The northern Bremen state in Germany has one of the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the country.

Around 84 per cent of the population in Bremen, the smallest of Germany's 16 federal states with fewer than 700,000 people, are double-vaccinated, compared with a national figure of around 72 per cent, reports news agency Reuters.

Roughly 44 per cent of the population have received a booster shot, compared with 42 per cent nationally.

Yet, Bremen is reporting one of the highest coronavirus cases in the country spurred by the Omicron variant.

The seven-day infection rate in Bremen stood at 800 cases per 100,000 residents on Thursday, the highest in Germany and more than double the national rate of 303, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases.

A data from the RKI on Thursday highlighted that Omicron accounts for more than 85 per cent of Covid infections in Bremen, well above the national figure of around 44 per cent.

As Omicron rages in the country, Germany's leaders are holding a discussion on Friday to discuss how to respond to the new variant.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/party-gone-wrong-canadian-passengers-stranded-in-mexico-after-airlines-refuse-to-fly-them-home-442907">Party gone wrong: Canadian passengers stranded in Mexico after airlines refuse to fly them home</a>

Among the measures that are being considered include shortening COVID-19 self-isolation periods over fears that health services might be stretched as case numbers spike.

The latest spurge in cases among the vaccinated corroborates several studies which noted that Omicron easily bypass immunity offered by the Covid vaccines.

However, the study also stated that vaccines help lower hospitalisation rates.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/wionews.com/world/omicron-surge-uk-to-deploy-troops-military-medics-to-help-hospital-staff-442887">Omicron surge: UK to deploy troops, military medics to help hospital staff</a>

This is being witnessed in Breman. According to spokesperson for the state’s health senate Lukas Fuhrmann, the hospitals in the region were not as burdened as they were in the first three waves of the pandemic.

He said the patients infected with the new variant were coming in with milder symptoms.

However, doctors say that the non-intensive care units were already overburdened with patients with milder symptoms and added that the situation can worsen in the coming days.

(With inputs from agencies)

The northern Bremen state in Germany has one of the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the country. Around 84 per cent of the population in Bremen, the smallest of Germany's 16 federal states with fewer than 700,000 people, are double-vaccinated, compared with a national figure of around 72 per cent, reports news agency Reuters.

The northern Bremen state in Germany has one of the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in the country. Around 84 per cent of the population in Bremen, the smallest of Germany's 16 federal states with fewer than 700,000 people, are double-vaccinated, compared with a national figure of around 72 per cent, reports news agency Reuters. Roughly 44 per cent of the population have received a booster shot, compared with 42 per cent nationally. Yet, Bremen is reporting one of the highest coronavirus cases in the country spurred by the Omicron variant. The seven-day infection rate in Bremen stood at 800 cases per 100,000 residents on Thursday, the highest in Germany and more than double the national rate of 303, according to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases. A data from the RKI on Thursday highlighted that Omicron accounts for more than 85 per cent of Covid infections in Bremen, well above the national figure of around 44 per cent. As Omicron rages in the country, Germany's leaders are holding a discussion on Friday to discuss how to respond to the new variant. Also read | Party gone wrong: Canadian passengers stranded in Mexico after airlines refuse to fly them home Among the measures that are being considered include shortening COVID-19 self-isolation periods over fears that health services might be stretched as case numbers spike. The latest spurge in cases among the vaccinated corroborates several studies which noted that Omicron easily bypass immunity offered by the Covid vaccines. However, the study also stated that vaccines help lower hospitalisation rates. Also read | Omicron surge: UK to deploy troops, military medics to help hospital staff This is being witnessed in Breman. According to spokesperson for the state’s health senate Lukas Fuhrmann, the hospitals in the region were not as burdened as they were in the first three waves of the pandemic. He said the patients infected with the new variant were coming in with milder symptoms. However, doctors say that the non-intensive care units were already overburdened with patients with milder symptoms and added that the situation can worsen in the coming days. (With inputs from agencies)

In this German state, Omicron spreading among vaccinated people

A study conducted in the UK to examine the efficacy of vaccines against the Omicron variant of COVID-19 claims that booster shots provides up to 75% protection against the new variant.

