase-3 study of its vaccine candidate mRNA-1273 conducted on 196 cases indicates a vaccine efficacy of 94.1 per cent. While the vaccine efficacy against COVID-19 was 94.1 per cent, vaccine efficacy against severe COVID-19 was 100 per cent, the company said. Moderna plans to request an Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and conditional approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for the vaccine. "This positive primary analysis confirms the ability of our vaccine to prevent COVID-19 disease with 94.1% efficacy and importantly, the ability to prevent severe COVID-19 disease. We believe that our vaccine will provide a new and powerful tool that may change the course of this pandemic and help prevent severe disease, hospitalisations and death," Chief Executive Officer of Moderna Stéphane Bancel said. Bancel said the company "will file today for an Emergency Use Authorisation from the FDA and continue forging ahead with the rolling reviews that have already been initiated with several regulatory agencies around the globe." Moderna anticipates that the shipping of the vaccine to designated distribution points throughout the US will occur shortly after an Emergency Use Authorisation is granted. Moderna will also submit an application for Conditional Marketing Authorisation (CMA) with the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The company has already initiated the rolling review process with other global regulatory bodies such as Health Canada, SwissMedic, the United Kingdom Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), Ministry of Health in Israel, and Health Sciences Authority in Singapore and intends to seek Prequalification (PQ) and/or Emergency Use Listing (EUL) with the World Health Organisation (WHO). The Phase 3 study, known as the COVE study, enrolled more than 30,000 participants in the US and is being conducted in collaboration with the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response at the US Department of Health and Human Services. The company said efficacy was consistent across age, race and ethnicity, and gender demographics. The 196 COVID-19 cases included 33 older adults (ages 65+) and 42 participants identifying as being from diverse communities (including 29 Hispanic or LatinX, 6 Black or African Americans, 4 Asian Americans and 3 multiracial participants). Based on prior analysis, the most common side effects included injection site pain, fatigue, headache, and redness at the injection site. The company will submit data from the Phase 3 COVE study to a peer-reviewed publication. Moderna is working with the US CDC and other authorities and global stakeholders to be prepared for the distribution of the vaccine in the event that it receives a EUA and similar global authorisations and approvals. By the end of 2020, the Company expects to have approximately 20 million doses of the vaccine available in the US and remains on track to manufacture 500 million to 1 billion doses globally in 2021.

Moderna vaccine 100% effective in severe cases; to seek US, EU approval

Moderna Inc will apply for US&nbsp;and European emergency authorisation for its COVID-19 vaccine on Monday after full results from a late-stage study showed it was 94.1% effective with no serious safety concerns, the company said. 
&nbsp;

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Moderna also reported that the vaccine`s efficacy rate was consistent across age, race, ethnicity and gender demographics as well as having a 100% success rate in preventing severe cases of a disease that has killed nearly 1.5 million people.

&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/sputnik-v-takes-a-jibe-at-pfizer-moderna-covid-19-vaccine-claims-own-drug-much-cheaper-344895" hreflang="en">Sputnik V takes a jibe at Pfizer, Moderna Covid-19 vaccine prices, claims own drug much cheaper</a> 
 
The filing sets Moderna`s product up to be the second vaccine likely to receive U.S. emergency use authorization this year following a shot developed by Pfizer and BioNTech which had a 95% efficacy rate in trials. 
 
"We believe that we have a vaccine that is very highly efficacious. We now have the data to prove it," Moderna Chief Medical Officer Tal Zaks said. "We expect to be playing a major part in turning around this pandemic." 
 
Of the 196 volunteers who contracted COVID-19 in the trial with more than 30,000 people, 185 received a placebo while 11 got the vaccine. Moderna reported 30 severe cases - all in the placebo group - which means the vaccine was 100% effective in preventing severe cases. 
 
"As the numbers of cases reported grows, confidence grows that this amazing protection will be maintained in a product that can be rolled out to protect the public," said Alexander Edwards, associate professor in biomedical technology at Britain`s University of Reading. 
 
In addition to filing its U.S. application, Moderna said it would seek conditional approval from the European Medicines Agency, which has already begun a rolling review of its data, and would continue to talk with other regulators.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/recipharm-to-produce-some-of-modernas-covid-19-vaccine-in-france-345283" hreflang="en">Recipharm to produce some of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine in France</a> 
 
Pfizer has already applied for emergency use authorization in the United States and Europe, putting it about a week ahead of Moderna. 
 
Moderna said it was on track to have about 20 million doses of its vaccine ready to ship in the United States by the end of 2020, enough to inoculate 10 million people. 
 
`JUST OVERWHELMING` 
 
Both of the vaccines use a new technology called synthetic messenger RNA (mRNA) whereas others, such as Britain`s AstraZeneca, are using more traditional methods to develop their vaccines. 
 
AstraZeneca has announced an average efficacy rate of 70% for its shot and as much as 90% for a subgroup of trial participants who got a half dose, followed by a full dose. But some scientists have expressed doubts about the robustness of the 90% efficacy figure for the smaller group. 
 
Moderna`s latest efficacy result is slightly lower than an interim analysis released on Nov. 16 of 94.5% effectiveness, a difference that Zaks said was not statistically significant. 
 
"At this level of effectiveness, when you just do the math of what it means for the pandemic that`s raging around us, it`s just overwhelming," said Zaks, who said he cried when he saw the final results over the weekend. 
 
Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines proved more effective than anticipated and were far superior to the 50% benchmark set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
 
The past few weeks of positive vaccine results have ignited hopes for an end to a pandemic that has battered economies and comes as new infections and COVID-19 hospitalizations are at record levels across the United States. 
 
Independent advisers to the FDA are scheduled to meet on Dec. 17 to review Moderna`s trial data and make a recommendation to the FDA. They will meet on Dec. 10 to review Pfizer`s data. 
 
Shortly after gaining emergency use authorization, Moderna expects the vaccine to be shipped to distribution points throughout the United States by the government`s Operation Warp Speed program and McKesson Corp, a drug distributor contracted by the U.S. government. 
 
Its distribution is expected to be easier than Pfizer`s because while it needs to be stored in a freezer, it does not require the ultra-cold temperature needed by Pfizer`s vaccine. 
 
 
CONSISTENT ACROSS AGE AND ETHNICITY 
 
Moderna said the 196 COVID-19 cases in its trial included 33 adults over 65 years old and 42 volunteers from racially diverse groups, including 29 Latinos, 6 Blacks, 4 Asian Americans and 3 multiracial participants. There was one death related to COVID-19 in the placebo group. 
 
Azra Ghani, chair in infectious disease epidemiology at Imperial College London, said Monday`s details from Moderna confirmed the vaccine was highly efficient, including against severe cases. 
 
"Whilst this does not exclude some risk of severe disease after vaccination given the relatively small number of severe cases, these results suggest very high efficacy," she said. 
 
Zaks said the vaccine has been developed during a period of "political acrimony" and having a highly effective vaccine may go a long way toward erasing some of that distrust. 
 
"This is as black and white as an effect on a population will be. Your chances of actually being sick if you`ve been vaccinated are decreased 20-fold," he said. 
 
Moderna reported no new side effects since its interim analysis. Based on that analysis, the most common side effects were fatigue, injection site redness and pain, headache and body aches, which rose after the second dose and were short-lived. 
 
Zaks said the vaccine caused significant flu-like symptoms in some participants, which, he said, "goes hand-in-hand with having such a potent vaccine." But it has not caused any significant safety concerns so far. 
 
Moderna plans to start a new trial to test the vaccine in adolescents before the end of the year, followed by another in even younger volunteers early in 2021. It hopes to have the vaccine available for adolescents by September, Zaks said. 
 
Other vaccine makers have said they are studying their vaccines in young people as well.

