China is stopping anyone without proof of being COVID negative and&nbsp;that of absence of a particular antibody. This antibody forms in a patient when he takes a COVID vaccine. South China Morning Post said that travellers to China, even Chinese citizens are being denied entry if they were found to carry a specific antibody.

As per the report, China has been insisting a test for antibody called immunoglobulin M ( IgM) since November. Chinese embassies screen the documents of those wanting to travel to China. If everything is in order, the embassies issue green health code via mobile app to the traveller. He can then board the plane.

For the green health code, travellers are required to produce negative test results for COVID-19 and IgM within 48 hours prior to boarding the plane.

China was the world's first hotspot of coronavirus outbreak. The outbreak originated in Wuhan. China has faced global criticism and has also faced allegations that coronavirus was developed in a lab. China has vehemently denied this and instead made counter-allegations that the virus was brought to the country by foreign powers.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hong-kong-begins-coronavirus-vaccination-with-chinas-sinovac-366339">Hong Kong begins coronavirus vaccination with China's Sinovac</a>

The World Health Organisation (WHO) probe into the origin of pandemic in China did not yield much. The probe team was very closely followed by Chinese authorities as it visited different locations in the country.

China is stopping anyone without proof of being COVID negative and that of absence of a particular antibody. This antibody forms in a patient when he takes a COVID vaccine.

China is stopping anyone without proof of being COVID negative and that of absence of a particular antibody. This antibody forms in a patient when he takes a COVID vaccine. South China Morning Post said that travellers to China, even Chinese citizens are being denied entry if they were found to carry a specific antibody. As per the report, China has been insisting a test for antibody called immunoglobulin M ( IgM) since November. Chinese embassies screen the documents of those wanting to travel to China. If everything is in order, the embassies issue green health code via mobile app to the traveller. He can then board the plane. For the green health code, travellers are required to produce negative test results for COVID-19 and IgM within 48 hours prior to boarding the plane. China was the world's first hotspot of coronavirus outbreak. The outbreak originated in Wuhan. China has faced global criticism and has also faced allegations that coronavirus was developed in a lab. China has vehemently denied this and instead made counter-allegations that the virus was brought to the country by foreign powers. Also Read | Hong Kong begins coronavirus vaccination with China's Sinovac The World Health Organisation (WHO) probe into the origin of pandemic in China did not yield much. The probe team was very closely followed by Chinese authorities as it visited different locations in the country.

Taking COVID vaccine may prevent you from entering China: Report

India has provided 361.94 lakh doses of anti-coronavirus vaccines to various countries, out of which 67.5 lakh doses have been supplied as grant assistance and 294.44 lakh on commercial basis, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday.

MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the supply of vaccines to countries will continue in the coming weeks and months in a phased manner but it will be ensured that domestic requirements for the national vaccination programme are kept in mind.

"As of now, we have provided a total of 361.94 lakh doses to various countries. This includes 67.5 lakh doses supplied under grant assistance and 294.44 lakh doses under various commercial contracts," he said at an online briefing.

Srivastava said India has also offered locally-made vaccines to all members of the diplomatic corps and their families based in the country.

"It has been offered not only to the diplomats of countries but also to those of UN agencies and intergovernmental organisations working in India. This drive will cover all the locations where they are based," he said.

To a question on the workshop on "COVID-19 Management: Experience, Good Practices and Way Forward" with 10 neighbouring countries that was held on February 18 and addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Srivastava said among other things, the PM proposed a special visa scheme for doctors and nurses, a regional Air Ambulance agreement for medical contingencies, creation of a regional platform for collating, compiling and studying data about the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines.

The prime minister also proposed creating a regional network for promoting technology-assisted epidemiology for preventing future pandemics, he said.

Srivastava said these proposals were very well-received by the participating countries and follow-up action is being taken in consultation with ministries concerned.

India has sent consignments of anti-coronavirus vaccine doses as gifts to countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Oman, Afghanistan, Barbados and Dominica.

Countries which received vaccines on commercial basis include Brazil, Morocco, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Kuwait and the UAE.

In a major announcement, India on January 19 said it will send vaccines under grant assistance to several countries.

India is one of the world's biggest drugmakers, and an increasing number of countries have already approached it for procuring anti-coronavirus vaccines.

India has provided 361.94 lakh doses of anti-coronavirus vaccines to various countries, out of which 67.5 lakh doses have been supplied as grant assistance and 294.

India has provided 361.94 lakh doses of anti-coronavirus vaccines to various countries, out of which 67.5 lakh doses have been supplied as grant assistance and 294.44 lakh on commercial basis, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday. MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said the supply of vaccines to countries will continue in the coming weeks and months in a phased manner but it will be ensured that domestic requirements for the national vaccination programme are kept in mind. "As of now, we have provided a total of 361.94 lakh doses to various countries. This includes 67.5 lakh doses supplied under grant assistance and 294.44 lakh doses under various commercial contracts," he said at an online briefing. Srivastava said India has also offered locally-made vaccines to all members of the diplomatic corps and their families based in the country. "It has been offered not only to the diplomats of countries but also to those of UN agencies and intergovernmental organisations working in India. This drive will cover all the locations where they are based," he said. To a question on the workshop on "COVID-19 Management: Experience, Good Practices and Way Forward" with 10 neighbouring countries that was held on February 18 and addressed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Srivastava said among other things, the PM proposed a special visa scheme for doctors and nurses, a regional Air Ambulance agreement for medical contingencies, creation of a regional platform for collating, compiling and studying data about the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines. The prime minister also proposed creating a regional network for promoting technology-assisted epidemiology for preventing future pandemics, he said. Srivastava said these proposals were very well-received by the participating countries and follow-up action is being taken in consultation with ministries concerned. India has sent consignments of anti-coronavirus vaccine doses as gifts to countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, Nepal, Bhutan, the Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, Bahrain, Oman, Afghanistan, Barbados and Dominica. Countries which received vaccines on commercial basis include Brazil, Morocco, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Egypt, Algeria, South Africa, Kuwait and the UAE. In a major announcement, India on January 19 said it will send vaccines under grant assistance to several countries. India is one of the world's biggest drugmakers, and an increasing number of countries have already approached it for procuring anti-coronavirus vaccines.

India sent over 30 million COVID vaccines abroad: MEA

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz agreed in a phone call Friday to talks over the delivery and joint production of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, the Kremlin said.

"The issues of countering the spread of the coronavirus infection were discussed in detail, including the possibility of supplying the Russian Sputnik V vaccine to Austria, as well as establishing its joint production," the Kremlin said in a statement.

The phone call, which the Kremlin said was initiated by Austria, came as the European Union&nbsp;faces criticism for a sluggish mass vaccination rollout after it was plagued by supply problems.

Several of the bloc's member states, including Germany and Spain, have said that they would be interested in Russia's vaccine if it gets approval from European regulatory bodies, while Hungary has registered the jab on its own.&nbsp;

Brussels however has been wary of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine -- named after the Soviet-era satellite -- concerned that Moscow would use it as a soft power tool.

Russia approved its vaccine last August ahead of large-scale clinical trials, sparking concerns over the fast-track procedure.&nbsp;

But leading medical journal The Lancet this month published results showing the jab to be safe and over 90 percent effective.

The Russian Direct Investment Fund, which helped finance the development of Sputnik V, has said that more than 35 countries have registered it.

Rather than exporting the vaccine in bulk, Moscow hopes to agree production partnerships with local factories.

Brazil, India, Kazakhstan and South Korea have begun producing Sputnik V, though not all of them have made it available to the public yet.&nbsp;

In recent years, Austria has emphasised close ties with Russia.

After a number of EU countries in 2018 expelled Russian diplomats over the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in the UK, Austria said it would not follow, stressing its neutrality.

Later that year Karin Kneissl, Austria's foreign minister at the time, raised eyebrows when she invited Putin to her wedding and danced with the Russian leader.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz agreed in a phone call Friday to talks over the delivery and joint production of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, the Kremlin said.

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz agreed in a phone call Friday to talks over the delivery and joint production of Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, the Kremlin said. "The issues of countering the spread of the coronavirus infection were discussed in detail, including the possibility of supplying the Russian Sputnik V vaccine to Austria, as well as establishing its joint production," the Kremlin said in a statement. The phone call, which the Kremlin said was initiated by Austria, came as the European Union faces criticism for a sluggish mass vaccination rollout after it was plagued by supply problems. Several of the bloc's member states, including Germany and Spain, have said that they would be interested in Russia's vaccine if it gets approval from European regulatory bodies, while Hungary has registered the jab on its own. Brussels however has been wary of the Russian Sputnik V vaccine -- named after the Soviet-era satellite -- concerned that Moscow would use it as a soft power tool. Russia approved its vaccine last August ahead of large-scale clinical trials, sparking concerns over the fast-track procedure. But leading medical journal The Lancet this month published results showing the jab to be safe and over 90 percent effective. The Russian Direct Investment Fund, which helped finance the development of Sputnik V, has said that more than 35 countries have registered it. Rather than exporting the vaccine in bulk, Moscow hopes to agree production partnerships with local factories. Brazil, India, Kazakhstan and South Korea have begun producing Sputnik V, though not all of them have made it available to the public yet. In recent years, Austria has emphasised close ties with Russia. After a number of EU countries in 2018 expelled Russian diplomats over the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in the UK, Austria said it would not follow, stressing its neutrality. Later that year Karin Kneissl, Austria's foreign minister at the time, raised eyebrows when she invited Putin to her wedding and danced with the Russian leader.

Russia, Austria agree to talks on Sputnik V vaccine

South Korea launched its Covid inoculation campaign on Friday, with shots to be administered in some 200 nursing homes.

The first doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine began to be given on Friday morning to nursing home workers and some patients at facilities across the country of about 52 million.

By evening, 16,813 people had received their first doses, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said.

On Saturday, authorities plan to start giving the first of 117,000 doses of the vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE supplied through COVAX, an international COVID-19 vaccine-sharing programme, to about 55,000 healthcare workers in coronavirus treatment facilities.

The national pharmaceutical panel on Friday recommended the government approve that vaccine. Authorities will wait, however, for a final review committee before deciding whether to grant approval, which would allow the country to start using doses beyond those supplied by COVAX.

Despite complaints over a slow start, and debate over the efficacy of AstraZeneca's vaccine for older people, surveys show wide interest among South Koreans in being vaccinated.

After completing registration this month, more than 350,000 high-risk healthcare workers and around 78,000 first responders will in March begin to get the AstraZeneca shots, co-developed by Oxford University.

South Korea reported 406 new virus infections by Thursday. The country has so far recorded 88,922 infections and a death toll of 1,585.

Under the current level of distancing rules, cafes, restaurants and gyms can stay open until 10 p.m. (1300 GMT), and religious services and audiences at sporting events are limited to 20% and 10% capacity, respectively.

A proposal to revamp social distancing guidelines will come next week.

South Korea launched its Covid inoculation campaign on Friday, with shots to be administered in some 200 nursing homes. The first doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine began to be given on Friday morning to nursing home workers and some patients at facilities across the country of about 52 million.