A study in the UK claims booster doses are effective against the Omicron variant of COVID-19

As <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indias-active-covid-19-caseload-below-2-million-mark-127510-new-cases-reported-388727">India</a> continues to grapple with the pandemic, the health ministry said mixing of vaccines has not become the protocol yet with Covishield and Covaxin vaccines to be administered separately for both doses.

Watch:

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-reports-127510-new-covid-19-cases-2795-deaths-in-last-24-hours-388781/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

"There's international research underway on the mixing of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/covid-19-tamil-nadu-govt-to-receive-4-20000-doses-of-vaccines-as-stocks-went-empty-had-to-stop-vaccination-388765">vaccines</a> as the possibility of a positive effect is also plausible but a harmful reaction cannot be ruled out either," the health ministry said.

The ministry added that it is an "unresolved" scientific question and that "science will settle it."

"There is absolutely no change in the schedule of Covishield doses,&nbsp;it will be two doses only," it said, adding, "after the first Covishield dose is administered, the second dose will be given after 12 weeks."

According to the health ministry, a total 21.60 crore vaccine doses have been administered in India with 1.67 crore doses to health workers and 15.48 crore to people in 45+ age group.

The health ministry informed that 1,27,000 cases have been reported in the last 24 hours with the country reporting less than 2 lakh cases since May 28.

The number of active COVID-19 cases are down 50 per cent with 1.3 lakh decrease in active cases in a day, the health ministry said.

Meanwhile, India's capital reported 623 new coronavirus cases and 62 fatalities with the number of active cases at over 10,000.

As cases in India show&nbsp;a steep decline, NITI Aayog's Dr VK Paul said that the government's focus has now turned to coronavirus disease among children.

"The pediatric population is generally asymptomatic. They often get infections but their symptoms are minimal," VK Paul said.

"The infection has not taken serious shape in children but the virus may change its behaviour in the pediatric population. The impact of coronavirus may increase in children."

"The data has shown that a low number of children are being admitted to hospitals. We are pushing for preparedness," the Niti Ayog official added.

(With inputs from agencies)

As India continues to grapple with the pandemic, the health ministry said mixing of vaccines has not become the protocol yet with Covishield and Covaxin vaccines to be administered separately for both doses.

As India continues to grapple with the pandemic, the health ministry said mixing of vaccines has not become the protocol yet with Covishield and Covaxin vaccines to be administered separately for both doses. Watch: "There's international research underway on the mixing of vaccines as the possibility of a positive effect is also plausible but a harmful reaction cannot be ruled out either," the health ministry said. The ministry added that it is an "unresolved" scientific question and that "science will settle it." "There is absolutely no change in the schedule of Covishield doses, it will be two doses only," it said, adding, "after the first Covishield dose is administered, the second dose will be given after 12 weeks." According to the health ministry, a total 21.60 crore vaccine doses have been administered in India with 1.67 crore doses to health workers and 15.48 crore to people in 45+ age group. The health ministry informed that 1,27,000 cases have been reported in the last 24 hours with the country reporting less than 2 lakh cases since May 28. The number of active COVID-19 cases are down 50 per cent with 1.3 lakh decrease in active cases in a day, the health ministry said. Meanwhile, India's capital reported 623 new coronavirus cases and 62 fatalities with the number of active cases at over 10,000. As cases in India show a steep decline, NITI Aayog's Dr VK Paul said that the government's focus has now turned to coronavirus disease among children. "The pediatric population is generally asymptomatic. They often get infections but their symptoms are minimal," VK Paul said. "The infection has not taken serious shape in children but the virus may change its behaviour in the pediatric population. The impact of coronavirus may increase in children." "The data has shown that a low number of children are being admitted to hospitals. We are pushing for preparedness," the Niti Ayog official added. (With inputs from agencies)

Mixing vaccines has not become the protocol: India health ministry

Top W.H.O officials are pushing assumptions and conjectures on vaccine efficacy amid a deadly second wave in India. Instead of speculating vaccine efficacy on virus variants, shouldn't the W.H.O be fighting for universal vaccination? Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Is the W.H.O feeding vaccine hesitancy?

