As South African authorities failed to vaccinate the majority of the population, thousands of opposition activists rallied in Pretoria to demand faster coronavirus vaccination rollout in the continent's worst-hit country.

South Africa to ramp up COVID-19 vaccination

Britain will next month&nbsp;publish&nbsp;plans&nbsp;to allow&nbsp;fully&nbsp;vaccinated&nbsp;people to&nbsp;travel&nbsp;unrestricted to all countries except those with the highest COVID-19 risk, in a boost for a&nbsp;travel&nbsp;industry wrecked by the pandemic.

Airlines welcomed the move and they were further cheered by news late on Thursday that Britain will add Malta, Spain's Balearic Islands and the Portuguese island of Madeira to its "green list" for safe&nbsp;travel&nbsp;spots from June 30.

"Thanks to our successful vaccination programme, our intention is that later in the summer&nbsp;UK&nbsp;residents who are&nbsp;fully&nbsp;vaccinated&nbsp;will not have to isolate when&nbsp;travelling from amber list countries," Transport Minister Grant Shapps said.

"We'll set out further details next month," he tweeted.

"The Department for Transport declined to say if the easing of restrictions for&nbsp;fully&nbsp;vaccinated&nbsp;travellers would take place in a matter of weeks or months.

British Airways and Jet2.com welcomed the news.

"We cannot afford another missed summer," said BA chairman and chief executive officer Sean Doyle in a statement.

"There are jobs at stake, Britons separated from family members and we cannot afford to allow the success of our vaccine programme to be wasted."

EasyJet said the reopening fell short of a safe and sustainable easing of restrictions promised by Britain's government.

"The science shows that&nbsp;travel&nbsp;to many European countries would have very little impact on hospitalisation and this is, even more, the case now given that COVID cases in Europe have declined," said EasyJet chief executive officer Johan Lundgren.

The government has come under increasing pressure to ease restrictions as the peak July and August holiday season approaches.

Pilots, cabin crew,&nbsp;travel&nbsp;agents and other workers from the&nbsp;travel&nbsp;industry held protests on Wednesday, calling on the government to open up more routes, while BA, EasyJet and TUI backed a court case questioning the government's&nbsp;travel&nbsp;rules.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-delta-variant-is-infecting-vaccinated-people-says-israel-393811">Also Read |&nbsp;COVID-19: Delta variant is infecting vaccinated people, says Israel</a>

Britain has one of the fastest vaccination programmes in the world but so far the government has effectively prevented&nbsp;travel&nbsp;to most countries through quarantine and testing rules, prompting the industry to warn of multiple business failures and job losses.

RED LIST

"We celebrate that the government's work has borne fruit and Britain has valued the Balearics' excellent health situation to open it as a safe destination for its citizens," Spanish Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto tweeted.

Eritrea, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Mongolia, Tunisia and Uganda will be added to Britain's red list for the most severe&nbsp;travel&nbsp;restrictions, Shapps said.

Israel will be added to the green watchlist - meaning it could be downgraded to an amber list country that means&nbsp;travellers must isolate on return.

Any wider reopening of&nbsp;travel&nbsp;from the&nbsp;UK&nbsp;faces a new challenge as European destinations could start to restrict entry.

German chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday she would like European countries to require people entering from Britain to go into quarantine, as is the case in Germany, citing the high prevalence of the more infectious Delta variant in the&nbsp;UK.

Britain will next month publish plans to allow fully vaccinated people to travel unrestricted to all countries except those with the highest COVID-19 risk, in a boost for a travel industry wrecked by the pandemic.

Britain will next month publish plans to allow fully vaccinated people to travel unrestricted to all countries except those with the highest COVID-19 risk, in a boost for a travel industry wrecked by the pandemic. Airlines welcomed the move and they were further cheered by news late on Thursday that Britain will add Malta, Spain's Balearic Islands and the Portuguese island of Madeira to its "green list" for safe travel spots from June 30. "Thanks to our successful vaccination programme, our intention is that later in the summer UK residents who are fully vaccinated will not have to isolate when travelling from amber list countries," Transport Minister Grant Shapps said. "We'll set out further details next month," he tweeted. "The Department for Transport declined to say if the easing of restrictions for fully vaccinated travellers would take place in a matter of weeks or months. British Airways and Jet2.com welcomed the news. "We cannot afford another missed summer," said BA chairman and chief executive officer Sean Doyle in a statement. "There are jobs at stake, Britons separated from family members and we cannot afford to allow the success of our vaccine programme to be wasted." EasyJet said the reopening fell short of a safe and sustainable easing of restrictions promised by Britain's government. "The science shows that travel to many European countries would have very little impact on hospitalisation and this is, even more, the case now given that COVID cases in Europe have declined," said EasyJet chief executive officer Johan Lundgren. The government has come under increasing pressure to ease restrictions as the peak July and August holiday season approaches. Pilots, cabin crew, travel agents and other workers from the travel industry held protests on Wednesday, calling on the government to open up more routes, while BA, EasyJet and TUI backed a court case questioning the government's travel rules. Also Read | COVID-19: Delta variant is infecting vaccinated people, says Israel Britain has one of the fastest vaccination programmes in the world but so far the government has effectively prevented travel to most countries through quarantine and testing rules, prompting the industry to warn of multiple business failures and job losses. RED LIST "We celebrate that the government's work has borne fruit and Britain has valued the Balearics' excellent health situation to open it as a safe destination for its citizens," Spanish Tourism Minister Reyes Maroto tweeted. Eritrea, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Mongolia, Tunisia and Uganda will be added to Britain's red list for the most severe travel restrictions, Shapps said. Israel will be added to the green watchlist - meaning it could be downgraded to an amber list country that means travellers must isolate on return. Any wider reopening of travel from the UK faces a new challenge as European destinations could start to restrict entry. German chancellor Angela Merkel said on Wednesday she would like European countries to require people entering from Britain to go into quarantine, as is the case in Germany, citing the high prevalence of the more infectious Delta variant in the UK.

UK to publish plans to lift travel curbs for fully vaccinated

There were only six tiny vials of coronavirus vaccine in the refrigerator, one Air Force nurse on duty and a trickle of patients on Saturday morning at a federally run mass vaccination site here. A day before its doors shut for good, this once-frenetic operation was oddly quiet.

The post-vaccination waiting room, with 165 socially distanced chairs, was mostly empty. The nurse, Maj. Margaret Dodd, who ordinarily cares for premature babies at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, had already booked her flight home. So had the pharmacist, Heather Struempf, who was headed back to nursing school in Wyoming.

Across the country, one by one, mass vaccination sites are shutting down. The White House acknowledged for the first time on Tuesday that it would not reach President Joe Biden’s goal of getting 70% of American adults at least partly vaccinated by July 4. The setback stems from hesitancy in certain groups, slow acceptance by young adults and a swirl of other complex factors.

The Newark site, which closed on Sunday, was the last of 39 federally operated mass vaccination centers that administered millions of shots over five months in 27 states — a major turning point in the effort Biden described last week as “one of the biggest and most complicated logistical challenges in American history.” Many state-run sites are also closed or soon will be.

The nation’s shift away from high-volume vaccination centers is an acknowledgment of the harder road ahead, as health officials pivot to the “ground game”: a highly targeted push, akin to a get-out-the-vote effort, to persuade the reluctant to get their shots.

Biden will travel to Raleigh, North Carolina, on Thursday to spotlight this time-consuming work. It will not be easy — as Dr. Anthony Fauci, the president’s coronavirus response coordinator, discovered last weekend, when he went door-knocking in Anacostia, a majority-Black neighborhood in Washington, with Mayor Muriel Bowser.

In an interview on Tuesday, Fauci said he and the mayor spent 90 minutes talking to people on their front porches. But even with a celebrity doctor at the door and the prospect of giveaways at the vaccination center in a high school a few blocks away, many remained hesitant. Fauci said he persuaded six to 10 people to get their shots, though he did encounter some flat refusals.

“We would say, ‘OK, come on, listen: Get out, walk down the street, a couple of blocks away. We have incentives, a $51 gift certificate, you can put yourself in a raffle, you could win a year’s supplies of groceries, you could win a Jeep,’” Fauci said. “And several of them said, ‘OK, I’m on my way and I’ll go.’”

But in Newark, where more than three-quarters of the population is Black or Latino, the numbers tell the story. In Essex County, New Jersey, which includes Newark, 70.2% of adults have been vaccinated. But Essex also includes wealthy suburbs; in Newark, the figure is 56%, Judith M. Persichilli, the state’s health commissioner, said in an interview.

The Newark vaccination site, in a converted athletic facility at the New Jersey Institute of Technology that is ordinarily home to the school’s tennis teams, was set up and run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with the Defense Department and other federal agencies. It opened on March 31; when it was operating at full tilt, its medical staff administered as many as 6,700 shots a day.

By Saturday, the daily tally was down to about 300. The long, corridorlike tents that had once shielded lines of patients from cold weather were empty. Of 18 registration desks, only four were in use, and most of the vaccination cubicles were unoccupied.

Most of the patients, including some teenagers brought by their parents, were there for their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Many — like Abdullah Heath, 19, who took a year off after high school and will attend Rutgers University in the fall — said they were hesitant. But Rutgers requires vaccination, so Heath had little choice.

“I wanted to wait to see how other people were when they took the shot,” he said.

Alfredo Sahar, 36, a real estate agent originally from Argentina, said he had received his first dose on the spur of the moment, without an appointment, when he tagged along with his wife to the Newark site. The couple showed up for their second doses on Saturday with a young friend, Federico Cuadrado, 19, who was visiting from Argentina and received his first shot.

“Relax this arm,” Dodd said as Cuadrado rolled up his sleeve. But she will not be administering his second shot; with the site now closed, he will have to go elsewhere.

At the height of its vaccination drive, New Jersey had seven mass sites: six run by the state, plus the FEMA site in Newark. Two of the state sites have closed, another will shut down this week, and the last three are expected to do so in mid-July, said Persichilli, a nurse and former hospital official. She called the FEMA site, which vaccinated 221,130 people in all, “invaluable.”

Biden has said repeatedly that equity — making sure people of all races and incomes have the same access to care and vaccines — is crucial to his coronavirus response. FEMA determined the locations for its mass vaccination sites using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “social vulnerability index” to identify communities most in need, Deanne Criswell, the FEMA administrator, said in an interview.

It was a learning experience for the agency, she said, adding that 58% of the roughly 6 million shots administered at the mass vaccination sites were given to people of color.

“We didn’t have a playbook for this type of an operation,” Criswell said. (The agency now has one that is 44 pages long.)

In New Jersey, traffic at the mass vaccination sites started tapering off about six weeks ago, Persichilli said. About that time, the state moved to a “hub and spoke” strategy, creating pop-up sites in churches, barbershops and storefronts surrounding existing vaccination centers that could store and supply the vaccines.

The state also has 2,000 canvassers — 1,200 paid, partly with federal taxpayer dollars, and 800 volunteers — who have knocked on 134,000 doors in areas with low vaccination rates to direct people to nearby clinics. And the Health Department is planning vaccine clinics at a rock music festival, a balloon festival and a rodeo in Atlantic City.

Overall, New Jersey is way ahead of most states: 78% of adults have had at least one dose of a vaccine. In four states — Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Wyoming — the figure is lower than 50%.

“We’re running a marathon, and we’re in the last couple of miles, and we’re exhausted, and they’re going to be the most difficult ones,” Persichilli said. “But they are also going to be the most satisfying ones.”

Public health officials know that the last mile of any vaccination campaign is indeed the hardest. The eradication of smallpox, considered the greatest public health triumph of the 20th century, came after a highly targeted global campaign that lasted two decades. Polio has still not been eradicated in some countries, Fauci said, because of vaccine hesitancy, including among women who express unfounded fears of infertility.

“We should have eradicated polio a long time ago,” he said.

The federal effort has been enormous, involving more than 9,000 people from across the government, as well as 30,000 National Guard members supporting COVID-19 vaccination in 58 states and territories, according to Sonya Bernstein, a senior policy adviser for the White House.

With the large vaccination sites winding down, FEMA is also pivoting. The agency still supports more than 2,200 community vaccination centers and mobile vaccination units.

Now FEMA is rolling out a new pilot program to offer shots at or near recovery centers that it sets up after hurricanes and other natural disasters. The first of these opened this week in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, which has a large minority population and was devastated by Hurricane Laura last summer. Only 51% of the adult population in St. Charles Parish has had at least one shot, according to data from the CDC.

In Newark, the mood on Saturday was bittersweet. People like Dodd and Struempf, thrown together in a crisis, were exchanging phone numbers with newfound friends and colleagues as they planned to go their separate ways. After living in hotels for more than two months, they were both eager to depart and wistful about the prospect.

Michael Moriarty, the FEMA official in charge of vaccination operations in the New York-New Jersey region, surveyed the scene: the vacant cubicles and chairs, the boxes of unused latex gloves, the brown paper taped to the floor to cover the tennis courts. It would not take long to undo, he said, adding, “They’ll be playing tennis here at the end of the week.”

There were only six tiny vials of coronavirus vaccine in the refrigerator, one Air Force nurse on duty and a trickle of patients on Saturday morning at a federally run mass vaccination site here.