Moderna Inc will apply for US and European emergency authorisation for its COVID-19 vaccine on Monday after full results from a late-stage study showed it was 94.

Moderna Inc will apply for US and European emergency authorisation for its COVID-19 vaccine on Monday after full results from a late-stage study showed it was 94.1% effective with no serious safety concerns, the company said. Moderna also reported that the vaccine`s efficacy rate was consistent across age, race, ethnicity and gender demographics as well as having a 100% success rate in preventing severe cases of a disease that has killed nearly 1.5 million people. Also read: Sputnik V takes a jibe at Pfizer, Moderna Covid-19 vaccine prices, claims own drug much cheaper The filing sets Moderna`s product up to be the second vaccine likely to receive U.S. emergency use authorization this year following a shot developed by Pfizer and BioNTech which had a 95% efficacy rate in trials. "We believe that we have a vaccine that is very highly efficacious. We now have the data to prove it," Moderna Chief Medical Officer Tal Zaks said. "We expect to be playing a major part in turning around this pandemic." Of the 196 volunteers who contracted COVID-19 in the trial with more than 30,000 people, 185 received a placebo while 11 got the vaccine. Moderna reported 30 severe cases - all in the placebo group - which means the vaccine was 100% effective in preventing severe cases. "As the numbers of cases reported grows, confidence grows that this amazing protection will be maintained in a product that can be rolled out to protect the public," said Alexander Edwards, associate professor in biomedical technology at Britain`s University of Reading. In addition to filing its U.S. application, Moderna said it would seek conditional approval from the European Medicines Agency, which has already begun a rolling review of its data, and would continue to talk with other regulators. Also read: Recipharm to produce some of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine in France Pfizer has already applied for emergency use authorization in the United States and Europe, putting it about a week ahead of Moderna. Moderna said it was on track to have about 20 million doses of its vaccine ready to ship in the United States by the end of 2020, enough to inoculate 10 million people. `JUST OVERWHELMING` Both of the vaccines use a new technology called synthetic messenger RNA (mRNA) whereas others, such as Britain`s AstraZeneca, are using more traditional methods to develop their vaccines. AstraZeneca has announced an average efficacy rate of 70% for its shot and as much as 90% for a subgroup of trial participants who got a half dose, followed by a full dose. But some scientists have expressed doubts about the robustness of the 90% efficacy figure for the smaller group. Moderna`s latest efficacy result is slightly lower than an interim analysis released on Nov. 16 of 94.5% effectiveness, a difference that Zaks said was not statistically significant. "At this level of effectiveness, when you just do the math of what it means for the pandemic that`s raging around us, it`s just overwhelming," said Zaks, who said he cried when he saw the final results over the weekend. Both the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines proved more effective than anticipated and were far superior to the 50% benchmark set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The past few weeks of positive vaccine results have ignited hopes for an end to a pandemic that has battered economies and comes as new infections and COVID-19 hospitalizations are at record levels across the United States. Independent advisers to the FDA are scheduled to meet on Dec. 17 to review Moderna`s trial data and make a recommendation to the FDA. They will meet on Dec. 10 to review Pfizer`s data. Shortly after gaining emergency use authorization, Moderna expects the vaccine to be shipped to distribution points throughout the United States by the government`s Operation Warp Speed program and McKesson Corp, a drug distributor contracted by the U.S. government. Its distribution is expected to be easier than Pfizer`s because while it needs to be stored in a freezer, it does not require the ultra-cold temperature needed by Pfizer`s vaccine. CONSISTENT ACROSS AGE AND ETHNICITY Moderna said the 196 COVID-19 cases in its trial included 33 adults over 65 years old and 42 volunteers from racially diverse groups, including 29 Latinos, 6 Blacks, 4 Asian Americans and 3 multiracial participants. There was one death related to COVID-19 in the placebo group. Azra Ghani, chair in infectious disease epidemiology at Imperial College London, said Monday`s details from Moderna confirmed the vaccine was highly efficient, including against severe cases. "Whilst this does not exclude some risk of severe disease after vaccination given the relatively small number of severe cases, these results suggest very high efficacy," she said. Zaks said the vaccine has been developed during a period of "political acrimony" and having a highly effective vaccine may go a long way toward erasing some of that distrust. "This is as black and white as an effect on a population will be. Your chances of actually being sick if you`ve been vaccinated are decreased 20-fold," he said. Moderna reported no new side effects since its interim analysis. Based on that analysis, the most common side effects were fatigue, injection site redness and pain, headache and body aches, which rose after the second dose and were short-lived. Zaks said the vaccine caused significant flu-like symptoms in some participants, which, he said, "goes hand-in-hand with having such a potent vaccine." But it has not caused any significant safety concerns so far. Moderna plans to start a new trial to test the vaccine in adolescents before the end of the year, followed by another in even younger volunteers early in 2021. It hopes to have the vaccine available for adolescents by September, Zaks said. Other vaccine makers have said they are studying their vaccines in young people as well.

Moderna seeks US, EU authorisation for vaccine as final results confirm 94% efficacy

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is conducting an inquiry into a reaction to AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine trial.

A senior official at AstraZeneca told Reuters on Sunday that even after the adverse effects, there is no reason to halt the trials.

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According to to Reuters, a 40-year-old man had suffered serious “neurological and psychological” symptoms after taking the shot, which is being given to participants in the Serum Institute of India.

"There was no immediate cause of concern at this stage," Samiran Panda, head of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases at the ICMR, said while talking to Reuters.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/sputnik-v-can-boost-efficacy-of-astrazeneca-vaccine-russian-research-centre-345769" hreflang="en">Sputnik V can boost efficacy of AstraZeneca vaccine: Russian research centre</a>

"It doesn't mean that long term assessment will not happen, it is still happening. I am aware of the activity," Panda said.

AstraZeneca has not put a statement addressing the reaction so far. The volunteer is seeking 50 million rupees ($676,288) in compensation and is also demanding the suspension of testing, and distribution of the vaccine.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/oxfordastrazeneca-coronavirus-vaccine-to-undergo-new-global-trials-345677" hreflang="en">Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine to undergo new global trials</a>

"While the Serum Institute of India is sympathetic with the volunteer's medical condition, there's absolutely no correlation with the vaccine trial," the institute said.

"(The) volunteer was specifically informed by the medical team that the complications he suffered were independent of the vaccine trial he underwent," it added.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is conducting an inquiry into a reaction to AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine trial. A senior official at AstraZeneca told Reuters on Sunday that even after the adverse effects, there is no reason to halt the trials.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is conducting an inquiry into a reaction to AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine trial. A senior official at AstraZeneca told Reuters on Sunday that even after the adverse effects, there is no reason to halt the trials. According to to Reuters, a 40-year-old man had suffered serious “neurological and psychological” symptoms after taking the shot, which is being given to participants in the Serum Institute of India. "There was no immediate cause of concern at this stage," Samiran Panda, head of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases at the ICMR, said while talking to Reuters. Also read: Sputnik V can boost efficacy of AstraZeneca vaccine: Russian research centre "It doesn't mean that long term assessment will not happen, it is still happening. I am aware of the activity," Panda said. AstraZeneca has not put a statement addressing the reaction so far. The volunteer is seeking 50 million rupees ($676,288) in compensation and is also demanding the suspension of testing, and distribution of the vaccine. Also read: Oxford/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine to undergo new global trials "While the Serum Institute of India is sympathetic with the volunteer's medical condition, there's absolutely no correlation with the vaccine trial," the institute said. "(The) volunteer was specifically informed by the medical team that the complications he suffered were independent of the vaccine trial he underwent," it added.

India: AstraZeneca vaccine causes adverse reaction in volunteer, inquiry underway

In a 1988 essay on pandemics, Joshua Lederberg, Nobel laureate and president of The Rockefeller University, reminded the medical community that when it comes to infectious disease, the laws of Darwin are as important as the vaccines of Pasteur.