The Gamaleya research centre expects the efficacy rate of its vaccine against the coronavirus, Sputnik V, to further increase, the centre's deputy director of science, Denis Logunov, said Monday. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-trial-volunteers-who-got-pfizers-covid-19-vaccine-developed-bells-palsy-348547">Also read: Four trial volunteers who got Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine developed Bell's palsy</a> 
 
According to the institute, Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 is likely to provide up to two years of immunity from COVID-19, compared to the four or five months immunity that may be achieved by using the vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech. 
 
"Concerning our vaccine and the platform it was created on, the Ebola vaccine, there is experimental evidence that using this platform, using similar preparation methods, provides protection for two years at least, maybe more. It is difficult to say how long the Pfizer vaccine will give immunity, but based on the general findings from such vaccines, one must think that the period of protection will be no more than four to five months, although this requires experimental data," Alexander Gintsburg, the head of Russia's Gamaleya research institute, said. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-variant-of-coronavirus-identified-in-uk-london-in-tier-3-lockdown-349785">Also read: New variant of coronavirus identified in UK; London in Tier 3 lockdown</a> 
 
According to Logunov, the overall efficacy rate of 91.4 per cent was calculated for people who received both doses of vaccine. There are 21 days between the two injections, so the calculations took into account the cases starting from 21 days and on. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-administers-first-coronavirus-vaccine-donald-trump-congratulates-americans-349779">Also read: US administers first coronavirus vaccine; Donald Trump congratulates Americans</a> 
 
"Obviously, it showed high efficiency, but since we were counting from 21 days onward and including the cases, we also hope that if we increase the vaccination period to 28, 35, 42 days, the efficacy numbers may grow," Logunov told a briefing.

"The data analysis at the third and final control point of the Sputnik V vaccine clinical trials confirmed its efficacy of the of over 90 per cent. Clinical trials have proven this in the three consecutive statistically important points described in the trial protocol," remarked RDIF Chief Executive Officer Kirill Dmitriev.

The joint statement read that the analysis of the Sputnik V vaccine efficacy at the final control point was carried out on the basis of 78 confirmed cases identified in the placebo group (62 cases) and in the vaccine group (16 cases).&nbsp;

"The ratio of the placebo group to the vaccinated group is 1 to 3," said the joint statement.

As of Monday, over 26,000 volunteers were vaccinated at 29 medical centres in Russia, as part of the ongoing clinical trials. Currently, Phase 3 trials are ongoing in countries like Belarus, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Venezuela, while Phase 2/3 trials are being conducted in India.

The statement mentioned that no unexpected adverse events were identified as part of the research as of now, although some of those vaccinated had short-term minor adverse events such as pain at the injection point and flu-like symptoms, including fever, weakness, fatigue, and headache.

"The new data on the efficacy of the Gamaleya Center vaccine is extremely encouraging. Today it has become obvious to everyone that the end of the pandemic is possible only after the mass vaccination of the entire global population. In this regard, ensuring equal access to effective and safe vaccines, including the Sputnik V, for people in every country should be the goal of foreign regulatory bodies and international organizations," said Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation.

Russia became the first country to register the world`s first COVID-19 vaccine on August 11, Sputnik V, named after Russia`s first satellite. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Gamaleya research centre expects the efficacy rate of its vaccine against the coronavirus, Sputnik V, to further increase, the centre's deputy director of science, Denis Logunov, said Monday.

