A very significant medical achievement as the UK's National Health Service will be the first in the world to offer cancer Jabs. Hundreds of cancer patients in the country would benefit from the injection which will cut their treatment time by up to 75%.

UK's National Health Service to roll out first cancer treatment jab

India has accelerated the production of Covid booster jabs in the wake of the sudden surge in cases, reportedly due to a new variant of Omicron, called XBB.1.16.

Hospitals are carrying out mock drills and mask mandates have been re-imposed in some states over concerns about the increase in coronavirus cases.

The new variant was first detected in January in India and is said to be more transmissible compared to previous ones.

ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-expert-issues-warning-over-xbb116-variant-as-nation-records-7830-new-cases-581560">COVID-19: Expert issues warning over XBB1.16 variant as India records 7,830 new cases in 24 hours</a>

But the hospitals are not overwhelmed with patients of coronavirus yet, as mild symptoms are being reported by most of them.

The World Health Organization (WHO) called variant XBB.1.16 as “one to watch” and stated that the variant had a dominant strain in India due to its multiplication in the last few months.

The variant is strongly present in the national capital where more than 1,000 fresh cases were reported on Wednesday and the positivity rate was 26 per cent.

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) stated that there has been an increase in Covid cases because of people's complacent behaviour, which includes lax use of masks to cover faces in public spaces.

“Many people lowered their guard against coronavirus, and the low rate of testing could be the driving force behind the surge,” the association said. “Rising cases reflect that Covid has not gone, it is still around, and so we need to take precautions,” it added.

In the wake of the surge in Covid cases, the Serum Institute of India said that the manufacturing of Covishield – which is the vaccine for coronavirus – is being restarted to ensure that people get additional boosters.

WATCH | Active Covid cases in India cross 7,000 mark | WION Exclusive

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Around 6 to 7 million doses of Covishield, which was developed by Oxford/AstraZeneca in the United Kingdom, will be produced by the Serum Institute of India to build up the country’s stocks.

A mock drill was implemented by the health ministry in hospitals to check on the arrangements made for treating and testing Covid patients.

During Covid's second wave, which hit the country in March 2021, hospitals were overwhelmed with patients. A shortage of medicines, beds and oxygen was faced nationwide, resulting in a huge death toll.&nbsp;

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India has accelerated the production of Covid booster jabs in the wake of the sudden surge in cases, reportedly due to a new variant of Omicron, called XBB.1.16.

India has accelerated the production of Covid booster jabs in the wake of the sudden surge in cases, reportedly due to a new variant of Omicron, called XBB.1.16. Hospitals are carrying out mock drills and mask mandates have been re-imposed in some states over concerns about the increase in coronavirus cases. The new variant was first detected in January in India and is said to be more transmissible compared to previous ones. ALSO READ | COVID-19: Expert issues warning over XBB1.16 variant as India records 7,830 new cases in 24 hours But the hospitals are not overwhelmed with patients of coronavirus yet, as mild symptoms are being reported by most of them. The World Health Organization (WHO) called variant XBB.1.16 as “one to watch” and stated that the variant had a dominant strain in India due to its multiplication in the last few months. The variant is strongly present in the national capital where more than 1,000 fresh cases were reported on Wednesday and the positivity rate was 26 per cent. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) stated that there has been an increase in Covid cases because of people's complacent behaviour, which includes lax use of masks to cover faces in public spaces. “Many people lowered their guard against coronavirus, and the low rate of testing could be the driving force behind the surge,” the association said. “Rising cases reflect that Covid has not gone, it is still around, and so we need to take precautions,” it added. In the wake of the surge in Covid cases, the Serum Institute of India said that the manufacturing of Covishield – which is the vaccine for coronavirus – is being restarted to ensure that people get additional boosters. WATCH | Active Covid cases in India cross 7,000 mark | WION Exclusive Around 6 to 7 million doses of Covishield, which was developed by Oxford/AstraZeneca in the United Kingdom, will be produced by the Serum Institute of India to build up the country’s stocks. A mock drill was implemented by the health ministry in hospitals to check on the arrangements made for treating and testing Covid patients. During Covid's second wave, which hit the country in March 2021, hospitals were overwhelmed with patients. A shortage of medicines, beds and oxygen was faced nationwide, resulting in a huge death toll. You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

India accelerates production of Covid vaccine booster shots as daily cases cross 10k

India has come up with its own indigenous Covid vaccine for animals known as Anocovax. This is the first such shot. The vaccine, which was launched by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday, has been developed by Haryana-based ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines (NRC). "It is due to the untiring contributions of scientists that the country stands self-reliant in developing its own vaccines more rather than importing. This is really a big achievement," Tomar said. &nbsp;

What is Anocovax? &nbsp;

Anocovax is an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Delta (Covid) jab for animals. It is effective against both Delta and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) said. &nbsp;

This jab has inactivated SARS-CoV-2 (Delta) antigen along with Alhydrogel as an adjuvant. &nbsp;

Watch | Superfetation: Can a woman get pregnant again while already being pregnant?