South Korea launched its Covid inoculation campaign on Friday, with shots to be administered in some 200 nursing homes. The first doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine began to be given on Friday morning to nursing home workers and some patients at facilities across the country of about 52 million. By evening, 16,813 people had received their first doses, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA) said. On Saturday, authorities plan to start giving the first of 117,000 doses of the vaccine developed by Pfizer Inc and BioNTech SE supplied through COVAX, an international COVID-19 vaccine-sharing programme, to about 55,000 healthcare workers in coronavirus treatment facilities. The national pharmaceutical panel on Friday recommended the government approve that vaccine. Authorities will wait, however, for a final review committee before deciding whether to grant approval, which would allow the country to start using doses beyond those supplied by COVAX. Despite complaints over a slow start, and debate over the efficacy of AstraZeneca's vaccine for older people, surveys show wide interest among South Koreans in being vaccinated. After completing registration this month, more than 350,000 high-risk healthcare workers and around 78,000 first responders will in March begin to get the AstraZeneca shots, co-developed by Oxford University. South Korea reported 406 new virus infections by Thursday. The country has so far recorded 88,922 infections and a death toll of 1,585. Under the current level of distancing rules, cafes, restaurants and gyms can stay open until 10 p.m. (1300 GMT), and religious services and audiences at sporting events are limited to 20% and 10% capacity, respectively. A proposal to revamp social distancing guidelines will come next week.

South Korea kicks off Covid vaccination campaign

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment for supporting vaccine equity and sharing Covid vaccines with over 60 countries across the world, hoping that other nations will follow his example.

India on Wednesday dispatched the first batch of six lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses to the African country of Ghana under the COVAX facility in collaboration with UNICEF, which aims to cover 92 countries under the initiative.

The doses are a part of the first batch of COVID-19 vaccine the country is acquiring through the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility (COVAX), which Ghana among nearly 92 countries have signed into.

To this end, in a tweet, Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation, said that India's support in supplying its vaccines is helping over 60 countries to begin the vaccination process.

"Thanks India &amp; Prime Minister @narendramodi for supporting #VaccinEquity. Your commitment to #COVAX and sharing #COVID19 vaccine doses is helping 60+ countries start vaccinating their #healthworkers and other priority groups. I hope other countries will follow your example," he said in the tweet on Thursday.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on February 12 said that India has provided over 229 lakh doses of coronavirus vaccines to various countries out of which 64 lakh doses have been supplied as grant assistance and 165 lakh on commercial basis.

MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said India would continue to take forward the global vaccine supply initiative and cover more countries in a phased manner.

Consignments of coronavirus vaccine doses were supplied as gifts to Bangladesh (20 lakh), Myanmar (17 lakh), Nepal (10 lakh), Bhutan (1.5 lakh), the Maldives (1 lakh), Mauritius (1 lakh), Seychelles (50,000), Sri Lanka (5 lakh), Bahrain (1 lakh), Oman (1 lakh), Afghanistan (5 Lakhs), Barbados (1 Lakh) and Dominica (70,000), he said.

Srivastava said countries which received vaccines on commercial basis are Brazil (20 lakh), Morocco (60 lakh), Bangladesh (50 lakh), Myanmar (20 lakh), Egypt (50,000), Algeria (50,000), South Africa (10 lakh), Kuwait (2 lakh) and UAE (2 lakh).

The vaccines are even being sent to Latin American countries.

India, the largest drug producer in the world, is currently manufacturing two COVID-19 vaccines- Covishield and Covaxin.

While Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India in Pune, Covaxin is being produced by Bharat Biotech.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment for supporting vaccine equity and sharing Covid vaccines with over 60 countries across the world, hoping that other nations will follow his example.

WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's commitment for supporting vaccine equity and sharing Covid vaccines with over 60 countries across the world, hoping that other nations will follow his example. India on Wednesday dispatched the first batch of six lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses to the African country of Ghana under the COVAX facility in collaboration with UNICEF, which aims to cover 92 countries under the initiative. The doses are a part of the first batch of COVID-19 vaccine the country is acquiring through the COVID-19 Vaccine Global Access Facility (COVAX), which Ghana among nearly 92 countries have signed into. To this end, in a tweet, Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organisation, said that India's support in supplying its vaccines is helping over 60 countries to begin the vaccination process. "Thanks India & Prime Minister @narendramodi for supporting #VaccinEquity. Your commitment to #COVAX and sharing #COVID19 vaccine doses is helping 60+ countries start vaccinating their #healthworkers and other priority groups. I hope other countries will follow your example," he said in the tweet on Thursday. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on February 12 said that India has provided over 229 lakh doses of coronavirus vaccines to various countries out of which 64 lakh doses have been supplied as grant assistance and 165 lakh on commercial basis. MEA spokesperson Anurag Srivastava said India would continue to take forward the global vaccine supply initiative and cover more countries in a phased manner. Consignments of coronavirus vaccine doses were supplied as gifts to Bangladesh (20 lakh), Myanmar (17 lakh), Nepal (10 lakh), Bhutan (1.5 lakh), the Maldives (1 lakh), Mauritius (1 lakh), Seychelles (50,000), Sri Lanka (5 lakh), Bahrain (1 lakh), Oman (1 lakh), Afghanistan (5 Lakhs), Barbados (1 Lakh) and Dominica (70,000), he said. Srivastava said countries which received vaccines on commercial basis are Brazil (20 lakh), Morocco (60 lakh), Bangladesh (50 lakh), Myanmar (20 lakh), Egypt (50,000), Algeria (50,000), South Africa (10 lakh), Kuwait (2 lakh) and UAE (2 lakh). The vaccines are even being sent to Latin American countries. India, the largest drug producer in the world, is currently manufacturing two COVID-19 vaccines- Covishield and Covaxin. While Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield is being manufactured by the Serum Institute of India in Pune, Covaxin is being produced by Bharat Biotech.

WHO chief Ghebreyesus praises India, PM Modi for Covid vaccine effort

As many as 114 European Union Parliamentarians or MEPs have issued a declaration calling European Commission and the European Council to not block waiver for Covid vaccine intellectual property rights (IPR) at the World Trade Organisation.&nbsp;

The proposal for waiver was given by India and South Africa jointly last year. It, however, faces stiff opposition from western countries, including the EU.

The declaration said, "EU’s open opposition to the TRIPS waiver risks exacerbating a dangerous North-South divide when it comes to affordable access to COVID-19 diagnostics, personal protective equipment, treatments, and vaccines."

Pointing out to the need for an IPR waiver, it said, "WTO decision on a potential waiver offers a crucial and much-needed act of effective solidarity as it is an important step towards increasing local production in partner countries and, ultimately, suppressing this pandemic on a global scale."

The development comes ahead of the European Council meeting on Thursday and the crucial decision to be made by all Member States at the WTO General Council on March 1-2.

The European Parliament is made up of 705 members elected in the 27 member states of the enlarged European Union. The MEPs, who have backed the declaration, include Kathleen Van Brempt, Anna Cavazzini, Benoît Lutgen, Philippe Lamberts, and Marie Arena etc.

Calling for "constructive dialogue" with partner countries, the declaration highlighted that the action will "enable local production capacities (for covid vaccine) and increase their access to COVID-19 treatments."

It reminded COVID-19 medical products are "global public goods" and the statements by the European Commission, which is the executive branch of the European Union have not "translated into actionable realities."

The WTO met on Tuesday to discuss the proposal and with consensus yet to be achieved.

The LDC group (least developed countries) -- consisting of 35 members -- have come out in support of the proposal.

As many as 114 European Union Parliamentarians or MEPs have issued a declaration calling European Commission and the European Council to not block waiver for Covid vaccine intellectual property rights (IPR) at the World Trade Organisation.

As many as 114 European Union Parliamentarians or MEPs have issued a declaration calling European Commission and the European Council to not block waiver for Covid vaccine intellectual property rights (IPR) at the World Trade Organisation. The proposal for waiver was given by India and South Africa jointly last year. It, however, faces stiff opposition from western countries, including the EU. The declaration said, "EU’s open opposition to the TRIPS waiver risks exacerbating a dangerous North-South divide when it comes to affordable access to COVID-19 diagnostics, personal protective equipment, treatments, and vaccines." Pointing out to the need for an IPR waiver, it said, "WTO decision on a potential waiver offers a crucial and much-needed act of effective solidarity as it is an important step towards increasing local production in partner countries and, ultimately, suppressing this pandemic on a global scale." The development comes ahead of the European Council meeting on Thursday and the crucial decision to be made by all Member States at the WTO General Council on March 1-2. The European Parliament is made up of 705 members elected in the 27 member states of the enlarged European Union. The MEPs, who have backed the declaration, include Kathleen Van Brempt, Anna Cavazzini, Benoît Lutgen, Philippe Lamberts, and Marie Arena etc. Calling for "constructive dialogue" with partner countries, the declaration highlighted that the action will "enable local production capacities (for covid vaccine) and increase their access to COVID-19 treatments." It reminded COVID-19 medical products are "global public goods" and the statements by the European Commission, which is the executive branch of the European Union have not "translated into actionable realities." The WTO met on Tuesday to discuss the proposal and with consensus yet to be achieved. The LDC group (least developed countries) -- consisting of 35 members -- have come out in support of the proposal.

More than 100 EU parliamentarians back India-South Africa proposal for Covid vaccine IPR waiver

A large nationwide study has found important differences in the two major ways in which children have become seriously ill from the coronavirus, findings that may help doctors and parents better recognize the conditions and understand more about the children at risk for each one.

The study, published Wednesday in the journal JAMA, analyzed 1,116 cases of young people who were treated at 66 hospitals in 31 states. Slightly more than half the patients had acute COVID-19, the predominantly lung-related illness that afflicts most adults who get sick from the virus, while 539 patients had the inflammatory syndrome that has erupted in some children weeks after they have had a typically mild initial infection.

The researchers found some similarities but also significant differences in the symptoms and characteristics of the patients, who ranged from infants to 20-year-olds and were hospitalized last year between March 15 and October 31.

Young people with the syndrome, called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, or MIS-C, were more likely to be between 6 and 12 years of age, while more than 80% of the patients with acute COVID-19 were either younger than 6 or older than 12.

More than two-thirds of patients with either condition were Black or Hispanic, which experts say most likely reflects socioeconomic and other factors that have disproportionately exposed some communities to the virus.

“It’s still shocking that the overwhelming majority of the patients are nonwhite, and that is true for MIS-C and for acute COVID,” said Dr. Jean Ballweg, medical director of pediatric heart transplant and advanced heart failure at Children’s Hospital &amp;amp; Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, who was not involved in the study. “There’s clearly racial disparity there.”

For reasons that are unclear, while Hispanic young people seemed equally likely to be at risk for both conditions, Black children appeared to be at greater risk for developing the inflammatory syndrome than the acute illness, said Dr. Adrienne Randolph, senior author of the study and a pediatric critical care specialist at Boston Children’s Hospital.

One potential clue mentioned by the authors is that with Kawasaki disease, a rare childhood inflammatory syndrome that has similarities with some aspects of MIS-C, Black children appear to have greater frequency of heart abnormalities and are less responsive to one of the standard treatments, intravenous immunoglobulin.

The researchers found that young people with the inflammatory syndrome were significantly more likely to have had no underlying medical conditions than those with acute COVID-19. Still, more than a third of patients with acute COVID had no previous medical condition. “It’s not like previously healthy kids are completely scot-free here,” Randolph said.