As medicine battles bacteria and viruses, those organisms continue to undergo mutations and evolve new characteristics.

Lederberg advised vigilance: “We have no guarantee that the natural evolutionary competition of viruses with the human species will always find ourselves the winner.”

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/after-admitting-mistake-astrazeneca-faces-difficult-questions-about-its-vaccine-345516">After admitting mistake, AstraZeneca faces difficult questions about its vaccine</a>

With the emergence of what seem so far to be safe and effective vaccine candidates, it appears that humanity may be the winner again this time around, albeit with a dreadful loss of life.

But vaccines will not put an end to the evolution of this coronavirus, as David A. Kennedy and Andrew F. Read of Penn State, specialists in viral resistance to vaccines, wrote in PLoS Biology recently. Instead, they could even drive new evolutionary change.

There is always the chance, though small, the authors write, that the virus could evolve resistance to a vaccine, what researchers call “viral escape.” They urge monitoring of vaccine effects and viral response, just in case.

“Nothing that we’re saying is suggesting that we slow down development of vaccines,” Kennedy said. An effective vaccine is of utmost importance, he said, “But let’s make sure that it stays efficacious.”

Also read|<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/light-at-the-end-of-the-tunnel-justin-trudeau-promises-covid-19-vaccine-by-september-346017">&nbsp;'Light at the end of the tunnel': Justin Trudeau promises COVID-19 vaccine by September</a>

Vaccine-makers could use the results of nasal swabs taken from volunteers during trials to look for any genetic changes in the virus. Test results need not stop or slow down vaccine rollout, but if recipients of the vaccine had changes in the virus that those who received the placebo did not, that would indicate “the potential for resistance to evolve,” something researchers ought to keep monitoring.

There are some reasons to be optimistic that the coronavirus will not become resistant to vaccines. Several years ago, Kennedy and Read presented an analysis of the difference between resistance to drugs and vaccines. Neither bacteria nor viruses evolve resistance to vaccines as easily as they do to drugs, they wrote. Smallpox vaccine never lost its effectiveness, nor did the vaccines for measles or polio, despite years of use.

Antibiotics, on the other hand, can quickly become useless as bacteria and other pathogens like viruses and fungi evolve defenses. And resistance builds to other drugs as well.

The reasons have to do with the very basic principles of evolution and immunity. The two key differences are that vaccines generally act earlier than drugs, and that the natural immune response they promote is usually more varied, with more lines of attack. A drug may be narrowly targeted, sometimes attacking one metabolic pathway or biochemical process.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/frankfurt-airport-prepares-to-transport-covid-19-vaccine-346008" hreflang="en">Frankfurt Airport prepares to transport COVID-19 vaccine</a>

With most drugs, the virus or bacteria has already been reproducing in the patient’s body and if one variant is better at surviving the drug’s attack, it will continue to grow and perhaps be transmitted to another person. A combination of drugs, as with HIV treatment, can be more effective because it unleashes a multipronged attack

Vaccines, on the other hand, act early, before the virus begins to proliferate and perhaps change within a patient’s body. So there are no new variants, like those forged in the heat of a drug attack to grow and spread from the infected person.

Vaccines offer the body’s immune system a glimpse of the virus, and then the immune system builds a broad attack. For example, after a tetanus shot, a person’s immune system may produce 100 different antibodies.

Some vaccines, however, do drive viruses to evolve resistance, Kennedy and Read noted in their 2015 article. A vaccine stopped Marek’s disease, an illness in chickens that is important commercially. But the virus could still infect the chickens. It replicated and spread without causing disease and quickly became resistant.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/im-not-going-to-brazils-bolsonaro-says-he-will-not-take-covid-19-vaccine-345800" hreflang="en">'I'm not going to...': Brazil's Bolsonaro says he will not take Covid-19 vaccine</a>

In humans, a type of bacteria that causes pneumonia bacteria evolved resistance to a vaccine when the bacteria recombined in nature with existing strains that were naturally resistant. A vaccine for hepatitis B created antibodies targeting only one small part of one protein — a loop made by nine amino acids, which is tiny in protein terms. It did not create a broad attack. A pertussis vaccine also appeared to drive resistance. It worked to fend off the disease, but targeted only a few proteins and was not effective at stopping infection and transmission of the virus.

The coronavirus vaccines now in development use different ways to get the immune system to respond. Some coronavirus vaccines under development or in use in Russia and China use whole virus particles, inactivated or attenuated, to spark an immune system response.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sputnik-v-can-boost-efficacy-of-astrazeneca-vaccine-russian-research-centre-345769" hreflang="en">Sputnik V can boost efficacy of AstraZeneca vaccine: Russian research centre</a>

Many other vaccine candidates, like the ones from Pfizer and Moderna, now nearing review by the Food and Drug Administration for first use as early as December, are meant to get the immune system to react to only a portion of the coronavirus, the so-called spike protein, which would seem to offer fewer targets.

But Kennedy said that was not necessarily a problem.

“A vaccine based on just the spike protein has the potential to generate a broad immune response,” he said, “because there are multiple sites on the spike protein where potent neutralizing antibodies can bind.”

Although these are the first vaccines that use RNA particles to instruct the cells to make a viral protein, other vaccines use parts of the virus, rather than the whole. So far, Kennedy said, there was no evidence to show one type of vaccine would be more likely to drive resistance.

“We have seen vaccine resistance evolve against many different kinds of vaccines,” he said, “but there are also plenty of examples for each of these where resistance has never emerged.”

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-pandemic-can-be-stopped-if-70-per-cent-of-public-wore-masks-consistently-study-345679" hreflang="en">Covid-19 pandemic can be stopped if 70 per cent of public wore masks consistently: Study</a>

Resistance can also evolve in ways that aren’t driven by how a vaccine acts. There may already be variants of the coronavirus that are less susceptible to the actions of vaccines. This concern prompted Denmark to announce that it would cull all of its mink because a variant of the virus had appeared in mink which showed in very preliminary lab tests that some antibodies were less effective against it.

The worry has lessened since the Danes announced the problem, with scientists and the World Health Organization saying they saw no evidence yet that the variant would interfere with any vaccines in development.

But Denmark, after the resignation of a minister, who announced the cull too soon, and a legislative debate that appears to be leading to approval of the cull, still plans to kill all the mink in the country.

And scientists say that caution in this kind of situation makes sense. As a virus jumps from people to animals and back again, as it has with mink, there are more opportunities for changes in the virus RNA, changes that could lead to resistance.

Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a kind of mutation that hadn’t been seen in coronaviruses before and raises fresh concerns about the evolution of vaccine resistance.

In their search for mutations, researchers have mostly focused on flips of one genetic letter to another — a kind of mutation known as a substitution. But Paul Duprex and his colleagues discovered that the viruses mutating in a chronically infected patient were changing differently: They were losing sets of genetic letters.

Typically, a mutation that deletes a genetic letter is catastrophic to a virus. Our cells read genetic letters three at a time to choose a new building block to add to a growing protein. A deletion of one genetic letter can entirely scramble the instructions for a viral protein, so that it cannot form a functional shape.

But Duprex and his colleagues found that the coronaviruses in the patient could lose genetic letters and yet stay viable. The secret: The viruses lost genetic letters in sets of three. Instead of destroying the genetic recipe for a viral protein, the mutations snipped out one or more amino acids.

As much as Duprex despises the pandemic, he finds it hard not to admire the elegance of these mutations.

“It’s so cool, it’s brilliant,” he said.

Having found these deletion mutations in viruses from one person, Duprex and his colleagues wondered how common they were.

Searching public databases of coronavirus genomes, they discovered that deletions were surprisingly widespread.

“It’s happening independently in different parts of the world,” Duprex said.