There were only six tiny vials of coronavirus vaccine in the refrigerator, one Air Force nurse on duty and a trickle of patients on Saturday morning at a federally run mass vaccination site here. A day before its doors shut for good, this once-frenetic operation was oddly quiet. The post-vaccination waiting room, with 165 socially distanced chairs, was mostly empty. The nurse, Maj. Margaret Dodd, who ordinarily cares for premature babies at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, had already booked her flight home. So had the pharmacist, Heather Struempf, who was headed back to nursing school in Wyoming. Across the country, one by one, mass vaccination sites are shutting down. The White House acknowledged for the first time on Tuesday that it would not reach President Joe Biden’s goal of getting 70% of American adults at least partly vaccinated by July 4. The setback stems from hesitancy in certain groups, slow acceptance by young adults and a swirl of other complex factors. The Newark site, which closed on Sunday, was the last of 39 federally operated mass vaccination centers that administered millions of shots over five months in 27 states — a major turning point in the effort Biden described last week as “one of the biggest and most complicated logistical challenges in American history.” Many state-run sites are also closed or soon will be. The nation’s shift away from high-volume vaccination centers is an acknowledgment of the harder road ahead, as health officials pivot to the “ground game”: a highly targeted push, akin to a get-out-the-vote effort, to persuade the reluctant to get their shots. Biden will travel to Raleigh, North Carolina, on Thursday to spotlight this time-consuming work. It will not be easy — as Dr. Anthony Fauci, the president’s coronavirus response coordinator, discovered last weekend, when he went door-knocking in Anacostia, a majority-Black neighborhood in Washington, with Mayor Muriel Bowser. In an interview on Tuesday, Fauci said he and the mayor spent 90 minutes talking to people on their front porches. But even with a celebrity doctor at the door and the prospect of giveaways at the vaccination center in a high school a few blocks away, many remained hesitant. Fauci said he persuaded six to 10 people to get their shots, though he did encounter some flat refusals. “We would say, ‘OK, come on, listen: Get out, walk down the street, a couple of blocks away. We have incentives, a $51 gift certificate, you can put yourself in a raffle, you could win a year’s supplies of groceries, you could win a Jeep,’” Fauci said. “And several of them said, ‘OK, I’m on my way and I’ll go.’” But in Newark, where more than three-quarters of the population is Black or Latino, the numbers tell the story. In Essex County, New Jersey, which includes Newark, 70.2% of adults have been vaccinated. But Essex also includes wealthy suburbs; in Newark, the figure is 56%, Judith M. Persichilli, the state’s health commissioner, said in an interview. The Newark vaccination site, in a converted athletic facility at the New Jersey Institute of Technology that is ordinarily home to the school’s tennis teams, was set up and run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in conjunction with the Defense Department and other federal agencies. It opened on March 31; when it was operating at full tilt, its medical staff administered as many as 6,700 shots a day. By Saturday, the daily tally was down to about 300. The long, corridorlike tents that had once shielded lines of patients from cold weather were empty. Of 18 registration desks, only four were in use, and most of the vaccination cubicles were unoccupied. Most of the patients, including some teenagers brought by their parents, were there for their second dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Many — like Abdullah Heath, 19, who took a year off after high school and will attend Rutgers University in the fall — said they were hesitant. But Rutgers requires vaccination, so Heath had little choice. “I wanted to wait to see how other people were when they took the shot,” he said. Alfredo Sahar, 36, a real estate agent originally from Argentina, said he had received his first dose on the spur of the moment, without an appointment, when he tagged along with his wife to the Newark site. The couple showed up for their second doses on Saturday with a young friend, Federico Cuadrado, 19, who was visiting from Argentina and received his first shot. “Relax this arm,” Dodd said as Cuadrado rolled up his sleeve. But she will not be administering his second shot; with the site now closed, he will have to go elsewhere. At the height of its vaccination drive, New Jersey had seven mass sites: six run by the state, plus the FEMA site in Newark. Two of the state sites have closed, another will shut down this week, and the last three are expected to do so in mid-July, said Persichilli, a nurse and former hospital official. She called the FEMA site, which vaccinated 221,130 people in all, “invaluable.” Biden has said repeatedly that equity — making sure people of all races and incomes have the same access to care and vaccines — is crucial to his coronavirus response. FEMA determined the locations for its mass vaccination sites using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s “social vulnerability index” to identify communities most in need, Deanne Criswell, the FEMA administrator, said in an interview. It was a learning experience for the agency, she said, adding that 58% of the roughly 6 million shots administered at the mass vaccination sites were given to people of color. “We didn’t have a playbook for this type of an operation,” Criswell said. (The agency now has one that is 44 pages long.) In New Jersey, traffic at the mass vaccination sites started tapering off about six weeks ago, Persichilli said. About that time, the state moved to a “hub and spoke” strategy, creating pop-up sites in churches, barbershops and storefronts surrounding existing vaccination centers that could store and supply the vaccines. The state also has 2,000 canvassers — 1,200 paid, partly with federal taxpayer dollars, and 800 volunteers — who have knocked on 134,000 doors in areas with low vaccination rates to direct people to nearby clinics. And the Health Department is planning vaccine clinics at a rock music festival, a balloon festival and a rodeo in Atlantic City. Overall, New Jersey is way ahead of most states: 78% of adults have had at least one dose of a vaccine. In four states — Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana and Wyoming — the figure is lower than 50%. “We’re running a marathon, and we’re in the last couple of miles, and we’re exhausted, and they’re going to be the most difficult ones,” Persichilli said. “But they are also going to be the most satisfying ones.” Public health officials know that the last mile of any vaccination campaign is indeed the hardest. The eradication of smallpox, considered the greatest public health triumph of the 20th century, came after a highly targeted global campaign that lasted two decades. Polio has still not been eradicated in some countries, Fauci said, because of vaccine hesitancy, including among women who express unfounded fears of infertility. “We should have eradicated polio a long time ago,” he said. The federal effort has been enormous, involving more than 9,000 people from across the government, as well as 30,000 National Guard members supporting COVID-19 vaccination in 58 states and territories, according to Sonya Bernstein, a senior policy adviser for the White House. With the large vaccination sites winding down, FEMA is also pivoting. The agency still supports more than 2,200 community vaccination centers and mobile vaccination units. Now FEMA is rolling out a new pilot program to offer shots at or near recovery centers that it sets up after hurricanes and other natural disasters. The first of these opened this week in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana, which has a large minority population and was devastated by Hurricane Laura last summer. Only 51% of the adult population in St. Charles Parish has had at least one shot, according to data from the CDC. In Newark, the mood on Saturday was bittersweet. People like Dodd and Struempf, thrown together in a crisis, were exchanging phone numbers with newfound friends and colleagues as they planned to go their separate ways. After living in hotels for more than two months, they were both eager to depart and wistful about the prospect. Michael Moriarty, the FEMA official in charge of vaccination operations in the New York-New Jersey region, surveyed the scene: the vacant cubicles and chairs, the boxes of unused latex gloves, the brown paper taped to the floor to cover the tennis courts. It would not take long to undo, he said, adding, “They’ll be playing tennis here at the end of the week.”

With mass vaccination sites winding down, it’s all about the ‘ground game’

Britain is working on easing travel restrictions for the fully vaccinated to allow people to enjoy a summer holiday on Europe's beaches but the plans are not finalised yet, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Tuesday. 
 
Currently, British citizens are essentially prevented from travelling to most countries, including those in the European Union, as the quarantine and testing rules are so cumbersome and expensive. 
 
British tourists are the second biggest outbound holiday spenders in Europe after Germans so their absence hurts the economies of southern Europe while the British tourism sector is reeling from a ruinous loss of income due to the restrictions. 
 
Hancock told Sky News that the government did want to let people have a family holiday abroad, but only when it was safe to do so. 
 
"The whole point of the vaccine programme is to be able to remove restrictions, and for people to be able to be kept safe by the vaccine, rather than by these rules," Hancock told LBC. 
 
"So we are working on a plan for double vaccinated people, using tests, to have that testing regime in place, instead of having to have the quarantine, in some circumstances," he said. 
 
Asked by Sky if vaccinated people would get their freedom back by August and so enjoy a foreign holiday this year, Hancock said he understood people wanted their freedoms back. 
 
For months, British ministers have given a host of contradictory signals about when and how travel rules will be eased more than a year since the most onerous restrictions in Britain's peacetime history were imposed to halt the virus. 
 
Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that travellers would face hassle and delays this year if they sought to go abroad because the priority would be keeping the country safe. 
 
Johnson, who was slow to impose an initial lockdown in 2020, is wary of moving too fast to open up travel as the Delta variant first detected in India spreads. 
 
Britain has the seventh highest death toll from COVID-19 globally of nearly 128,000 deaths but has one of the fastest vaccine rollouts in the world, with 80% of adults having received a first COVID-19 vaccine dose and nearly 60% a second shot. 
 
Popular European holiday destinations for Britons, including Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Greece, are currently rated 'amber', which require returning passengers to take three expensive COVID-19 tests and isolate for 10 days on return. 
 
But travel companies are desperate to avoid another summer lost to COVID-19, and have demanded the government acts. 
 
European Union countries have already agreed to an easing of travel restrictions over summer that will allow fully vaccinated tourists to avoid tests or quarantines and broaden the list of EU regions from which it is safe to travel, but Britain has yet to announce a similar scheme. 
 
Britain's leading travel companies, such as the British Airways-owner IAG and easyJet, have cut thousands of jobs and raised billions of pounds to survive the pandemic. 
 
The Times newspaper reported that Britain would announce an easing on Thursday to allow British holidaymakers, who have had both coronavirus jabs to enjoy more quarantine-free travel from August. 
 
It is unclear how children, who have not yet been offered a vaccine in Britain, will travel. Hancock refused to give details or a timeframe for an easing of restrictions but said he was supportive of a change. 
 
"It is absolutely something we're working on - it's something I want to see," he said.

Britain is working on easing travel restrictions for the fully vaccinated to allow people to enjoy a summer holiday on Europe's beaches but the plans are not finalised yet, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Tuesday.

Britain is working on easing travel restrictions for the fully vaccinated to allow people to enjoy a summer holiday on Europe's beaches but the plans are not finalised yet, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Tuesday. Currently, British citizens are essentially prevented from travelling to most countries, including those in the European Union, as the quarantine and testing rules are so cumbersome and expensive. British tourists are the second biggest outbound holiday spenders in Europe after Germans so their absence hurts the economies of southern Europe while the British tourism sector is reeling from a ruinous loss of income due to the restrictions. Hancock told Sky News that the government did want to let people have a family holiday abroad, but only when it was safe to do so. "The whole point of the vaccine programme is to be able to remove restrictions, and for people to be able to be kept safe by the vaccine, rather than by these rules," Hancock told LBC. "So we are working on a plan for double vaccinated people, using tests, to have that testing regime in place, instead of having to have the quarantine, in some circumstances," he said. Asked by Sky if vaccinated people would get their freedom back by August and so enjoy a foreign holiday this year, Hancock said he understood people wanted their freedoms back. For months, British ministers have given a host of contradictory signals about when and how travel rules will be eased more than a year since the most onerous restrictions in Britain's peacetime history were imposed to halt the virus. Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that travellers would face hassle and delays this year if they sought to go abroad because the priority would be keeping the country safe. Johnson, who was slow to impose an initial lockdown in 2020, is wary of moving too fast to open up travel as the Delta variant first detected in India spreads. Britain has the seventh highest death toll from COVID-19 globally of nearly 128,000 deaths but has one of the fastest vaccine rollouts in the world, with 80% of adults having received a first COVID-19 vaccine dose and nearly 60% a second shot. Popular European holiday destinations for Britons, including Spain, Portugal, France, Italy and Greece, are currently rated 'amber', which require returning passengers to take three expensive COVID-19 tests and isolate for 10 days on return. But travel companies are desperate to avoid another summer lost to COVID-19, and have demanded the government acts. European Union countries have already agreed to an easing of travel restrictions over summer that will allow fully vaccinated tourists to avoid tests or quarantines and broaden the list of EU regions from which it is safe to travel, but Britain has yet to announce a similar scheme. Britain's leading travel companies, such as the British Airways-owner IAG and easyJet, have cut thousands of jobs and raised billions of pounds to survive the pandemic. The Times newspaper reported that Britain would announce an easing on Thursday to allow British holidaymakers, who have had both coronavirus jabs to enjoy more quarantine-free travel from August. It is unclear how children, who have not yet been offered a vaccine in Britain, will travel. Hancock refused to give details or a timeframe for an easing of restrictions but said he was supportive of a change. "It is absolutely something we're working on - it's something I want to see," he said.

Vaccinated Brits could be back on Europe's beaches soon: Minister

Authorities in the Mexican border state of Baja California say they will include migrants in the new COVID-19 vaccination plan for border cities, which is aimed at accelerating the reopening of the shared land border with the United States. 
 
The state, which lies just across from California, began vaccinating adults over the age of 18 this week as part of a new mass vaccination push across northern Mexico, which relies on over a million Johnson &amp; Johnson doses donated by the United States. 
 
Baja California Health Secretary Alonso Óscar Pérez said on Friday that the agency has a plan to vaccinate migrants as part of this new border vaccination initiative. He added that the agency has allocated specific days for migrants, without providing additional details. 
 
Mexico is rolling out its border initiative first in Baja California, home to one of the busiest land border crossings in the world, then plans to move west state-by-state until reaching Mexico's eastern seaboard. 
 
The decision to include migrants in Baja California may mean migrants will be included across Mexico's border, where thousands of mostly Central American migrants wait, often for months, in hopes of being able to cross into the United States. 
 
Migrant advocates have been pushing the state for information about how this vaccination drive will include the estimated 4,000 migrants living in Baja California, according to data provided by local shelters. 
 
At least 1,000 migrants are camped at the base of an international bridge in the city of Tijuana. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

Authorities in the Mexican border state of Baja California say they will include migrants in the new COVID-19 vaccination plan for border cities, which is aimed at accelerating the reopening of the shared land border with the United States.

Authorities in the Mexican border state of Baja California say they will include migrants in the new COVID-19 vaccination plan for border cities, which is aimed at accelerating the reopening of the shared land border with the United States. The state, which lies just across from California, began vaccinating adults over the age of 18 this week as part of a new mass vaccination push across northern Mexico, which relies on over a million Johnson & Johnson doses donated by the United States. Baja California Health Secretary Alonso Óscar Pérez said on Friday that the agency has a plan to vaccinate migrants as part of this new border vaccination initiative. He added that the agency has allocated specific days for migrants, without providing additional details. Mexico is rolling out its border initiative first in Baja California, home to one of the busiest land border crossings in the world, then plans to move west state-by-state until reaching Mexico's eastern seaboard. The decision to include migrants in Baja California may mean migrants will be included across Mexico's border, where thousands of mostly Central American migrants wait, often for months, in hopes of being able to cross into the United States. Migrant advocates have been pushing the state for information about how this vaccination drive will include the estimated 4,000 migrants living in Baja California, according to data provided by local shelters. At least 1,000 migrants are camped at the base of an international bridge in the city of Tijuana. (With inputs from agencies)

Mexico to vaccinate migrants in Baja California under new border initiative

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia&nbsp;announced Saturday it will allow 60,000 residents vaccinated against Covid to perform this year's hajj, but Muslims from abroad will be barred for a second straight year.