The Gamaleya research centre expects the efficacy rate of its vaccine against the coronavirus, Sputnik V, to further increase, the centre's deputy director of science, Denis Logunov, said Monday. Also read: Four trial volunteers who got Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine developed Bell's palsy According to the institute, Sputnik V vaccine against COVID-19 is likely to provide up to two years of immunity from COVID-19, compared to the four or five months immunity that may be achieved by using the vaccine produced by Pfizer and BioNTech. "Concerning our vaccine and the platform it was created on, the Ebola vaccine, there is experimental evidence that using this platform, using similar preparation methods, provides protection for two years at least, maybe more. It is difficult to say how long the Pfizer vaccine will give immunity, but based on the general findings from such vaccines, one must think that the period of protection will be no more than four to five months, although this requires experimental data," Alexander Gintsburg, the head of Russia's Gamaleya research institute, said. Also read: New variant of coronavirus identified in UK; London in Tier 3 lockdown According to Logunov, the overall efficacy rate of 91.4 per cent was calculated for people who received both doses of vaccine. There are 21 days between the two injections, so the calculations took into account the cases starting from 21 days and on. Also read: US administers first coronavirus vaccine; Donald Trump congratulates Americans "Obviously, it showed high efficiency, but since we were counting from 21 days onward and including the cases, we also hope that if we increase the vaccination period to 28, 35, 42 days, the efficacy numbers may grow," Logunov told a briefing. "The data analysis at the third and final control point of the Sputnik V vaccine clinical trials confirmed its efficacy of the of over 90 per cent. Clinical trials have proven this in the three consecutive statistically important points described in the trial protocol," remarked RDIF Chief Executive Officer Kirill Dmitriev. The joint statement read that the analysis of the Sputnik V vaccine efficacy at the final control point was carried out on the basis of 78 confirmed cases identified in the placebo group (62 cases) and in the vaccine group (16 cases). "The ratio of the placebo group to the vaccinated group is 1 to 3," said the joint statement. As of Monday, over 26,000 volunteers were vaccinated at 29 medical centres in Russia, as part of the ongoing clinical trials. Currently, Phase 3 trials are ongoing in countries like Belarus, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Venezuela, while Phase 2/3 trials are being conducted in India. The statement mentioned that no unexpected adverse events were identified as part of the research as of now, although some of those vaccinated had short-term minor adverse events such as pain at the injection point and flu-like symptoms, including fever, weakness, fatigue, and headache. "The new data on the efficacy of the Gamaleya Center vaccine is extremely encouraging. Today it has become obvious to everyone that the end of the pandemic is possible only after the mass vaccination of the entire global population. In this regard, ensuring equal access to effective and safe vaccines, including the Sputnik V, for people in every country should be the goal of foreign regulatory bodies and international organizations," said Mikhail Murashko, Minister of Health of the Russian Federation. Russia became the first country to register the world`s first COVID-19 vaccine on August 11, Sputnik V, named after Russia`s first satellite. (With inputs from agencies)

Developers say Sputnik V likely to give 2 years Covid-19 immunity, Pfizer 4-5 months

The rapid spread of COVID-19 in communities across the globe and the resurgence (second wave) suggest the possible role of asymptomatic persons in its transmission, while the uncertainty over long-term immune response has potential implications for the efficacy of vaccines, experts have said.

The role of reduced use of non-pharmaceutical interventions in facilitating a second wave of COVID-19 as community engagement wanes requires further investigation, they said.

If strong supportive evidence becomes available about the possible role of asymptomatic persons in the transmission of coronavirus infection, continued use of masks and the use of other public health measures may be advocated, according to an editorial in the ICMR''s Indian Journal of Medical Research.

The editorial titled ''The enigmatic COVID-19 pandemic'' has been penned by Rajesh Bhatia, former director of Communicable Diseases for WHO''s South-East Asia Regional Office, and Priya Abraham, director of ICMR-National Institute of Virology.

It mentioned that during the early phase of the pandemic, COVID-19 was presumed to be a non-relapsing disease.

"New studies suggest the possibility of repeated virologically confirmed infections. Confirmation of reactivation or reinfection and their epidemiological importance are awaited," it said.