The study evaluated obesity separately from other underlying health conditions and only in patients who were age 2 or older, finding that a somewhat higher percentage of the young people with acute COVID-19 were obese.

Dr. Srinivas Murthy, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of British Columbia, who was not involved in the study, said he was not convinced that the findings established that healthy children were at higher risk for MIS-C. It could be “mostly a numbers game, with the proportion of kids infected and the proportion of healthy kids out there, rather than saying that there’s something immune in healthy kids that puts them at a disproportionately higher risk,” he said.

Overall, he said, the study’s documentation of the differences between the two conditions was useful, especially because it reflected “a reasonably representative set of hospitals across the U.S.”

Young people with the inflammatory syndrome were more likely to need to be treated in intensive care units. Their symptoms were much more likely to include gastrointestinal problems, inflammation and to involve the skin and mucous membranes. They were also much more likely to have heart-related issues, although many of the acute COVID patients did not receive detailed cardiac assessments, the study noted.

Roughly the same proportion of patients with each condition — more than half — needed respiratory support, with slightly less than a third of those needing mechanical ventilation. Roughly the same number of patients in each group died: 10 with MIS-C and eight with acute COVID-19.

The data does not reflect a recent surge in cases of the inflammatory syndrome that followed a rise in overall COVID-19 infections across the country during the winter holiday season. Some hospitals have reported that there have been a greater number of seriously ill MIS-C patients in the current wave compared with previous waves.

“I am going to be fascinated to see comparison from Nov. 1 forward versus this group, because I think we all felt that the kids with MIS-C have been even more sick recently,” Ballweg said.

An optimistic sign from the study was that most of the severe cardiac problems in young people with the inflammatory syndrome improved to normal condition within 30 days. Still, Randolph said any residual effects remain unknown, which is why one of her co-authors, Dr. Jane Newburger, associate chief for academic affairs in Boston Children’s Hospital’s cardiology department, is leading a nationwide study to follow children with the inflammatory syndrome for up to five years.

“We can’t say 100% for sure that everything’s going to be normal long term,” Randolph said.

A large nationwide study has found important differences in the two major ways in which children have become seriously ill from the coronavirus, findings that may help doctors and parents better recognize the conditions and understand more about the children at risk for each one.

A large nationwide study has found important differences in the two major ways in which children have become seriously ill from the coronavirus, findings that may help doctors and parents better recognize the conditions and understand more about the children at risk for each one. The study, published Wednesday in the journal JAMA, analyzed 1,116 cases of young people who were treated at 66 hospitals in 31 states. Slightly more than half the patients had acute COVID-19, the predominantly lung-related illness that afflicts most adults who get sick from the virus, while 539 patients had the inflammatory syndrome that has erupted in some children weeks after they have had a typically mild initial infection. The researchers found some similarities but also significant differences in the symptoms and characteristics of the patients, who ranged from infants to 20-year-olds and were hospitalized last year between March 15 and October 31. Young people with the syndrome, called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children, or MIS-C, were more likely to be between 6 and 12 years of age, while more than 80% of the patients with acute COVID-19 were either younger than 6 or older than 12. More than two-thirds of patients with either condition were Black or Hispanic, which experts say most likely reflects socioeconomic and other factors that have disproportionately exposed some communities to the virus. “It’s still shocking that the overwhelming majority of the patients are nonwhite, and that is true for MIS-C and for acute COVID,” said Dr. Jean Ballweg, medical director of pediatric heart transplant and advanced heart failure at Children’s Hospital &amp; Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, who was not involved in the study. “There’s clearly racial disparity there.” For reasons that are unclear, while Hispanic young people seemed equally likely to be at risk for both conditions, Black children appeared to be at greater risk for developing the inflammatory syndrome than the acute illness, said Dr. Adrienne Randolph, senior author of the study and a pediatric critical care specialist at Boston Children’s Hospital. One potential clue mentioned by the authors is that with Kawasaki disease, a rare childhood inflammatory syndrome that has similarities with some aspects of MIS-C, Black children appear to have greater frequency of heart abnormalities and are less responsive to one of the standard treatments, intravenous immunoglobulin. The researchers found that young people with the inflammatory syndrome were significantly more likely to have had no underlying medical conditions than those with acute COVID-19. Still, more than a third of patients with acute COVID had no previous medical condition. “It’s not like previously healthy kids are completely scot-free here,” Randolph said. The study evaluated obesity separately from other underlying health conditions and only in patients who were age 2 or older, finding that a somewhat higher percentage of the young people with acute COVID-19 were obese. Dr. Srinivas Murthy, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of British Columbia, who was not involved in the study, said he was not convinced that the findings established that healthy children were at higher risk for MIS-C. It could be “mostly a numbers game, with the proportion of kids infected and the proportion of healthy kids out there, rather than saying that there’s something immune in healthy kids that puts them at a disproportionately higher risk,” he said. Overall, he said, the study’s documentation of the differences between the two conditions was useful, especially because it reflected “a reasonably representative set of hospitals across the U.S.” Young people with the inflammatory syndrome were more likely to need to be treated in intensive care units. Their symptoms were much more likely to include gastrointestinal problems, inflammation and to involve the skin and mucous membranes. They were also much more likely to have heart-related issues, although many of the acute COVID patients did not receive detailed cardiac assessments, the study noted. Roughly the same proportion of patients with each condition — more than half — needed respiratory support, with slightly less than a third of those needing mechanical ventilation. Roughly the same number of patients in each group died: 10 with MIS-C and eight with acute COVID-19. The data does not reflect a recent surge in cases of the inflammatory syndrome that followed a rise in overall COVID-19 infections across the country during the winter holiday season. Some hospitals have reported that there have been a greater number of seriously ill MIS-C patients in the current wave compared with previous waves. “I am going to be fascinated to see comparison from Nov. 1 forward versus this group, because I think we all felt that the kids with MIS-C have been even more sick recently,” Ballweg said. An optimistic sign from the study was that most of the severe cardiac problems in young people with the inflammatory syndrome improved to normal condition within 30 days. Still, Randolph said any residual effects remain unknown, which is why one of her co-authors, Dr. Jane Newburger, associate chief for academic affairs in Boston Children’s Hospital’s cardiology department, is leading a nationwide study to follow children with the inflammatory syndrome for up to five years. “We can’t say 100% for sure that everything’s going to be normal long term,” Randolph said.

New findings on two ways children become seriously ill from the coronavirus

Fraudsters have offered 400 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines worth some three billion euros to European Union countries, two officials, showing how criminals seek to capitalise on a botched inoculation campaign weighing on the bloc's economic recovery.&nbsp;

EU leaders will discuss by videoconference on Thursday how to protect their 450 million citizens from new, more contagious variants of the coronavirus, ensure stable vaccine deliveries, ramp up production and update jabs to counter new strains.&nbsp;

Two officials with the bloc's executive European Commission estimated that around 400 million doses of 'ghost' vaccine had been offered by fraudsters at a price of up to 3 billion euros ($3.67 billion).&nbsp;

"There is a really large quantity," one said. "Nobody has any idea what is actually in these vials...The best case is it's just not working, in the worst case it's a very serious issue."&nbsp;

The official, who noted that most of the shots offered to EU governments by traders were purportedly the AstraZeneca vaccine, compared the situation to the start of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020 when criminal exploited a shortage of masks and other protective equipment.&nbsp;

A second official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Commission was worried about 'ghost' vaccines.&nbsp;

"It is unclear whether these are genuine vaccine doses or if we are just talking about salt water in small vials," the official told Reuters.&nbsp;

The EU had warned already that vaccine fraud was on the rise, with fake doses circulating on the market, but the extent of the problem has been unclear until now.&nbsp;

Fraudsters have offered 400 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines worth some three billion euros to European Union countries, two officials, showing how criminals seek to capitalise on a botched inoculation campaign weighing on the bloc's economic recovery.

Fraudsters have offered 400 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines worth some three billion euros to European Union countries, two officials, showing how criminals seek to capitalise on a botched inoculation campaign weighing on the bloc's economic recovery. EU leaders will discuss by videoconference on Thursday how to protect their 450 million citizens from new, more contagious variants of the coronavirus, ensure stable vaccine deliveries, ramp up production and update jabs to counter new strains. Two officials with the bloc's executive European Commission estimated that around 400 million doses of 'ghost' vaccine had been offered by fraudsters at a price of up to 3 billion euros ($3.67 billion). "There is a really large quantity," one said. "Nobody has any idea what is actually in these vials...The best case is it's just not working, in the worst case it's a very serious issue." The official, who noted that most of the shots offered to EU governments by traders were purportedly the AstraZeneca vaccine, compared the situation to the start of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020 when criminal exploited a shortage of masks and other protective equipment. A second official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Commission was worried about 'ghost' vaccines. "It is unclear whether these are genuine vaccine doses or if we are just talking about salt water in small vials," the official told Reuters. The EU had warned already that vaccine fraud was on the rise, with fake doses circulating on the market, but the extent of the problem has been unclear until now.

Fraudsters offer 400 million 'ghost' Covid vaccines in EU, say officials

Moderna Inc said on Thursday it was expecting sales of $18.4 billion from its coronavirus vaccine this year, putting it on the path to post a profit for the first time since its formation in 2010.

Moderna and Pfizer Inc are the only drugmakers whose vaccines have been cleared for emergency use against COVID-19 in the United States so far.

Pfizer earlier this month forecast $15 billion in its share of sales from the COVID-19 vaccine it developed jointly with partner BioNTech.

Both vaccines are being distributed in several countries, and the companies are also working to combat a prevalent new variant of the coronavirus that first emerged in South Africa.

Governments around the world are worried that it may be necessary to provide a "booster" shot for people infected with new variants over the next couple of years, Chief Executive Officer Stephane Bancel said.

Bancel said the company has been adding to its manufacturing capacity due to those concerns and expects to produce 700 million doses to 1 billion doses in 2021.

Moderna is working on an additional booster that targets the South Africa variant and has shipped the vaccine for clinical testing to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the company said on a post-earnings conference call.

The company is also planning to test a next-generation shot that could potentially be stored in refrigerators instead of freezers, making it easier to distribute, especially in developing countries.

The company has shipped 60 million doses of the vaccine so far and has enough drug substance for 100 million doses, Moderna said.

Shares of the company rose nearly 4% to $150.4.

Moderna Inc said on Thursday it was expecting sales of $18.4 billion from its coronavirus vaccine this year, putting it on the path to post a profit for the first time since its formation in 2010.

Moderna Inc said on Thursday it was expecting sales of $18.4 billion from its coronavirus vaccine this year, putting it on the path to post a profit for the first time since its formation in 2010. Moderna and Pfizer Inc are the only drugmakers whose vaccines have been cleared for emergency use against COVID-19 in the United States so far. Pfizer earlier this month forecast $15 billion in its share of sales from the COVID-19 vaccine it developed jointly with partner BioNTech. Both vaccines are being distributed in several countries, and the companies are also working to combat a prevalent new variant of the coronavirus that first emerged in South Africa. Governments around the world are worried that it may be necessary to provide a "booster" shot for people infected with new variants over the next couple of years, Chief Executive Officer Stephane Bancel said. Bancel said the company has been adding to its manufacturing capacity due to those concerns and expects to produce 700 million doses to 1 billion doses in 2021. Moderna is working on an additional booster that targets the South Africa variant and has shipped the vaccine for clinical testing to the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the company said on a post-earnings conference call. The company is also planning to test a next-generation shot that could potentially be stored in refrigerators instead of freezers, making it easier to distribute, especially in developing countries. The company has shipped 60 million doses of the vaccine so far and has enough drug substance for 100 million doses, Moderna said. Shares of the company rose nearly 4% to $150.4.

