After the United States cleared booster shot from Pfizer, over 400,000 Americans received the boosters over the weekend. Nearly, a million will be getting their extra doze in the coming week.

COVID-19 News | US approves extra doze of Pfizer & Biontech; over 400,000 Americans get booster shot

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, said that India developed the world's first DNA vaccine for Covid that can be given to everyone above 12 years of age.&nbsp;

He also revealed that MrNA vaccine development in the country is at final stage.

Speaking of vaccine development, PM Modi also said that India is engaged in developing a nasal vaccine.&nbsp;"Come, make vaccine in India," PM Modi exhorted the world, during his address.&nbsp;

Modi began his speech by paying respects to those who succumbed to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the world faced its worst pandemic in the last 100 years.

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Speaking about COVID-19, PM Modi said that no matter which country the doctors, innovators of Indian origin live in, our democratic values inspire them to continue serving mankind. This is the spirit that we have seen amid COVID-19.

“Mr President, for the last one and a half years, the world has been grappling with the worst pandemic it has seen in 100 years. I pay tribute to all those who have lost their lives in this deadly pandemic and I express my condolences to their families,” Modi said.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/global-covid-19-summit-indian-pm-modi-bats-for-mutual-recognition-of-vaccine-certificates-amid-uk-row-414998">Also read |&nbsp;Global COVID-19 summit: Indian PM Modi bats for mutual recognition of vaccine certificates amid UK row</a>

"COVID-19 taught world that global economy should be more diversified," he said.&nbsp;

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Earlier, during the&nbsp;Global COVID-19 Summit, PM Modi had said,&nbsp;"India is now running the world’s largest vaccination campaign. Recently, we vaccinated about 25 million people in a single day. Our grassroots-level healthcare system has delivered over 800 million vaccine doses so far. Over 200 million Indians are now fully vaccinated."

"Earlier this year, we shared our vaccine production with 95 other countries, and with UN peacekeepers. And, like a family, the world also stood with India when we were going through a second wave. For the solidarity and support extended to India, I thank you all, "&nbsp; Modi added.

"India has always seen humanity as one family. India’s pharmaceutical industry has produced cost-effective diagnostic kits, drugs, medical devices and PPE kits. These provide affordable options to many developing countries, " he said.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, said that India developed the world's first DNA vaccine for Covid that can be given to everyone above 12 years of age.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while addressing the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, said that India developed the world's first DNA vaccine for Covid that can be given to everyone above 12 years of age. He also revealed that MrNA vaccine development in the country is at final stage. Speaking of vaccine development, PM Modi also said that India is engaged in developing a nasal vaccine. "Come, make vaccine in India," PM Modi exhorted the world, during his address. Modi began his speech by paying respects to those who succumbed to the COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the world faced its worst pandemic in the last 100 years. #WATCH LIVE | PM Narendra Modi addresses the 76th Session of UN General Assembly https://t.co/koZWTKjzOG — ANI (@ANI) September 25, 2021 × Speaking about COVID-19, PM Modi said that no matter which country the doctors, innovators of Indian origin live in, our democratic values inspire them to continue serving mankind. This is the spirit that we have seen amid COVID-19. “Mr President, for the last one and a half years, the world has been grappling with the worst pandemic it has seen in 100 years. I pay tribute to all those who have lost their lives in this deadly pandemic and I express my condolences to their families,” Modi said. Also read | Global COVID-19 summit: Indian PM Modi bats for mutual recognition of vaccine certificates amid UK row "COVID-19 taught world that global economy should be more diversified," he said. Come, Make Vaccine in India. pic.twitter.com/jjTifPTVK0 — PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 25, 2021 × Earlier, during the Global COVID-19 Summit, PM Modi had said, "India is now running the world’s largest vaccination campaign. Recently, we vaccinated about 25 million people in a single day. Our grassroots-level healthcare system has delivered over 800 million vaccine doses so far. Over 200 million Indians are now fully vaccinated." "Earlier this year, we shared our vaccine production with 95 other countries, and with UN peacekeepers. And, like a family, the world also stood with India when we were going through a second wave. For the solidarity and support extended to India, I thank you all, " Modi added. "India has always seen humanity as one family. India’s pharmaceutical industry has produced cost-effective diagnostic kits, drugs, medical devices and PPE kits. These provide affordable options to many developing countries, " he said.

India first in world to develop DNA vaccine for Covid: PM Modi tells UNGA

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said that a state emergency declaration and other options, including calling in health care workers from the National Guard, are on the table to address any potential hospital staffing shortages.&nbsp;

This comes in as New York prepares to enforce its COVID-19 vaccination deadline.

In a statement, Hochul said, "I am monitoring the staffing situation closely and we have a plan to increase our health care workforce and help alleviate the burdens on our hospitals and other health care facilities."

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cdc-study-schools-with-mask-mandates-likely-to-have-fewer-outbreaks-416046">Also read |&nbsp;CDC study: Schools with mask mandates likely to have fewer outbreaks</a>

"I commend all of the health care workers who have stepped up to get themselves vaccinated, and I urge all remaining health care workers who are unvaccinated to do so now so they can continue providing care."

The preparation plan further includes signing an executive order to declare a state of emergency to increase staff, &nbsp;to allow licensed health care professionals from other places to work in New York.&nbsp;

The plan also includes the potential deployment of medically-trained National Guard members, and the opportunity to expedite visa requests for medical professionals.&nbsp;

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said that a state emergency declaration and other options, including calling in health care workers from the National Guard, are on the table to address any potential hospital staffing shortages.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said that a state emergency declaration and other options, including calling in health care workers from the National Guard, are on the table to address any potential hospital staffing shortages. This comes in as New York prepares to enforce its COVID-19 vaccination deadline. In a statement, Hochul said, "I am monitoring the staffing situation closely and we have a plan to increase our health care workforce and help alleviate the burdens on our hospitals and other health care facilities." Also read | CDC study: Schools with mask mandates likely to have fewer outbreaks "I commend all of the health care workers who have stepped up to get themselves vaccinated, and I urge all remaining health care workers who are unvaccinated to do so now so they can continue providing care." The preparation plan further includes signing an executive order to declare a state of emergency to increase staff, to allow licensed health care professionals from other places to work in New York. The plan also includes the potential deployment of medically-trained National Guard members, and the opportunity to expedite visa requests for medical professionals.

New York prepares for staff shortages as it prepares to enforce its COVID-19 vaccination deadline

France&nbsp;will&nbsp;double&nbsp;the number of&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;doses&nbsp;it will send to&nbsp;poorer&nbsp;countries&nbsp;to 120 million, President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Saturday, in a video broadcast during the Global Citizen concert in Paris.

"The injustice is that in other continents, obviously, vaccination is very late," he said. "We have to go faster, stronger.&nbsp;

"France&nbsp;pledges to&nbsp;double&nbsp;the number of&nbsp;doses&nbsp;it is giving," he added. "We will pass from 60 million to 120 million&nbsp;doses&nbsp;offered."

That amounted to more than the&nbsp;doses&nbsp;so far administered in&nbsp;France, he said.