Serosurveillance is generally a sensitive tool to determine the extent of infection and immunity in the general population. Only a few field-based studies have generated serosurveillance data but with inconclusive inferences.

The editorial mentioned a recent seroprevalence study which showed that most of the population of Geneva, Switzerland, remained uninfected during this wave of the pandemic, despite the high prevalence of COVID-19 in the region.

"Such studies raise red flags on continuous susceptibility of the population to COVID-19 and inability of the virus to produce widespread immunity. It may contribute to a ‘second wave’ of cases.

"The role of reduced use of non-pharmaceutical interventions in facilitating a second wave as community engagement wanes, requires further investigation," the experts said.

The uncertainty of long-term immune response has potential implications for the efficacy of vaccines. The real impact of vaccines on this pandemic will become evident only once it has been widely in use for a few months in different populations, they said.

As of now, vaccine is being considered as the ultimate intervention to contain the pandemic. The global race to make it available to the world has been accelerated.

Currently, there are about 165 different candidate vaccines for COVID-19 being developed around the world and several of these are in different phases of clinical trials.

Three vaccine candidates (inactivated, DNA based recombinant and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine consisting of the replication-deficient simian adenovirus vector ChAdOx) are currently in early phases of human trials in India, the editorial said.

"Commercial production of COVID-19 vaccine and possible imports are likely to commence by the end of 2020," it said.

Global procurement and distribution of vaccine to ensure its universal access has been planned by the WHO, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

India has developed a blueprint for efficient deployment of the vaccine, supported by IT-based vaccine tracker.

"Immunizing the entire population, prioritizing high risk segments, assuring quality in logistics and undertaking post-vaccination surveillance for adverse effects and impact on disease burden shall be huge challenges for any health system," it highlighted.

In the absence of specific antiviral drugs or vaccines, non-pharmaceutical interventions undertaken by the communities assumed critical importance in curtailing viral transmission. "Community engagement, especially of poor and illiterate, is always difficult to ensure", it said.

The COVID-19 pandemic has attracted the entire focus and efforts of the health system. Usual health services to communities have become restricted because health facilities are overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients, it said.

People are also apprehensive about visiting health institutions for fear of contracting COVID-19. Important components of health services that have suffered most include health needs of children, women, elderly with noncommunicable diseases and management of other therapies (e.g. cancers, tuberculosis and HIV) and health emergencies.

The pandemic has pushed back progress made under the Millennium Development Goals and is hampering achievement of ambitious UN Sustainable Development Goals.

"It is still not clear as to how the global community will make up for the pandemic-induced setback to its critical operations of major disease elimination programmes such as for tuberculosis," the editorial said.

Implementation of efficient public health actions is possible on the foundations of sound scientific knowledge of the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2.

"Despite extensive research on all aspects of COVID-19 pandemic, the world is still struggling with the origin of the virus, public health implications of the mutations in the viral genome, availability of a diagnostic test with better sensitivity and specificity, understanding the immune response to the virus, its pathobiology and clinical spectrum, and availability of safe and efficacious specific antiviral drugs and a vaccine.

"These unknowns have made it an enigmatic pandemic till now," the editorial said.&nbsp;

The rapid spread of COVID-19 in communities across the globe and the resurgence (second wave) suggest the possible role of asymptomatic persons in its transmission, while the uncertainty over long-term immune response has potential implications for the efficacy of vaccines, experts have said.