All the deletions, it turns out, only arise in one region, the spike protein. Duprex and his colleagues found that deletions in the spike gene didn’t prevent the coronavirus from infecting cells.

Duprex and his colleagues posted their study online Nov. 19. It has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal. The researchers are now infecting animals with deletion-mutant viruses to better understand the risk they may pose to vaccines.

“Well, this paper does nothing to reduce the anxiety!” Read said in an email. “This is early data strongly suggesting the virus has the potential to escape human immunity.”

But Read and Kennedy argue that viral evolution will not necessarily doom vaccines. Vaccine-makers just need to stay aware of it and devise new vaccines if necessary.

And there are numerous varieties of vaccines in development. The first two approaching approval in the United States both use a significant chunk of viral RNA to train the immune system. Other vaccines that are in development use the whole virus. And different vaccines deliver the virus or part of it in different ways, all of which could prompt a different immune response.

In a 1988 essay on pandemics, Joshua Lederberg, Nobel laureate and president of The Rockefeller University, reminded the medical community that when it comes to infectious disease, the laws of Darwin are as important as the vaccines of Pasteur.

In a 1988 essay on pandemics, Joshua Lederberg, Nobel laureate and president of The Rockefeller University, reminded the medical community that when it comes to infectious disease, the laws of Darwin are as important as the vaccines of Pasteur. As medicine battles bacteria and viruses, those organisms continue to undergo mutations and evolve new characteristics. Lederberg advised vigilance: “We have no guarantee that the natural evolutionary competition of viruses with the human species will always find ourselves the winner.” Also read| After admitting mistake, AstraZeneca faces difficult questions about its vaccine With the emergence of what seem so far to be safe and effective vaccine candidates, it appears that humanity may be the winner again this time around, albeit with a dreadful loss of life. But vaccines will not put an end to the evolution of this coronavirus, as David A. Kennedy and Andrew F. Read of Penn State, specialists in viral resistance to vaccines, wrote in PLoS Biology recently. Instead, they could even drive new evolutionary change. There is always the chance, though small, the authors write, that the virus could evolve resistance to a vaccine, what researchers call “viral escape.” They urge monitoring of vaccine effects and viral response, just in case. “Nothing that we’re saying is suggesting that we slow down development of vaccines,” Kennedy said. An effective vaccine is of utmost importance, he said, “But let’s make sure that it stays efficacious.” Also read| 'Light at the end of the tunnel': Justin Trudeau promises COVID-19 vaccine by September Vaccine-makers could use the results of nasal swabs taken from volunteers during trials to look for any genetic changes in the virus. Test results need not stop or slow down vaccine rollout, but if recipients of the vaccine had changes in the virus that those who received the placebo did not, that would indicate “the potential for resistance to evolve,” something researchers ought to keep monitoring. There are some reasons to be optimistic that the coronavirus will not become resistant to vaccines. Several years ago, Kennedy and Read presented an analysis of the difference between resistance to drugs and vaccines. Neither bacteria nor viruses evolve resistance to vaccines as easily as they do to drugs, they wrote. Smallpox vaccine never lost its effectiveness, nor did the vaccines for measles or polio, despite years of use. Antibiotics, on the other hand, can quickly become useless as bacteria and other pathogens like viruses and fungi evolve defenses. And resistance builds to other drugs as well. The reasons have to do with the very basic principles of evolution and immunity. The two key differences are that vaccines generally act earlier than drugs, and that the natural immune response they promote is usually more varied, with more lines of attack. A drug may be narrowly targeted, sometimes attacking one metabolic pathway or biochemical process. Also read| Frankfurt Airport prepares to transport COVID-19 vaccine With most drugs, the virus or bacteria has already been reproducing in the patient’s body and if one variant is better at surviving the drug’s attack, it will continue to grow and perhaps be transmitted to another person. A combination of drugs, as with HIV treatment, can be more effective because it unleashes a multipronged attack Vaccines, on the other hand, act early, before the virus begins to proliferate and perhaps change within a patient’s body. So there are no new variants, like those forged in the heat of a drug attack to grow and spread from the infected person. Vaccines offer the body’s immune system a glimpse of the virus, and then the immune system builds a broad attack. For example, after a tetanus shot, a person’s immune system may produce 100 different antibodies. Some vaccines, however, do drive viruses to evolve resistance, Kennedy and Read noted in their 2015 article. A vaccine stopped Marek’s disease, an illness in chickens that is important commercially. But the virus could still infect the chickens. It replicated and spread without causing disease and quickly became resistant. Also read| 'I'm not going to...': Brazil's Bolsonaro says he will not take Covid-19 vaccine In humans, a type of bacteria that causes pneumonia bacteria evolved resistance to a vaccine when the bacteria recombined in nature with existing strains that were naturally resistant. A vaccine for hepatitis B created antibodies targeting only one small part of one protein — a loop made by nine amino acids, which is tiny in protein terms. It did not create a broad attack. A pertussis vaccine also appeared to drive resistance. It worked to fend off the disease, but targeted only a few proteins and was not effective at stopping infection and transmission of the virus. The coronavirus vaccines now in development use different ways to get the immune system to respond. Some coronavirus vaccines under development or in use in Russia and China use whole virus particles, inactivated or attenuated, to spark an immune system response. Also read| Sputnik V can boost efficacy of AstraZeneca vaccine: Russian research centre Many other vaccine candidates, like the ones from Pfizer and Moderna, now nearing review by the Food and Drug Administration for first use as early as December, are meant to get the immune system to react to only a portion of the coronavirus, the so-called spike protein, which would seem to offer fewer targets. But Kennedy said that was not necessarily a problem. “A vaccine based on just the spike protein has the potential to generate a broad immune response,” he said, “because there are multiple sites on the spike protein where potent neutralizing antibodies can bind.” Although these are the first vaccines that use RNA particles to instruct the cells to make a viral protein, other vaccines use parts of the virus, rather than the whole. So far, Kennedy said, there was no evidence to show one type of vaccine would be more likely to drive resistance. “We have seen vaccine resistance evolve against many different kinds of vaccines,” he said, “but there are also plenty of examples for each of these where resistance has never emerged.” Also read| Covid-19 pandemic can be stopped if 70 per cent of public wore masks consistently: Study Resistance can also evolve in ways that aren’t driven by how a vaccine acts. There may already be variants of the coronavirus that are less susceptible to the actions of vaccines. This concern prompted Denmark to announce that it would cull all of its mink because a variant of the virus had appeared in mink which showed in very preliminary lab tests that some antibodies were less effective against it. The worry has lessened since the Danes announced the problem, with scientists and the World Health Organization saying they saw no evidence yet that the variant would interfere with any vaccines in development. But Denmark, after the resignation of a minister, who announced the cull too soon, and a legislative debate that appears to be leading to approval of the cull, still plans to kill all the mink in the country. And scientists say that caution in this kind of situation makes sense. As a virus jumps from people to animals and back again, as it has with mink, there are more opportunities for changes in the virus RNA, changes that could lead to resistance. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh have discovered a kind of mutation that hadn’t been seen in coronaviruses before and raises fresh concerns about the evolution of vaccine resistance. In their search for mutations, researchers have mostly focused on flips of one genetic letter to another — a kind of mutation known as a substitution. But Paul Duprex and his colleagues discovered that the viruses mutating in a chronically infected patient were changing differently: They were losing sets of genetic letters. Typically, a mutation that deletes a genetic letter is catastrophic to a virus. Our cells read genetic letters three at a time to choose a new building block to add to a growing protein. A deletion of one genetic letter can entirely scramble the instructions for a viral protein, so that it cannot form a functional shape. But Duprex and his colleagues found that the coronaviruses in the patient could lose genetic letters and yet stay viable. The secret: The viruses lost genetic letters in sets of three. Instead of destroying the genetic recipe for a viral protein, the mutations snipped out one or more amino acids. As much as Duprex despises the pandemic, he finds it hard not to admire the elegance of these mutations. “It’s so cool, it’s brilliant,” he said. Having found these deletion mutations in viruses from one person, Duprex and his colleagues wondered how common they were. Searching public databases of coronavirus genomes, they discovered that deletions were surprisingly widespread. “It’s happening independently in different parts of the world,” Duprex said. All the deletions, it turns out, only arise in one region, the spike protein. Duprex and his colleagues found that deletions in the spike gene didn’t prevent the coronavirus from infecting cells. Duprex and his colleagues posted their study online Nov. 19. It has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal. The researchers are now infecting animals with deletion-mutant viruses to better understand the risk they may pose to vaccines. “Well, this paper does nothing to reduce the anxiety!” Read said in an email. “This is early data strongly suggesting the virus has the potential to escape human immunity.” But Read and Kennedy argue that viral evolution will not necessarily doom vaccines. Vaccine-makers just need to stay aware of it and devise new vaccines if necessary. And there are numerous varieties of vaccines in development. The first two approaching approval in the United States both use a significant chunk of viral RNA to train the immune system. Other vaccines that are in development use the whole virus. And different vaccines deliver the virus or part of it in different ways, all of which could prompt a different immune response.