On Wednesday, the United States announced that it would be doubling its donation of&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;doses, bringing its total contribution to 1.1 billion.

President Joe Biden described the pandemic as an "all-hands-on-deck crisis," adding "we need other high-income&nbsp;countries&nbsp;to deliver on their own ambitions".&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/swiss-to-vote-on-allowing-same-sex-marriage-in-referendum-416076">Also read |&nbsp;Swiss to vote on allowing same-sex marriage in referendum</a>

The European Union has committed to distributing 500 million&nbsp;doses.

And China's President Xi Jinping, in a video message broadcast to the UN on Tuesday, pledged a total of two billion&nbsp;doses&nbsp;by the end of the year, repeating a figure already given by the Chinese authorities.

It was not made clear how many of those would be sold and how many donated.

More money for Africa: Macron&nbsp;

In his statement, Macron also said that&nbsp;France&nbsp;would work with the UN's children's organisation UNICEF in their efforts to help African&nbsp;countries&nbsp;organise their vaccination roll-out.

France&nbsp;would also redirect 20 percent of the special funding it received from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) towards projects designed to restart the economies of African&nbsp;countries, said Macron.

"If all the major powers do the same as&nbsp;France, we will reach 100 billion dollars for Africa," he added.

Finally, Macron pledged that&nbsp;France&nbsp;would spend 330 million euros to promote education in&nbsp;France.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, has repeatedly denounced the injustice of the massive imbalance in the distribution of&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;doses&nbsp;in rich and poor&nbsp;countries.

"I will not stay silent when the companies and&nbsp;countries&nbsp;that control the global supply of&nbsp;vaccines&nbsp;think the world's poor should be satisfied with leftovers," he said earlier this month.

African leaders pleaded for the chance to buy&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;doses&nbsp;for their people during a meeting of the African Union earlier this month.

According to an AFP tally drawn from official sources, Africa's 53&nbsp;countries, with a population of more than 1.3 billion people, has had a total of 10&nbsp;vaccine&nbsp;doses&nbsp;per 100 people.

In contrast, the United States and Canada, with a population of just over 368 million people, has had 120&nbsp;doses&nbsp;per hundred people.

France will double the number of vaccine doses it will send to poorer countries to 120 million, President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Saturday, in a video broadcast during the Global Citizen concert in Paris.

France will double the number of vaccine doses it will send to poorer countries to 120 million, President Emmanuel Macron pledged on Saturday, in a video broadcast during the Global Citizen concert in Paris. "The injustice is that in other continents, obviously, vaccination is very late," he said. "We have to go faster, stronger. "France pledges to double the number of doses it is giving," he added. "We will pass from 60 million to 120 million doses offered." That amounted to more than the doses so far administered in France, he said. On Wednesday, the United States announced that it would be doubling its donation of vaccine doses, bringing its total contribution to 1.1 billion. President Joe Biden described the pandemic as an "all-hands-on-deck crisis," adding "we need other high-income countries to deliver on their own ambitions". Also read | Swiss to vote on allowing same-sex marriage in referendum The European Union has committed to distributing 500 million doses. And China's President Xi Jinping, in a video message broadcast to the UN on Tuesday, pledged a total of two billion doses by the end of the year, repeating a figure already given by the Chinese authorities. It was not made clear how many of those would be sold and how many donated. More money for Africa: Macron In his statement, Macron also said that France would work with the UN's children's organisation UNICEF in their efforts to help African countries organise their vaccination roll-out. France would also redirect 20 percent of the special funding it received from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) towards projects designed to restart the economies of African countries, said Macron. "If all the major powers do the same as France, we will reach 100 billion dollars for Africa," he added. Finally, Macron pledged that France would spend 330 million euros to promote education in France. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, has repeatedly denounced the injustice of the massive imbalance in the distribution of vaccine doses in rich and poor countries. "I will not stay silent when the companies and countries that control the global supply of vaccines think the world's poor should be satisfied with leftovers," he said earlier this month. African leaders pleaded for the chance to buy vaccine doses for their people during a meeting of the African Union earlier this month. According to an AFP tally drawn from official sources, Africa's 53 countries, with a population of more than 1.3 billion people, has had a total of 10 vaccine doses per 100 people. In contrast, the United States and Canada, with a population of just over 368 million people, has had 120 doses per hundred people.

France to double COVID-19 vaccine doses for poorer countries

The world leaders and health experts are urging eligible population to get vaccinated against coronavirus as soon as possible, but children under the age of 12 are not being vaccinated in every country.<o:p></o:p>

However, a 12-year-old boy from the Netherlands has won a court battle as a result of which he can now get vaccinated against coronavirus immediately.<o:p></o:p>

The boy hails from the Dutch city of Groningen where eligibility for <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">Covid vaccines</a> is 12- to 17-year-olds. However, children under the age of 17 need to get consent from their parents to get a shot of the vaccine.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/black-market-for-fake-covid-vaccine-certificates-has-grown-10-times-in-29-countries-study-414949">Black market for fake Covid vaccine certificates has grown 10 times in 29 countries: Study</a>

<o:p></o:p>

His grandmother is suffering from metastatic lung cancer and is in the last stages of the disease which can take her life. The boy wanted to spend as much time as possible with her but the hospital officials said he would have to be vaccinated to meet her.<o:p></o:p>

This boy wanted to get vaccinated against coronavirus so that he would be able to meet his grandmother. However, his father was hesitant about getting his son vaccinated as he believes the vaccines are still "in a test phase" and pose risks to reproductive organs. <o:p></o:p>

The father also claimed that the vaccines can also lead to children developing symptoms of long Covid.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/now-children-aged-between-12-and-15-get-covid-vaccine-shots-in-uk-414537" hreflang="en">Now, children aged between 12 and 15 get Covid vaccine shots in UK</a>

<o:p></o:p>

However, the boy wanted to get vaccinated so he decided to file a legal suit against his father’s decision. His decision to file a lawsuit was supported by his mother — the couple is divorced.<o:p></o:p>

When the case reached the court, Judge Bart Tromp of Groningen District Court&nbsp;ruled in favour of the 12-year-old. He said the boy should get vaccinated if he wants as his intentions are pure and were more important than his father’s hesitancy. The Judge also said that his father’s arguments against Covid vaccines had no scientific basis or proof.<o:p></o:p>

The world leaders and health experts are urging eligible population to get vaccinated against coronavirus as soon as possible, but children under the age of 12 are not being vaccinated in every country.