Moderna expects $18.4 billion in COVID-19 vaccine sales in 2021

Bulgaria has decided to temporarily stop Covid jabs for non-priority groups due to shortages caused by AstraZeneca's failure to stick to supplies and deadlines.

"AstraZeneca won't fulfil its engagement to deliver 142,437 doses by the end of February," Health Minister Kostadin Angelov said Thursday.

"Yesterday we were surprised to find out that on March 1, Bulgaria might get 52,800 doses and not the expected 142,437 vaccines," he said, adding: "We will temporarily suspend the (vaccinations for all) until the next arrival of vaccines... expected on Saturday."

Bulgaria started vaccinating medics and others on the frontline in the battle against Covid-19 at the end of December but interest was sluggish.

Its vaccination rate was the lowest in the European Union with only about 30 per cent of those listed showing up for their shots, forcing health workers to scramble for people to avoid wasting vaccines.

So far, a total of over 168,000 Bulgarians, or about 2.0 per cent of the population, have received at least one dose, compared to an average of 4.3 per cent for Europe as a whole.

(with inputs)

Bulgaria has decided to temporarily stop Covid jabs for non-priority groups due to shortages caused by AstraZeneca's failure to stick to supplies and deadlines. "AstraZeneca won't fulfil its engagement to deliver 142,437 doses by the end of February," Health Minister Kostadin Angelov said Thursday.

Bulgaria has decided to temporarily stop Covid jabs for non-priority groups due to shortages caused by AstraZeneca's failure to stick to supplies and deadlines. "AstraZeneca won't fulfil its engagement to deliver 142,437 doses by the end of February," Health Minister Kostadin Angelov said Thursday. "Yesterday we were surprised to find out that on March 1, Bulgaria might get 52,800 doses and not the expected 142,437 vaccines," he said, adding: "We will temporarily suspend the (vaccinations for all) until the next arrival of vaccines... expected on Saturday." Bulgaria started vaccinating medics and others on the frontline in the battle against Covid-19 at the end of December but interest was sluggish. Its vaccination rate was the lowest in the European Union with only about 30 per cent of those listed showing up for their shots, forcing health workers to scramble for people to avoid wasting vaccines. So far, a total of over 168,000 Bulgarians, or about 2.0 per cent of the population, have received at least one dose, compared to an average of 4.3 per cent for Europe as a whole. (with inputs)

Bulgaria blames AstraZeneca for suspending Covid jabs-for-all

Bangladesh has begun administering coronavirus vaccines to sex workers from the country's largest brothel, a vast warren of shacks home to around 1,900 prostitutes.

The South Asian nation has so far vaccinated nearly three million people aged 40 or above with the AstraZeneca jab, but has scrapped the age restriction for sex workers at the town of Daulatdia in the country's west.

"At least 100 sex workers have already got the anti-Covid-19 jabs," Asif Mahmud, health chief in Daulatdia, told AFP.

"It is very necessary to vaccinate the sex workers... Thousands of people visit the brothel every day and the sex workers at the massive brothel are most vulnerable to the virus."

The country has focused on inoculating the elderly, frontline health workers and security forces since its vaccination drive launched early this month, but plans to eventually cover about 80 percent of the population.

The first sex workers from the brothel to receive the jab travelled to a clinic five kilometres (three miles) away, but Mahmud said authorities were also planning a dedicated vaccine centre inside the brothel.

Mohammad Ibrahim, chief doctor in Daulatdia, said "multiple awareness campaigns" were being conducted to encourage more people to get the jab.

Beauty, 40, who goes by one name, said she was initially hesitant as she had heard rumours that people died after receiving the shot.

"But the health officials reassured us. Now we understand it is important as we meet many people every day," she said.

Bangladesh is one of the few Muslim nations where prostitution is legal for women aged over 18, and at least 11 brothels are operational across the country of 168 million.

Beauty said vaccination would improve their incomes as many clients were worried about coronavirus and had been avoiding the congested brothel, which sits near a busy train station.

In March authorities restricted visits to all brothels when they imposed a month-long nationwide lockdown.

This badly hit the livelihoods of many sex workers and their families, forcing some to rely on food and cash handouts. Many left the brothel to work on the streets, community leaders said.

Jhumur Begum, who heads the main association of sex workers at Daulatdia, said vaccination would help them get back on their feet.

"It will drive out the overwhelming fear that you will get the virus if you visit Daulatdia. There were also fears that any outbreak would be very deadly here," Begum said.

Bangladesh is buying about 30 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses from the Serum Institute of India and will receive another 68 million from the Covax initiative, a global effort to encourage equitable distribution for poor nations.

More than 8,300 people have died of the virus in the country while nearly 545,000 had been infected as of Wednesday.

Bangladesh has begun administering coronavirus vaccines to sex workers from the country's largest brothel, a vast warren of shacks home to around 1,900 prostitutes.

Bangladesh has begun administering coronavirus vaccines to sex workers from the country's largest brothel, a vast warren of shacks home to around 1,900 prostitutes. The South Asian nation has so far vaccinated nearly three million people aged 40 or above with the AstraZeneca jab, but has scrapped the age restriction for sex workers at the town of Daulatdia in the country's west. "At least 100 sex workers have already got the anti-Covid-19 jabs," Asif Mahmud, health chief in Daulatdia, told AFP. "It is very necessary to vaccinate the sex workers... Thousands of people visit the brothel every day and the sex workers at the massive brothel are most vulnerable to the virus." The country has focused on inoculating the elderly, frontline health workers and security forces since its vaccination drive launched early this month, but plans to eventually cover about 80 percent of the population. The first sex workers from the brothel to receive the jab travelled to a clinic five kilometres (three miles) away, but Mahmud said authorities were also planning a dedicated vaccine centre inside the brothel. Mohammad Ibrahim, chief doctor in Daulatdia, said "multiple awareness campaigns" were being conducted to encourage more people to get the jab. Beauty, 40, who goes by one name, said she was initially hesitant as she had heard rumours that people died after receiving the shot. "But the health officials reassured us. Now we understand it is important as we meet many people every day," she said. Bangladesh is one of the few Muslim nations where prostitution is legal for women aged over 18, and at least 11 brothels are operational across the country of 168 million. Beauty said vaccination would improve their incomes as many clients were worried about coronavirus and had been avoiding the congested brothel, which sits near a busy train station. In March authorities restricted visits to all brothels when they imposed a month-long nationwide lockdown. This badly hit the livelihoods of many sex workers and their families, forcing some to rely on food and cash handouts. Many left the brothel to work on the streets, community leaders said. Jhumur Begum, who heads the main association of sex workers at Daulatdia, said vaccination would help them get back on their feet. "It will drive out the overwhelming fear that you will get the virus if you visit Daulatdia. There were also fears that any outbreak would be very deadly here," Begum said. Bangladesh is buying about 30 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses from the Serum Institute of India and will receive another 68 million from the Covax initiative, a global effort to encourage equitable distribution for poor nations. More than 8,300 people have died of the virus in the country while nearly 545,000 had been infected as of Wednesday.

Bangladesh vaccinates sex workers at largest brothel

China`s National Medical Products Administration said on Thursday that it had approved two more COVID-19 vaccines for public use, increasing the number of domestic vaccines approved in China to four.

The two newly approved vaccines are made by CanSino Biologics Inc and Wuhan Institute of Biological Products, an affiliate of China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm).

They join a vaccine from Sinovac Biotech approved earlier this month, and another from Sinopharm`s Beijing unit approved last year.

So far, China has not approved COVID-19 vaccines developed by Western drug makers.

Sinopharm`s Wuhan unit said on Wednesday its vaccine had an efficacy rate of 72.51% against the COVID-19 disease caused by the virus, citing interim analysis of late-stage clinical trial data, without offering more details.

It is one of two candidates from Sinopharm that have entered Phase III clinical trials overseas, and was earlier given to a limited group of people at higher infection risk.

The four approved Chinese vaccines can be stored at normal freezer temperatures, making them a potentially attractive option for developing countries which might have difficulty deploying vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna that require much colder temperatures for longer-term storage.

China has been exporting the Sinovac and earlier Sinopharm vaccines to countries around the world.

China`s National Medical Products Administration said on Thursday that it had approved two more COVID-19 vaccines for public use, increasing the number of domestic vaccines approved in China to four.

China`s National Medical Products Administration said on Thursday that it had approved two more COVID-19 vaccines for public use, increasing the number of domestic vaccines approved in China to four. The two newly approved vaccines are made by CanSino Biologics Inc and Wuhan Institute of Biological Products, an affiliate of China National Pharmaceutical Group (Sinopharm). They join a vaccine from Sinovac Biotech approved earlier this month, and another from Sinopharm`s Beijing unit approved last year. So far, China has not approved COVID-19 vaccines developed by Western drug makers. Sinopharm`s Wuhan unit said on Wednesday its vaccine had an efficacy rate of 72.51% against the COVID-19 disease caused by the virus, citing interim analysis of late-stage clinical trial data, without offering more details. It is one of two candidates from Sinopharm that have entered Phase III clinical trials overseas, and was earlier given to a limited group of people at higher infection risk. The four approved Chinese vaccines can be stored at normal freezer temperatures, making them a potentially attractive option for developing countries which might have difficulty deploying vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna that require much colder temperatures for longer-term storage. China has been exporting the Sinovac and earlier Sinopharm vaccines to countries around the world.

China approves two more domestic COVID-19 vaccines, increasing number to four

Pfizer and BioNTech have been studying adding a third dose to their vaccine regime and testing a new version that will target the South African variant of the coronavirus.

The South African variant is considered among the more dangerous of current mutations because it evades some of the blocking action of antibodies that target the older coronavirus strain. Concerns have since risen that more transmissible variants such as the one first detected in South Africa or another in Britain are more resistant to existing vaccines.

That means people who were infected with the classic strain are more susceptible to reinfection, and research has also shown the variant has partly reduced the protection of the current generation of vaccines.

In one study, the US and German pharmaceutical firms said they would look at what happens when people are given a third dose of their two-shot vaccine, six to 12 months after the booster.

They are also talking to regulators about testing a modified version of their original vaccine to address the South African variant known as B.1.351.

Moderna, the other company whose vaccine has been approved for emergency use in America, said Wednesday that doses of its new Covid-19 vaccine candidate aimed at the South African coronavirus variant had been shipped to the US National Institutes of Health&nbsp;for testing.

(with inputs)

Pfizer and BioNTech have been studying adding a third dose to their vaccine regime and testing a new version that will target the South African variant of the coronavirus.