The hajj -- a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lives -- typically packs millions of pilgrims into congested religious sites and could be a major source of contagion amid the coronavirus pandemic.

This year it would be "open for nationals and residents of the kingdom, limited to 60,000 pilgrims", the hajj ministry said, quoted by the official&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Press Agency.

The pilgrimage, scheduled to be held in July, would be limited to those who have been vaccinated and are aged 18-65 with no chronic illnesses, it said.

Only up to 10,000 Muslims took part in last year's hajj, a far cry from the 2.5 million who participated in the five-day annual pilgrimage in 2019 before the pandemic.

"In light of what the whole world is witnessing with the coronavirus pandemic... and the emergence of new variants, the relevant authorities have continued to monitor the global health situation," the ministry said.

"Considering the large crowds that perform hajj, spending long periods of time in multiple and specific places... requires the highest levels of health precautions."

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia&nbsp;said those wishing to perform the hajj would have to apply online, without specifying how many foreign residents would be among the 60,000 pilgrims.

In 2020, foreigners were 70 percent of the pilgrims, while Saudis made up the rest.

The kingdom said it had informed other countries of the decision not to allow pilgrims from abroad.

"There was great understanding," deputy hajj minister, Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, told a news conference.

"Arrangements for this were based on the kingdom's keenness on the pilgrims' health and the safety of their countries."

Vaccination drive

Pakistan's government said it supported the decision but there was disappointment among those hoping to make the pilgrimage.

"I am profoundly saddened... I also wanted to go for hajj last year. I was desperately hoping to make it this year and even had got myself vaccinated along with my wife," clothes merchant Zafar Ullah, 64, told AFP.

Mohammad Shakeel, a tour operator from Hajj Organisers Association of Pakistan, said the&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;decision would "further add" to financial losses faced by his company.

Riyadh is accelerating a nationwide vaccination drive as it moves to revive tourism and host sports and entertainment events, pandemic-hit sectors that are a bedrock of the "Vision 2030" program to diversify its oil-reliant economy.

It has approved the Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson &amp; Johnson, and AstraZeneca vaccines.

In May, only inoculated or immunized citizens were allowed to travel abroad after the kingdom lifted a ban on overseas trips introduced at the start of the pandemic.

The kingdom has also said that from August 1, vaccinations would be mandatory to enter government and private establishments, including educational institutions and entertainment venues, as well as to use public transport.

In a relaxation of coronavirus curbs last October,&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;Arabia&nbsp;opened the Grand Mosque for prayers for the first time in seven months and partially resumed the all-year-round umrah pilgrimage.

The limit on umrah pilgrims is 20,000 a day, with a total of 60,000 worshippers allowed to perform daily prayers at the mosque.

Authorities said the umrah -- which usually attracts millions of Muslims from across the globe -- would be allowed to return to full capacity once the threat of the pandemic has abated.

The revered Black Stone&nbsp;in the Kaaba -- which is customary but not mandatory to touch during the pilgrimage -- remains out of reach.

Loss of revenue&nbsp;

A scaled-down hajj represents a major loss of revenue for the kingdom, already reeling from the twin shocks of the virus-induced slowdown and a plunge in oil prices.

The hajj and the year-round umrah pilgrimages together rake in some $12 billion (10.3 billion euros) annually.

Last year, the foreign press were barred from the hajj, usually a huge global media event.

Saudi&nbsp;Arabia&nbsp;has so far recorded more than 460,000 coronavirus infections, including 7,537 deaths.

More than 15 million coronavirus vaccine doses have been administered in the country of over 34 million people.

Hosting the hajj is a matter of prestige for&nbsp;Saudi&nbsp;rulers, for whom the custodianship of Islam's holiest sites is their most powerful source of political legitimacy.

But a series of deadly disasters over the years, including a 2015 stampede that killed up to 2,300 worshippers, has prompted criticism of the kingdom's management of the pilgrimage.

Saudi Arabia announced Saturday it will allow 60,000 residents vaccinated against Covid to perform this year's hajj, but Muslims from abroad will be barred for a second straight year.

Saudi Arabia announced Saturday it will allow 60,000 residents vaccinated against Covid to perform this year's hajj, but Muslims from abroad will be barred for a second straight year. The hajj -- a must for able-bodied Muslims at least once in their lives -- typically packs millions of pilgrims into congested religious sites and could be a major source of contagion amid the coronavirus pandemic. This year it would be "open for nationals and residents of the kingdom, limited to 60,000 pilgrims", the hajj ministry said, quoted by the official Saudi Press Agency. The pilgrimage, scheduled to be held in July, would be limited to those who have been vaccinated and are aged 18-65 with no chronic illnesses, it said. Only up to 10,000 Muslims took part in last year's hajj, a far cry from the 2.5 million who participated in the five-day annual pilgrimage in 2019 before the pandemic. "In light of what the whole world is witnessing with the coronavirus pandemic... and the emergence of new variants, the relevant authorities have continued to monitor the global health situation," the ministry said. "Considering the large crowds that perform hajj, spending long periods of time in multiple and specific places... requires the highest levels of health precautions." Saudi Arabia said those wishing to perform the hajj would have to apply online, without specifying how many foreign residents would be among the 60,000 pilgrims. In 2020, foreigners were 70 percent of the pilgrims, while Saudis made up the rest. The kingdom said it had informed other countries of the decision not to allow pilgrims from abroad. "There was great understanding," deputy hajj minister, Abdulfattah bin Sulaiman Mashat, told a news conference. "Arrangements for this were based on the kingdom's keenness on the pilgrims' health and the safety of their countries." Vaccination drive Pakistan's government said it supported the decision but there was disappointment among those hoping to make the pilgrimage. "I am profoundly saddened... I also wanted to go for hajj last year. I was desperately hoping to make it this year and even had got myself vaccinated along with my wife," clothes merchant Zafar Ullah, 64, told AFP. Mohammad Shakeel, a tour operator from Hajj Organisers Association of Pakistan, said the Saudi decision would "further add" to financial losses faced by his company. Riyadh is accelerating a nationwide vaccination drive as it moves to revive tourism and host sports and entertainment events, pandemic-hit sectors that are a bedrock of the "Vision 2030" program to diversify its oil-reliant economy. It has approved the Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, and AstraZeneca vaccines. In May, only inoculated or immunized citizens were allowed to travel abroad after the kingdom lifted a ban on overseas trips introduced at the start of the pandemic. The kingdom has also said that from August 1, vaccinations would be mandatory to enter government and private establishments, including educational institutions and entertainment venues, as well as to use public transport. In a relaxation of coronavirus curbs last October, Saudi Arabia opened the Grand Mosque for prayers for the first time in seven months and partially resumed the all-year-round umrah pilgrimage. The limit on umrah pilgrims is 20,000 a day, with a total of 60,000 worshippers allowed to perform daily prayers at the mosque. Authorities said the umrah -- which usually attracts millions of Muslims from across the globe -- would be allowed to return to full capacity once the threat of the pandemic has abated. The revered Black Stone in the Kaaba -- which is customary but not mandatory to touch during the pilgrimage -- remains out of reach. Loss of revenue A scaled-down hajj represents a major loss of revenue for the kingdom, already reeling from the twin shocks of the virus-induced slowdown and a plunge in oil prices. The hajj and the year-round umrah pilgrimages together rake in some $12 billion (10.3 billion euros) annually. Last year, the foreign press were barred from the hajj, usually a huge global media event. Saudi Arabia has so far recorded more than 460,000 coronavirus infections, including 7,537 deaths. More than 15 million coronavirus vaccine doses have been administered in the country of over 34 million people. Hosting the hajj is a matter of prestige for Saudi rulers, for whom the custodianship of Islam's holiest sites is their most powerful source of political legitimacy. But a series of deadly disasters over the years, including a 2015 stampede that killed up to 2,300 worshippers, has prompted criticism of the kingdom's management of the pilgrimage.

Saudi allows 60,000 vaccinated residents on hajj, bars foreigners again

Covaxin has been denied emergency use authorisation in the US. The vaccine is yet to be listed on the WHO's list of approved vaccines. The lack of global approvals has put a question mark on travel, work & study plans of millions of Indians.

India: No American approval for Covaxin

Tourism is one of the biggest industries of the Kashmir Valley and it has been incurring losses in crores due to the pandemic. The UT's tourism department along with the health department has launched a mission to vaccinate each individual related to this industry.

Special vaccination drives for tourism stakeholders in Jammu & Kashmir

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday called for leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) rich nations to make a commitment to vaccinate the entire world against COVID-19 by the end of 2022 when they meet in Britain next week. 
 
Johnson will host the first in-person summit in almost two years of G7 leaders, which follows a meeting of the group's finance ministers which wrapped up earlier in the day and said he would seek a pledge to hit the global vaccination goal. 
 
"Vaccinating the world by the end of next year would be the single greatest feat in medical history," Johnson said in a statement. "I’m calling on my fellow G7 leaders to join us to end this terrible pandemic and pledge we will never allow the devastation wreaked by coronavirus to happen again." 
 
The leaders of Germany, France, the United States, Italy, Japan, the European Union and Canada will join Johnson for the three-day summit in Cornwall, southwest England, which begins on Friday. It will be the first overseas trip for US&nbsp;President Joe Biden since he took office in January. 
 
While the richest nations have been vaccinating large numbers of their populations, many poorer countries have not had the same access to vaccines. And health experts have warned that unless more COVID-19 shots were donated, the virus will continue to spread and mutate. 
 
US&nbsp;Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, in London for the finance ministers meeting, said it was urgent for the richest nations to promote vaccinations in poorer countries that could not afford to buy them. 
 
She also repeated the US&nbsp;position that patent rights should be removed for the vaccines, and said they were doing everything they could to address supply chain problems that were preventing a build-up of shots in other parts of the world. 
 
Britain has ordered more than 500 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for its population of 67 million and says it will donate any shots it does not need. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday called for leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) rich nations to make a commitment to vaccinate the entire world against COVID-19 by the end of 2022 when they meet in Britain next week.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Saturday called for leaders of the Group of Seven (G7) rich nations to make a commitment to vaccinate the entire world against COVID-19 by the end of 2022 when they meet in Britain next week. Johnson will host the first in-person summit in almost two years of G7 leaders, which follows a meeting of the group's finance ministers which wrapped up earlier in the day and said he would seek a pledge to hit the global vaccination goal. "Vaccinating the world by the end of next year would be the single greatest feat in medical history," Johnson said in a statement. "I’m calling on my fellow G7 leaders to join us to end this terrible pandemic and pledge we will never allow the devastation wreaked by coronavirus to happen again." The leaders of Germany, France, the United States, Italy, Japan, the European Union and Canada will join Johnson for the three-day summit in Cornwall, southwest England, which begins on Friday. It will be the first overseas trip for US President Joe Biden since he took office in January. While the richest nations have been vaccinating large numbers of their populations, many poorer countries have not had the same access to vaccines. And health experts have warned that unless more COVID-19 shots were donated, the virus will continue to spread and mutate. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, in London for the finance ministers meeting, said it was urgent for the richest nations to promote vaccinations in poorer countries that could not afford to buy them. She also repeated the US position that patent rights should be removed for the vaccines, and said they were doing everything they could to address supply chain problems that were preventing a build-up of shots in other parts of the world. Britain has ordered more than 500 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for its population of 67 million and says it will donate any shots it does not need. (With inputs from agencies)

UK's Johnson calls on G7 to vaccinate world by end of 2022

Russia may provide <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> vaccinations for a fee to foreigners who travel to the country, President Vladimir&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;told an economic forum on Friday, as Moscow seeks to enhance its global reputation with its Sputnik V <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccine</a>.

Addressing the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF),&nbsp;Putin&nbsp;said many people are coming to Russia to get a shot. "I am asking the government to study this issue in full by the end of the month, to establish conditions for foreign citizens to get vaccinated in our country for a fee," he said without providing more detail.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/france-accuses-russia-of-using-its-sputnik-v-covid-19-vaccine-as-propaganda-tool-373370">France accuses Russia of using its Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine as 'propaganda' tool</a>

The Russian vaccine has been approved by 66 nations and is under review both by the World Health Organization and the European Medicines Agency(EMA). Approval by the latter agency is required for use in the European Union.

The pace of vaccination in Russia has been slower than in many developed countries. The health minister said last week around 17 million of Russia's 144 million people had received at least one dose.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/long-queues-in-pakistan-to-buy-sputnik-v-as-commercial-sales-begin-375476">Long queues in Pakistan to buy Sputnik V as commercial sales begin</a>

Those attending the conference were required to have coronavirus tests and wear masks and gloves. Moscow pitches the gathering as the Russian version of the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Many other big global events were either cancelled or moved online amid the pandemic.

Attended by a couple thousand people, the SPIEF is intended to attract foreign investment to Russia, but activity was more subdued this year.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/sputnik-light-russias-single-dose-covid-vaccine-will-be-produced-in-india-383304">Sputnik Light, Russia's single-dose Covid vaccine will be produced in India</a>

Rosneft, Russia's top oil company, skipped its usual booth, and its CEO, Igor Sechin, decided against running a public panel about the global oil market as he has traditionally done.

Sechin, in a mask and gloves, told a Reuters correspondent to "mind a distance" when approached. The former and current CEOs of BP Plc, Bob Dudley and Bernard Looney, were there in masks. BP holds a 19.75 per cent stake in Rosneft.