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Anocovax is for which animals? &nbsp;&nbsp;

This vaccine is safe for mice, lions, leopards, dogs and rabbits, ICAR added in a statement. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Is there a diagnostic kit for animals? &nbsp;

The vaccine was launched virtually along with diagnostic kits for animals, which was developed by the ICAR-NRC. The kit is called 'CAN-CoV-2 ELISA kit'. It is a sensitive and specific nucleocapsid protein-based indirect ELISA kit, which can be used for antibody detection against SARS-CoV-2 in canines. &nbsp;

"There are no laboratory animals required for the preparation of the antigens. The kit is made in India and a patent has been filed for the same. No other comparable kits for detection of antibodies in canines are available in the market," the ICAR said. &nbsp;

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(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

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India has come up with its own indigenous Covid vaccine for animals known as Anocovax. This is the first such shot. The vaccine, which was launched by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday, has been developed by Haryana-based ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines (NRC).

India has come up with its own indigenous Covid vaccine for animals known as Anocovax. This is the first such shot. The vaccine, which was launched by Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar on Thursday, has been developed by Haryana-based ICAR-National Research Centre on Equines (NRC). "It is due to the untiring contributions of scientists that the country stands self-reliant in developing its own vaccines more rather than importing. This is really a big achievement," Tomar said. What is Anocovax? Anocovax is an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 Delta (Covid) jab for animals. It is effective against both Delta and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) said. This jab has inactivated SARS-CoV-2 (Delta) antigen along with Alhydrogel as an adjuvant. Watch | Superfetation: Can a woman get pregnant again while already being pregnant? Anocovax is for which animals? This vaccine is safe for mice, lions, leopards, dogs and rabbits, ICAR added in a statement. Is there a diagnostic kit for animals? The vaccine was launched virtually along with diagnostic kits for animals, which was developed by the ICAR-NRC. The kit is called 'CAN-CoV-2 ELISA kit'. It is a sensitive and specific nucleocapsid protein-based indirect ELISA kit, which can be used for antibody detection against SARS-CoV-2 in canines. "There are no laboratory animals required for the preparation of the antigens. The kit is made in India and a patent has been filed for the same. No other comparable kits for detection of antibodies in canines are available in the market," the ICAR said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Now, India can safeguard animals against Covid with its own jab, Anocovax. Read details here

North Korea has remained unvaccinated even after 2 years of the COVID-19 Pandemic. It now demands American jabs against COVID-19.

North Korea remains unvaccinated as it demands American jabs against COVID-19

British authorities have cleared a path-breaking drug to control severe migraine attacks. Palki Sharma reveals the scale of migraine symptoms and how this new drug could contain them.

Gravitas: A jab to treat Migraine?

According to a recent Chinese study involving 292 samples, the Sinopharm vaccine jab is weak against the Omicron variant of COVID-19.

Study: Sinopharm vaccine jab weak against Omicron variant of the COVID-19

As fears of the new variant continue to grow, Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, Anthony Fauci on Sunday warned that the US might have to go through a fifth wave. He also warned of increased transmissibility in the new variant.

While speaking at the CBS show "Face the Nation," he said, "We certainly have the potential to go into a fifth wave. And the fifth wave, or the magnitude of any increase, if you want to call it that it will turn into a wave, will really be dependent upon what we do in the next few weeks to a couple of months."

With this, he urged Americans to get vaccinated.&nbsp;

As a "precautionary measure," the US &nbsp;has restricted travel from South Africa and seven other southern African countries, including, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fauci-defends-travel-ban-due-to-new-variant-omicron-says-it-is-necessary-and-justified-432668">Also read |&nbsp;Fauci defends travel ban due to new variant omicron, says it is necessary and justified</a>

US President Joe Biden said that moving forward he will be “guided by what the science and my medical team advises.”

Fauci defended the travel restrictions as he said that they were necessary and justified. While speaking on ABC's “This Week," he further said that the restrictions “will slow things down” and help the US be “better prepared” for it.