The world leaders and health experts are urging eligible population to get vaccinated against coronavirus as soon as possible, but children under the age of 12 are not being vaccinated in every country. However, a 12-year-old boy from the Netherlands has won a court battle as a result of which he can now get vaccinated against coronavirus immediately. The boy hails from the Dutch city of Groningen where eligibility for Covid vaccines is 12- to 17-year-olds. However, children under the age of 17 need to get consent from their parents to get a shot of the vaccine. Also read | Black market for fake Covid vaccine certificates has grown 10 times in 29 countries: Study His grandmother is suffering from metastatic lung cancer and is in the last stages of the disease which can take her life. The boy wanted to spend as much time as possible with her but the hospital officials said he would have to be vaccinated to meet her. This boy wanted to get vaccinated against coronavirus so that he would be able to meet his grandmother. However, his father was hesitant about getting his son vaccinated as he believes the vaccines are still "in a test phase" and pose risks to reproductive organs. The father also claimed that the vaccines can also lead to children developing symptoms of long Covid. Also read | Now, children aged between 12 and 15 get Covid vaccine shots in UK However, the boy wanted to get vaccinated so he decided to file a legal suit against his father’s decision. His decision to file a lawsuit was supported by his mother — the couple is divorced. When the case reached the court, Judge Bart Tromp of Groningen District Court ruled in favour of the 12-year-old. He said the boy should get vaccinated if he wants as his intentions are pure and were more important than his father’s hesitancy. The Judge also said that his father’s arguments against Covid vaccines had no scientific basis or proof.

Right to Covid jab: 12-year-old boy wins court battle to get vaccinated

Vaccine hesitancy is dragging the pandemic, yet world leaders are fueling the skepticism. Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro is still unvaccinated, but went out to have pizzas on the sidewalks of NYC. Palki Sharma tells you how such actions are making the virus win.

Gravitas US Edition: Has Vaccine Hesitancy become a political issue?

A first in-person meeting of the leaders of the Quad group of countries - the United States, Japan, Australia and India - on Friday will yield progress in several areas including infrastructure, health and cyber, a senior U.S administration official told Reuters.

The Quad leaders - U.S. President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison - will also discuss regional security, the official said on Thursday, although he stressed that security was not the focus of the informal grouping that has come together in response to China`s growing power.

While declining to provide specifics, the official, who did not want to be identified, said the summit at the White House "will have much to say" about next steps on vaccines for the Indo-Pacific region.

"We have what we call deliverables in infrastructure, on broader health engagements on science and technology, in space, in cyber," he said.

He called a commitment made at a virtual meeting of the Quad leaders in March to supply a billion COVID-19 shots across Asia by the end of 2022 "important."

"Obviously, there have been challenges in India over the course of the summer. But ... we believe that it will be important to meet the ambitions that we laid out at that time."

The March initiative stalled after India, the world`s biggest vaccine producer, was hit by a devastating surge of infections and halted all vaccine exports.

India has since said it is ready to restart vaccine exports in the October quarter, prioritising the COVAX international vaccine initiative and neighbouring countries first.

The meeting of the Quad comes just over a week after the United States, Britain and Australia announced a security pact dubbed AUKUS that will help Australia acquire U.S. nuclear-powered submarines, a move immediately denounced by China.

The U.S. official called Friday`s meeting "historic," and an opportunity for the four leaders to talk openly about "modern challenges, their hopes and aspirations."

"We`ll talk about a variety of things, including regional security, but we`ll also talk about our goals in education and in infrastructure," he said.

"The linking and thickening of ties between our four countries is taking place before our eyes," he said. "What we are really trying to do is create an opportunity for more free-flowing discussion."

At the same time, he added, when asked how the Quad might relate to the AUKUS partnership: "This is a standalone grouping and has nothing to do with the recently inaugurated AUKUS. This is an informal grouping. It does not address security issues."

The official said Biden would announce on Friday an "elite" privately funded Quad fellowship programme for 100 students – 25 from each of the four countries – to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) masters and doctoral programmes in the United States.

Comparing it to Britain's Rhodes scholarship program, the official said the fellowship would be administered by Schmidt Futures philanthropies, founded by former Google chief executive officer Eric Schmidt.

"It will truly seek to bind our countries together for the long haul by connecting our young people, and they will have a sense of purpose and a sense that the Quad is indeed a unique and important grouping," he said.

A first in-person meeting of the leaders of the Quad group of countries - the United States, Japan, Australia and India - on Friday will yield progress in several areas including infrastructure, health and cyber, a senior U.

A first in-person meeting of the leaders of the Quad group of countries - the United States, Japan, Australia and India - on Friday will yield progress in several areas including infrastructure, health and cyber, a senior U.S administration official told Reuters. The Quad leaders - U.S. President Joe Biden, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga and Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison - will also discuss regional security, the official said on Thursday, although he stressed that security was not the focus of the informal grouping that has come together in response to China`s growing power. While declining to provide specifics, the official, who did not want to be identified, said the summit at the White House "will have much to say" about next steps on vaccines for the Indo-Pacific region. "We have what we call deliverables in infrastructure, on broader health engagements on science and technology, in space, in cyber," he said. He called a commitment made at a virtual meeting of the Quad leaders in March to supply a billion COVID-19 shots across Asia by the end of 2022 "important." "Obviously, there have been challenges in India over the course of the summer. But ... we believe that it will be important to meet the ambitions that we laid out at that time." The March initiative stalled after India, the world`s biggest vaccine producer, was hit by a devastating surge of infections and halted all vaccine exports. India has since said it is ready to restart vaccine exports in the October quarter, prioritising the COVAX international vaccine initiative and neighbouring countries first. The meeting of the Quad comes just over a week after the United States, Britain and Australia announced a security pact dubbed AUKUS that will help Australia acquire U.S. nuclear-powered submarines, a move immediately denounced by China. The U.S. official called Friday`s meeting "historic," and an opportunity for the four leaders to talk openly about "modern challenges, their hopes and aspirations." "We`ll talk about a variety of things, including regional security, but we`ll also talk about our goals in education and in infrastructure," he said. "The linking and thickening of ties between our four countries is taking place before our eyes," he said. "What we are really trying to do is create an opportunity for more free-flowing discussion." At the same time, he added, when asked how the Quad might relate to the AUKUS partnership: "This is a standalone grouping and has nothing to do with the recently inaugurated AUKUS. This is an informal grouping. It does not address security issues." The official said Biden would announce on Friday an "elite" privately funded Quad fellowship programme for 100 students – 25 from each of the four countries – to pursue STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) masters and doctoral programmes in the United States. Comparing it to Britain's Rhodes scholarship program, the official said the fellowship would be administered by Schmidt Futures philanthropies, founded by former Google chief executive officer Eric Schmidt. "It will truly seek to bind our countries together for the long haul by connecting our young people, and they will have a sense of purpose and a sense that the Quad is indeed a unique and important grouping," he said.

Quad leaders to deliver on vaccines, infrastructure, tech: US official

In a swap deal, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine’s one million doses will be sent to South Korea by the UK government. &nbsp;

Before the end of the year, South Korea will also return the same “overall volume of doses”, said the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). &nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;

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The department said, the initiative looks to help South Korea hit its target of administering a second dose to 70% of its population by October end. &nbsp;&nbsp;

The first batch of doses will be shipped in just a few weeks. &nbsp;

At the UN general assembly on Monday, UK PM Boris Johnson held talks with South Korea’s president Moon Jae-in.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/put-uk-on-covid-high-alert-as-over-100000-kids-go-absent-from-school-warn-headteachers-415010" hreflang="en">Put UK on Covid 'high alert' as over 100,000 kids go absent from school, warn headteachers</a>

A UK government source said, “The arrangement will mutually support the rollout of the lifesaving vaccine in each nation.” &nbsp;

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said, “By working closely with our friends in South Korea, this vaccine swap will maximise their rollout speed without having an impact on the UK’s vaccine programme.”