Pfizer and BioNTech have been studying adding a third dose to their vaccine regime and testing a new version that will target the South African variant of the coronavirus. The South African variant is considered among the more dangerous of current mutations because it evades some of the blocking action of antibodies that target the older coronavirus strain. Concerns have since risen that more transmissible variants such as the one first detected in South Africa or another in Britain are more resistant to existing vaccines. That means people who were infected with the classic strain are more susceptible to reinfection, and research has also shown the variant has partly reduced the protection of the current generation of vaccines. In one study, the US and German pharmaceutical firms said they would look at what happens when people are given a third dose of their two-shot vaccine, six to 12 months after the booster. They are also talking to regulators about testing a modified version of their original vaccine to address the South African variant known as B.1.351. Moderna, the other company whose vaccine has been approved for emergency use in America, said Wednesday that doses of its new Covid-19 vaccine candidate aimed at the South African coronavirus variant had been shipped to the US National Institutes of Health for testing. (with inputs)

A third dose? Pfizer to test tweaked vaccine to target S African strain of coronavirus

AstraZeneca has assured it will have no shortfall of vaccine supply in second quarter of 2021, adding it will deliver 180 million Covid vaccines to Europe, including 20 million to Italy.

But EU officials remain wary about the supply.

According to a report in Reuters, AstraZeneca is expected to deliver less than half the COVID-19 vaccines it was contracted to supply the European Union in the second quarter.

Lorenzo Wittum, CEO and chairman of AstraZeneca in Italy, told daily Il Corriere della Sera that Italy would receive more than 5 million shots by the end of March, fewer than the 8 million previously agreed, leading to a total of 25 million doses by June.

The Italian health ministry on February 12 revised its vaccination plan, lowering its expected doses from AstraZeneca in the second quarter to about 10 million from 18 million seen in a provisional plan in January.

In a statement on Tuesday the company said it aimed to deliver 180 million doses to the EU in the second quarter, half from factories outside Europe.

The EU has, however on its part, been in talks with the company to ensure "timely deliveries of sufficient number of doses."

Even if AstraZeneca delivered 180 million doses in the second quarter, it would still miss its contractual obligations to deliver 300 million shots by the end of June if it does not ramp up supplies in the first quarter which have been cut to 40 million doses from 90 million, and deliver 30 million doses due from December.

(with inputs from Reuters)

AstraZeneca has assured it will have no shortfall of vaccine supply in second quarter of 2021, adding it will deliver 180 million Covid vaccines to Europe, including 20 million to Italy.

AstraZeneca has assured it will have no shortfall of vaccine supply in second quarter of 2021, adding it will deliver 180 million Covid vaccines to Europe, including 20 million to Italy. But EU officials remain wary about the supply. According to a report in Reuters, AstraZeneca is expected to deliver less than half the COVID-19 vaccines it was contracted to supply the European Union in the second quarter. Lorenzo Wittum, CEO and chairman of AstraZeneca in Italy, told daily Il Corriere della Sera that Italy would receive more than 5 million shots by the end of March, fewer than the 8 million previously agreed, leading to a total of 25 million doses by June. The Italian health ministry on February 12 revised its vaccination plan, lowering its expected doses from AstraZeneca in the second quarter to about 10 million from 18 million seen in a provisional plan in January. In a statement on Tuesday the company said it aimed to deliver 180 million doses to the EU in the second quarter, half from factories outside Europe. The EU has, however on its part, been in talks with the company to ensure "timely deliveries of sufficient number of doses." Even if AstraZeneca delivered 180 million doses in the second quarter, it would still miss its contractual obligations to deliver 300 million shots by the end of June if it does not ramp up supplies in the first quarter which have been cut to 40 million doses from 90 million, and deliver 30 million doses due from December. (with inputs from Reuters)

AstraZeneca says it'll have no vaccine supply shortfall in second quarter. But EU is wary

China has clarified it had never asked US diplomats to undergo Covid-19 anal swabs.

The statement on Thursday&nbsp;came following American media reports that State Department personnel had complained of being subjected to the intrusive test.

China -- which has largely brought the virus under control domestically -- said last month that anal swabs can be more effective than normal throat and nose swabs as the virus can linger longer in the digestive system.

China began using anal swabs to test people at high risk of contracting the novel coronavirus, in January.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-deploys-anal-swabs-to-test-for-coronavirus-359649">Also read |&nbsp;China deploys anal swabs to test for coronavirus</a>

On Thursday, Beijing rebuffed reports from Vice and Washington Post -- citing US officials -- that State Department employees in China had been given the test "in error," despite diplomats being exempt from the procedure.

"China has never requested US diplomatic personnel in China to undergo anal swabs," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular press briefing Thursday.

Officials in China have used anal swabs to test people it considers at high-risk of contracting Covid-19, including residents of neighbourhoods with confirmed cases as well as some international travellers.

In order to confirm if the method works, officials took anal swabs from residents of neighbourhoods with confirmed Covid-19 cases in Beijing. Those in designated quarantine facilities also underwent the test.

State media reports that anal swabs had been used in Beijing during a small outbreak in January caused a social media uproar, with many commenters on Twitter-like Weibo reacting with a mix of horror and amusement.

(with inputs from agencies)

China has clarified it had never asked US diplomats to undergo Covid-19 anal swabs. The statement on Thursday came following American media reports that State Department personnel had complained of being subjected to the intrusive test.

China has clarified it had never asked US diplomats to undergo Covid-19 anal swabs. The statement on Thursday came following American media reports that State Department personnel had complained of being subjected to the intrusive test. China -- which has largely brought the virus under control domestically -- said last month that anal swabs can be more effective than normal throat and nose swabs as the virus can linger longer in the digestive system. China began using anal swabs to test people at high risk of contracting the novel coronavirus, in January. Also read | China deploys anal swabs to test for coronavirus On Thursday, Beijing rebuffed reports from Vice and Washington Post -- citing US officials -- that State Department employees in China had been given the test "in error," despite diplomats being exempt from the procedure. "China has never requested US diplomatic personnel in China to undergo anal swabs," foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said at a regular press briefing Thursday. Officials in China have used anal swabs to test people it considers at high-risk of contracting Covid-19, including residents of neighbourhoods with confirmed cases as well as some international travellers. In order to confirm if the method works, officials took anal swabs from residents of neighbourhoods with confirmed Covid-19 cases in Beijing. Those in designated quarantine facilities also underwent the test. State media reports that anal swabs had been used in Beijing during a small outbreak in January caused a social media uproar, with many commenters on Twitter-like Weibo reacting with a mix of horror and amusement. (with inputs from agencies)

China refutes reports that said it used Covid-19 anal swabs on US diplomats

The Coronavirus vaccine will not be mandatory for the athletes participating in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics 2020 says IOC Vice-President.

'Vaccine encouraged but not compulsory for athletes': IOC VP

Commerce and Industry Minister of India Piyush Goyal said on Thursday that 57 countries across the globe have supported proposal spearheaded by India and South Africa for COVID vaccine Intellectual Property Rights waiver. The proposal was submitted by India and SA last year, at World Trade Organisation (WTO).

57 countries have already joined India's leadership in demanding Intellectual Property Waiver for COVID-19 vaccine. Leaders everywhere are rising up to the challenge and joining PM Narendra Modi ji's call for affordable health for the entire world," he tweeted.

"World cannot continue to engage in endless discussions while millions of lives &amp; livelihoods are lost. Intellectual Property waiver on COVID-19 medicine provides an opportunity to rejuvenate the world. Hope the world leaders join India in that effort," he added.

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57 countries have already joined India's leadership in demanding Intellectual Property Waiver for COVID-19 vaccine. Leaders everywhere are rising up to the challenge and joining PM <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NarendraModi</a> ji’s call for affordable health for the entire world. <a href="https://t.co/iAajcP9r6B">pic.twitter.com/iAajcP9r6B</a>
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&nbsp;

The joint demand put forth by India and South Africa has found stiff opposition from western countries but has also found support from prominent power corridors.

114 European Union Parliamentarians or MEPs have already issued declaration and have called on the bloc to support the proposal of IPR waiver for coronavirus vaccine.

The declaration said, "EU’s open opposition to the TRIPS waiver risks exacerbating a dangerous North-South divide when it comes to affordable access to COVID-19 diagnostics, personal protective equipment, treatments, and vaccines."

Pointing out to the need for an IPR waiver, it said, "WTO decision on a potential waiver offers a crucial and much-needed act of effective solidarity as it is an important step towards increasing local production in partner countries and, ultimately, suppressing this pandemic on a global scale."

European Council is due to meet on Thursday (February 25).

Commerce and Industry Minister of India Piyush Goyal said on Thursday that 57 countries across the globe have supported proposal spearheaded by India and South Africa for COVID vaccine Intellectual Property Rights waiver.

Commerce and Industry Minister of India Piyush Goyal said on Thursday that 57 countries across the globe have supported proposal spearheaded by India and South Africa for COVID vaccine Intellectual Property Rights waiver. The proposal was submitted by India and SA last year, at World Trade Organisation (WTO). 57 countries have already joined India's leadership in demanding Intellectual Property Waiver for COVID-19 vaccine. Leaders everywhere are rising up to the challenge and joining PM Narendra Modi ji's call for affordable health for the entire world," he tweeted. "World cannot continue to engage in endless discussions while millions of lives & livelihoods are lost. Intellectual Property waiver on COVID-19 medicine provides an opportunity to rejuvenate the world. Hope the world leaders join India in that effort," he added. 57 countries have already joined India's leadership in demanding Intellectual Property Waiver for COVID-19 vaccine. Leaders everywhere are rising up to the challenge and joining PM @NarendraModi ji’s call for affordable health for the entire world. pic.twitter.com/iAajcP9r6B — Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) February 25, 2021 × The joint demand put forth by India and South Africa has found stiff opposition from western countries but has also found support from prominent power corridors. 114 European Union Parliamentarians or MEPs have already issued declaration and have called on the bloc to support the proposal of IPR waiver for coronavirus vaccine. The declaration said, "EU’s open opposition to the TRIPS waiver risks exacerbating a dangerous North-South divide when it comes to affordable access to COVID-19 diagnostics, personal protective equipment, treatments, and vaccines." Pointing out to the need for an IPR waiver, it said, "WTO decision on a potential waiver offers a crucial and much-needed act of effective solidarity as it is an important step towards increasing local production in partner countries and, ultimately, suppressing this pandemic on a global scale." European Council is due to meet on Thursday (February 25).

57 countries join India on COVID vaccine IPR waiver: Indian minister

Since last year, India and South Africa have been pushing for a ban on vaccine patents. Only to be stonewalled by the rich countries. A last-ditch attempt is now underway to unlock the vaccine patents.

The fight for Covid-19 vaccine patents rages on

The single-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine is highly effective in preventing severe Covid-19, including the South African and Brazil variants, new documents released by the US Food and Drug Administration have said.

In large clinical trials, the vaccine efficacy against severe disease was&nbsp;85.9 per cent in the United States, 81.7 per cent in South Africa, and 87.6 per cent in Brazil.

An independent panel of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will meet to discuss its merits on Friday and an emergency use authorisation is likely to follow soon after.

That would bring a third vaccine into the fight against the outbreak in the United States, the world's hardest-hit country where more than 500,000 people have lost their lives.

"The vaccine was effective in preventing COVID-19 using a less restrictive definition of the disease and for more severe disease, including COVID-19 requiring medical intervention, considering all cases starting 14 days after vaccination," the new FDA summary said.