He acknowledged that there is "no way" that travel bans could prevent the spread of new variants.&nbsp;

“But what you can do is you can delay it enough to get us better prepared. And that's the thing that people need to understand. If you're going to do the travel ban the way we've done now and that we're implementing right now, utilise the time that you're buying to fill in the gaps,” he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

As fears of the new variant continue to grow, Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, Anthony Fauci on Sunday warned that the US might have to go through a fifth wave.

As fears of the new variant continue to grow, Joe Biden’s chief medical adviser, Anthony Fauci on Sunday warned that the US might have to go through a fifth wave. He also warned of increased transmissibility in the new variant. While speaking at the CBS show "Face the Nation," he said, "We certainly have the potential to go into a fifth wave. And the fifth wave, or the magnitude of any increase, if you want to call it that it will turn into a wave, will really be dependent upon what we do in the next few weeks to a couple of months." With this, he urged Americans to get vaccinated. As a "precautionary measure," the US has restricted travel from South Africa and seven other southern African countries, including, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi. Also read | Fauci defends travel ban due to new variant omicron, says it is necessary and justified US President Joe Biden said that moving forward he will be “guided by what the science and my medical team advises.” Fauci defended the travel restrictions as he said that they were necessary and justified. While speaking on ABC's “This Week," he further said that the restrictions “will slow things down” and help the US be “better prepared” for it. He acknowledged that there is "no way" that travel bans could prevent the spread of new variants. “But what you can do is you can delay it enough to get us better prepared. And that's the thing that people need to understand. If you're going to do the travel ban the way we've done now and that we're implementing right now, utilise the time that you're buying to fill in the gaps,” he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Fauci warns US might have to face a fifth wave as he urges people to get jabbed

As the concerns over the efficiency of vaccines against the new variant emerges, BioNTech says it can update the version of its vaccine within 100 days if Omicron, the new variant first detected in southern Africa, is found to reduce existing immunity. &nbsp;

The company says it will not just produce but also ship it in the timeline. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-virus-variant-detected-in-europe-as-belgium-reports-first-case-432173">New virus variant detected in Europe as Belgium reports first case</a>

Investigations are already on to know that the vaccine, which has been developed by the German biotechnology company in association with US drugmaker Pfizer, works well against the variant or not. &nbsp;

Omicron has caused concern as it has high number of mutations. It seems to have been transmitting more quickly as well. &nbsp;

According to the company, it will ascertain in two weeks on the basis of lab-based experiments that its current vaccine is still effective against the B.1.1.529 variant, which has been named Omicron by the World Health Organization. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-a-precautionary-measure-us-to-restrict-travel-over-fears-of-new-covid-19-variant-432251" hreflang="en">As a 'precautionary measure', US to restrict travel over fears of new COVID-19 variant</a>

To make it more efficient against the new variant, BioNTech said it can tweak its vaccine if required. &nbsp;

In a statement, the company, said, “Pfizer and BioNTech have taken actions months ago to be able to adapt the mRNA vaccine within six weeks and ship initial batches within 100 days in the event of an escape variant.” &nbsp; &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

As the concerns over the efficiency of vaccines against the new variant emerges, BioNTech says it can update the version of its vaccine within 100 days if Omicron, the new variant first detected in southern Africa, is found to reduce existing immunity.

As the concerns over the efficiency of vaccines against the new variant emerges, BioNTech says it can update the version of its vaccine within 100 days if Omicron, the new variant first detected in southern Africa, is found to reduce existing immunity. The company says it will not just produce but also ship it in the timeline. Also Read: New virus variant detected in Europe as Belgium reports first case Investigations are already on to know that the vaccine, which has been developed by the German biotechnology company in association with US drugmaker Pfizer, works well against the variant or not. Omicron has caused concern as it has high number of mutations. It seems to have been transmitting more quickly as well. According to the company, it will ascertain in two weeks on the basis of lab-based experiments that its current vaccine is still effective against the B.1.1.529 variant, which has been named Omicron by the World Health Organization. Also Read: As a 'precautionary measure', US to restrict travel over fears of new COVID-19 variant To make it more efficient against the new variant, BioNTech said it can tweak its vaccine if required. In a statement, the company, said, “Pfizer and BioNTech have taken actions months ago to be able to adapt the mRNA vaccine within six weeks and ship initial batches within 100 days in the event of an escape variant.” (With inputs from agencies)

If needed, BioNTech to update its Covid jab within 100 days amid efficiency concerns against Omicron  

Asserting that it had played "a major role" in developing Moderna Inc's COVID-19 vaccine, US National Institutes of Health is going to court over co-ownership of its patent.