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/humanity-has-to-grow-up-tackle-climate-change-uk-pm-wants-to-tell-leaders-at-unga-2021-415038" hreflang="en">Humanity has to 'grow up', tackle climate change, UK PM wants to tell leaders at UNGA 2021</a>

As per the health secretary, there would be no impact of this deal on the UK’s Covid vaccine booster programme or on supplies to the COVAX vaccine sharing scheme. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In a swap deal, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine’s one million doses will be sent to South Korea by the UK government. Before the end of the year, South Korea will also return the same “overall volume of doses”, said the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).

In a swap deal, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine’s one million doses will be sent to South Korea by the UK government. Before the end of the year, South Korea will also return the same “overall volume of doses”, said the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). Watch: × The department said, the initiative looks to help South Korea hit its target of administering a second dose to 70% of its population by October end. The first batch of doses will be shipped in just a few weeks. At the UN general assembly on Monday, UK PM Boris Johnson held talks with South Korea’s president Moon Jae-in. Also Read: Put UK on Covid 'high alert' as over 100,000 kids go absent from school, warn headteachers A UK government source said, “The arrangement will mutually support the rollout of the lifesaving vaccine in each nation.” Health Secretary Sajid Javid said, “By working closely with our friends in South Korea, this vaccine swap will maximise their rollout speed without having an impact on the UK’s vaccine programme.” Also Read: Humanity has to 'grow up', tackle climate change, UK PM wants to tell leaders at UNGA 2021 As per the health secretary, there would be no impact of this deal on the UK’s Covid vaccine booster programme or on supplies to the COVAX vaccine sharing scheme. (With inputs from agencies)

In a vaccine swap deal, UK to send 1 million Pfizer doses to South Korea

President Joe Biden has said that US will be purchasing 500 million additional doses of Pfizer covid-19 vaccine to distribute to the low and middle income countries across the world.

US Prez Joe Biden Pledges to donate 500 MN  additional Pfizer vaccines tot he world| WION USA Direct

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said that the Quad partnership of Australia, US, India, Japan was on track to produce 1 billion vaccine doses in India by 2022. He was addressing virtually the Global Summit to end Covid-19. He asserted that nothing was more important than defeating Covid-19

"We're working with partner nations, pharmaceutical companies, and other manufacturers to increase their own capacity and capability to produce and manufacture safe and highly effective vaccines in their own countries," Biden said.

"For example, our Quad partnership with India, Japan, and Australia is on track to help produce at least 1 billion vaccine doses in India to boost the global supply by the end of 2022. And we're providing financing and helping strengthen manufacturing in South Africa, and produce more than 500 million doses of J&amp;J in Africa for Africa next year," he said.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/global-covid-19-summit-indian-pm-modi-bats-for-mutual-recognition-of-vaccine-certificates-amid-uk-row-414998">Global COVID-19 summit: Indian PM Modi bats for mutual recognition of vaccine certificates amid UK row</a>

Biden also said that he is keeping his promise that America will become arsenal of vaccines as it was the arsenal for democracy during Second World War.

The US has already shipped nearly 160 million doses to 100 countries, more than every other country has donated combined. America's donations of a half a billion Pfizer vaccines through COVAX, that he announced before the G-7 summit in June, have already begun to ship, Mr Biden told the virtual summit from the White House.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/germany-seeks-backing-for-tedros-at-who-helm-as-africa-quiet-diplomats-415016">Germany seeks backing for Tedros at WHO helm as Africa quiet: Diplomats</a>

"Today, I'm announcing another historic commitment. The United States is buying another half billion doses of Pfizer to donate to low and middle-income countries around the world. This is another half billion doses that will all be shipped by this time next year, and it brings our total commitment to a donation, of donated vaccines, to over 1.1 billion vaccines to be donated," Biden said.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pressure-grows-on-us-companies-to-share-covid-vaccine-technology-415018">Pressure grows on US companies to share Covid vaccine technology</a>

"Put another way, for every one shot we've administered to date in America, we have now committed to do three shots to the rest of the world," he said and thanked Pfizer and its CEO and chairman, Albert Bourla for being helpful in this regard.

"They've been and continue to be partners and the leader of this fight. The United States is leading the world on vaccination donations. As we are doing that, we need other high-income countries to deliver on their own ambitious vaccine donations and pledges. That's why today, we're launching the EU-US vaccine partnership to work more closely together and with our partners and expanding global vaccinations," Biden said.

(With inputs from agencies)

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said that the Quad partnership of Australia, US, India, Japan was on track to produce 1 billion vaccine doses in India by 2022.

US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said that the Quad partnership of Australia, US, India, Japan was on track to produce 1 billion vaccine doses in India by 2022. He was addressing virtually the Global Summit to end Covid-19. He asserted that nothing was more important than defeating Covid-19 "We're working with partner nations, pharmaceutical companies, and other manufacturers to increase their own capacity and capability to produce and manufacture safe and highly effective vaccines in their own countries," Biden said. "For example, our Quad partnership with India, Japan, and Australia is on track to help produce at least 1 billion vaccine doses in India to boost the global supply by the end of 2022. And we're providing financing and helping strengthen manufacturing in South Africa, and produce more than 500 million doses of J&J in Africa for Africa next year," he said. Also Read | Global COVID-19 summit: Indian PM Modi bats for mutual recognition of vaccine certificates amid UK row Biden also said that he is keeping his promise that America will become arsenal of vaccines as it was the arsenal for democracy during Second World War. The US has already shipped nearly 160 million doses to 100 countries, more than every other country has donated combined. America's donations of a half a billion Pfizer vaccines through COVAX, that he announced before the G-7 summit in June, have already begun to ship, Mr Biden told the virtual summit from the White House. Also Read | Germany seeks backing for Tedros at WHO helm as Africa quiet: Diplomats "Today, I'm announcing another historic commitment. The United States is buying another half billion doses of Pfizer to donate to low and middle-income countries around the world. This is another half billion doses that will all be shipped by this time next year, and it brings our total commitment to a donation, of donated vaccines, to over 1.1 billion vaccines to be donated," Biden said. Also Read | Pressure grows on US companies to share Covid vaccine technology "Put another way, for every one shot we've administered to date in America, we have now committed to do three shots to the rest of the world," he said and thanked Pfizer and its CEO and chairman, Albert Bourla for being helpful in this regard. "They've been and continue to be partners and the leader of this fight. The United States is leading the world on vaccination donations. As we are doing that, we need other high-income countries to deliver on their own ambitious vaccine donations and pledges. That's why today, we're launching the EU-US vaccine partnership to work more closely together and with our partners and expanding global vaccinations," Biden said. (With inputs from agencies)

Quad on track to produce 1 billion Covid doses in India: Biden

The US Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday authorized a booster dose of the Pfizer Inc (PFE.N) and BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for those aged 65 and older and some high-risk Americans, paving the way for a quick rollout of the shots.