"Although a lower efficacy overall was observed in South Africa, where there was a predominance of B.1.3.5 lineage during the time period of this study, vaccine efficacy against severe/critical COVID-19 was similarly high across the United States, South Africa, and Brazil."

The J&amp;J vaccine uses a common-cold causing adenovirus, which has been modified so that it can't replicate, to carry the gene for a key protein of the coronavirus into human cells.&nbsp;This makes those cells produce that protein, which in turn trains the human immune system.

The fact that it requires only one dose, and that it can be stored at fridge temperature rather than in freezers like the Pfizer and Moderna shots, gives it an operational advantage.

The vaccine was effective in reducing the risk of Covid-19 and preventing PCR-test confirmed COVID-19 at least 14 days after vaccination, the FDA said in its briefing documents.

J&amp;J tested its single-dose option in 44,000 people in the US, Latin America and South Africa. Because different mutated versions of the virus are circulating in different countries, researchers analysed the results geographically.&nbsp;

(with inputs from agencies)

The single-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine is highly effective in preventing severe Covid-19, including the South African and Brazil variants, new documents released by the US Food and Drug Administration have said.

The single-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccine is highly effective in preventing severe Covid-19, including the South African and Brazil variants, new documents released by the US Food and Drug Administration have said. In large clinical trials, the vaccine efficacy against severe disease was 85.9 per cent in the United States, 81.7 per cent in South Africa, and 87.6 per cent in Brazil. An independent panel of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will meet to discuss its merits on Friday and an emergency use authorisation is likely to follow soon after. That would bring a third vaccine into the fight against the outbreak in the United States, the world's hardest-hit country where more than 500,000 people have lost their lives. "The vaccine was effective in preventing COVID-19 using a less restrictive definition of the disease and for more severe disease, including COVID-19 requiring medical intervention, considering all cases starting 14 days after vaccination," the new FDA summary said. "Although a lower efficacy overall was observed in South Africa, where there was a predominance of B.1.3.5 lineage during the time period of this study, vaccine efficacy against severe/critical COVID-19 was similarly high across the United States, South Africa, and Brazil." The J&J vaccine uses a common-cold causing adenovirus, which has been modified so that it can't replicate, to carry the gene for a key protein of the coronavirus into human cells. This makes those cells produce that protein, which in turn trains the human immune system. The fact that it requires only one dose, and that it can be stored at fridge temperature rather than in freezers like the Pfizer and Moderna shots, gives it an operational advantage. The vaccine was effective in reducing the risk of Covid-19 and preventing PCR-test confirmed COVID-19 at least 14 days after vaccination, the FDA said in its briefing documents. J&J tested its single-dose option in 44,000 people in the US, Latin America and South Africa. Because different mutated versions of the virus are circulating in different countries, researchers analysed the results geographically. (with inputs from agencies)

Johnson & Johnson Covid vaccine poised for FDA decision

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has insisted that new problems dogging the supply of AstraZeneca's vaccines can be resolved, after the group admitted it could deliver only half the expected amount to the bloc in the second quarter.

AstraZeneca said Tuesday its EU supply chains would only be able to deliver half of an expected supply of Covid-19 vaccines to the bloc in the second quarter -- but that it would look to make up the shortfall from elsewhere.

"The vaccine manufacturers are our partners in this pandemic and they have also never faced such a challenge," she told the German regional daily Augsburger Allgemeine.

"New questions are always arising that we can generally resolve amicably," she said on the eve of a virtual EU summit on the response to the Covid-19 pandemic.&nbsp;

Von der Leyen added that she advocated "working together with the companies to ensure global production is improved".

Meanwhile, reports have said AstraZeneca was "working to increase productivity in its EU supply chain" and would use its "global capability in order to achieve delivery of 180 million doses to the EU in the second quarter".&nbsp;

Approximately half of the expected volume is due to come from the EU supply chain while the remainder would come from its international supply network.

The announcement follows controversy over deliveries of the AstraZeneca-Oxford University jab to the European Union in the first quarter, which has caused tension between the bloc and the pharmaceutical company.

The UK government has vaccinated millions of Britons with the AstraZeneca jab since late last year.&nbsp;But the company&nbsp;only began shipping it to the EU in early February, after the bloc's drug regulator took its time over recommending its use.

Ahead of the EU's approval of the vaccine at the end of January, the company sparked fury among European leaders by announcing that it would miss its target of supplying the EU with 400 million doses, due to a shortfall at the firm's European plants.

The disagreement also caused diplomatic tensions with Britain, which definitively left the EU after 40 years of membership following a transmission period at the end of 2020 -- with Brussels implicitly accusing AstraZeneca of giving preferential treatment to Britain at the expense of the EU.

(with inputs from agencies)

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has insisted that new problems dogging the supply of AstraZeneca's vaccines can be resolved, after the group admitted it could deliver only half the expected amount to the bloc in the second quarter.

European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen has insisted that new problems dogging the supply of AstraZeneca's vaccines can be resolved, after the group admitted it could deliver only half the expected amount to the bloc in the second quarter. AstraZeneca said Tuesday its EU supply chains would only be able to deliver half of an expected supply of Covid-19 vaccines to the bloc in the second quarter -- but that it would look to make up the shortfall from elsewhere. "The vaccine manufacturers are our partners in this pandemic and they have also never faced such a challenge," she told the German regional daily Augsburger Allgemeine. "New questions are always arising that we can generally resolve amicably," she said on the eve of a virtual EU summit on the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Von der Leyen added that she advocated "working together with the companies to ensure global production is improved". Meanwhile, reports have said AstraZeneca was "working to increase productivity in its EU supply chain" and would use its "global capability in order to achieve delivery of 180 million doses to the EU in the second quarter". Approximately half of the expected volume is due to come from the EU supply chain while the remainder would come from its international supply network. The announcement follows controversy over deliveries of the AstraZeneca-Oxford University jab to the European Union in the first quarter, which has caused tension between the bloc and the pharmaceutical company. The UK government has vaccinated millions of Britons with the AstraZeneca jab since late last year. But the company only began shipping it to the EU in early February, after the bloc's drug regulator took its time over recommending its use. Ahead of the EU's approval of the vaccine at the end of January, the company sparked fury among European leaders by announcing that it would miss its target of supplying the EU with 400 million doses, due to a shortfall at the firm's European plants. The disagreement also caused diplomatic tensions with Britain, which definitively left the EU after 40 years of membership following a transmission period at the end of 2020 -- with Brussels implicitly accusing AstraZeneca of giving preferential treatment to Britain at the expense of the EU. (with inputs from agencies)

AstraZeneca admits new delays, EU chief seeks 'amicable' solution

UK PM Boris Johnson said on Saturday that Britain planned to offer first shot of coronavirus vaccine to all adults by end of July. His comments came ahead of a planned announcement on cautious reopening of the economy. Johnson will set out a roadmap to ease England's third national lockdown on Monday, having met a target to vaccinate 15 million Britons from higher-risk categories by mid-February.

Britain aims now to give first dose of the vaccine to all adults aged 50 and above by April 15. The government had previously said that it planned to achieve this by May.&nbsp;

If all adults receive a dose by the end of July, it will be well ahead of a previous target that they would receive a vaccine by autumn.

UK has suffered fifth-highest COVID death toll in the world. Johnson's government has moved faster than much of the West to secure vaccine supplies, giving it a head start.

Johnson advised against complacency.

"We will now aim to offer a jab to every adult by the end of July, helping us the most vulnerable sooner, and take further steps to ease some of the restrictions in place," Johnson said in a statement. &nbsp;

"But there should be no doubt - the route out of lockdown will be cautious and phased, as we all continue to protect ourselves and those around us."

So far, he United Kingdom has given the first dose of vaccine to 17.2 million people, over a quarter of its 67 million population and behind only Israel and the United Arab Emirates in vaccines per head of population.

Two vaccines - one made by Pfizer and BioNTech, and another developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca - are being rolled out, and UK officials have advised that there can be a 12 week gap between doses.

(With Reuters inputs)

UK PM Boris Johnson said on Saturday that Britain planned to offer first shot of coronavirus vaccine to all adults by end of July. His comments came ahead of a planned announcement on cautious reopening of the economy.

UK PM Boris Johnson said on Saturday that Britain planned to offer first shot of coronavirus vaccine to all adults by end of July. His comments came ahead of a planned announcement on cautious reopening of the economy. Johnson will set out a roadmap to ease England's third national lockdown on Monday, having met a target to vaccinate 15 million Britons from higher-risk categories by mid-February. Britain aims now to give first dose of the vaccine to all adults aged 50 and above by April 15. The government had previously said that it planned to achieve this by May. If all adults receive a dose by the end of July, it will be well ahead of a previous target that they would receive a vaccine by autumn. UK has suffered fifth-highest COVID death toll in the world. Johnson's government has moved faster than much of the West to secure vaccine supplies, giving it a head start. Johnson advised against complacency. "We will now aim to offer a jab to every adult by the end of July, helping us the most vulnerable sooner, and take further steps to ease some of the restrictions in place," Johnson said in a statement. "But there should be no doubt - the route out of lockdown will be cautious and phased, as we all continue to protect ourselves and those around us." So far, he United Kingdom has given the first dose of vaccine to 17.2 million people, over a quarter of its 67 million population and behind only Israel and the United Arab Emirates in vaccines per head of population. Two vaccines - one made by Pfizer and BioNTech, and another developed by the University of Oxford and AstraZeneca - are being rolled out, and UK officials have advised that there can be a 12 week gap between doses. (With Reuters inputs)

COVID-19: Britain aims to vaccinate all adults by July end

Forty homeless people in Saint Petersburg received coronavirus vaccine jabs on Sunday, under a charity initiative that has &nbsp;received the backing of local officials.

"Here there are many people at risk. It is important for them to be vaccinated," said Taysia Suvorova, of the Nochlezhka non-governmental that &nbsp;organisation provides aid to the homeless in Russia's second city.

The 40 people receiving the vaccine are currently housed by the charity.

According to official figures there are 15,000 homeless people in the former imperial capital, out of a total population of five million.

Nochlezhka believes the real figure is at least double that.

"Some people have been saying controversial things about the vaccine, but I think there are more advantages than negatives," 57-year-old Galina Ivanovna told AFP, after receiving the first dose of the vaccine.

"I'm pretty happy to do it," she added.

Fellow recipient Aleksandr Suvorov, 60, echoed her sentiment, adding that the vaccine was a good thing "because the situation is complicated with coronavirus".

An NGO has already launched a similar initiative for the homeless in Moscow, aided by the authorities in the Russian capital.

Russia registered its first coronavirus vaccine, Sputnik V, back in August.

A second Russian vaccine , EpiVacCorona, was approved in October 2020. The country officially launched its programme of mass vaccinations in January.

On Saturday Russia announced the registration of its third coronavirus vaccine Kovivak.

According to official figures, 4.6 million coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia, 83,293 of wich have proved fatal.

Forty homeless people in Saint Petersburg received coronavirus vaccine jabs on Sunday, under a charity initiative that has received the backing of local officials.