The virus won’t stop evolving when the vaccine arrives

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday concluded his visit to Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad after reviewing the development of COVID-19 vaccine candidate ZyCOV-D. This visit was the first of his three-city tour to personally review the vaccine development and manufacturing process in the country. Prime Minister Modi will now fly to Hyderabad to visit the Bharat Biotech facility.

During his visit to the Biotech Park in Ahmedabad, PM Modi interacted with the scientists at the Biotech Park and also greeted a crowd which gathered outside the plant.

The prime minister is now scheduled to visit vaccine maker Bharat Biotech`s facility next. Bharat Biotech`s Covaxin is undergoing phase-3 trials.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/pm-modi-to-visit-vaccine-making-units-in-ahmedabad-hyderabad-and-pune-346004">PM Modi to visit vaccine making units in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Pune</a>

Biotech has partnered with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for a country-made COVID-19 vaccine using the virus strain isolated by ICMR`s National Institute of Virology (NIV) based in Pune.

Post Bharat Biotech facility visit, PM Modi will head towards the Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune. SII has partnered with global pharma giant AstraZeneca and Oxford University for the vaccine.

The SII is the largest producer of vaccines in the world by volume.

"As India enters a decisive phase of the fight against COVID-19, PM Narendra Modi`s visit to these facilities and discussions with the scientists will help him get a first-hand perspective of the preparations, challenges and roadmap in India`s endeavour to vaccinate its citizens," the Prime Minister`s Office had said on Friday.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday concluded his visit to Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad after reviewing the development of COVID-19 vaccine candidate ZyCOV-D.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday concluded his visit to Zydus Biotech Park in Ahmedabad after reviewing the development of COVID-19 vaccine candidate ZyCOV-D. This visit was the first of his three-city tour to personally review the vaccine development and manufacturing process in the country. Prime Minister Modi will now fly to Hyderabad to visit the Bharat Biotech facility. During his visit to the Biotech Park in Ahmedabad, PM Modi interacted with the scientists at the Biotech Park and also greeted a crowd which gathered outside the plant. The prime minister is now scheduled to visit vaccine maker Bharat Biotech`s facility next. Bharat Biotech`s Covaxin is undergoing phase-3 trials. Also read| PM Modi to visit vaccine making units in Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Pune Biotech has partnered with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for a country-made COVID-19 vaccine using the virus strain isolated by ICMR`s National Institute of Virology (NIV) based in Pune. Post Bharat Biotech facility visit, PM Modi will head towards the Serum Institute of India (SII) in Pune. SII has partnered with global pharma giant AstraZeneca and Oxford University for the vaccine. The SII is the largest producer of vaccines in the world by volume. "As India enters a decisive phase of the fight against COVID-19, PM Narendra Modi`s visit to these facilities and discussions with the scientists will help him get a first-hand perspective of the preparations, challenges and roadmap in India`s endeavour to vaccinate its citizens," the Prime Minister`s Office had said on Friday.

PM Modi concludes Zydus Biotech Park visit, next stop Bharat Biotech facility in Hyderabad

Preliminary results on the AstraZeneca vaccine were based on a total of 131 COVID-19 cases in a study involving 11,636 participants.

AstraZeneca defends dosing error in covid-19 vaccine trial

WION Fineprint: How did a smaller dose prove more effective?

Several foreign envoys will be visiting Pune on December 4 to see India's covid vaccine development programme. The visit, organized by India's Ministry of External Affairs will be a one-day visit. The envoys will visit 2 institutes--Serum institute of India and Gennova Biopharmaceuticals.

The visit was one of the key outcomes of Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla's meet with the envoys earlier this month in Delhi. On 6th November, India's Foreign Secretary along with Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Prof K Vijay Raghavan, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary of Department of Biotechnology, Dr. Renu Swarup and Secretary of Department of Science &amp; Technology Ashutosh Sharma briefed More than 190 heads of diplomatic missions on India's action on COVID-19 pandemic.

Serum Institute is involved in the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine against COVID while Gennova is working on mRNA based vaccine.

Indian PM Narendra Modi during his virtual meet with Chief Minister earlier this week said, "Work on vaccine research is almost at the last stage both in the country as well as in the world" and the "Indian government is keeping a close eye on each and every development and we are in touch with everybody", pointing out, "it is not yet decided whether there will be one, two or three doses of vaccine or what will be its price."

India is expected to be a major centre of the global covid vaccine manufacturing and supply. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, India has emerged as the pharma capital of the world supplying medicines such as HCQ, Paracetamol to more than 150 countries.&nbsp;

On vaccine development programme, New Delhi has organized training programmes on clinical trials for neighbouring countries in which nearly 90 experts from 8 countries participated.&nbsp;

It has sent aid, in terms of food and medicines to 5 Indian ocean countries--Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles and 4 African countries--Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea.

Several foreign envoys will be visiting Pune on December 4 to see India's covid vaccine development programme. The visit, organized by India's Ministry of External Affairs will be a one-day visit.

Several foreign envoys will be visiting Pune on December 4 to see India's covid vaccine development programme. The visit, organized by India's Ministry of External Affairs will be a one-day visit. The envoys will visit 2 institutes--Serum institute of India and Gennova Biopharmaceuticals. The visit was one of the key outcomes of Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla's meet with the envoys earlier this month in Delhi. On 6th November, India's Foreign Secretary along with Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Prof K Vijay Raghavan, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary of Department of Biotechnology, Dr. Renu Swarup and Secretary of Department of Science & Technology Ashutosh Sharma briefed More than 190 heads of diplomatic missions on India's action on COVID-19 pandemic. Serum Institute is involved in the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine against COVID while Gennova is working on mRNA based vaccine. Indian PM Narendra Modi during his virtual meet with Chief Minister earlier this week said, "Work on vaccine research is almost at the last stage both in the country as well as in the world" and the "Indian government is keeping a close eye on each and every development and we are in touch with everybody", pointing out, "it is not yet decided whether there will be one, two or three doses of vaccine or what will be its price." India is expected to be a major centre of the global covid vaccine manufacturing and supply. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, India has emerged as the pharma capital of the world supplying medicines such as HCQ, Paracetamol to more than 150 countries. On vaccine development programme, New Delhi has organized training programmes on clinical trials for neighbouring countries in which nearly 90 experts from 8 countries participated. It has sent aid, in terms of food and medicines to 5 Indian ocean countries--Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles and 4 African countries--Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea.

Foreign envoys to visit Pune on Dec 4 to see India's COVID-19 vaccine programme

Sweden`s Recipharm will produce doses of Moderna`s COVID-19 vaccine candidate in central France, the company said on Wednesday, adding it had started recruiting and investing to start manufacturing.