Booster shots for Americans ages 65 and older

During the virtual Covid-19 summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi advocated for mutual recognition of Covid vaccine certificates by countries to make international travel easier.

Indian PM Narendra Modi bats for mutual recognition of vaccine certificates | WION USA Direct

Britain has added Covishield to its list of recognized vaccines. But fully vaccinated Indian citizens will still have to quarantine. Reports say Britain is suspicious of India's vaccine certificates. Palki Sharma tells you why it's less about authenticity and more about British arrogance.

Gravitas US Edition | British arrogance: Indian vaccine certificates rejected

As President Joe Biden convenes heads of state for a COVID-19 summit on Wednesday, pressure is growing on American drug companies — particularly Moderna, the upstart biotech firm that developed its coronavirus vaccine with billions of dollars in taxpayer money — to share their formulas with manufacturers in nations that desperately need more shots.

Last year’s successful race to develop vaccines in extraordinarily short order put companies like Moderna and Pfizer in a highly favourable spotlight. But now, with less than 10% of those in many poor nations fully vaccinated and a dearth of doses contributing to millions of deaths, health officials in the United States and abroad are pressing the companies to do more to address the global shortage.

The Biden administration has privately urged both Pfizer and Moderna to enter into joint ventures where they would license their technology to contract manufacturers with the aim of providing vaccines to low- and middle-income countries, according to a senior administration official.

Those talks led to an agreement with Pfizer, announced on Wednesday, to sell the United States an additional 500 million doses of its vaccine at a not-for-profit price — rather than license its technology — to donate overseas.

The discussions with Moderna have not been fruitful, said the official, who expressed deep frustration with the company but requested anonymity to discuss sensitive information.

A coalition of major drug and vaccine manufacturers in developing countries around the world is drafting an appeal to Biden asking him to press the companies more aggressively to share the formulations and processes used to make their vaccines.

The World Health Organization has also had trouble getting Moderna to the negotiating table, according to Dr Martin Friede, a WHO official, and Charles Gore, who runs a United Nations-backed nonprofit organization, Medicines Patent Pool. Both are working with a WHO-backed technology transfer hub in South Africa to set up to teach manufacturers from developing countries how to make mRNA vaccines, a new type of vaccine technology used by both American companies.

“We would love to get a discussion with Moderna, about a license to their intellectual property. This would make life so much simpler, but for the moment all attempts have resulted in no reply,” Friede said.

At Wednesday’s virtual summit, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, Biden will convene heads of state, drug company executives, philanthropic groups and nongovernmental organizations to encourage them to work together toward vaccinating 70% of the world’s population by this time next year, according to a draft document the White House sent to the summit participants.

Global health advocates say Moderna has a special obligation to share its technology because its vaccine relies in part on technology developed by the National Institutes of Health, and because the company accepted $2.5 billion from the federal government as part of Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration’s fast-track vaccine initiative.

A Moderna spokesperson, Colleen Hussey, said in an email message Tuesday night that the company had agreed not to enforce its COVID-related patents and was “willing to license our intellectual property for COVID-19 vaccines to others for the post-pandemic period.”

But advocates say the world needs Moderna’s know-how now — not after the pandemic is over.

While sharing the vaccine “recipe” is a vital first step, it is not in and of itself enough to allow for the swift and efficient setup of new mRNA manufacturing locations, said Alain Alsalhani, a vaccines expert with Doctors Without Borders’ access-to-medicines campaign.

“You need someone to share all the process, because it’s a new technology,” he said. “One of the problems we have is that the scientific literature about industrial-scale manufacturing of mRNA vaccines is so slim. This is why it’s not just about a recipe, it’s about an active and full tech transfer.”

Pfizer, in an emailed statement, noted that it and its partner, BioNTech, had signed a letter of intent, announced last month, with the South African biopharmaceutical company Biovac, which is part of the South African hub, to manufacture Pfizer’s vaccine for African nations. But Biovac will only bottle the vaccine, which does not necessitate sharing the formula. The actual “drug substance” will be made in Europe.

Some pharmaceutical executives have suggested the South African hub may not be ready to manufacture vaccines. But a recent site visit by WHO officials found that both Afrigen, the hub’s teaching facility, and Biovac are both “fit for purpose,” according to a summary of the visit, obtained by The New York Times. The summary said Afrigen’s team is “competent and experienced” and has developed a plan for a “robust mRNA vaccine production process, which will be transferred to Biovac.”

In the absence of voluntary cooperation from the companies, some legal experts and global health advocates say the Biden administration could attempt to force them to share their intellectual property, using the powers of the Defense Production Act, a 1950 law that gives the president broad power over American companies in emergency situations.

Lawrence O. Gostin, a public health law expert at Georgetown University, said Biden could declare the pandemic a national security threat, which would enable him to “require companies to sign technology transfer contracts in exchange for reasonable compensation,” from either the federal government or manufacturing partners.

“Moderna accepted substantial federal funding under Operation Warp Speed and both Pfizer and Moderna benefited from NIH dollars for the basic research over a decade for mRNA technology,” Gostin said, adding that the companies “hold a special social and ethical responsibility to share that technology for the benefit of the world.”

Biden administration officials say that forcing the companies to act is not as simple as it sounds, and that an effort to compel them to share their technology would invariably lead to a drawn-out legal battle, which would be counterproductive.

Pfizer and Moderna executives have said that the mRNA production process is so complex, and that there are so few people with experience in it available, that setting up new operations in other parts of the world would not be feasible and could not happen quickly enough to be useful. They say that their combined manufacturing will produce more than enough vaccines to meet global need by the middle of next year and that the fastest way to address vaccine inequity would be through distribution of donated doses.

But some pharmaceutical manufacturing experts and drug-access advocates argue that the events of the past 18 months make it clear that manufacturing in developing countries is going to be crucial to ensuring equitable access.

Many of the donated doses bound for use in Africa, for example, were meant to come from the Serum Institute of India. But five months ago, the Indian government blocked the company from exporting any vaccines, ordering that the supply instead be directed to trying to stanch a raging second COVID wave in that country. (India now says it will allow exports to resume next month.)

“We keep hearing, ‘The vaccines are coming, the vaccines are coming,’ but 3 million people have died since the Pfizer vaccine was first authorized by the FDA,” said Zain Rizvi, an expert on access to medicines with the advocacy organization Public Citizen.

Moderna and Pfizer have a direct financial interest in keeping their technology to themselves and guarding a competitive advantage not just in the sale of COVID vaccines, which are on track to bring in more than $53 billion in revenue this year, but also other potentially lucrative mRNA vaccines in development, such as one for cancer, HIV and malaria, he said, adding, “They don’t want to stand up a future competitor.”

The coalition of drugmakers in developing countries that is drafting an appeal to Biden plans to ask the U.S. government to pressure companies for several things: a license for the intellectual property, a license for the technology involved in the manufacturing of the vaccines, the provision of items such as cell lines and assistance in acquiring vital but scarce equipment.

In exchange for sharing its process, Moderna would be compensated with a licensing fee, a percentage of each dose sold.