The rapid spread of COVID-19 in communities across the globe and the resurgence (second wave) suggest the possible role of asymptomatic persons in its transmission, while the uncertainty over long-term immune response has potential implications for the efficacy of vaccines, experts have said. The role of reduced use of non-pharmaceutical interventions in facilitating a second wave of COVID-19 as community engagement wanes requires further investigation, they said. If strong supportive evidence becomes available about the possible role of asymptomatic persons in the transmission of coronavirus infection, continued use of masks and the use of other public health measures may be advocated, according to an editorial in the ICMR''s Indian Journal of Medical Research. The editorial titled ''The enigmatic COVID-19 pandemic'' has been penned by Rajesh Bhatia, former director of Communicable Diseases for WHO''s South-East Asia Regional Office, and Priya Abraham, director of ICMR-National Institute of Virology. It mentioned that during the early phase of the pandemic, COVID-19 was presumed to be a non-relapsing disease. "New studies suggest the possibility of repeated virologically confirmed infections. Confirmation of reactivation or reinfection and their epidemiological importance are awaited," it said. Serosurveillance is generally a sensitive tool to determine the extent of infection and immunity in the general population. Only a few field-based studies have generated serosurveillance data but with inconclusive inferences. The editorial mentioned a recent seroprevalence study which showed that most of the population of Geneva, Switzerland, remained uninfected during this wave of the pandemic, despite the high prevalence of COVID-19 in the region. "Such studies raise red flags on continuous susceptibility of the population to COVID-19 and inability of the virus to produce widespread immunity. It may contribute to a ‘second wave’ of cases. "The role of reduced use of non-pharmaceutical interventions in facilitating a second wave as community engagement wanes, requires further investigation," the experts said. The uncertainty of long-term immune response has potential implications for the efficacy of vaccines. The real impact of vaccines on this pandemic will become evident only once it has been widely in use for a few months in different populations, they said. As of now, vaccine is being considered as the ultimate intervention to contain the pandemic. The global race to make it available to the world has been accelerated. Currently, there are about 165 different candidate vaccines for COVID-19 being developed around the world and several of these are in different phases of clinical trials. Three vaccine candidates (inactivated, DNA based recombinant and ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine consisting of the replication-deficient simian adenovirus vector ChAdOx) are currently in early phases of human trials in India, the editorial said. "Commercial production of COVID-19 vaccine and possible imports are likely to commence by the end of 2020," it said. Global procurement and distribution of vaccine to ensure its universal access has been planned by the WHO, Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunizations (GAVI) and Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations. India has developed a blueprint for efficient deployment of the vaccine, supported by IT-based vaccine tracker. "Immunizing the entire population, prioritizing high risk segments, assuring quality in logistics and undertaking post-vaccination surveillance for adverse effects and impact on disease burden shall be huge challenges for any health system," it highlighted. In the absence of specific antiviral drugs or vaccines, non-pharmaceutical interventions undertaken by the communities assumed critical importance in curtailing viral transmission. "Community engagement, especially of poor and illiterate, is always difficult to ensure", it said. The COVID-19 pandemic has attracted the entire focus and efforts of the health system. Usual health services to communities have become restricted because health facilities are overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients, it said. People are also apprehensive about visiting health institutions for fear of contracting COVID-19. Important components of health services that have suffered most include health needs of children, women, elderly with noncommunicable diseases and management of other therapies (e.g. cancers, tuberculosis and HIV) and health emergencies. The pandemic has pushed back progress made under the Millennium Development Goals and is hampering achievement of ambitious UN Sustainable Development Goals. "It is still not clear as to how the global community will make up for the pandemic-induced setback to its critical operations of major disease elimination programmes such as for tuberculosis," the editorial said. Implementation of efficient public health actions is possible on the foundations of sound scientific knowledge of the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2. "Despite extensive research on all aspects of COVID-19 pandemic, the world is still struggling with the origin of the virus, public health implications of the mutations in the viral genome, availability of a diagnostic test with better sensitivity and specificity, understanding the immune response to the virus, its pathobiology and clinical spectrum, and availability of safe and efficacious specific antiviral drugs and a vaccine. "These unknowns have made it an enigmatic pandemic till now," the editorial said.

Uncertainty over long-term immune response has implications for vaccine efficacy: Experts

vaccine-efficacy

Vaccine Efficacy, News on Vaccine Efficacy, stories on Vaccine Efficacy, articles on Vaccine Efficacy, Vaccine Efficacy stories at Wion, Vaccine Efficacy news, Vaccine Efficacy latest news