Recipharm, a contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) that has four plants in France, said it had signed a letter of intent with the U.S. company and that it was expecting a final agreement to be reached next month.

The doses would be produced at Recipharm`s facility in Monts. 
Financial details were not disclosed.

The European Union struck a deal on Tuesday for up to 160 million doses of Moderna`s vaccine candidate, taking the bloc`s potential stock of COVID-19 shots to nearly 2 billion.

Last week, Moderna said its experimental vaccine was 94.5% effective in preventing COVID-19 based on interim data from a late-stage clinical trial.

There is no internationally approved vaccine yet to prevent COVID-19 caused by the new coronavirus which has killed more than 1.4 million people and derailed the world economy.

Sweden`s Recipharm will produce doses of Moderna`s COVID-19 vaccine candidate in central France, the company said on Wednesday, adding it had started recruiting and investing to start manufacturing.

Sweden`s Recipharm will produce doses of Moderna`s COVID-19 vaccine candidate in central France, the company said on Wednesday, adding it had started recruiting and investing to start manufacturing. Recipharm, a contract development and manufacturing organisation (CDMO) that has four plants in France, said it had signed a letter of intent with the U.S. company and that it was expecting a final agreement to be reached next month. The doses would be produced at Recipharm`s facility in Monts. Financial details were not disclosed. The European Union struck a deal on Tuesday for up to 160 million doses of Moderna`s vaccine candidate, taking the bloc`s potential stock of COVID-19 shots to nearly 2 billion. Last week, Moderna said its experimental vaccine was 94.5% effective in preventing COVID-19 based on interim data from a late-stage clinical trial. There is no internationally approved vaccine yet to prevent COVID-19 caused by the new coronavirus which has killed more than 1.4 million people and derailed the world economy.

Recipharm to produce some of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine in France

The race for a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine</a>&nbsp;has stoked a debate on how much the jabs will&nbsp;cost&nbsp;and who will pay for them, as&nbsp;prices&nbsp;range from $10 to $40&nbsp;per person.

An affordable price for the coronavirus vaccine can&nbsp;very well act as the deciding factor in the purchase and sale of a particular brand and its profit.

From Moderna, Pfizer to Oxford and Bharat Biotech coronavirus vaccine candidates, here's all you need to know about Covid-19 shots&nbsp;and what their cost may be.

Moderna&nbsp;coronavirus vaccine

Moderna is a private company, which has clearly stated its interest in making profits. In August, Moderna was pitching for $37 (£28) a dose. The UN Covax programme will subsidise rollouts of coronavirus vaccines to poorer countries, but at the price Moderna wants to charge, that may prove too costly.

How many shots&nbsp;will be required?

Moderna vaccine consists of two injections four weeks apart.

Pfizer coronavirus vaccine

Pfizer and BioNTech said last week that an analysis of their vaccine candidate showed it was over 95% effective in preventing coronavirus infections.

How much will Pfizer coronavirus vaccine cost?

Pfizer and BioNTech are reportedly charging $20 per dose for their vaccine, significantly lower than Moderna.

Oxford coronavirus vaccine

British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca is developing a Covid-19 vaccine with the University of Oxford. Data from late-stage trials will be available next month.

How much will Oxford coronavirus vaccine cost?

Oxford coronavirus vaccine has been priced at approximately $3 to $4. India’s Serum Institute has, meanwhile, said Oxford coronavirus vaccine will be priced at a maximum of Rs 1,000 for two doses.

Russia coronavirus vaccine

Early results from trials of a Covid vaccine Sputnik V developed in Russia suggest it could be 92% effective.

How much will Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine cost?

According to Russia's TASS agency, the coronavirus vaccine will be available free of cost in the country.&nbsp;The state-run&nbsp;Gamaleya research centre&nbsp;and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said the vaccine will be available in the international markets for less than $10 per dose and it can be stored between two and eight degrees Celsius (between 35.6 and 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit).

Johnson &amp; Johnson Covid-19 vaccine

Johnson &amp; Johnson expects to have all data needed to file for authorisation for its single-shot coronavirus vaccine candidate by February, according to a report.

How much will Johnson &amp; Johnson coronavirus vaccine cost?

J&amp;J shots are likely to cost around $10 a dose. Johnson &amp; Johnson had earlier stated it was committed to bringing an affordable vaccine to the public on a not-for-profit basis for emergency pandemic use.

India coronavirus vaccine

India is likely to be amongst the front-runners with the development of its indigenous Covid vaccine Covaxin in the near future.

What will be the cost of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin vaccine?

The cost of Covaxin will be less than that of a water, according to Bharat Biotech MD, Dr Krishna Ella

The remark implies that Covaxin will be supplied at a price well below Rs 100, which will be significant given that most of India's population falls in the low-to-middle income category.

The race for a coronavirus vaccine has stoked a debate on how much the jabs will cost and who will pay for them, as prices range from $10 to $40 per person. An affordable price for the coronavirus vaccine can very well act as the deciding factor in the purchase and sale of a particular brand and its profit.

The race for a coronavirus vaccine has stoked a debate on how much the jabs will cost and who will pay for them, as prices range from $10 to $40 per person. An affordable price for the coronavirus vaccine can very well act as the deciding factor in the purchase and sale of a particular brand and its profit. From Moderna, Pfizer to Oxford and Bharat Biotech coronavirus vaccine candidates, here's all you need to know about Covid-19 shots and what their cost may be. Moderna coronavirus vaccine Moderna is a private company, which has clearly stated its interest in making profits. In August, Moderna was pitching for $37 (£28) a dose. The UN Covax programme will subsidise rollouts of coronavirus vaccines to poorer countries, but at the price Moderna wants to charge, that may prove too costly. How many shots will be required? Moderna vaccine consists of two injections four weeks apart. Pfizer coronavirus vaccine Pfizer and BioNTech said last week that an analysis of their vaccine candidate showed it was over 95% effective in preventing coronavirus infections. How much will Pfizer coronavirus vaccine cost? Pfizer and BioNTech are reportedly charging $20 per dose for their vaccine, significantly lower than Moderna. Oxford coronavirus vaccine British pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca is developing a Covid-19 vaccine with the University of Oxford. Data from late-stage trials will be available next month. How much will Oxford coronavirus vaccine cost? Oxford coronavirus vaccine has been priced at approximately $3 to $4. India’s Serum Institute has, meanwhile, said Oxford coronavirus vaccine will be priced at a maximum of Rs 1,000 for two doses. Russia coronavirus vaccine Early results from trials of a Covid vaccine Sputnik V developed in Russia suggest it could be 92% effective. How much will Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine cost? According to Russia's TASS agency, the coronavirus vaccine will be available free of cost in the country. The state-run Gamaleya research centre and the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) said the vaccine will be available in the international markets for less than $10 per dose and it can be stored between two and eight degrees Celsius (between 35.6 and 46.4 degrees Fahrenheit). Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine Johnson & Johnson expects to have all data needed to file for authorisation for its single-shot coronavirus vaccine candidate by February, according to a report. How much will Johnson & Johnson coronavirus vaccine cost? J&J shots are likely to cost around $10 a dose. Johnson & Johnson had earlier stated it was committed to bringing an affordable vaccine to the public on a not-for-profit basis for emergency pandemic use. India coronavirus vaccine India is likely to be amongst the front-runners with the development of its indigenous Covid vaccine Covaxin in the near future. What will be the cost of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin vaccine? The cost of Covaxin will be less than that of a water, according to Bharat Biotech MD, Dr Krishna Ella The remark implies that Covaxin will be supplied at a price well below Rs 100, which will be significant given that most of India's population falls in the low-to-middle income category.