Even without Moderna’s cooperation, WHO says its tech transfer hub in South Africa will focus on trying to replicate as closely as possible the Moderna formula, as the gold standard against which to compare candidates from other biotechnology companies, and then teach any manufacturer who wants to make it how to do so at scale.

“If we had Moderna or BioNTech with us, we could get to an approved vaccine in 18 months, but without them we have to go through full development — so it’s 36 months if everything goes perfectly, but it could be longer,” said Friede, who heads the WHO’s Initiative for Vaccine Research.

Pfizer and Moderna are at a pivotal moment where they can decide what role they want to play in the process, he said. “I’ve made many successful vaccines; with me I have other people who have made successful vaccines,” he said. “What we are actually saying is: ‘We’re going to do this. So you can come in and try and maintain some control by actually producing vaccines locally, or we’re going to do it without you. And then you’ve lost control’.”

As President Joe Biden convenes heads of state for a COVID-19 summit on Wednesday, pressure is growing on American drug companies — particularly Moderna, the upstart biotech firm that developed its coronavirus vaccine with billions of dollars in taxpayer money — to share their formulas with manufacturers in nations that desperately need more shots.

As President Joe Biden convenes heads of state for a COVID-19 summit on Wednesday, pressure is growing on American drug companies — particularly Moderna, the upstart biotech firm that developed its coronavirus vaccine with billions of dollars in taxpayer money — to share their formulas with manufacturers in nations that desperately need more shots. Last year’s successful race to develop vaccines in extraordinarily short order put companies like Moderna and Pfizer in a highly favourable spotlight. But now, with less than 10% of those in many poor nations fully vaccinated and a dearth of doses contributing to millions of deaths, health officials in the United States and abroad are pressing the companies to do more to address the global shortage. The Biden administration has privately urged both Pfizer and Moderna to enter into joint ventures where they would license their technology to contract manufacturers with the aim of providing vaccines to low- and middle-income countries, according to a senior administration official. Those talks led to an agreement with Pfizer, announced on Wednesday, to sell the United States an additional 500 million doses of its vaccine at a not-for-profit price — rather than license its technology — to donate overseas. The discussions with Moderna have not been fruitful, said the official, who expressed deep frustration with the company but requested anonymity to discuss sensitive information. A coalition of major drug and vaccine manufacturers in developing countries around the world is drafting an appeal to Biden asking him to press the companies more aggressively to share the formulations and processes used to make their vaccines. The World Health Organization has also had trouble getting Moderna to the negotiating table, according to Dr Martin Friede, a WHO official, and Charles Gore, who runs a United Nations-backed nonprofit organization, Medicines Patent Pool. Both are working with a WHO-backed technology transfer hub in South Africa to set up to teach manufacturers from developing countries how to make mRNA vaccines, a new type of vaccine technology used by both American companies. “We would love to get a discussion with Moderna, about a license to their intellectual property. This would make life so much simpler, but for the moment all attempts have resulted in no reply,” Friede said. At Wednesday’s virtual summit, on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, Biden will convene heads of state, drug company executives, philanthropic groups and nongovernmental organizations to encourage them to work together toward vaccinating 70% of the world’s population by this time next year, according to a draft document the White House sent to the summit participants. Global health advocates say Moderna has a special obligation to share its technology because its vaccine relies in part on technology developed by the National Institutes of Health, and because the company accepted $2.5 billion from the federal government as part of Operation Warp Speed, the Trump administration’s fast-track vaccine initiative. A Moderna spokesperson, Colleen Hussey, said in an email message Tuesday night that the company had agreed not to enforce its COVID-related patents and was “willing to license our intellectual property for COVID-19 vaccines to others for the post-pandemic period.” But advocates say the world needs Moderna’s know-how now — not after the pandemic is over. While sharing the vaccine “recipe” is a vital first step, it is not in and of itself enough to allow for the swift and efficient setup of new mRNA manufacturing locations, said Alain Alsalhani, a vaccines expert with Doctors Without Borders’ access-to-medicines campaign. “You need someone to share all the process, because it’s a new technology,” he said. “One of the problems we have is that the scientific literature about industrial-scale manufacturing of mRNA vaccines is so slim. This is why it’s not just about a recipe, it’s about an active and full tech transfer.” Pfizer, in an emailed statement, noted that it and its partner, BioNTech, had signed a letter of intent, announced last month, with the South African biopharmaceutical company Biovac, which is part of the South African hub, to manufacture Pfizer’s vaccine for African nations. But Biovac will only bottle the vaccine, which does not necessitate sharing the formula. The actual “drug substance” will be made in Europe. Some pharmaceutical executives have suggested the South African hub may not be ready to manufacture vaccines. But a recent site visit by WHO officials found that both Afrigen, the hub’s teaching facility, and Biovac are both “fit for purpose,” according to a summary of the visit, obtained by The New York Times. The summary said Afrigen’s team is “competent and experienced” and has developed a plan for a “robust mRNA vaccine production process, which will be transferred to Biovac.” In the absence of voluntary cooperation from the companies, some legal experts and global health advocates say the Biden administration could attempt to force them to share their intellectual property, using the powers of the Defense Production Act, a 1950 law that gives the president broad power over American companies in emergency situations. Lawrence O. Gostin, a public health law expert at Georgetown University, said Biden could declare the pandemic a national security threat, which would enable him to “require companies to sign technology transfer contracts in exchange for reasonable compensation,” from either the federal government or manufacturing partners. “Moderna accepted substantial federal funding under Operation Warp Speed and both Pfizer and Moderna benefited from NIH dollars for the basic research over a decade for mRNA technology,” Gostin said, adding that the companies “hold a special social and ethical responsibility to share that technology for the benefit of the world.” Biden administration officials say that forcing the companies to act is not as simple as it sounds, and that an effort to compel them to share their technology would invariably lead to a drawn-out legal battle, which would be counterproductive. Pfizer and Moderna executives have said that the mRNA production process is so complex, and that there are so few people with experience in it available, that setting up new operations in other parts of the world would not be feasible and could not happen quickly enough to be useful. They say that their combined manufacturing will produce more than enough vaccines to meet global need by the middle of next year and that the fastest way to address vaccine inequity would be through distribution of donated doses. But some pharmaceutical manufacturing experts and drug-access advocates argue that the events of the past 18 months make it clear that manufacturing in developing countries is going to be crucial to ensuring equitable access. Many of the donated doses bound for use in Africa, for example, were meant to come from the Serum Institute of India. But five months ago, the Indian government blocked the company from exporting any vaccines, ordering that the supply instead be directed to trying to stanch a raging second COVID wave in that country. (India now says it will allow exports to resume next month.) “We keep hearing, ‘The vaccines are coming, the vaccines are coming,’ but 3 million people have died since the Pfizer vaccine was first authorized by the FDA,” said Zain Rizvi, an expert on access to medicines with the advocacy organization Public Citizen. Moderna and Pfizer have a direct financial interest in keeping their technology to themselves and guarding a competitive advantage not just in the sale of COVID vaccines, which are on track to bring in more than $53 billion in revenue this year, but also other potentially lucrative mRNA vaccines in development, such as one for cancer, HIV and malaria, he said, adding, “They don’t want to stand up a future competitor.” The coalition of drugmakers in developing countries that is drafting an appeal to Biden plans to ask the U.S. government to pressure companies for several things: a license for the intellectual property, a license for the technology involved in the manufacturing of the vaccines, the provision of items such as cell lines and assistance in acquiring vital but scarce equipment. In exchange for sharing its process, Moderna would be compensated with a licensing fee, a percentage of each dose sold. Even without Moderna’s cooperation, WHO says its tech transfer hub in South Africa will focus on trying to replicate as closely as possible the Moderna formula, as the gold standard against which to compare candidates from other biotechnology companies, and then teach any manufacturer who wants to make it how to do so at scale. “If we had Moderna or BioNTech with us, we could get to an approved vaccine in 18 months, but without them we have to go through full development — so it’s 36 months if everything goes perfectly, but it could be longer,” said Friede, who heads the WHO’s Initiative for Vaccine Research. Pfizer and Moderna are at a pivotal moment where they can decide what role they want to play in the process, he said. “I’ve made many successful vaccines; with me I have other people who have made successful vaccines,” he said. “What we are actually saying is: ‘We’re going to do this. So you can come in and try and maintain some control by actually producing vaccines locally, or we’re going to do it without you. And then you’ve lost control’.”