NIH Director Dr Francis Collins told Reuters news agency that&nbsp;NIH scientists&nbsp;had contributed immensely in making the vaccine. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/usa-joins-india-led-international-solar-alliance-becomes-101st-country-to-do-so-428309" hreflang="en">USA joins India-led International Solar Alliance, becomes 101st country to do so</a>

In its application filed in July, Moderna excluded three NIH scientists as co-inventors of a central patent for the company's multibillion-dollar COVID-19 vaccine, the New York Times reported on Tuesday. &nbsp;

In a statement emailed to Reuters, Moderna acknowledged that scientists at NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) played a "substantial role" in developing messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine of the company, but it disagreed with the agency's patent claims. &nbsp;

Earlier, Japan had put on hold a batch of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine after a pharmacist saw what he claims to be black particles in one vial of the vaccine. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/how-the-scs-gun-case-could-affect-california-428361" hreflang="en">How the SC’s gun case could affect California</a>

According to officials, the pharmacist found the black particles while checking for foreign substances before the vaccine’s use in Kanagawa Prefecture. &nbsp;

The development had come less than a week after Japan suspended the use of about 1.63 million Moderna doses due to contamination. &nbsp;

More than 3,000 people had already received shots from the batch. The rest of the batch was put on hold. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Asserting that it had played "a major role" in developing Moderna Inc's COVID-19 vaccine, US National Institutes of Health is going to court over co-ownership of its patent.

Asserting that it had played "a major role" in developing Moderna Inc's COVID-19 vaccine, US National Institutes of Health is going to court over co-ownership of its patent. NIH Director Dr Francis Collins told Reuters news agency that NIH scientists had contributed immensely in making the vaccine. Also Read: USA joins India-led International Solar Alliance, becomes 101st country to do so In its application filed in July, Moderna excluded three NIH scientists as co-inventors of a central patent for the company's multibillion-dollar COVID-19 vaccine, the New York Times reported on Tuesday. In a statement emailed to Reuters, Moderna acknowledged that scientists at NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) played a "substantial role" in developing messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine of the company, but it disagreed with the agency's patent claims. Earlier, Japan had put on hold a batch of Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine after a pharmacist saw what he claims to be black particles in one vial of the vaccine. Also Read: How the SC’s gun case could affect California According to officials, the pharmacist found the black particles while checking for foreign substances before the vaccine’s use in Kanagawa Prefecture. The development had come less than a week after Japan suspended the use of about 1.63 million Moderna doses due to contamination. More than 3,000 people had already received shots from the batch. The rest of the batch was put on hold. (With inputs from agencies)

Moderna's Covid jab patent row deepens as US NIH looks to defend co-owner claim

The World Health Organization's vaccine advisers on Monday recommended people with weaker immune systems should be offered an additional dose of all authorised Covid-19 vaccines.

The UN health agency's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE) also said over-60s who have been fully immunised with China's Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccine should be offered an additional third Covid-19 vaccine dose.

The experts stressed they were not recommending an additional so-called booster dose for the population at large.

Several Covid-19 vaccines have been given WHO approval for emergency use during the pandemic: Pfizer-BioNTech, Janssen, Moderna, Sinopharm, Sinovac and AstraZeneca.

It is on the verge of deciding whether to give emergency use listing to India's Bharat Biotech jab.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/who-covid-19-update-high-infection-rate-in-0-19-age-group-in-india-globally-new-cases-fall-by-9-419214">Also read |&nbsp;WHO COVID-19 Update: High infection rate in 0-19 age group in India, globally new cases fall by 9%</a>

SAGE held a four-day meeting last week to review the latest information and data on a range of vaccines for Covid-19 and other diseases.

"SAGE recommended that moderately and severely immunocompromised persons should be offered an additional dose of all WHO EUL (emergency use listing) Covid-19 vaccines as part of an extended primary series," the group said.

"These individuals are less likely to respond adequately to vaccination following a standard primary vaccine series and are at high risk of severe Covid-19 disease."

It also said that for people fully immunised with Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines, an additional third dose of the same jab "should be offered to persons aged 60 and above".

A different vaccine "may also be considered based on vaccine supply and access considerations".

SAGE added that when implementing this recommendation, countries should initially aim at maximising two-dose coverage in that population, and thereafter administer the third dose, starting in the oldest age groups.

The World Health Organization's vaccine advisers on Monday recommended people with weaker immune systems should be offered an additional dose of all authorised Covid-19 vaccines.