Coronavirus vaccine: How price plays an extremely crucial role

Hopes over <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine?page=1">Covid-19&nbsp;vaccines</a>&nbsp;have given a boost to virus-weary citizens across the globe in recent days, but the disease remains rampant and world leaders are urging people to be patient.

Even once a&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;becomes available, any return to normality for a global economy ravaged by the pandemic seems a long way off.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/vaccine-to-lowest-levels-pm-modi-speaks-on-covid-19-vaccine-cost-distribution-strategy-during-chief-ministers-meeting-345108" hreflang="en">'Vaccine to lowest levels': PM Modi on COVID-19 vaccine cost, distribution</a>

Here are the most frequently asked questions about the coronavirus vaccine:

What do we know about the vaccines?

Since this pandemic began more than 100 vaccines are undergoing trials and&nbsp;as many as 54 vaccines&nbsp;are being tested on humans. At least 87 candidates are in the pre-clinical trial stage.

There is no vaccine that is approved for full use and that can be widely administered across the world

Some vaccine candidates have either completed their trials or are close to completing them.

While 37 candidates are in phase one of trials,&nbsp;17 in are phase two, that is,&nbsp;the safety trials.&nbsp;13 candidates are being tested among large groups of people and six have been approved but for limited use.

So,&nbsp;out of the vaccines being tested on humans some candidates have managed to get ahead.

In the tests conducted so far, these vaccines are showing positive results. However, they are not quite ready for a global rollout but we could have multiple vaccines&nbsp;that work and that is extremely encouraging.

Who are these candidates?

The candidates for the coronavirus vaccine include&nbsp;AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Pfizer and Moderna.

AstraZeneca said on Monday its&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;on average prevented 70% of COVID-19 cases in late-stage trials. This rose to 90% in a group of participants who accidentally received a half dose followed by a full dose.

New clinical trial data based on 39 confirmed cases and 18,794 patients who had both shots had shown that Sputnik V was 91.4% effective on day 28 and over 95% effective on day 42.

Pfizer&nbsp;and German partner BioNTech reported final trial results that showed the vaccine was 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 with no major safety concerns.

Moderna said its experimental&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;was 94.5% effective in preventing COVID-19, based on interim data from a late-stage clinical trial.

Nearly a million people have taken an experimental coronavirus vaccine developed by Chinese company&nbsp;Sinopharm, the firm said, although it has not yet provided any clear clinical evidence of efficacy.

China has been giving experimental Covid-19 vaccines to people including state employees, international students, and essential workers heading abroad since July.

Are these vaccines safe?

It is difficult to guarantee the safety of these vaccines because the efficacy rates have been reported by companies themselves.

However, experts of the scientific community need to cross-check this data to&nbsp;verify it.

Companies like Pfizer and the makers of the Oxford vaccine say their vaccine works across age groups.&nbsp;

Are there any long term side effects?

The vaccine makers are moving for emergency authorization regulators will clear those candidates that can be safely administered to people, paving the way for the inoculation of the masses.

When can you get it?

It depends on where does a person lives. Pfizer has said it will roll out its vaccine before Christmas.

The Serum Institute of India, the world's largest manufacturer of&nbsp;vaccines by volume, will first focus on supplying AstraZeneca Plc's COVID-19&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;to Indians before distributing it to other countries, Serum's Chief Executive Adar Poonawalla said on Monday.

Serum is hoping the data released earlier on Monday, along with preliminary data from the ongoing trial of the&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;in India, will allow it to seek emergency use authorisation for the&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;by year-end, before gaining approval for a full rollout by February or March next year, said Poonawalla.

How will it be distributed?

In India, the rollout could happen in two ways, either the government could procure the vaccines and distribute them themselves or they could be directly made available in pharmacies for people to buy.

&nbsp;Considering India is such a large country both of these mediums could be used, just like how the prices of tests for Wuhan virus were capped.

The prices of these vaccines could be capped for the open market while the government could buy its own supplies and distribute it for free or subsidized rates. The government of India is yet to announce its plans but reportedly, it plans to inoculate one out of every five Indians by July. That would mean 25 crore citizens.

&nbsp;

Hopes over Covid-19 vaccines have given a boost to virus-weary citizens across the globe in recent days, but the disease remains rampant and world leaders are urging people to be patient.

Hopes over Covid-19 vaccines have given a boost to virus-weary citizens across the globe in recent days, but the disease remains rampant and world leaders are urging people to be patient. Even once a vaccine becomes available, any return to normality for a global economy ravaged by the pandemic seems a long way off. Also read: 'Vaccine to lowest levels': PM Modi on COVID-19 vaccine cost, distribution Here are the most frequently asked questions about the coronavirus vaccine: What do we know about the vaccines? Since this pandemic began more than 100 vaccines are undergoing trials and as many as 54 vaccines are being tested on humans. At least 87 candidates are in the pre-clinical trial stage. There is no vaccine that is approved for full use and that can be widely administered across the world Some vaccine candidates have either completed their trials or are close to completing them. While 37 candidates are in phase one of trials, 17 in are phase two, that is, the safety trials. 13 candidates are being tested among large groups of people and six have been approved but for limited use. So, out of the vaccines being tested on humans some candidates have managed to get ahead. In the tests conducted so far, these vaccines are showing positive results. However, they are not quite ready for a global rollout but we could have multiple vaccines that work and that is extremely encouraging. Who are these candidates? The candidates for the coronavirus vaccine include AstraZeneca, Sputnik V, Pfizer and Moderna. AstraZeneca said on Monday its vaccine on average prevented 70% of COVID-19 cases in late-stage trials. This rose to 90% in a group of participants who accidentally received a half dose followed by a full dose. New clinical trial data based on 39 confirmed cases and 18,794 patients who had both shots had shown that Sputnik V was 91.4% effective on day 28 and over 95% effective on day 42. Pfizer and German partner BioNTech reported final trial results that showed the vaccine was 95% effective in preventing COVID-19 with no major safety concerns. Moderna said its experimental vaccine was 94.5% effective in preventing COVID-19, based on interim data from a late-stage clinical trial. Nearly a million people have taken an experimental coronavirus vaccine developed by Chinese company Sinopharm, the firm said, although it has not yet provided any clear clinical evidence of efficacy. China has been giving experimental Covid-19 vaccines to people including state employees, international students, and essential workers heading abroad since July. Are these vaccines safe? It is difficult to guarantee the safety of these vaccines because the efficacy rates have been reported by companies themselves. However, experts of the scientific community need to cross-check this data to verify it. Companies like Pfizer and the makers of the Oxford vaccine say their vaccine works across age groups. Are there any long term side effects? The vaccine makers are moving for emergency authorization regulators will clear those candidates that can be safely administered to people, paving the way for the inoculation of the masses. When can you get it? It depends on where does a person lives. Pfizer has said it will roll out its vaccine before Christmas. The Serum Institute of India, the world's largest manufacturer of vaccines by volume, will first focus on supplying AstraZeneca Plc's COVID-19 vaccine to Indians before distributing it to other countries, Serum's Chief Executive Adar Poonawalla said on Monday. Serum is hoping the data released earlier on Monday, along with preliminary data from the ongoing trial of the vaccine in India, will allow it to seek emergency use authorisation for the vaccine by year-end, before gaining approval for a full rollout by February or March next year, said Poonawalla. How will it be distributed? In India, the rollout could happen in two ways, either the government could procure the vaccines and distribute them themselves or they could be directly made available in pharmacies for people to buy. Considering India is such a large country both of these mediums could be used, just like how the prices of tests for Wuhan virus were capped. The prices of these vaccines could be capped for the open market while the government could buy its own supplies and distribute it for free or subsidized rates. The government of India is yet to announce its plans but reportedly, it plans to inoculate one out of every five Indians by July. That would mean 25 crore citizens.