Russia may provide coronavirus vaccinations for a fee to foreigners who travel to the country, President Vladimir Putin told an economic forum on Friday, as Moscow seeks to enhance its global reputation with its Sputnik V vaccine.

Russia may provide coronavirus vaccinations for a fee to foreigners who travel to the country, President Vladimir Putin told an economic forum on Friday, as Moscow seeks to enhance its global reputation with its Sputnik V vaccine. Addressing the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Putin said many people are coming to Russia to get a shot. "I am asking the government to study this issue in full by the end of the month, to establish conditions for foreign citizens to get vaccinated in our country for a fee," he said without providing more detail. Also Read | France accuses Russia of using its Sputnik V Covid-19 vaccine as 'propaganda' tool The Russian vaccine has been approved by 66 nations and is under review both by the World Health Organization and the European Medicines Agency(EMA). Approval by the latter agency is required for use in the European Union. The pace of vaccination in Russia has been slower than in many developed countries. The health minister said last week around 17 million of Russia's 144 million people had received at least one dose. Also Read | Long queues in Pakistan to buy Sputnik V as commercial sales begin Those attending the conference were required to have coronavirus tests and wear masks and gloves. Moscow pitches the gathering as the Russian version of the annual World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Many other big global events were either cancelled or moved online amid the pandemic. Attended by a couple thousand people, the SPIEF is intended to attract foreign investment to Russia, but activity was more subdued this year. Also Read | Sputnik Light, Russia's single-dose Covid vaccine will be produced in India Rosneft, Russia's top oil company, skipped its usual booth, and its CEO, Igor Sechin, decided against running a public panel about the global oil market as he has traditionally done. Sechin, in a mask and gloves, told a Reuters correspondent to "mind a distance" when approached. The former and current CEOs of BP Plc, Bob Dudley and Bernard Looney, were there in masks. BP holds a 19.75 per cent stake in Rosneft.

Putin plans to offer vaccinations to visiting foreigners for a fee

India's apex drug regulator has waived the requirement of testing every batch of foreign-made COVID-19 vaccines by the Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli and post-launch bridging trials for such firms, a move that will bolster the availability of vaccines.

The decision by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) comes in the backdrop of Pfizer and Cipla putting forth similar demands during negotiations to supply imported vaccines to India.

These exemptions have been made in light of the huge vaccination requirements in India in the wake of the recent surge of COVID-19 cases and the need for increased availability of imported vaccines to meet national requirements, according to DCGI.

"It has been decided that for approval of COVID-19 vaccines in India for restricted use in an emergency situation which is already approved for restricted use by US FDA, EMA, UK MHRA, PMDA Japan or which are listed in WHO Emergency Use Listing and which are well-established vaccines from the standpoint that millions of individuals have already been vaccinated with the said vaccines, the requirement of conducting post-approval bridging clinical trials and of testing every batch of vaccine by CDL, Kasauli can be exempted, if the vaccine batch/lot has been certified and released by National Control Laboratory of the country of origin," it said.

However, scrutiny of their summary lot protocol and certificate of analysis of batch or lot shall be undertaken by CDL, Kasauli for release as per standard procedures and requirement of assessment on the first 100 beneficiaries for seven days for safety outcomes before the vaccine is rolled out for further immunization programme, the DCGI said in a notice issued on June 1.

India's apex drug regulator has waived the requirement of testing every batch of foreign-made COVID-19 vaccines by the Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli and post-launch bridging trials for such firms, a move that will bolster the availability of vaccines.

India's apex drug regulator has waived the requirement of testing every batch of foreign-made COVID-19 vaccines by the Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli and post-launch bridging trials for such firms, a move that will bolster the availability of vaccines. The decision by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) comes in the backdrop of Pfizer and Cipla putting forth similar demands during negotiations to supply imported vaccines to India. These exemptions have been made in light of the huge vaccination requirements in India in the wake of the recent surge of COVID-19 cases and the need for increased availability of imported vaccines to meet national requirements, according to DCGI. "It has been decided that for approval of COVID-19 vaccines in India for restricted use in an emergency situation which is already approved for restricted use by US FDA, EMA, UK MHRA, PMDA Japan or which are listed in WHO Emergency Use Listing and which are well-established vaccines from the standpoint that millions of individuals have already been vaccinated with the said vaccines, the requirement of conducting post-approval bridging clinical trials and of testing every batch of vaccine by CDL, Kasauli can be exempted, if the vaccine batch/lot has been certified and released by National Control Laboratory of the country of origin," it said. However, scrutiny of their summary lot protocol and certificate of analysis of batch or lot shall be undertaken by CDL, Kasauli for release as per standard procedures and requirement of assessment on the first 100 beneficiaries for seven days for safety outcomes before the vaccine is rolled out for further immunization programme, the DCGI said in a notice issued on June 1.

Indian drugs regulator DCGI eases norms for clearing foreign-made COVID-19 vaccines

People all over the world are still learning how effective vaccinations are at preventing the deadly virus that causes COVID-19 from spreading to others, even if you don't have symptoms.&nbsp;

Early evidence suggests that vaccinations can help prevent COVID-19 from spreading among people who have no symptoms.&nbsp;

Vaccines are effective and safe. You may experience side effects as a result of the vaccine, but these are common and will pass in a few days.

Here are some of the tips from health experts about what to do before, during and after getting vaccinated for COVID-19:&nbsp;

Which one is the best vaccine among all 3 available in India?

Covisheild, Covaxin and the recently added Sputnik V&nbsp;are the vaccines available to Indians. All three are effective in both avoiding infection and preventing the disease from progressing to a severe stage. They avoid fatality in the long run for the elderly and those with comorbidities.&nbsp;

Who should not get the Covid vaccine?

According to the UNICEF, at present, people with the following health conditions should not receive a COVID-19 vaccine to avoid any possible adverse effects:

If you have a history of severe allergic reactions to any ingredients of a COVID-19 vaccine.

If you are currently sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (although you can get vaccinated once you have recovered and your doctor has approved). 
 
Before getting vaccinated, here are some tips to keep in mind

1: Register yourself for the jab on the Co-WIN portal and Aarogya Setu app

2: The vaccine should not be taken on an empty stomach. As you prepare for your immunisation, eat healthily.

3: Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

4: Alcohol use should be avoided because it can dehydrate you.

5: To feel your best on the day of your vaccination, get a good night's sleep.&nbsp;

Valuable tips that will help you after vaccination

Stay for monitoring:&nbsp;

Stay seated at the health centre for 15-30 minutes after your vaccination. Doctors will keep an eye on you for any immediate reactions. If you feel dizzy, nauseated, vomiting, or have an allergic response, please report it to the health workers.&nbsp;

Common side effects&nbsp;

As your body develops immunological defence, expect some side effects. These may go away in 1-2 days.&nbsp;

These side effects are:

Arm soreness at the injection site 
Mild fever 
Fatigue 
Headaches 
Muscle or joint aches&nbsp; 
Chills 
Diarrhoea 
Sleeplessness 
 
Which drug should be taken to minimise the adverse effects of this vaccine?

According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website, in case of minor adverse effects such as injection site pain, tenderness, malaise, pyrexia, etc., paracetamol may be used to alleviate the symptoms.

People all over the world are still learning how effective vaccinations are at preventing the deadly virus that causes COVID-19 from spreading to others, even if you don't have symptoms.

People all over the world are still learning how effective vaccinations are at preventing the deadly virus that causes COVID-19 from spreading to others, even if you don't have symptoms. Early evidence suggests that vaccinations can help prevent COVID-19 from spreading among people who have no symptoms. Vaccines are effective and safe. You may experience side effects as a result of the vaccine, but these are common and will pass in a few days. Here are some of the tips from health experts about what to do before, during and after getting vaccinated for COVID-19: Which one is the best vaccine among all 3 available in India? Covisheild, Covaxin and the recently added Sputnik V are the vaccines available to Indians. All three are effective in both avoiding infection and preventing the disease from progressing to a severe stage. They avoid fatality in the long run for the elderly and those with comorbidities. Who should not get the Covid vaccine? According to the UNICEF, at present, people with the following health conditions should not receive a COVID-19 vaccine to avoid any possible adverse effects: If you have a history of severe allergic reactions to any ingredients of a COVID-19 vaccine. If you are currently sick or experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 (although you can get vaccinated once you have recovered and your doctor has approved). Before getting vaccinated, here are some tips to keep in mind 1: Register yourself for the jab on the Co-WIN portal and Aarogya Setu app 2: The vaccine should not be taken on an empty stomach. As you prepare for your immunisation, eat healthily. 3: Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. 4: Alcohol use should be avoided because it can dehydrate you. 5: To feel your best on the day of your vaccination, get a good night's sleep. Valuable tips that will help you after vaccination Stay for monitoring: Stay seated at the health centre for 15-30 minutes after your vaccination. Doctors will keep an eye on you for any immediate reactions. If you feel dizzy, nauseated, vomiting, or have an allergic response, please report it to the health workers. Common side effects As your body develops immunological defence, expect some side effects. These may go away in 1-2 days. These side effects are: Arm soreness at the injection site Mild fever Fatigue Headaches Muscle or joint aches Chills Diarrhoea Sleeplessness Which drug should be taken to minimise the adverse effects of this vaccine? According to the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare website, in case of minor adverse effects such as injection site pain, tenderness, malaise, pyrexia, etc., paracetamol may be used to alleviate the symptoms.

COVID-19 vaccination: Tips to follow before and after taking the jab

Italy passed the milestone of 30 million Covid vaccine doses on Saturday. This brings the number of fully vaccinated people to nearly 10 million.

More than 9.85 million people in Italy have received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine, according to government figures, representing 16.6 percent of the 60 million-strong population.&nbsp;

Two-thirds of the doses administered so far have been given to those aged over 60.

Italy was hit hard by coronavirus pandemic in early 2020. It has suffered 125,153 Covid-19 deaths. This is the highest official toll in Europe after Britain (128,000 deaths)

Since April 26 Italy has been cautiously relaxing months-long coronavirus restrictions, with bars and restaurants now serving customers outdoors.&nbsp;

The latest data has been promising, with health authorities on Saturday reporting 125 Covid deaths over the past 24 hours -- three times less than a month ago.&nbsp;

The positivity rate of some 300,000 Covid tests carried out over the same period has meanwhile dropped to 1.6 percent, the lowest in 2021.

(With inputs from agencies)

Italy passed the milestone of 30 million Covid vaccine doses on Saturday. This brings the number of fully vaccinated people to nearly 10 million. More than 9.85 million people in Italy have received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine, according to government figures, representing 16.

Italy passed the milestone of 30 million Covid vaccine doses on Saturday. This brings the number of fully vaccinated people to nearly 10 million. More than 9.85 million people in Italy have received two doses of a coronavirus vaccine, according to government figures, representing 16.6 percent of the 60 million-strong population. Two-thirds of the doses administered so far have been given to those aged over 60. Italy was hit hard by coronavirus pandemic in early 2020. It has suffered 125,153 Covid-19 deaths. This is the highest official toll in Europe after Britain (128,000 deaths) Since April 26 Italy has been cautiously relaxing months-long coronavirus restrictions, with bars and restaurants now serving customers outdoors. The latest data has been promising, with health authorities on Saturday reporting 125 Covid deaths over the past 24 hours -- three times less than a month ago. The positivity rate of some 300,000 Covid tests carried out over the same period has meanwhile dropped to 1.6 percent, the lowest in 2021. (With inputs from agencies)

Italy crosses 30 million vaccine doses mark

A year into the Covid pandemic, there are still no treatments that can knock out the virus.

For now, doctors have been re-purposing old drugs and steroids and for most patients it works but, since last year, one method of treatment has got way more attention than it deserves - plasma therapy.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-does-plasma-therapy-really-work-384633/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

When the pandemic began convalescent plasma therapy or simply plasma therapy was like a silver bullet.

Plasma therapy is basically using blood plasma from recovered patients and infusing it into newly infected patients.&nbsp;

It is believed that plasma helps to transfer antibodies from recovered patients to new patients. It is supposed to boost the immune response of a new patient.

Conceptually it sounds like a promising idea.

However, there is growing evidence that it doesn't work and yet, it is being widely prescribed in India.

In fact, there is a frenzy around it. Families are running from pillar to post for plasma of recovered patients for their loved ones and social media is filled with appeals for help.&nbsp;

Techies are building tools to connect patients with donors and everyone is being urged to donate plasma but experts are concerned.&nbsp;

18 clinicians, public health professionals and scientists have written a letter addressed to Professor K Vijay Raghavan, principal scientific advisor to the government of India.

The experts say India should stop using plasma therapy since "current research evidence unanimously indicates that there is no benefit offered by convalescent plasma".&nbsp;

The research is part of the letter. In the United Kingdom, a trial was conducted with more than 11,000 patients. They were given plasma therapy and it made no difference.

Another trial was conducted in Argentina. It was a randomised trial with half of the patients given blood plasma and others got a placebo. Again, it made no difference.

India has conducted its own studies. It was backed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The studies involved 39 public and private hospitals.

The study found whether it was patient mortality or disease progression, blood plasma made no difference and despite all these findings doctors are widely prescribing blood plasma across hospitals.

They are doing it perhaps because they are desperate and want they want to try every treatment which is available but can this trial and error method be dangerous?

Professor Vivekananda Jha, who is one of the experts who signed the letter, says that unchecked use of plasma could lead to more problems. It could potentially give birth to newer variants of the virus and they could be more infectious.&nbsp;

Last year the Infectious Diseases Society of America had said plasma should only be used in a clinical trial and not on hospitalised patients.