Forty homeless people in Saint Petersburg received coronavirus vaccine jabs on Sunday, under a charity initiative that has received the backing of local officials. "Here there are many people at risk. It is important for them to be vaccinated," said Taysia Suvorova, of the Nochlezhka non-governmental that organisation provides aid to the homeless in Russia's second city. The 40 people receiving the vaccine are currently housed by the charity. According to official figures there are 15,000 homeless people in the former imperial capital, out of a total population of five million. Nochlezhka believes the real figure is at least double that. "Some people have been saying controversial things about the vaccine, but I think there are more advantages than negatives," 57-year-old Galina Ivanovna told AFP, after receiving the first dose of the vaccine. "I'm pretty happy to do it," she added. Fellow recipient Aleksandr Suvorov, 60, echoed her sentiment, adding that the vaccine was a good thing "because the situation is complicated with coronavirus". An NGO has already launched a similar initiative for the homeless in Moscow, aided by the authorities in the Russian capital. Russia registered its first coronavirus vaccine, Sputnik V, back in August. A second Russian vaccine , EpiVacCorona, was approved in October 2020. The country officially launched its programme of mass vaccinations in January. On Saturday Russia announced the registration of its third coronavirus vaccine Kovivak. According to official figures, 4.6 million coronavirus cases have been registered in Russia, 83,293 of wich have proved fatal.

Russia starts giving Covid vaccine to homeless

China has approved as many as 16 indigenous Covid vaccines for clinical trials. Of these vaccines, six are in the third stage of trials.

The latest vaccines for clinical trials are based on recombinant protein, adenovirus vector, nucleic acid and attenuated influenza-viruses technologies, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.

China has already given conditional approval to two inactivated COVID-19 vaccines made by state-owned developers -- Sinopharm and Sinovac Biotech.

As of February 9, China has given 40.52 million COVID-19 jabs to key groups, Xinhua reported, quoting a National Health Commission official.&nbsp;

The coronavirus has claimed 4,833 lives, along with 100,727 confirmed cases in China.

China has approved as many as 16 indigenous Covid vaccines for clinical trials. Of these vaccines, six are in the third stage of trials. The latest vaccines for clinical trials are based on recombinant protein, adenovirus vector, nucleic acid and attenuated influenza-viruses technologies, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday.

China has approved as many as 16 indigenous Covid vaccines for clinical trials. Of these vaccines, six are in the third stage of trials. The latest vaccines for clinical trials are based on recombinant protein, adenovirus vector, nucleic acid and attenuated influenza-viruses technologies, state-run Xinhua news agency reported on Saturday. China has already given conditional approval to two inactivated COVID-19 vaccines made by state-owned developers -- Sinopharm and Sinovac Biotech. As of February 9, China has given 40.52 million COVID-19 jabs to key groups, Xinhua reported, quoting a National Health Commission official. The coronavirus has claimed 4,833 lives, along with 100,727 confirmed cases in China.

China approves 16 locally-made Covid vaccines for clinical trials

US President Joe Biden has reassured Americans that Covid vaccine shots are safe, and hold the key to beating the coronavirus pandemic.

The Democratic president on Friday visited a Pfizer factory manufacturing coronavirus vaccines -- at record speed -- in response to the global health crisis.

"The vaccines are safe. Please, for yourself, your family, your community, this country, take the vaccine when it's your turn and it's available. That's how we beat this pandemic," he said, against a backdrop of Pfizer's gleaming manufacturing equipment at the Michigan facility.

Biden said companies making the vaccines are "fastidious" and "it takes more time to do the check for safety than it does to make the vaccine. That's how fastidious they are."

"If there's one message to cut through to everyone in the country, it's this: Vaccines are safe," he added.

Biden said the programme to deliver the vaccines into people's arms is as complicated as the already intense challenges of manufacturing in huge quantities at speed.

"There has never, ever, ever been a logistical challenge as consequential as what we're trying to do, but we're getting it done," he said.&nbsp;

According to Biden, his goal of administering a million shots a day for a total of 100 million in the first 100 days of his presidency is on track to be easily surpassed, with a current average of 1.7 million vaccines a day.

Biden said that 600 million doses -- enough to cover most of the country -- were expected to be ready by the end of July.

"I believe we'll be approaching normalcy by the end of this year. God willing, this Christmas will be different to last, but I can't make that commitment," he said.

Meanwhile, the death toll is set soon to pass 500,000 in the United States.

US President Joe Biden has reassured Americans that Covid vaccine shots are safe, and hold the key to beating the coronavirus pandemic. The Democratic president on Friday visited a Pfizer factory manufacturing coronavirus vaccines -- at record speed -- in response to the global health crisis.

US President Joe Biden has reassured Americans that Covid vaccine shots are safe, and hold the key to beating the coronavirus pandemic. The Democratic president on Friday visited a Pfizer factory manufacturing coronavirus vaccines -- at record speed -- in response to the global health crisis. "The vaccines are safe. Please, for yourself, your family, your community, this country, take the vaccine when it's your turn and it's available. That's how we beat this pandemic," he said, against a backdrop of Pfizer's gleaming manufacturing equipment at the Michigan facility. Biden said companies making the vaccines are "fastidious" and "it takes more time to do the check for safety than it does to make the vaccine. That's how fastidious they are." "If there's one message to cut through to everyone in the country, it's this: Vaccines are safe," he added. Biden said the programme to deliver the vaccines into people's arms is as complicated as the already intense challenges of manufacturing in huge quantities at speed. "There has never, ever, ever been a logistical challenge as consequential as what we're trying to do, but we're getting it done," he said. According to Biden, his goal of administering a million shots a day for a total of 100 million in the first 100 days of his presidency is on track to be easily surpassed, with a current average of 1.7 million vaccines a day. Biden said that 600 million doses -- enough to cover most of the country -- were expected to be ready by the end of July. "I believe we'll be approaching normalcy by the end of this year. God willing, this Christmas will be different to last, but I can't make that commitment," he said. Meanwhile, the death toll is set soon to pass 500,000 in the United States.

Biden reassures Americans Covid vaccines are safe

AstraZeneca is going to manufacture in Japan COVID vaccine doses enough for 40 million people, said executive director of the Japanese arm of the firm. The company told NHK that AstraZeneca had signed contract with Japan to provide it doses for 60 million people.

The doses for 40 million people will be produced at JCR Pharmaceuticals company in the prefecture of Hyogo.

The vaccination campaign in Japan started on February 17. Pfizer remains the only authorized vaccine against the coronavirus in Japan. AstraZeneca submitted documents for the registration in Japan on February 17.

The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on March 11.&nbsp;

To date, more than 110.68 million people have been infected with the coronavirus worldwide, with over 2.45 million fatalities, according to Johns Hopkins University. Japan has confirmed more than 422,000 COVID-19 cases so far, with over 7,300 fatalities.

(With ANI inputs)

AstraZeneca is going to manufacture in Japan COVID vaccine doses enough for 40 million people, said executive director of the Japanese arm of the firm. The company told NHK that AstraZeneca had signed contract with Japan to provide it doses for 60 million people.

AstraZeneca is going to manufacture in Japan COVID vaccine doses enough for 40 million people, said executive director of the Japanese arm of the firm. The company told NHK that AstraZeneca had signed contract with Japan to provide it doses for 60 million people. The doses for 40 million people will be produced at JCR Pharmaceuticals company in the prefecture of Hyogo. The vaccination campaign in Japan started on February 17. Pfizer remains the only authorized vaccine against the coronavirus in Japan. AstraZeneca submitted documents for the registration in Japan on February 17. The World Health Organization declared the COVID-19 outbreak a pandemic on March 11. To date, more than 110.68 million people have been infected with the coronavirus worldwide, with over 2.45 million fatalities, according to Johns Hopkins University. Japan has confirmed more than 422,000 COVID-19 cases so far, with over 7,300 fatalities. (With ANI inputs)

AstraZeneca to manufacture COVID vaccine doses in Japan for 40 million people

The world is divided between vaccine haves and have-nots. 75% of all vaccines have been administered in 10 countries. But 130 countries haven't received even a single dose. WION's Palki Sharma tells you how the world could take a leaf from India's playbook.

Gravitas: The world is struggling with vaccine inequality

A 90-year-old American woman trudged six miles in a foot of snow with two walking sticks to get her coronavirus vaccination.

Fran Goldman, of Seattle, had been trying frantically to get an appointment for her first shot, working the phones every day in vain, reports said.

When she finally got one for last Sunday, Goldman was determined to keep her appointment -- several inches of snow on the ground be damned, according to the Seattle Times.

The weather made driving to the hospital where she arranged the shot unadvisable.

The day before, Goldman did a sort of trial run, walking most of the three-mile trek to the hospital.&nbsp;

On Sunday she bundled up, put on boots, grabbed two walking sticks and set out to get vaccinated. Goldman underwent hip replacement surgery last year.

"It was not easy going, it was challenging," Goldman told the paper of her winter hike.&nbsp;

She got to her appointment just five minutes late.

Goldman's daughter Ruth said she is a tough lady.

"My mother isn't going to let a little snow stop her from getting the vaccine," the younger Goldman said.

"She was willing to walk however many miles there and back to get it," she told the Seattle Times.

"She is a really remarkable person who has the attitude of 'You don’t let a little adversity get in your way.'"

A 90-year-old American woman trudged six miles in a foot of snow with two walking sticks to get her coronavirus vaccination. Fran Goldman, of Seattle, had been trying frantically to get an appointment for her first shot, working the phones every day in vain, reports said.

A 90-year-old American woman trudged six miles in a foot of snow with two walking sticks to get her coronavirus vaccination. Fran Goldman, of Seattle, had been trying frantically to get an appointment for her first shot, working the phones every day in vain, reports said. When she finally got one for last Sunday, Goldman was determined to keep her appointment -- several inches of snow on the ground be damned, according to the Seattle Times. The weather made driving to the hospital where she arranged the shot unadvisable. The day before, Goldman did a sort of trial run, walking most of the three-mile trek to the hospital. On Sunday she bundled up, put on boots, grabbed two walking sticks and set out to get vaccinated. Goldman underwent hip replacement surgery last year. "It was not easy going, it was challenging," Goldman told the paper of her winter hike. She got to her appointment just five minutes late. Goldman's daughter Ruth said she is a tough lady. "My mother isn't going to let a little snow stop her from getting the vaccine," the younger Goldman said. "She was willing to walk however many miles there and back to get it," she told the Seattle Times. "She is a really remarkable person who has the attitude of 'You don’t let a little adversity get in your way.'"

US woman, 90, treks miles in snow to get vaccinated

The White House has been reaching out to social media companies including Facebook, Twitter and Alphabet Inc’s Google about clamping down on COVID misinformation and getting their help to stop it from going viral, a senior administration official said.

President Joe Biden, who has raced to curb the pandemic since taking office, has made inoculating Americans one of his top priorities and called the move “a wartime effort.” But tackling public fear about taking the vaccine has emerged as a major impediment for the administration.

Since the onset of the pandemic, calls from lawmakers asking the companies to tackle the spread of COVID misinformation on their platforms have grown.

The White House’s direct engagement with the companies to mitigate the challenge has not been previously reported. Biden’s chief of staff Ron Klain has previously said the administration will try to work with Silicon Valley on the issue.

“Disinformation that causes vaccine hesitancy is going to be a huge obstacle to getting everyone vaccinated and there are no larger players in that than the social media platforms,” said the source, who has direct knowledge of the White House’s efforts.