From production to distribution: Comprehensive guide to coronavirus vaccine

If you are planning to fly back home from Australia's Qantas Airways in the year 2021, then we would suggest scheduling your flight after a vaccine shot as the airways has decided to not let people board the flight if they are not vaccinated against COVID-19.

Australia's Qantas Airways has become the first major airlines to declare plans of making vaccine shot compulsory for any passengers hoping to use their facilities.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/qatar-authorities-identify-mother-who-dumped-her-baby-in-airport-scandal-344951">Qatar authorities identify mother who dumped her baby in airport scandal</a>

"We are looking at changing our terms and conditions to say for international travellers that we will ask people to have a vaccination before they can get on the aircraft," Qantas CEO Alon Joyce told the local media.

He also added that, for now, the decision is being considered strictly for international flyers.&nbsp;"Whether you need that domestically, we will have to see what happens with Covid-19 in the market but certainly, for international visitors coming out (to Australia) and people leaving the country, we think that is a necessity."

The airlines also believe that the rule will become a common practice soon once the COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out by the medical experts. They believe this is important for the safety of the passengers and the staff.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nasal-spray-that-aims-to-fight-covid-19-other-respiratory-illness-gets-million-dollar-funding-344698">Nasal spray that aims to fight Covid-19, other respiratory illness gets million-dollar funding</a>

Meanwhile, other regional airlines such as&nbsp;Korean Air have hinted towards a possibility, but have confirmed that there is no confirmation on the plan yet as the vaccines are still in the development phase in various countries. "We don't have any concrete plans to announce at this point on the vaccine as it is still in development and will take time to distribute," a Korean Air representative told AFP.

Japan Airlines, on the other hand, has denied any such plans but is urging passengers to follow all safety and health regulations including social distancing, temperature checks and compulsory masks.

The&nbsp;International Air Transport Association (IATA), meanwhile, is planning to launch a digital health pass that can record the COVID-19 vaccinations and tests in the future. The association is in the final stages of developing the pass and is hoping to launch it soon. "We are bringing this to market in the coming months to also meet the needs of the various travel bubbles and public health corridors that are starting operation," said&nbsp;IATA director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac.

If you are planning to fly back home from Australia's Qantas Airways in the year 2021, then we would suggest scheduling your flight after a vaccine shot as the airways has decided to not let people board the flight if they are not vaccinated against COVID-19.

If you are planning to fly back home from Australia's Qantas Airways in the year 2021, then we would suggest scheduling your flight after a vaccine shot as the airways has decided to not let people board the flight if they are not vaccinated against COVID-19. Australia's Qantas Airways has become the first major airlines to declare plans of making vaccine shot compulsory for any passengers hoping to use their facilities. Also read| Qatar authorities identify mother who dumped her baby in airport scandal "We are looking at changing our terms and conditions to say for international travellers that we will ask people to have a vaccination before they can get on the aircraft," Qantas CEO Alon Joyce told the local media. He also added that, for now, the decision is being considered strictly for international flyers. "Whether you need that domestically, we will have to see what happens with Covid-19 in the market but certainly, for international visitors coming out (to Australia) and people leaving the country, we think that is a necessity." The airlines also believe that the rule will become a common practice soon once the COVID-19 vaccines are rolled out by the medical experts. They believe this is important for the safety of the passengers and the staff. Also read| Nasal spray that aims to fight Covid-19, other respiratory illness gets million-dollar funding Meanwhile, other regional airlines such as Korean Air have hinted towards a possibility, but have confirmed that there is no confirmation on the plan yet as the vaccines are still in the development phase in various countries. "We don't have any concrete plans to announce at this point on the vaccine as it is still in development and will take time to distribute," a Korean Air representative told AFP. Japan Airlines, on the other hand, has denied any such plans but is urging passengers to follow all safety and health regulations including social distancing, temperature checks and compulsory masks. The International Air Transport Association (IATA), meanwhile, is planning to launch a digital health pass that can record the COVID-19 vaccinations and tests in the future. The association is in the final stages of developing the pass and is hoping to launch it soon. "We are bringing this to market in the coming months to also meet the needs of the various travel bubbles and public health corridors that are starting operation," said IATA director general and CEO Alexandre de Juniac.

No fly list: Qantas Airways makes COVID vaccine necessary for international flights

The Serum Institute of India, the world`s largest manufacturer of vaccines by volume, will first focus on supplying AstraZeneca Plc`s COVID-19 vaccine to Indians before distributing it to other countries, Serum`s Chief Executive Adar Poonawalla said on Monday. 
 
"It`s very important we take care of our country first, then go on to COVAX after that and then other bilateral deals with countries. So I`ve kept it in that priority," said Poonawalla, referencing the global COVAX facility, which has been set up to provide COVID-19 vaccines to poorer countries. 
 
The company remains in discussion with the Indian government about inking a purchase agreement for the vaccine, Poonawalla said in an interview with CNBC-TV 18, adding that Serum should have quantities of it ready to sell into India`s private market in the first quarter of 2021. 
 
Poonawalla`s comments came shortly after AstraZeneca said on Monday its vaccine could be around 90% effective, giving the world`s fight against the pandemic a new weapon, cheaper to make, easier to distribute and faster to scale up than rivals. 
 
Serum is hoping the data released earlier on Monday, along with preliminary data from the ongoing trial of the vaccine in India, will allow it to seek emergency use authorisation for the vaccine by year-end, before gaining approval for a full rollout by February or March next year, said Poonawalla. 
 
He said the vaccine in the Indian private market would be priced at 1,000 rupees per dose ($13.50), but that governments signing large supply deals would likely buy it at lower prices. 
 
Poonawalla also said that although Serum has the right to strike direct bilateral deals with more than five dozen nations, on the basis of its licensing deal with AstraZeneca, the company may include the government in some of these discussions. 
 
Poonawalla said the company will be able to produce 400 million doses of AstraZeneca`s vaccine by July 2021 and scale up further from there.

The Serum Institute of India, the world`s largest manufacturer of vaccines by volume, will first focus on supplying AstraZeneca Plc`s COVID-19 vaccine to Indians before distributing it to other countries, Serum`s Chief Executive Adar Poonawalla said on Monday.

The Serum Institute of India, the world`s largest manufacturer of vaccines by volume, will first focus on supplying AstraZeneca Plc`s COVID-19 vaccine to Indians before distributing it to other countries, Serum`s Chief Executive Adar Poonawalla said on Monday. "It`s very important we take care of our country first, then go on to COVAX after that and then other bilateral deals with countries. So I`ve kept it in that priority," said Poonawalla, referencing the global COVAX facility, which has been set up to provide COVID-19 vaccines to poorer countries. The company remains in discussion with the Indian government about inking a purchase agreement for the vaccine, Poonawalla said in an interview with CNBC-TV 18, adding that Serum should have quantities of it ready to sell into India`s private market in the first quarter of 2021. Poonawalla`s comments came shortly after AstraZeneca said on Monday its vaccine could be around 90% effective, giving the world`s fight against the pandemic a new weapon, cheaper to make, easier to distribute and faster to scale up than rivals. Serum is hoping the data released earlier on Monday, along with preliminary data from the ongoing trial of the vaccine in India, will allow it to seek emergency use authorisation for the vaccine by year-end, before gaining approval for a full rollout by February or March next year, said Poonawalla. He said the vaccine in the Indian private market would be priced at 1,000 rupees per dose ($13.50), but that governments signing large supply deals would likely buy it at lower prices. Poonawalla also said that although Serum has the right to strike direct bilateral deals with more than five dozen nations, on the basis of its licensing deal with AstraZeneca, the company may include the government in some of these discussions. Poonawalla said the company will be able to produce 400 million doses of AstraZeneca`s vaccine by July 2021 and scale up further from there.

Serum Institute to focus on supplying COVID-19 vaccine to India first

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