In January this year, Britain halted a study on plasma because there was no strong evidence of benefit so there is mounting evidence that blood plasma doesn't help.&nbsp;

However, not only do doctors prescribe it, authorities have been running campaigns to encourage plasma donations.&nbsp;

ICMR's guidelines for doctors in India has clearly put down a list of what doctors can do for infected patients including which medicines can be prescribed, when should a patient be hospitalised and when should Remdesivir be administered. &nbsp;

The guidelines still recommend the use of blood plasma and that's what doctors follow. Even at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS) has blood plasma as part of the treatment protocol for patients who have been sick for three to seven days and who show mild to moderate symptoms and are likely to be hospitalised.

However, not everyone can be given blood plasma. It is for patients whose condition is expected to deteriorate.&nbsp;

They are given plasma therapy within seven days of the onset of symptoms, not after that but there are no official numbers just how many patients in India fit this category.

Anecdotal evidence suggests such patients make up around 10 per cent of India's caseload.

So in conclusion, the bulk of the patients do not need blood plasma and even if they get it, it may not help on the contrary blood plasma can lead to serious problems.&nbsp;

It can give birth to new and infectious variants but doctors continue to prescribe it forcing distressed families to go on a hunt for a cure that doesn't work.

Governments, civil society groups and now even courts are looking for ways to collect more plasma. The Delhi High Court had a suggestion to make to the Delhi government. The judges said they should "chase recovered celebrities" and ask them to donate plasma and encourage them to issue a statement asking others to donate.

Experts say the medicines and steroids currently in use along with supplemental oxygen are good enough and in the long run vaccines are the only exit strategy.

A year into the Covid pandemic, there are still no treatments that can knock out the virus. For now, doctors have been re-purposing old drugs and steroids and for most patients it works but, since last year, one method of treatment has got way more attention than it deserves - plasma therapy.

A year into the Covid pandemic, there are still no treatments that can knock out the virus. For now, doctors have been re-purposing old drugs and steroids and for most patients it works but, since last year, one method of treatment has got way more attention than it deserves - plasma therapy. Watch: When the pandemic began convalescent plasma therapy or simply plasma therapy was like a silver bullet. Plasma therapy is basically using blood plasma from recovered patients and infusing it into newly infected patients. It is believed that plasma helps to transfer antibodies from recovered patients to new patients. It is supposed to boost the immune response of a new patient. Conceptually it sounds like a promising idea. However, there is growing evidence that it doesn't work and yet, it is being widely prescribed in India. In fact, there is a frenzy around it. Families are running from pillar to post for plasma of recovered patients for their loved ones and social media is filled with appeals for help. Techies are building tools to connect patients with donors and everyone is being urged to donate plasma but experts are concerned. 18 clinicians, public health professionals and scientists have written a letter addressed to Professor K Vijay Raghavan, principal scientific advisor to the government of India. The experts say India should stop using plasma therapy since "current research evidence unanimously indicates that there is no benefit offered by convalescent plasma". The research is part of the letter. In the United Kingdom, a trial was conducted with more than 11,000 patients. They were given plasma therapy and it made no difference. Another trial was conducted in Argentina. It was a randomised trial with half of the patients given blood plasma and others got a placebo. Again, it made no difference. India has conducted its own studies. It was backed by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The studies involved 39 public and private hospitals. The study found whether it was patient mortality or disease progression, blood plasma made no difference and despite all these findings doctors are widely prescribing blood plasma across hospitals. They are doing it perhaps because they are desperate and want they want to try every treatment which is available but can this trial and error method be dangerous? Professor Vivekananda Jha, who is one of the experts who signed the letter, says that unchecked use of plasma could lead to more problems. It could potentially give birth to newer variants of the virus and they could be more infectious. Last year the Infectious Diseases Society of America had said plasma should only be used in a clinical trial and not on hospitalised patients. In January this year, Britain halted a study on plasma because there was no strong evidence of benefit so there is mounting evidence that blood plasma doesn't help. However, not only do doctors prescribe it, authorities have been running campaigns to encourage plasma donations. ICMR's guidelines for doctors in India has clearly put down a list of what doctors can do for infected patients including which medicines can be prescribed, when should a patient be hospitalised and when should Remdesivir be administered. The guidelines still recommend the use of blood plasma and that's what doctors follow. Even at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences(AIIMS) has blood plasma as part of the treatment protocol for patients who have been sick for three to seven days and who show mild to moderate symptoms and are likely to be hospitalised. However, not everyone can be given blood plasma. It is for patients whose condition is expected to deteriorate. They are given plasma therapy within seven days of the onset of symptoms, not after that but there are no official numbers just how many patients in India fit this category. Anecdotal evidence suggests such patients make up around 10 per cent of India's caseload. So in conclusion, the bulk of the patients do not need blood plasma and even if they get it, it may not help on the contrary blood plasma can lead to serious problems. It can give birth to new and infectious variants but doctors continue to prescribe it forcing distressed families to go on a hunt for a cure that doesn't work. Governments, civil society groups and now even courts are looking for ways to collect more plasma. The Delhi High Court had a suggestion to make to the Delhi government. The judges said they should "chase recovered celebrities" and ask them to donate plasma and encourage them to issue a statement asking others to donate. Experts say the medicines and steroids currently in use along with supplemental oxygen are good enough and in the long run vaccines are the only exit strategy.

Does blood plasma work on virus patients? experts disagree

After COVID-19 wreaks havoc across India, thousands of patients and caregivers continue to search for plasma donors.

Several calls related to plasma donation from a particular blood group is a common scene on the social media platform, often for critical patients in the ICU.

The number of people seeking plasma is very high in comparison. Once a person recovers from COVID-19, he can donate plasma for plasma therapy.

Many organisation including Delhi Police has urged people to donate in large numbers so that more and more lives can be saved.

<h2>Covid -19 -What is plasma therapy?</h2>

Plasma therapy, broadly known as 'convalescent plasma therapy', is a procedure to treat coronavirus infection. Plasma is a component of our blood. Nearly 55% of your blood is plasma. It is yellow in colour. Laboratories can separate plasma from blood with special devices called plasma tubes through a process called centrifugation. It is like blood donation, however, the same plasma gets separated from the blood and the remaining blood will be transferred back to your body resulting in zero blood loss. The plasma contains that antibodies that can help a patient fight the pathogen and recover from the disease.

When your body has fought an infection, the antibodies produced are stored in the plasma. That means if you’ve contracted COVID, then antibodies that can fight the COVID infection will be present in your plasma. The plasma from a person who has recovered from a disease is called convalescent plasma.

<h2>Here are the guidelines issued by the Centre to donate plasma to COVID-19 patients are as follows:</h2>

1. Always carry a hard copy of the COVID-19 negative report (RT-PCR or rapid antigen test) within 4 months of the day of donation and your Aadhar Card (front and back).

2. Donate only after 14 days of a COVID-19 positive report if the person is asymptomatic or after 14 days of symptoms if the person is symptomatic.

3. Women who have ever been pregnant cannot donate COVID-19 convalescent plasma.

4. A person who has received COVID-19 vaccination will not be able to donate plasma for 28 days from the date of vaccination.

5. A person can not donate if he/she gets rejected for the lack of adequate antibodies in the blood.

6. Please contact hospital authorities for any other information in advance, on phone.

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If you are planning to donate plasma to a COVID positive patient in Delhi, here are the do's and don'ts you should know about! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/IndiaFightsCorona?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#IndiaFightsCorona</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Unite2FightCorona?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Unite2FightCorona</a> <a href="https://t.co/98mtaDmpZA">pic.twitter.com/98mtaDmpZA</a>
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After COVID-19 wreaks havoc across India, thousands of patients and caregivers continue to search for plasma donors. Several calls related to plasma donation from a particular blood group is a common scene on the social media platform, often for critical patients in the ICU.

After COVID-19 wreaks havoc across India, thousands of patients and caregivers continue to search for plasma donors. Several calls related to plasma donation from a particular blood group is a common scene on the social media platform, often for critical patients in the ICU. The number of people seeking plasma is very high in comparison. Once a person recovers from COVID-19, he can donate plasma for plasma therapy. Many organisation including Delhi Police has urged people to donate in large numbers so that more and more lives can be saved. Covid -19 -What is plasma therapy? Plasma therapy, broadly known as 'convalescent plasma therapy', is a procedure to treat coronavirus infection. Plasma is a component of our blood. Nearly 55% of your blood is plasma. It is yellow in colour. Laboratories can separate plasma from blood with special devices called plasma tubes through a process called centrifugation. It is like blood donation, however, the same plasma gets separated from the blood and the remaining blood will be transferred back to your body resulting in zero blood loss. The plasma contains that antibodies that can help a patient fight the pathogen and recover from the disease. When your body has fought an infection, the antibodies produced are stored in the plasma. That means if you’ve contracted COVID, then antibodies that can fight the COVID infection will be present in your plasma. The plasma from a person who has recovered from a disease is called convalescent plasma. Here are the guidelines issued by the Centre to donate plasma to COVID-19 patients are as follows: 1. Always carry a hard copy of the COVID-19 negative report (RT-PCR or rapid antigen test) within 4 months of the day of donation and your Aadhar Card (front and back). 2. Donate only after 14 days of a COVID-19 positive report if the person is asymptomatic or after 14 days of symptoms if the person is symptomatic. 3. Women who have ever been pregnant cannot donate COVID-19 convalescent plasma. 4. A person who has received COVID-19 vaccination will not be able to donate plasma for 28 days from the date of vaccination. 5. A person can not donate if he/she gets rejected for the lack of adequate antibodies in the blood. 6. Please contact hospital authorities for any other information in advance, on phone. If you are planning to donate plasma to a COVID positive patient in Delhi, here are the do's and don'ts you should know about! #IndiaFightsCorona #Unite2FightCorona pic.twitter.com/98mtaDmpZA — MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) April 24, 2021 ×

COVID-19 — Donating plasma: Here’s everything you need to know

Drugmakers&nbsp;on Thursday said US President Joe&nbsp;Biden's support for waiving&nbsp;patents of COVID-19&nbsp;vaccines could disrupt a fragile supply chain, and that, rich countries should instead share more generously with the developing world.

Biden&nbsp;on Wednesday threw his support behind waiving intellectual property rights for COVID-19&nbsp;vaccines, angering research-based pharmaceutical companies.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-backs-india-led-fight-to-waive-covid-vaccines-patents-383092">US backs India-led fight to waive Covid vaccines patents</a>

If adopted by the World Trade Organisation, the proposal would invite new manufacturers that lack essential know-how and&nbsp;oversight from the inventors to crowd out established contractors, the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) said.

"I have heard many (vaccine&nbsp;makers) talking about 'our resources are stretched, our technicians are stretched'," IFPMA Director General Thomas Cueni told Reuters. He warned of a possible free for all if "sort of rogue companies" were allowed to become involved.

Vaccine&nbsp;developers echoed his comments that waiving intellectual property rights was not a solution.

"Patents are not the limiting factor for the production or supply of our&nbsp;vaccine. They would not increase the global production and supply of&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;doses in the short and middle term," said Germany's BioNTech, which aims to supply up to three&nbsp;billion doses together with Pfizer this year.

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BioNTech said it took more than a decade to develop its&nbsp;vaccines manufacturing process and replicating it required experienced personnel and a meticulous technology transfer, among several other factors beyond&nbsp;patents.

Another German company CureVac, which hopes to release trial results on its messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA)&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;as early as this month, said&nbsp;patents were not to blame for supply bottlenecks.

"Since mRNA technology has emerged as the key technology in the fight against COVID-19, the world now needs the same raw materials in unfathomable amounts. The biggest problem is how to coordinate this," a spokeswoman said.

IFPMA's Cueni said the real bottlenecks were trade barriers, in particular the US Defense Production Act (DPA).

The DPA is a decades-old US law that prioritised procurement orders related to US national defence, but it has been widely used in non-military crises, such as natural disasters.

Cueni said the way to kickstart low-income countries' vaccination campaigns, was for rich countries to donate&nbsp;vaccine, rather than widen eligibility to young and healthy people at home.

Moderna, which on Thursday reported quarterly results, said waiving intellectual property rights would not help to increase the supply of its&nbsp;vaccines in 2021 and 2022.

The US drugmaker said last year it would not enforce its&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;patents. CureVac said on Thursday it would also not enforce its&nbsp;patents during the pandemic and that it knew of no other developer that would.

Italy's ReiThera which is in late-stage tests on an experimental COVID-19&nbsp;vaccine was also critical of&nbsp;patent&nbsp;waivers.

"There is proprietary know-how that has to be transferred by the owner. And then there is the problem with process materials, which at the moment have delivery times of almost a year," ReiThera's chief of technology Stefano Colloca said.

In contrast to the industry reaction, the GAVI&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;alliance, which co-leads the COVAX dose-sharing programme with the WHO and faces major supply constraints, welcomed&nbsp;Biden's support for waiving intellectual property rights.

Drugmakers on Thursday said US President Joe Biden's support for waiving patents of COVID-19 vaccines could disrupt a fragile supply chain, and that, rich countries should instead share more generously with the developing world.