“We are talking to them ... so they understand the importance of misinformation and disinformation and how they can get rid of it quickly.”

The Biden White House is especially trying to make sure such material “does not start trending on such platforms and become a broader movement,” the source said.

The source cited the example of the anti-vaccine protests at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in early February, and said the White House wants to stop events like that from happening again.

The protest, organized on Facebook through a page that promotes debunked claims about the coronavirus pandemic, masks and immunization, briefly blocked public access to the stadium - one of the largest vaccination sites in the country, where health authorities are administering more than 8,000 vaccines a day.

The event illustrated the extent to which social media platforms have become a critical organizing tool for movements such as the anti-vaccine drive, that spread misinformation and disinformation.

A growing number of anti-vaccine activists, emboldened by their rising social media following, have helped the movement gain strength in the United States. A report by the Center for Countering Digital Health in July 2020 found social media accounts held by anti-vaxxers have increased their following by at least 7·8 million people since 2019.

The companies have repeatedly vowed to get rid of such material on their platforms but gaps remain in their enforcement efforts.

On Thursday, Senator Richard Blumenthal criticized the platforms in a tweet for carrying ads that he said funds and promotes “dangerous conspiracy theories, COVID-19 disinformation and malign foreign propaganda.”

A Facebook spokeswoman said that the company has reached out to the White House to offer “any assistance we can provide” and has recently announced a new policy to remove COVID and vaccine misinformation along with pages, groups, and accounts that repeatedly spread such material.

A Twitter spokesman said the company is “in regular communication with the White House on a number of critical issues including COVID-19 misinformation.”

Alphabet Inc’s Google did not comment on engagement with the White House, instead pointing to a company blog on and how it stops misinformation.

The source said the companies “were receptive” as they engaged with the White House. “But it is too soon to say whether or not it translates into lessening the spread of misinformation.”

There will be more details on how the White House is engaging with the social media companies on this issue in the “next ten days or so”, the source added.

The White House has been reaching out to social media companies including Facebook, Twitter and Alphabet Inc’s Google about clamping down on COVID misinformation and getting their help to stop it from going viral, a senior administration official said.

The White House has been reaching out to social media companies including Facebook, Twitter and Alphabet Inc’s Google about clamping down on COVID misinformation and getting their help to stop it from going viral, a senior administration official said. President Joe Biden, who has raced to curb the pandemic since taking office, has made inoculating Americans one of his top priorities and called the move “a wartime effort.” But tackling public fear about taking the vaccine has emerged as a major impediment for the administration. Since the onset of the pandemic, calls from lawmakers asking the companies to tackle the spread of COVID misinformation on their platforms have grown. The White House’s direct engagement with the companies to mitigate the challenge has not been previously reported. Biden’s chief of staff Ron Klain has previously said the administration will try to work with Silicon Valley on the issue. “Disinformation that causes vaccine hesitancy is going to be a huge obstacle to getting everyone vaccinated and there are no larger players in that than the social media platforms,” said the source, who has direct knowledge of the White House’s efforts. “We are talking to them ... so they understand the importance of misinformation and disinformation and how they can get rid of it quickly.” The Biden White House is especially trying to make sure such material “does not start trending on such platforms and become a broader movement,” the source said. The source cited the example of the anti-vaccine protests at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles in early February, and said the White House wants to stop events like that from happening again. The protest, organized on Facebook through a page that promotes debunked claims about the coronavirus pandemic, masks and immunization, briefly blocked public access to the stadium - one of the largest vaccination sites in the country, where health authorities are administering more than 8,000 vaccines a day. The event illustrated the extent to which social media platforms have become a critical organizing tool for movements such as the anti-vaccine drive, that spread misinformation and disinformation. A growing number of anti-vaccine activists, emboldened by their rising social media following, have helped the movement gain strength in the United States. A report by the Center for Countering Digital Health in July 2020 found social media accounts held by anti-vaxxers have increased their following by at least 7·8 million people since 2019. The companies have repeatedly vowed to get rid of such material on their platforms but gaps remain in their enforcement efforts. On Thursday, Senator Richard Blumenthal criticized the platforms in a tweet for carrying ads that he said funds and promotes “dangerous conspiracy theories, COVID-19 disinformation and malign foreign propaganda.” A Facebook spokeswoman said that the company has reached out to the White House to offer “any assistance we can provide” and has recently announced a new policy to remove COVID and vaccine misinformation along with pages, groups, and accounts that repeatedly spread such material. A Twitter spokesman said the company is “in regular communication with the White House on a number of critical issues including COVID-19 misinformation.” Alphabet Inc’s Google did not comment on engagement with the White House, instead pointing to a company blog on and how it stops misinformation. The source said the companies “were receptive” as they engaged with the White House. “But it is too soon to say whether or not it translates into lessening the spread of misinformation.” There will be more details on how the White House is engaging with the social media companies on this issue in the “next ten days or so”, the source added.

White House working with Facebook and Twitter to tackle anti-vaxxers

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China's Sinovac delivered 1 million doses of its Covid vaccine CoronaVac to Hong Kong on Friday | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chinas-sinovac-delivers-1-million-doses-to-hong-kong-364794">READ MORE</a>

Biden to ask G7 allies to work together on China challenge US President Joe Biden will on Friday rally global democracies and European allies to work together t

Biden to ask G7 allies to work together on China challenge US President Joe Biden will on Friday rally global democracies and European allies to work together to address a range of concerns about China | READ MORE Britain vows to ‘share’ vaccines with poor nations as G-7 meets Some of the world's wealthiest countries are promising to share coronavirus vaccines with the poorest, but details of when and how many remain scarce as leaders of the Group of Seven economic powers hold their first meeting of 2021 on Friday | READ MORE US: Aid pause to Ethiopia no longer linked to dam dispute The United States says it has decided to de-link its suspension of millions of dollars of aid to Ethiopia from that country's dispute with Egypt over a massive hydroelectric dam project | READ MORE China looks for measures to lift flagging birthrate More than four years after ending its controversial one-child policy, China is considering additional measures to increase its flagging birthrate | READ MORE Watch: India's homegrown anti-tank missile Helina launched successfully, ready for induction The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) officials on Friday said that four 'Helina' anti-tank missiles were launched from Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruv helicopter at Pokhran ranges in Rajasthan | READ MORE Indian-American scientist Swati Mohan played key role in NASA Mars rover landing An Indian-American scientist, Swati Mohan, played a pivotal role in landing NASA's historic Perseverance rover on the Martian surface on Friday | READ MORE Pfizer first dose 85% effective after 2-4 weeks, study says The first dose of the Pfizer vaccination is 85 per cent effective against coronavirus infection between two and four weeks after inoculation | READ MORE Uber drivers are workers, not self-employed: UK Supreme Court Britain's top court on Friday ruled that ride-hailing giant Uber's drivers are entitled to workers' rights, in a judgment with huge implications for the "gig economy" | READ MORE China's Sinovac delivers 1 million doses to Hong Kong China's Sinovac delivered 1 million doses of its Covid vaccine CoronaVac to Hong Kong on Friday | READ MORE

Top ten world news: Biden to rally G7 allies, UK vows to share vaccines and more

The first dose of the Pfizer vaccination is 85 per cent effective against coronavirus infection between two and four weeks after inoculation, a study published in the Lancet medical journal has said.

The said survey was carried out on healthcare workers at a hospital in Israel.

The hospital, on December 19, had launched a mass vaccination campaign regarded as the world's fastest.

Israeli studies have found the Pfizer vaccine to be 95 per cent effective one week after a second jab, while the Lancet report focussed on more than 9,000 medical staff at Sheba hospital near Tel Aviv.

Some 7,000 of them received the first dose and the rest were not inoculated.

From the group, 170 were diagnosed with Covid-19 after tests carried out only on those showing symptoms or who had been in contact with coronavirus carriers.

Fifty-two per cent of them were found to have not been vaccinated.

Comparing the two groups, the Sheba study calculated that the vaccine was 47 per cent effective between one and 14 days after inoculation, rising to 85 per cent after 15 to 28 days.

Scientists are, however, still studying whether fully vaccinated people can transmit the virus to others.

Israel has delivered a shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to 4.23 million residents, or 47 per cent of its nine million population, 2.85 million of whom have received the recommended full course of two jabs, latest health ministry figures show.

(with inputs from agencies)

The first dose of the Pfizer vaccination is 85 per cent effective against coronavirus infection between two and four weeks after inoculation, a study published in the Lancet medical journal has said.

The first dose of the Pfizer vaccination is 85 per cent effective against coronavirus infection between two and four weeks after inoculation, a study published in the Lancet medical journal has said. The said survey was carried out on healthcare workers at a hospital in Israel. The hospital, on December 19, had launched a mass vaccination campaign regarded as the world's fastest. Israeli studies have found the Pfizer vaccine to be 95 per cent effective one week after a second jab, while the Lancet report focussed on more than 9,000 medical staff at Sheba hospital near Tel Aviv. Some 7,000 of them received the first dose and the rest were not inoculated. From the group, 170 were diagnosed with Covid-19 after tests carried out only on those showing symptoms or who had been in contact with coronavirus carriers. Fifty-two per cent of them were found to have not been vaccinated. Comparing the two groups, the Sheba study calculated that the vaccine was 47 per cent effective between one and 14 days after inoculation, rising to 85 per cent after 15 to 28 days. Scientists are, however, still studying whether fully vaccinated people can transmit the virus to others. Israel has delivered a shot of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to 4.23 million residents, or 47 per cent of its nine million population, 2.85 million of whom have received the recommended full course of two jabs, latest health ministry figures show. (with inputs from agencies)

Pfizer first dose 85% effective after 2-4 weeks, study says

China's Sinovac delivered 1 million doses of its Covid vaccine CoronaVac to Hong Kong on Friday.

The semi-autonomous city is relying on three vaccines and has purchased 22.5 million doses in total. Sinovac's two-dose vaccine was approved on Thursday.

The Hong Kong government says the Sinovac vaccine has received unanimous approval from an expert panel of 12. The panel as well as the city's health officials reviewed Sinovac's early-stage trial data, as well as interim data from the last stage of clinical trials in Brazil.

Online appointments will begin on the coming Tuesday.

The city is also expecting 1 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine by the end of February. It has also purchased Astrazeneca's shots.

Sinovac's vaccine was approved for general use in China earlier in February.

China's Sinovac delivered 1 million doses of its Covid vaccine CoronaVac to Hong Kong on Friday. The semi-autonomous city is relying on three vaccines and has purchased 22.

China's Sinovac delivered 1 million doses of its Covid vaccine CoronaVac to Hong Kong on Friday. The semi-autonomous city is relying on three vaccines and has purchased 22.5 million doses in total. Sinovac's two-dose vaccine was approved on Thursday. The Hong Kong government says the Sinovac vaccine has received unanimous approval from an expert panel of 12. The panel as well as the city's health officials reviewed Sinovac's early-stage trial data, as well as interim data from the last stage of clinical trials in Brazil. Online appointments will begin on the coming Tuesday. The city is also expecting 1 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's vaccine by the end of February. It has also purchased Astrazeneca's shots. Sinovac's vaccine was approved for general use in China earlier in February.

China's Sinovac delivers 1 million doses to Hong Kong

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