Pressure grows on US companies to share Covid vaccine technology

Last fall, as coronavirus cases climbed and the world hoped for vaccines, health experts feared influenza and COVID-19 would combine for a devastating “twindemic.”

While pandemic measures appeared to keep the flu at bay, this year experts are again concerned, especially as some countries and state authorities roll back lockdown rules. Many officials and experts are urging the public: Do not dismiss the danger of the flu, and seek a flu vaccine.

“This year we are guaranteed to have the flu, and we are going to have some version of a twindemic,” said Dr. William Schaffner, medical director for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. “It could really further strain an already extraordinarily stretched, strained, tired-to-the-bone health care system.”

The United States is grappling with an average of more than 160,000 new coronavirus cases a day. Hospitals and intensive care units are filling up with COVID-19 patients. At the same time, mask mandates and social distancing have been relaxed in some places, meaning contagious respiratory illnesses can spread more easily than they did last year.

Schaffner warned that medical providers now had to remind people about influenza: “We are going to have to say, ‘There is another nasty respiratory virus, and don’t blow it off.’”

This flu season unlike any other.

In the US, flu activity was significantly lower during the 2020-21 season than during any previous flu season since at least 1997, the first for which data is publicly available.

Scientists said pandemic precautions most likely played a role, as many people adopted masking, social-distancing and hand-washing habits.

“The lack of influenza last year was truly remarkable,” said Dr. Patrick Jackson, an infectious disease expert at the University of Virginia. “It may be that people’s willingness to wear masks and wash hands regularly and be aware of symptoms may help us moving forward. And I really hope that turns out to be the story.”

Experts hope those behaviors will carry over into the coming flu season, especially as more people return to public transit, restaurants, schools and offices.

But the US and a number of other countries are not unified in how to confront the pandemic, and some people have stopped taking those precautions.

That could mean additional burdens for hospitals already treating large numbers of COVID-19 patients.

“Given our politics, a COVID/flu surge will be unevenly distributed to health care systems,” Jackson said.

Who should get the flu vaccine and when?

The relative lack of flu cases over the past 18 months could also mean that population-level immunity to the flu is lower this season, said Lynnette Brammer, leader of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's domestic influenza surveillance team.

And while it is still uncertain how the season will play out, she added, relaxed pandemic measures in some places will “likely result in the resumption of seasonal flu virus circulation.”

“This all could set us up for a potentially severe flu season,” she added.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the season starts in October and can last through May. In the Southern Hemisphere, it typically occurs from April through September.

The CDC advises everyone 6 months and older to get the shot, with a few exceptions. Vaccination is especially important for some groups of people, including those with underlying health conditions, older adults and young children, Brammer said.

It takes about two weeks for protection to develop after vaccination, so experts recommend getting vaccinated from September through the end of October, but even after that, it is better to get the vaccine than not.

Because viruses mutate, requiring a new vaccine every year, even people who received a flu shot last year need another this year, they said. For any given season, vaccines are tailored to the types of influenza viruses — there are many — that are circulating or most likely to be circulating.

If I have been vaccinated for COVID-19, do I still need the flu vaccine?

Yes, one does not protect against the other. Vaccines are intended to target specific viruses: Just as the COVID-19 vaccines are manufactured for the coronavirus, flu vaccines target influenza viruses.

That means flu shots this year will be doled out as some people are getting initial and booster shots for the coronavirus.

“There is vaccine fatigue out there,” Schaffner said. “But we are going to have to tell people, ‘Oh, no, you need a different one,’ right at the time we are boosting."

Can I get the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine in the same visit?

Yes. The CDC says the vaccine may be administered without regard to the timing of other vaccines.

Side effects are generally similar when the vaccines are given simultaneously as when they are administered alone, the CDC says.

Dr. Kevin Ban, chief medical officer at Walgreens, said, “Not only is it possible, but we highly encourage people to be vaccinated for both flu and COVID.”

Vaccines received at the same time do not cause cumulative reactions, Dr. L.J. Tan, Immunization Action Coalition’s chief policy and partnerships officer, said in an interview. “It is not like you are adding it on.”

Common reactions to the flu vaccine can be a sore arm, and some people might get a little tired, he said.

If you do get the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time, experts advise using different arms to avoid soreness or at least spacing the injection site for each shot by at least 1 inch.

Can I catch the flu and COVID-19 at the same time?

Yes. The flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses have similar symptoms, including cough, fever and body aches. Only testing can identify which virus a patient has or if a patient has both.

Different tests are used for each, and identifying the difference is essential to treatment. Antiviral treatments exist for influenza, and some patients with COVID-19 receive monoclonal antibody treatment.

“Doctors are going to have to do a whole lot more testing this year than in the past,” Schaffner said. “It is important to know who has got what.”

What about children and pregnant women?

The CDC estimates that the flu has killed 12,000 to 61,000 people a year since 2010. (More than 650,000 deaths have been linked to the coronavirus pandemic in the US)

About 80% of children who have died of influenza in past years had not been vaccinated, according to research cited this week by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

The flu has the capacity to take a “perfectly normal child and put them in the emergency room in 48 hours,” Schaffner said. Children have died from the flu when they became septic or got pneumonia, he said.

A big factor for the low flu numbers last season was that children were attending school remotely and avoiding groups, he said.

“Children are really the great disseminators of the influenza virus,” Schaffner said. “They shed more virus than do adults, and they shed the virus for a longer period of time. They spread it among themselves and then bring it home.”

This academic year, many children are going back to in-person learning, and some are not required to wear masks.

If children who have not gotten a flu shot get the flu, they should still be vaccinated when they recover. Experts added that children sick with COVID-19 should not get the flu vaccine until they have recovered.