Drugmakers on Thursday said US President Joe Biden's support for waiving patents of COVID-19 vaccines could disrupt a fragile supply chain, and that, rich countries should instead share more generously with the developing world. Biden on Wednesday threw his support behind waiving intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines, angering research-based pharmaceutical companies. Also read | US backs India-led fight to waive Covid vaccines patents If adopted by the World Trade Organisation, the proposal would invite new manufacturers that lack essential know-how and oversight from the inventors to crowd out established contractors, the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers and Associations (IFPMA) said. "I have heard many (vaccine makers) talking about 'our resources are stretched, our technicians are stretched'," IFPMA Director General Thomas Cueni told Reuters. He warned of a possible free for all if "sort of rogue companies" were allowed to become involved. Vaccine developers echoed his comments that waiving intellectual property rights was not a solution. "Patents are not the limiting factor for the production or supply of our vaccine. They would not increase the global production and supply of vaccine doses in the short and middle term," said Germany's BioNTech, which aims to supply up to three billion doses together with Pfizer this year. BioNTech said it took more than a decade to develop its vaccines manufacturing process and replicating it required experienced personnel and a meticulous technology transfer, among several other factors beyond patents. Another German company CureVac, which hopes to release trial results on its messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccine as early as this month, said patents were not to blame for supply bottlenecks. "Since mRNA technology has emerged as the key technology in the fight against COVID-19, the world now needs the same raw materials in unfathomable amounts. The biggest problem is how to coordinate this," a spokeswoman said. IFPMA's Cueni said the real bottlenecks were trade barriers, in particular the US Defense Production Act (DPA). The DPA is a decades-old US law that prioritised procurement orders related to US national defence, but it has been widely used in non-military crises, such as natural disasters. Cueni said the way to kickstart low-income countries' vaccination campaigns, was for rich countries to donate vaccine, rather than widen eligibility to young and healthy people at home. Moderna, which on Thursday reported quarterly results, said waiving intellectual property rights would not help to increase the supply of its vaccines in 2021 and 2022. The US drugmaker said last year it would not enforce its vaccine patents. CureVac said on Thursday it would also not enforce its patents during the pandemic and that it knew of no other developer that would. Italy's ReiThera which is in late-stage tests on an experimental COVID-19 vaccine was also critical of patent waivers. "There is proprietary know-how that has to be transferred by the owner. And then there is the problem with process materials, which at the moment have delivery times of almost a year," ReiThera's chief of technology Stefano Colloca said. In contrast to the industry reaction, the GAVI vaccine alliance, which co-leads the COVAX dose-sharing programme with the WHO and faces major supply constraints, welcomed Biden's support for waiving intellectual property rights.

Drugmakers say Biden misguided over vaccine patent waiver

Expressing concern over surging coronavirus cases in India, America's top public health expert and White House Chief Medical Adviser Dr Anthony Fauci on Monday recommended a nationwide lockdown, massive vaccination drive and the construction of a large number of makeshift hospitals.&nbsp;

"It is quite obvious to everyone that the situation in India is extremely serious," Dr Fauci, who is considered one of the world's top infectious disease specialists, said in an interview.&nbsp;

"When you have so many people getting infected, the lack of the capability to take adequate care of everyone; when you have shortages of hospital beds and oxygen and shortages of supplies, that really becomes a very desperate situation. Which is the reason why we feel it's important for the rest of the world to help out, to the extent they can," Dr Fauci said.&nbsp;

Keeping a close tab on developments in India, given that US President Joe Biden has geared up the administration to help India, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said there are certain things that India can do immediately, mid-term and long-term basis.&nbsp;

"First of all right now, they should start getting as many people vaccinated as they possibly can, with both the vaccines that they develop themselves in India as well as supplies of vaccines that they may be able to procure from other suppliers, be that the United States, be that Russia, whatever country is willing whenever companies are willing to supply vaccine," Dr Fauci said.&nbsp;

However, getting someone 'vaccinated now' does not solve today's problem, he noted, adding that it helps prevent a problem several weeks from now. &nbsp;

"But the solution immediately right now is, and I know India is already doing it, so I'm not telling you something that you are not already doing. A few days ago, I recommended and I believe at least parts of India are doing it, that you shut down the country in lockdown," he said. &nbsp;

"Because other countries, including for example what China did last year, what Australia did when they had an outbreak, what New Zealand did, what other countries did is to completely lock down for a relatively limited period of time. You don't have to lock down for six months. You can lock down for a few weeks. Because when you walk down, it is well known, with the experience of other countries that locking down, definitely interferes with the dynamics of the viral outbreak and you could interfere with the continuity and the transmission of infection," Dr Fauci said. &nbsp;

He also recommended taking the help of the armed forces to immediately build makeshift field hospitals.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Expressing concern over surging coronavirus cases in India, America's top public health expert and White House Chief Medical Adviser Dr Anthony Fauci on Monday recommended a nationwide lockdown, massive vaccination drive and the construction of a large number of makeshift hospitals.

Expressing concern over surging coronavirus cases in India, America's top public health expert and White House Chief Medical Adviser Dr Anthony Fauci on Monday recommended a nationwide lockdown, massive vaccination drive and the construction of a large number of makeshift hospitals. "It is quite obvious to everyone that the situation in India is extremely serious," Dr Fauci, who is considered one of the world's top infectious disease specialists, said in an interview. "When you have so many people getting infected, the lack of the capability to take adequate care of everyone; when you have shortages of hospital beds and oxygen and shortages of supplies, that really becomes a very desperate situation. Which is the reason why we feel it's important for the rest of the world to help out, to the extent they can," Dr Fauci said. Keeping a close tab on developments in India, given that US President Joe Biden has geared up the administration to help India, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said there are certain things that India can do immediately, mid-term and long-term basis. "First of all right now, they should start getting as many people vaccinated as they possibly can, with both the vaccines that they develop themselves in India as well as supplies of vaccines that they may be able to procure from other suppliers, be that the United States, be that Russia, whatever country is willing whenever companies are willing to supply vaccine," Dr Fauci said. However, getting someone 'vaccinated now' does not solve today's problem, he noted, adding that it helps prevent a problem several weeks from now. "But the solution immediately right now is, and I know India is already doing it, so I'm not telling you something that you are not already doing. A few days ago, I recommended and I believe at least parts of India are doing it, that you shut down the country in lockdown," he said. "Because other countries, including for example what China did last year, what Australia did when they had an outbreak, what New Zealand did, what other countries did is to completely lock down for a relatively limited period of time. You don't have to lock down for six months. You can lock down for a few weeks. Because when you walk down, it is well known, with the experience of other countries that locking down, definitely interferes with the dynamics of the viral outbreak and you could interfere with the continuity and the transmission of infection," Dr Fauci said. He also recommended taking the help of the armed forces to immediately build makeshift field hospitals. (With inputs from agencies)

Fauci's advice to India: Clamp nationwide lockdown, start massive vaccination

A total of 86,023 beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years received their first dose of COVID vaccine across 11 states on May 1, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday.&nbsp;

The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 15,68,16,031 as the phase-3 of the nationwide vaccination drive commenced on Saturday.&nbsp;

The ministry said, "86,023 beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years received their first dose of Covid vaccine across 11 states".&nbsp;

These states are Chhattisgarh (987), Delhi (1,472), Gujarat (51,622), Jammu and Kashmir (201), Karnataka (649), Maharashtra (12,525), Odisha (97), Punjab (298), Rajasthan (1853), Tamil Nadu (527) and UP (15,792). &nbsp;

Cumulatively, 15,68,16,031 vaccine doses have been administered through 22,93,911 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am, the ministry said.&nbsp;

These include 94,28,490 healthcare workers (HCWs), who have taken the first dose and 62,65,397 HCWs, who have taken the second dose, 1,27,57,529 FLWs, who received the first dose and 69,22,093 FLWs, who took the second dose.&nbsp;

It also includes 86,023 beneficiaries in the age-group of 18-45. Besides, 5,26,18,135 and 1,14,49,310 beneficiaries more than 60 years old have been administered the first and second dose, respectively, while 5,32,80,976 and 40,08,078 beneficiaries aged 45 to 60 have taken the first and second dose.&nbsp;

Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh account for 67 per cent of the cumulative doses given so far in the country.&nbsp;

More than 18 lakh vaccination doses were administered in a span of 24 hours.&nbsp;

As on day-106 of the vaccination drive (May 1), 18,26,219 vaccine doses were given. Across 15,968 sessions, 11,14,214 beneficiaries were vaccinated for the first dose and 7,12,005 beneficiaries received their second dose of vaccine.&nbsp;

A total of 86,023 beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years received their first dose of COVID vaccine across 11 states on May 1, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday.

A total of 86,023 beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years received their first dose of COVID vaccine across 11 states on May 1, the Union Health Ministry said on Sunday. The cumulative number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has crossed 15,68,16,031 as the phase-3 of the nationwide vaccination drive commenced on Saturday. The ministry said, "86,023 beneficiaries in the age group of 18-44 years received their first dose of Covid vaccine across 11 states". These states are Chhattisgarh (987), Delhi (1,472), Gujarat (51,622), Jammu and Kashmir (201), Karnataka (649), Maharashtra (12,525), Odisha (97), Punjab (298), Rajasthan (1853), Tamil Nadu (527) and UP (15,792). Cumulatively, 15,68,16,031 vaccine doses have been administered through 22,93,911 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am, the ministry said. These include 94,28,490 healthcare workers (HCWs), who have taken the first dose and 62,65,397 HCWs, who have taken the second dose, 1,27,57,529 FLWs, who received the first dose and 69,22,093 FLWs, who took the second dose. It also includes 86,023 beneficiaries in the age-group of 18-45. Besides, 5,26,18,135 and 1,14,49,310 beneficiaries more than 60 years old have been administered the first and second dose, respectively, while 5,32,80,976 and 40,08,078 beneficiaries aged 45 to 60 have taken the first and second dose. Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Bihar and Andhra Pradesh account for 67 per cent of the cumulative doses given so far in the country. More than 18 lakh vaccination doses were administered in a span of 24 hours. As on day-106 of the vaccination drive (May 1), 18,26,219 vaccine doses were given. Across 15,968 sessions, 11,14,214 beneficiaries were vaccinated for the first dose and 7,12,005 beneficiaries received their second dose of vaccine.

Phase-3 vaccination: Over 86,000 received first dose on May 1 in India

The third phase of vaccination has begun for people above the age of 18 years in the Union Territory of Jammu&nbsp;and Kashmir today. The government said that it has received&nbsp;around 75,000 new doses of Covaxin from Hyderabad.&nbsp;

The administration urged people to register themselves for the vaccine and also said that people who are not registered will not be vaccinated. There are around 10 designated centres in Srinagar where the third phase of vaccination has been started by the government.&nbsp;

"We have sufficient quantities of vaccines available&nbsp;with us. Earlier people were coming in less numbers but in the last few days, the demand for vaccines has increased and that's why we are getting more. We will keep it available&nbsp;for people. 10 centres for the people of age group 18-45 have been established. We request people in this age group to register themselves in CoWin app and come at the time of appointment.'' said Ajaz Asad, DC Srinagar.&nbsp;

More than 2.3 million (23&nbsp;lakh) people have been vaccinated in the Union Territory so far. The increasing demand for the vaccines is one of the reasons that many centres were closed as there were no vaccines available till today morning. However people appreciated the administration's effort of getting new doses of vaccines.&nbsp;

"It was very nice to get vaccinated, I think everyone should get vaccinated, The slot opened today and I thankfully registered. There is no walk in but everyone has to register on the CoWin app',' said Sardar Nasir Ali Khan, who got vaccinated today in Srinagar.&nbsp;

However, Jammu and Kashmir has announced free of cost vaccines for all age groups. As the cases crossed 3,000 mark, government had announced complete lockdown till Monday morning in 11 districts of the Union Territory.&nbsp;

The third phase of vaccination has begun for people above the age of 18 years in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir today. The government said that it has received around 75,000 new doses of Covaxin from Hyderabad.

The third phase of vaccination has begun for people above the age of 18 years in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir today. The government said that it has received around 75,000 new doses of Covaxin from Hyderabad. The administration urged people to register themselves for the vaccine and also said that people who are not registered will not be vaccinated. There are around 10 designated centres in Srinagar where the third phase of vaccination has been started by the government. "We have sufficient quantities of vaccines available with us. Earlier people were coming in less numbers but in the last few days, the demand for vaccines has increased and that's why we are getting more. We will keep it available for people. 10 centres for the people of age group 18-45 have been established. We request people in this age group to register themselves in CoWin app and come at the time of appointment.'' said Ajaz Asad, DC Srinagar. More than 2.3 million (23 lakh) people have been vaccinated in the Union Territory so far. The increasing demand for the vaccines is one of the reasons that many centres were closed as there were no vaccines available till today morning. However people appreciated the administration's effort of getting new doses of vaccines. "It was very nice to get vaccinated, I think everyone should get vaccinated, The slot opened today and I thankfully registered. There is no walk in but everyone has to register on the CoWin app',' said Sardar Nasir Ali Khan, who got vaccinated today in Srinagar. However, Jammu and Kashmir has announced free of cost vaccines for all age groups. As the cases crossed 3,000 mark, government had announced complete lockdown till Monday morning in 11 districts of the Union Territory.

Third phase of coronavirus vaccination begins in Jammu and Kashmir

National Health Service (NHS) England has included those aged 40 above in the demographic eligible to receive coronavirus vaccine. Text messages will soon be sent to people in this age group to allow them to make arrangements to get themselves vaccinated.

Only those aged 42 and above were eligible for vaccination before this.

Earlier this week, Britain announced that it had ordered 60 million more doses of Pfizer coronavirus vaccine. The vaccines have been ordered for a booster programme to be carried out in coming months.

"We have been working on a programme of booster shots... for over a year now, and we've backed some of the only clinical trials in the world looking specifically at booster shots," UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said earlier this week.

Britain has been the European country worst-hit by the virus, recording more than 127,000 deaths, although it rolled out a successful mass-vaccination campaign in early December, using AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.&nbsp;

National Health Service (NHS) England has included those aged 40 above in the demographic eligible to receive coronavirus vaccine. Text messages will soon be sent to people in this age group to allow them to make arrangements to get themselves vaccinated.

National Health Service (NHS) England has included those aged 40 above in the demographic eligible to receive coronavirus vaccine. Text messages will soon be sent to people in this age group to allow them to make arrangements to get themselves vaccinated. Only those aged 42 and above were eligible for vaccination before this. Earlier this week, Britain announced that it had ordered 60 million more doses of Pfizer coronavirus vaccine. The vaccines have been ordered for a booster programme to be carried out in coming months. "We have been working on a programme of booster shots... for over a year now, and we've backed some of the only clinical trials in the world looking specifically at booster shots," UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said earlier this week. Britain has been the European country worst-hit by the virus, recording more than 127,000 deaths, although it rolled out a successful mass-vaccination campaign in early December, using AstraZeneca, Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna vaccines.

England expands vaccination drive to include ages 40 and above

According to an observational study published in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine journal, a past COVID-19 infection does not completely protect young people from reinfection, and vaccination is still necessary to boost immune response and reduce disease transmission.