The World Health Organization's vaccine advisers on Monday recommended people with weaker immune systems should be offered an additional dose of all authorised Covid-19 vaccines. The UN health agency's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE) also said over-60s who have been fully immunised with China's Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccine should be offered an additional third Covid-19 vaccine dose. The experts stressed they were not recommending an additional so-called booster dose for the population at large. Several Covid-19 vaccines have been given WHO approval for emergency use during the pandemic: Pfizer-BioNTech, Janssen, Moderna, Sinopharm, Sinovac and AstraZeneca. It is on the verge of deciding whether to give emergency use listing to India's Bharat Biotech jab. Also read | WHO COVID-19 Update: High infection rate in 0-19 age group in India, globally new cases fall by 9% SAGE held a four-day meeting last week to review the latest information and data on a range of vaccines for Covid-19 and other diseases. "SAGE recommended that moderately and severely immunocompromised persons should be offered an additional dose of all WHO EUL (emergency use listing) Covid-19 vaccines as part of an extended primary series," the group said. "These individuals are less likely to respond adequately to vaccination following a standard primary vaccine series and are at high risk of severe Covid-19 disease." It also said that for people fully immunised with Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines, an additional third dose of the same jab "should be offered to persons aged 60 and above". A different vaccine "may also be considered based on vaccine supply and access considerations". SAGE added that when implementing this recommendation, countries should initially aim at maximising two-dose coverage in that population, and thereafter administer the third dose, starting in the oldest age groups.

WHO experts back extra COVID-19 jab for immunocompromised

In a petition seeking directions to classify pregnant women and lactating mothers as “high-risk” category for Covid, Indian Supreme Court issued a notice to the Union government on Monday.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

The petition also looks to give them priority in vaccination against the illness, reported news agency PTI.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;

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The bench comprising Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice BV Nagarathna has directed the Centre to file its response within two weeks over the plea filed by the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR).&nbsp;&nbsp;

In the hearing, advocate Vrinda Grover, who appeared on behalf of the child rights body, argued that though the Central government issued guidelines for inoculating pregnant women against Covid, it is now being claimed that vaccinating them could lead to “adverse effects.”

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/do-your-own-research-four-words-hurting-us-response-to-covid-says-report-414459" hreflang="en">'Do your own research': Four words hurting US response to Covid, says report</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;

In the top court, Grover submitted, “We need to declare women facing such conditions as high-risk categories, and since people are dealing with a virus that they don’t know much about, there is a need to conduct continuous research to observe the effects of vaccination on them.”

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-unhappy-over-changes-in-uk-travel-rules-report-414394" hreflang="en">India unhappy over changes in UK travel rules: Report</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;

Grover added that a platform should also be set up to register women, who are expecting, for the purpose of properly monitoring the effects of a Covid shot on them.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The DCPCR’s appeal was filed in May this year. The bench sought assistance of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the Centre’s top law officer, to apprise it on the policy to administer vaccine shots to pregnant women, and what additional steps can be taken.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a petition seeking directions to classify pregnant women and lactating mothers as “high-risk” category for Covid, Indian Supreme Court issued a notice to the Union government on Monday.

In a petition seeking directions to classify pregnant women and lactating mothers as “high-risk” category for Covid, Indian Supreme Court issued a notice to the Union government on Monday. The petition also looks to give them priority in vaccination against the illness, reported news agency PTI. Watch: × The bench comprising Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice BV Nagarathna has directed the Centre to file its response within two weeks over the plea filed by the Delhi Commission for Protection of Child Rights (DCPCR). In the hearing, advocate Vrinda Grover, who appeared on behalf of the child rights body, argued that though the Central government issued guidelines for inoculating pregnant women against Covid, it is now being claimed that vaccinating them could lead to “adverse effects.” Also Read | 'Do your own research': Four words hurting US response to Covid, says report In the top court, Grover submitted, “We need to declare women facing such conditions as high-risk categories, and since people are dealing with a virus that they don’t know much about, there is a need to conduct continuous research to observe the effects of vaccination on them.” Also Read | India unhappy over changes in UK travel rules: Report Grover added that a platform should also be set up to register women, who are expecting, for the purpose of properly monitoring the effects of a Covid shot on them. The DCPCR’s appeal was filed in May this year. The bench sought assistance of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, the Centre’s top law officer, to apprise it on the policy to administer vaccine shots to pregnant women, and what additional steps can be taken. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian SC asks for govt take on plea seeking priority jab for pregnant women

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