Study: Past COVID-19 infection does not fully protect against reinfection

The Government of India on Wednesday recorded nearly 1.32&nbsp;crore (13.2 million) registrations for coronavirus vaccination from May 1.

In the third phase of the vaccination drive, everyone above the age of 18 will be eligible to get inoculated against Covid-19.

The Union Health Ministry highlighted that vaccination is a critical component of the containment and management strategy of the Government of India in its fight against the( Covid pandemic.

"So we close Day 1 with 1.32 crore registrations on http://Cowin.gov.in. Kudos to Team CoWIN for building a truly scalable and robust platform. Handling more than 50000 API calls per second is mammoth!!," Aarogya Setu tweeted. 
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So we close Day 1 with 1.32 Cr Registrations on <a href="https://t.co/xWRsgcZ3lD">https://t.co/xWRsgcZ3lD</a>. Kudos to Team CoWin for building a truly scalable and robust platform. Handling more than 50000 API calls per second is mammoth!! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LargestVaccinationDrive?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LargestVaccinationDrive</a> <a href="https://t.co/DafOrdMfBP">pic.twitter.com/DafOrdMfBP</a>
— Aarogya Setu (@SetuAarogya) <a href="https://twitter.com/SetuAarogya/status/1387475346707009537?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 28, 2021</a></blockquote>
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However, many users struggled to get themselves registered and complained about the technical problems they faced while trying to register themselves on the CoWin portal.

(With inputs from agencies)

The Government of India on Wednesday recorded nearly 1.32 crore (13.2 million) registrations for coronavirus vaccination from May 1. In the third phase of the vaccination drive, everyone above the age of 18 will be eligible to get inoculated against Covid-19.

The Government of India on Wednesday recorded nearly 1.32 crore (13.2 million) registrations for coronavirus vaccination from May 1. In the third phase of the vaccination drive, everyone above the age of 18 will be eligible to get inoculated against Covid-19. The Union Health Ministry highlighted that vaccination is a critical component of the containment and management strategy of the Government of India in its fight against the( Covid pandemic. "So we close Day 1 with 1.32 crore registrations on http://Cowin.gov.in. Kudos to Team CoWIN for building a truly scalable and robust platform. Handling more than 50000 API calls per second is mammoth!!," Aarogya Setu tweeted. So we close Day 1 with 1.32 Cr Registrations on https://t.co/xWRsgcZ3lD. Kudos to Team CoWin for building a truly scalable and robust platform. Handling more than 50000 API calls per second is mammoth!! #LargestVaccinationDrive pic.twitter.com/DafOrdMfBP — Aarogya Setu (@SetuAarogya) April 28, 2021 × However, many users struggled to get themselves registered and complained about the technical problems they faced while trying to register themselves on the CoWin portal. (With inputs from agencies)

13.2 million Indians register for third phase of vaccinations but unable to book slots

Another 1,712 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, the lowest daily number since early September, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,404,882, a positive development from Europe at a time when India is battered with the impact of the second wave of Covid infections.

The UK also reported 11 coronavirus-related deaths and the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 127,428.&nbsp;

These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test, reports said on Sunday.

The data were revealed after almost two weeks since non-essential shops and outdoor hospitality reopened in England. The figures released on the weekends are usually lower due to the delay in a report in some regions. 
Vaccination drive

Meanwhile, more than 33.6 million people have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest official figures.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has acknowledged that the majority of scientific experts are of the view that there will be another wave of coronavirus at some stage this year and Britons must learn to live with the virus.

However, he said there was nothing in scientific data to suggest Britain would have to deviate from the roadmap out of lockdown.

In England, all shops reopened from April 12 as lockdown eases, along with hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services.

Restaurants and pubs were allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors. Meanwhile, gyms, spas, zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres can all open.

On May 17, restaurants and pubs are expected to be allowed to resume indoor service and see most rules on gathering outdoors lifted.

The British government's four-step plan is expected to see all legal restrictions in England being removed by mid-June.

Experts have warned that despite progress in vaccine rollout, Britain is "still not out of the woods" amid concerns over new variants, particularly those first emerged in South Africa, Brazil and India, and the third wave of the pandemic on the European continent.

To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the United States as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.

Another 1,712 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, the lowest daily number since early September, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,404,882, a positive development from Europe at a time when India is battered with the impact of the second wave of Covid infections.

Another 1,712 people in Britain have tested positive for Covid-19, the lowest daily number since early September, bringing the total number of coronavirus cases in the country to 4,404,882, a positive development from Europe at a time when India is battered with the impact of the second wave of Covid infections. The UK also reported 11 coronavirus-related deaths and the total number of coronavirus-related deaths in Britain now stands at 127,428. These figures only include the deaths of people who died within 28 days of their first positive test, reports said on Sunday. The data were revealed after almost two weeks since non-essential shops and outdoor hospitality reopened in England. The figures released on the weekends are usually lower due to the delay in a report in some regions. Vaccination drive Meanwhile, more than 33.6 million people have been given the first jab of the coronavirus vaccine, according to the latest official figures. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has acknowledged that the majority of scientific experts are of the view that there will be another wave of coronavirus at some stage this year and Britons must learn to live with the virus. However, he said there was nothing in scientific data to suggest Britain would have to deviate from the roadmap out of lockdown. In England, all shops reopened from April 12 as lockdown eases, along with hairdressers, beauty salons and other close-contact services. Restaurants and pubs were allowed to serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors. Meanwhile, gyms, spas, zoos, theme parks, libraries and community centres can all open. On May 17, restaurants and pubs are expected to be allowed to resume indoor service and see most rules on gathering outdoors lifted. The British government's four-step plan is expected to see all legal restrictions in England being removed by mid-June. Experts have warned that despite progress in vaccine rollout, Britain is "still not out of the woods" amid concerns over new variants, particularly those first emerged in South Africa, Brazil and India, and the third wave of the pandemic on the European continent. To bring life back to normal, countries such as Britain, China, Russia, the United States as well as the European Union have been racing against time to roll out coronavirus vaccines.

UK finally reports the lowest daily Covid-19 cases since September; 33.6 million vaccinated so far

Israel is gearing up for the second round of vaccinations. The focus this time is on 12 to 15-year-olds. Are these vaccines proven to be safe for children? WION brings you a report.

Israel gears up to vaccinate 12 to 15-year-olds

Disneyland Paris, normally Europe's biggest tourist attraction, will from Saturday host a mass Covid vaccination site at its convention centre as France seeks to speed up its inoculation drive, officials said on Wednesday.&nbsp;

The amusement park east of the capital has been closed since October 30, when non-essential businesses were ordered to close amid a surge in infections, putting its 17,000 employees out of work.&nbsp;

It had originally planned to re-admit visitors on April 2, but worsening conditions forced it to postpone.&nbsp;

The vaccination site will be housed outside the amusement park proper at its Newport Bay Club, a convention centre near its hotel complex.&nbsp;

It will be run by local authorities and the regional ARS health service, and will be open weekends only, whereas other French vaccination sites often close on Sunday.&nbsp;

The goal is to give shots to at least 1,000 people a day, as France aims to get at least one jab to 20 million people by mid-May.&nbsp;

As of Tuesday, France had given at least one dose to nearly 12.8 million people, or 19 per cent of its population, according to health ministry data.&nbsp;

"Disneyland Paris is proud to help support the authorities... to administer vaccines," the park's vice president of operations, Eric Marion, said in a statement.&nbsp;

The global Disney group has announced 32,000 job cuts at its theme park activities worldwide by the end of the first quarter, mostly in the United States, because of the impact of the coronavirus.&nbsp;

But the Disneyland Park in California is set to reopen on April 30 after more than a year of closure.&nbsp;

Disneyland Paris, normally Europe's biggest tourist attraction, will from Saturday host a mass Covid vaccination site at its convention centre as France seeks to speed up its inoculation drive, officials said on Wednesday.

Disneyland Paris, normally Europe's biggest tourist attraction, will from Saturday host a mass Covid vaccination site at its convention centre as France seeks to speed up its inoculation drive, officials said on Wednesday. The amusement park east of the capital has been closed since October 30, when non-essential businesses were ordered to close amid a surge in infections, putting its 17,000 employees out of work. It had originally planned to re-admit visitors on April 2, but worsening conditions forced it to postpone. The vaccination site will be housed outside the amusement park proper at its Newport Bay Club, a convention centre near its hotel complex. It will be run by local authorities and the regional ARS health service, and will be open weekends only, whereas other French vaccination sites often close on Sunday. The goal is to give shots to at least 1,000 people a day, as France aims to get at least one jab to 20 million people by mid-May. As of Tuesday, France had given at least one dose to nearly 12.8 million people, or 19 per cent of its population, according to health ministry data. "Disneyland Paris is proud to help support the authorities... to administer vaccines," the park's vice president of operations, Eric Marion, said in a statement. The global Disney group has announced 32,000 job cuts at its theme park activities worldwide by the end of the first quarter, mostly in the United States, because of the impact of the coronavirus. But the Disneyland Park in California is set to reopen on April 30 after more than a year of closure.

Disneyland Paris to host mass Covid vaccination site 

Israel on Sunday (April 18), lifted mandate to compulsorily wear masks outdoors. Israelis stepped out on streets without masks for the first time in a year. Israel has vaccinated over half of its population in one of the world's fastest anti-COVID inoculation campaigns.

Israel's health ministry had announced on Thursday that masks would no longer be required in public outdoor spaces.

"It's very strange but it's very nice," said Eliana Gamulka, 26, after getting off a bus near the busy Jerusalem shopping boulevard of Jaffa Street and removing her face covering.

"You can't pretend that you don't know anyone any more," she smiled.

For Gamulka, a project manager, the good news came at the perfect time: just two weeks before her wedding.

It will be "very nice to celebrate with everyone, now without masks," she said. "The pictures will be great! I'm very relieved. We can start living again."&nbsp;

Rapid vaccination has led to drastic decrease in Israel's daily caseload. In January this year, the caseload was 10,000 infections per day. Now it has come to 200 cases per day.

That has allowed the re-opening of schools, bars, restaurants and other indoor gatherings -- although masks are still required in indoor public spaces.

Yet on Sunday, office worker Ester Malka said she wasn't quite ready to let down her guard.

"We're allowed, but I'm still afraid, I got used to (wearing a mask)," she said.

"I feel like it's part of my life. We'll see what happens when everyone has taken them off. If it goes well for a couple of months, then I'll remove mine."

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel on Sunday (April 18), lifted mandate to compulsorily wear masks outdoors. Israelis stepped out on streets without masks for the first time in a year. Israel has vaccinated over half of its population in one of the world's fastest anti-COVID inoculation campaigns.

Israel on Sunday (April 18), lifted mandate to compulsorily wear masks outdoors. Israelis stepped out on streets without masks for the first time in a year. Israel has vaccinated over half of its population in one of the world's fastest anti-COVID inoculation campaigns. Israel's health ministry had announced on Thursday that masks would no longer be required in public outdoor spaces. "It's very strange but it's very nice," said Eliana Gamulka, 26, after getting off a bus near the busy Jerusalem shopping boulevard of Jaffa Street and removing her face covering. "You can't pretend that you don't know anyone any more," she smiled. For Gamulka, a project manager, the good news came at the perfect time: just two weeks before her wedding. It will be "very nice to celebrate with everyone, now without masks," she said. "The pictures will be great! I'm very relieved. We can start living again." Rapid vaccination has led to drastic decrease in Israel's daily caseload. In January this year, the caseload was 10,000 infections per day. Now it has come to 200 cases per day. That has allowed the re-opening of schools, bars, restaurants and other indoor gatherings -- although masks are still required in indoor public spaces. Yet on Sunday, office worker Ester Malka said she wasn't quite ready to let down her guard. "We're allowed, but I'm still afraid, I got used to (wearing a mask)," she said. "I feel like it's part of my life. We'll see what happens when everyone has taken them off. If it goes well for a couple of months, then I'll remove mine." (With inputs from agencies)

Israel drops public mask mandate with more than half population vaccinated

The cumulative number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country touched 12 crore on Saturday as part of the world`s largest inoculation drive with over 30 lakh doses administered in the last 24 hours, as per data by the Union Health Ministry. 
 
According to the Ministry, cumulatively, 11,99,37,641 vaccine doses have been administered through 17,37,539 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am&nbsp;on Saturday. 
 
These include 91,05,429 Health Care Workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose and 56,70,818 HCWs who have taken the second dose. 
 
A total of 1,11,44,069 Front Line Workers (FLWs) have been administered first dose while 54,08,572 FLWs have received second dose. 
 
Of the total, 4,49,35,011 people of more than 60 years old have been given first dose and 34,88,257 have been injected second dose. A total of 3,92,23,975 beneficiaries aged 45 to 60 years have been given first dose and 9,61,510 have got the second dose. 
 
The Ministry stated that over 30 lakh vaccination doses were administered to the people in the last 24 hours. 
 
As of Day-91 of the vaccination drive (April 16), 30,04,544 vaccine doses were given. 
 
Out of which, 22,96,008 beneficiaries were vaccinated across 37,817 sessions for first dose and 7,08,536 beneficiaries received second dose of vaccine. 
 
Eight states account for 59.56 per cent of the total doses given so far in the country. 
 
Maharashtra with 1,18,86,859 doses of vaccine is in the first place across the country followed by Uttar Pradesh (1,05,38,702), Rajasthan (1,05,23,372), Gujarat (1,01,65,603), West Bengal (86,09,305), Madhya Pradesh (71,15,737), Karnataka (69,10,399) and Kerala (56,81,972). 
 
The inputs came when India`s daily infection tally have continued to rise with 2,34,692 new cases registered in the last 24 hours. 
 
Ten states, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, have reported 79.32 per cent of the new cases. 
 
Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 63,729. It is followed by Uttar Pradesh with 27,360, while Delhi reported 19,486 new cases.

The cumulative number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country touched 12 crore on Saturday as part of the world`s largest inoculation drive with over 30 lakh doses administered in the last 24 hours, as per data by the Union Health Ministry.

The cumulative number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country touched 12 crore on Saturday as part of the world`s largest inoculation drive with over 30 lakh doses administered in the last 24 hours, as per data by the Union Health Ministry. According to the Ministry, cumulatively, 11,99,37,641 vaccine doses have been administered through 17,37,539 sessions, as per the provisional report till 7 am on Saturday. These include 91,05,429 Health Care Workers (HCWs) who have taken the first dose and 56,70,818 HCWs who have taken the second dose. A total of 1,11,44,069 Front Line Workers (FLWs) have been administered first dose while 54,08,572 FLWs have received second dose. Of the total, 4,49,35,011 people of more than 60 years old have been given first dose and 34,88,257 have been injected second dose. A total of 3,92,23,975 beneficiaries aged 45 to 60 years have been given first dose and 9,61,510 have got the second dose. The Ministry stated that over 30 lakh vaccination doses were administered to the people in the last 24 hours. As of Day-91 of the vaccination drive (April 16), 30,04,544 vaccine doses were given. Out of which, 22,96,008 beneficiaries were vaccinated across 37,817 sessions for first dose and 7,08,536 beneficiaries received second dose of vaccine. Eight states account for 59.56 per cent of the total doses given so far in the country. Maharashtra with 1,18,86,859 doses of vaccine is in the first place across the country followed by Uttar Pradesh (1,05,38,702), Rajasthan (1,05,23,372), Gujarat (1,01,65,603), West Bengal (86,09,305), Madhya Pradesh (71,15,737), Karnataka (69,10,399) and Kerala (56,81,972). The inputs came when India`s daily infection tally have continued to rise with 2,34,692 new cases registered in the last 24 hours. Ten states, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan, have reported 79.32 per cent of the new cases. Maharashtra has reported the highest daily new cases at 63,729. It is followed by Uttar Pradesh with 27,360, while Delhi reported 19,486 new cases.

India's vaccination coverage nears 120 million

Bhutan has become the first country in the world to administer the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to almost all its eligible population.

Bhutan's swift vaccination campaign is nearly finished — just 16 days after it began.

The tiny Himalayan kingdom wedged between India and China has vaccinated nearly 85% of its adult population since March 27. Overall, the country has vaccinated 62% of its 800,000 people.

According to a report by The Economist, only Israel (95.1%) and Seychelles (94.1%) have vaccinated a higher percentage of adults, but in months.

Bhutan started its vaccination drive on March 27 with Ninda Dema, a 30-year-old woman born in the year of the Monkey as per Buddhist astrology. She became the country’s first to receive the shot at a school-turned vaccination centre in the capital Thimphu, an event that was televised live.

Ninda, a bureaucrat, folded the sleeve of her jacket and pressed her palms in a traditional gesture of greetings and prayers as she received the dose from a masked nurse amid lighting of butter lamps and chanting of Buddhist prayers. The nurse was also born in the same year of the Monkey.

Buddist years are named after 12 animals like goat, rooster, pig and religious followers believe that people born in the year of the Monkey are inventive and can solve even the most difficult problems rather easily.

A country of about 800,000 people Bhutan received 150,000 doses of the vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India in January. But unlike neighbouring Nepal that has suspended the campaign due to the lack of vaccines, authorities in Bhutan waited for 400,000 more shots that were provided this month to begin the campaign in one go.

The scenic country, which is heavily dependent on high-end tourists, is famous for its “gross national happiness” index as an alternative to gross domestic product to indicate real economic progress or development.

The country has recorded 896 Covid-19 infections and one death so far.

(With inputs from agencies)

Bhutan has become the first country in the world to administer the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to almost all its eligible population. Bhutan's swift vaccination campaign is nearly finished — just 16 days after it began.

Bhutan has become the first country in the world to administer the first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to almost all its eligible population. Bhutan's swift vaccination campaign is nearly finished — just 16 days after it began. The tiny Himalayan kingdom wedged between India and China has vaccinated nearly 85% of its adult population since March 27. Overall, the country has vaccinated 62% of its 800,000 people. According to a report by The Economist, only Israel (95.1%) and Seychelles (94.1%) have vaccinated a higher percentage of adults, but in months. Bhutan started its vaccination drive on March 27 with Ninda Dema, a 30-year-old woman born in the year of the Monkey as per Buddhist astrology. She became the country’s first to receive the shot at a school-turned vaccination centre in the capital Thimphu, an event that was televised live. Ninda, a bureaucrat, folded the sleeve of her jacket and pressed her palms in a traditional gesture of greetings and prayers as she received the dose from a masked nurse amid lighting of butter lamps and chanting of Buddhist prayers. The nurse was also born in the same year of the Monkey. Buddist years are named after 12 animals like goat, rooster, pig and religious followers believe that people born in the year of the Monkey are inventive and can solve even the most difficult problems rather easily. A country of about 800,000 people Bhutan received 150,000 doses of the vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India in January. But unlike neighbouring Nepal that has suspended the campaign due to the lack of vaccines, authorities in Bhutan waited for 400,000 more shots that were provided this month to begin the campaign in one go. The scenic country, which is heavily dependent on high-end tourists, is famous for its “gross national happiness” index as an alternative to gross domestic product to indicate real economic progress or development. The country has recorded 896 Covid-19 infections and one death so far. (With inputs from agencies)

Bhutan vaccinates 85% of the population in record time

Malaika Arora has taken the first jab of the Covid vaccine and shared that she is eligible for it.&nbsp; 
 
Malaika posted a picture on Instagram, that shows her being administered the shot by a healthcare worker. 
 
"I took the first dose of the Covid vaccine. Because #wereinthistogether! Lets go warriors, lets win this #WarAgainstVirus," Malaika wrote.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
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She urged everyone to take their shots on time. 
 
"Don`t forget to take yours soon&nbsp; ! (n a special mention to our amazing frontline worker, who were so caring n vigilant n went about doing everything with a smile) Thank you (and yes I am eligible to take the vaccine)," she wrote. 
 
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Malaika Arora has taken the first jab of the Covid vaccine and shared that she is eligible for it. Malaika posted a picture on Instagram, that shows her being administered the shot by a healthcare worker.

Malaika Arora has taken the first jab of the Covid vaccine and shared that she is eligible for it. Malaika posted a picture on Instagram, that shows her being administered the shot by a healthcare worker. "I took the first dose of the Covid vaccine. Because #wereinthistogether! Lets go warriors, lets win this #WarAgainstVirus," Malaika wrote. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Malaika Arora (@malaikaaroraofficial) × She urged everyone to take their shots on time. "Don`t forget to take yours soon ! (n a special mention to our amazing frontline worker, who were so caring n vigilant n went about doing everything with a smile) Thank you (and yes I am eligible to take the vaccine)," she wrote.

Malaika Arora takes first dose of Covid-19 vaccine

A federal minister in Pakistan found himself in hot waters on Tuesday after video clips showing his family getting shots of coronavirus vaccine surfaced online, creating a stir as netizens accused him of 'jumping the queue' and demanded an apology from him.&nbsp;

The clips showed a nurse giving vaccine jabs to family members of Minister for Housing Tariq Bashir Cheema, which seems to be a clear violation of government policy regarding Covid-19 vaccination.&nbsp;

Cheema belongs to the Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q), which is an ally of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI).&nbsp;

Pakistan's vaccination drive began on February 2 starting with frontline workers followed by general health workers and people over 60 years of age. The government expanded it to people above the age of 50 from Tuesday.&nbsp;

Eligible people register themselves by sending an SMS to a designated phone number and get a message about the date and place of vaccination.&nbsp;

The people in the video clips were seen flashing the thumbs-up sign after getting the shots. Former model and television host, Iffat Omar, was also shown in one of the videos.&nbsp;

The videos were shared on the Instagram account of one of Cheema's relatives but the account is no longer active and apparently has been deactivated after backlash on social media.&nbsp;

The video clips stirred up a storm on social media as netizens and journalists called out the minister for&nbsp;'jumping the queue'.&nbsp;

"I expect and demand an apology from Cheema. First, he along with his family did an immoral thing, and then he had the audacity to lie about it calling it a trial shot," said journalist Mehr Tarar.&nbsp;

Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication Shehbaz Gill took a shot at television host Iffat Omar, who often posted videos critical of the government.&nbsp;

"These fake liberals are liberal to the extent of swearing. They have no morals or shame. They portray themselves as law-abiding citizens but their actions show otherwise," Gill tweeted.&nbsp;

Cheema, in a statement, denied using his political influence to get his family members vaccinated and claimed that the teams from the University of Health Sciences came to his home to administer a booster shot of a trial vaccine, adding that it had done the same before.&nbsp;

However, the university rejected it by saying that all trials of the vaccines had already ended.&nbsp;

“No&nbsp;trial vaccination is going on as we are now following up the trials' results which will go on for months,"&nbsp;said Mohammad Asif, University's Director, Media.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

A federal minister in Pakistan found himself in hot waters on Tuesday after video clips showing his family getting shots of coronavirus vaccine surfaced online, creating a stir as netizens accused him of 'jumping the queue' and demanded an apology from him.

A federal minister in Pakistan found himself in hot waters on Tuesday after video clips showing his family getting shots of coronavirus vaccine surfaced online, creating a stir as netizens accused him of 'jumping the queue' and demanded an apology from him. The clips showed a nurse giving vaccine jabs to family members of Minister for Housing Tariq Bashir Cheema, which seems to be a clear violation of government policy regarding Covid-19 vaccination. Cheema belongs to the Pakistan Muslim League Quaid (PML-Q), which is an ally of the ruling Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). Pakistan's vaccination drive began on February 2 starting with frontline workers followed by general health workers and people over 60 years of age. The government expanded it to people above the age of 50 from Tuesday. Eligible people register themselves by sending an SMS to a designated phone number and get a message about the date and place of vaccination. The people in the video clips were seen flashing the thumbs-up sign after getting the shots. Former model and television host, Iffat Omar, was also shown in one of the videos. The videos were shared on the Instagram account of one of Cheema's relatives but the account is no longer active and apparently has been deactivated after backlash on social media. The video clips stirred up a storm on social media as netizens and journalists called out the minister for 'jumping the queue'. "I expect and demand an apology from Cheema. First, he along with his family did an immoral thing, and then he had the audacity to lie about it calling it a trial shot," said journalist Mehr Tarar. Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Communication Shehbaz Gill took a shot at television host Iffat Omar, who often posted videos critical of the government. "These fake liberals are liberal to the extent of swearing. They have no morals or shame. They portray themselves as law-abiding citizens but their actions show otherwise," Gill tweeted. Cheema, in a statement, denied using his political influence to get his family members vaccinated and claimed that the teams from the University of Health Sciences came to his home to administer a booster shot of a trial vaccine, adding that it had done the same before. However, the university rejected it by saying that all trials of the vaccines had already ended. “No trial vaccination is going on as we are now following up the trials' results which will go on for months," said Mohammad Asif, University's Director, Media. (With inputs from agencies)

Jumping queue? Pak minister creates stir for getting family vaccinated against Covid-19 

Over 500 million coronavirus vaccine doses have been rolled out by health officials around the world so far. A tally by AFP revealed on Friday that while the world was witnessing record vaccinations, Europe was facing slowdowns due to issues over hoarding and supply.

Even with mass inoculations underway, the pandemic continues to surge in Europe and Latin America. Brazil, alone has passed 300,000 deaths, while Mexico has registered 200,000 fatalities.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/eu-vaccines-summit-members-highlight-disparity-in-vaccine-supply-across-eu-373236/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Vaccines are not being rolled out at the same pace across the globe. For instance, the US accounts for over a quarter of all vaccinations. Less developed nations are considerably behind western countries.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/who-warns-of-counterfeit-covid-19-vaccines-373542" hreflang="en">WHO warns of counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines</a>

EU countries are embroiled in spats over the vaccines. Recently, French President Macros accused Russia and China of trying to gain influence through vaccines, calling it a “new type of world war”. At the same time, Germany claims that it&nbsp;would be okay using Sputnik V if it received approval from European regulators.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/france-hits-out-at-uk-over-blackmail-of-coronavirus-vaccine-deliveries-373428" hreflang="en">France hits out at UK over 'blackmail' of coronavirus vaccine deliveries</a>

The virus has killed over 2.7 million people after emerging in China in 2019. Out of the 508 million vaccinations, 133 million were undertaken in the US and 91 million in India.

But even then, over half a million cases of the virus were recorded in the last seven days.

Over 500 million coronavirus vaccine doses have been rolled out by health officials around the world so far. A tally by AFP revealed on Friday that while the world was witnessing record vaccinations, Europe was facing slowdowns due to issues over hoarding and supply.

Over 500 million coronavirus vaccine doses have been rolled out by health officials around the world so far. A tally by AFP revealed on Friday that while the world was witnessing record vaccinations, Europe was facing slowdowns due to issues over hoarding and supply. Even with mass inoculations underway, the pandemic continues to surge in Europe and Latin America. Brazil, alone has passed 300,000 deaths, while Mexico has registered 200,000 fatalities. Vaccines are not being rolled out at the same pace across the globe. For instance, the US accounts for over a quarter of all vaccinations. Less developed nations are considerably behind western countries. Also read: WHO warns of counterfeit COVID-19 vaccines EU countries are embroiled in spats over the vaccines. Recently, French President Macros accused Russia and China of trying to gain influence through vaccines, calling it a “new type of world war”. At the same time, Germany claims that it would be okay using Sputnik V if it received approval from European regulators. Also read: France hits out at UK over 'blackmail' of coronavirus vaccine deliveries The virus has killed over 2.7 million people after emerging in China in 2019. Out of the 508 million vaccinations, 133 million were undertaken in the US and 91 million in India. But even then, over half a million cases of the virus were recorded in the last seven days.

Global vaccinations cross 500 million but cases continue to surge

vaccination

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