They also recommend pregnant women get the flu vaccine, as its protection passes through the placenta.

How is flu treated?

Antibiotics are not effective against the flu, but antiviral drugs can ease symptoms. They should ideally be given within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. People with the flu should rest and drink plenty of water, and most will recover within a week.

Where can I get the vaccine?

Pharmacies including Walgreens and CVS, and at Walmart offer free flu shots. There are mobile apps to make appointments and online vaccination finders.

Public health officials and experts said that vaccination was so important because it reduces the chances of severe, sometimes fatal illness.

“We can’t shut it off like a light switch,” Schaffner said. “But we can dim it.”

Last fall, as coronavirus cases climbed and the world hoped for vaccines, health experts feared influenza and COVID-19 would combine for a devastating “twindemic.

Last fall, as coronavirus cases climbed and the world hoped for vaccines, health experts feared influenza and COVID-19 would combine for a devastating “twindemic.” While pandemic measures appeared to keep the flu at bay, this year experts are again concerned, especially as some countries and state authorities roll back lockdown rules. Many officials and experts are urging the public: Do not dismiss the danger of the flu, and seek a flu vaccine. “This year we are guaranteed to have the flu, and we are going to have some version of a twindemic,” said Dr. William Schaffner, medical director for the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. “It could really further strain an already extraordinarily stretched, strained, tired-to-the-bone health care system.” The United States is grappling with an average of more than 160,000 new coronavirus cases a day. Hospitals and intensive care units are filling up with COVID-19 patients. At the same time, mask mandates and social distancing have been relaxed in some places, meaning contagious respiratory illnesses can spread more easily than they did last year. Schaffner warned that medical providers now had to remind people about influenza: “We are going to have to say, ‘There is another nasty respiratory virus, and don’t blow it off.’” This flu season unlike any other. In the US, flu activity was significantly lower during the 2020-21 season than during any previous flu season since at least 1997, the first for which data is publicly available. Scientists said pandemic precautions most likely played a role, as many people adopted masking, social-distancing and hand-washing habits. “The lack of influenza last year was truly remarkable,” said Dr. Patrick Jackson, an infectious disease expert at the University of Virginia. “It may be that people’s willingness to wear masks and wash hands regularly and be aware of symptoms may help us moving forward. And I really hope that turns out to be the story.” Experts hope those behaviors will carry over into the coming flu season, especially as more people return to public transit, restaurants, schools and offices. But the US and a number of other countries are not unified in how to confront the pandemic, and some people have stopped taking those precautions. That could mean additional burdens for hospitals already treating large numbers of COVID-19 patients. “Given our politics, a COVID/flu surge will be unevenly distributed to health care systems,” Jackson said. Who should get the flu vaccine and when? The relative lack of flu cases over the past 18 months could also mean that population-level immunity to the flu is lower this season, said Lynnette Brammer, leader of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's domestic influenza surveillance team. And while it is still uncertain how the season will play out, she added, relaxed pandemic measures in some places will “likely result in the resumption of seasonal flu virus circulation.” “This all could set us up for a potentially severe flu season,” she added. In the Northern Hemisphere, the season starts in October and can last through May. In the Southern Hemisphere, it typically occurs from April through September. The CDC advises everyone 6 months and older to get the shot, with a few exceptions. Vaccination is especially important for some groups of people, including those with underlying health conditions, older adults and young children, Brammer said. It takes about two weeks for protection to develop after vaccination, so experts recommend getting vaccinated from September through the end of October, but even after that, it is better to get the vaccine than not. Because viruses mutate, requiring a new vaccine every year, even people who received a flu shot last year need another this year, they said. For any given season, vaccines are tailored to the types of influenza viruses — there are many — that are circulating or most likely to be circulating. If I have been vaccinated for COVID-19, do I still need the flu vaccine? Yes, one does not protect against the other. Vaccines are intended to target specific viruses: Just as the COVID-19 vaccines are manufactured for the coronavirus, flu vaccines target influenza viruses. That means flu shots this year will be doled out as some people are getting initial and booster shots for the coronavirus. “There is vaccine fatigue out there,” Schaffner said. “But we are going to have to tell people, ‘Oh, no, you need a different one,’ right at the time we are boosting." Can I get the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine in the same visit? Yes. The CDC says the vaccine may be administered without regard to the timing of other vaccines. Side effects are generally similar when the vaccines are given simultaneously as when they are administered alone, the CDC says. Dr. Kevin Ban, chief medical officer at Walgreens, said, “Not only is it possible, but we highly encourage people to be vaccinated for both flu and COVID.” Vaccines received at the same time do not cause cumulative reactions, Dr. L.J. Tan, Immunization Action Coalition’s chief policy and partnerships officer, said in an interview. “It is not like you are adding it on.” Common reactions to the flu vaccine can be a sore arm, and some people might get a little tired, he said. If you do get the flu shot and the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time, experts advise using different arms to avoid soreness or at least spacing the injection site for each shot by at least 1 inch. Can I catch the flu and COVID-19 at the same time? Yes. The flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses have similar symptoms, including cough, fever and body aches. Only testing can identify which virus a patient has or if a patient has both. Different tests are used for each, and identifying the difference is essential to treatment. Antiviral treatments exist for influenza, and some patients with COVID-19 receive monoclonal antibody treatment. “Doctors are going to have to do a whole lot more testing this year than in the past,” Schaffner said. “It is important to know who has got what.” What about children and pregnant women? The CDC estimates that the flu has killed 12,000 to 61,000 people a year since 2010. (More than 650,000 deaths have been linked to the coronavirus pandemic in the US) About 80% of children who have died of influenza in past years had not been vaccinated, according to research cited this week by the American Academy of Pediatrics. The flu has the capacity to take a “perfectly normal child and put them in the emergency room in 48 hours,” Schaffner said. Children have died from the flu when they became septic or got pneumonia, he said. A big factor for the low flu numbers last season was that children were attending school remotely and avoiding groups, he said. “Children are really the great disseminators of the influenza virus,” Schaffner said. “They shed more virus than do adults, and they shed the virus for a longer period of time. They spread it among themselves and then bring it home.” This academic year, many children are going back to in-person learning, and some are not required to wear masks. If children who have not gotten a flu shot get the flu, they should still be vaccinated when they recover. Experts added that children sick with COVID-19 should not get the flu vaccine until they have recovered. They also recommend pregnant women get the flu vaccine, as its protection passes through the placenta. How is flu treated? Antibiotics are not effective against the flu, but antiviral drugs can ease symptoms. They should ideally be given within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms. People with the flu should rest and drink plenty of water, and most will recover within a week. Where can I get the vaccine? Pharmacies including Walgreens and CVS, and at Walmart offer free flu shots. There are mobile apps to make appointments and online vaccination finders. Public health officials and experts said that vaccination was so important because it reduces the chances of severe, sometimes fatal illness. “We can’t shut it off like a light switch,” Schaffner said. “But we can dim it.”

It’s that time of year, experts warn: Get a flu shot

India set a record on Friday by administering over 20 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, in a major push to the inoculation drive on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday.

The cumulative doses administered in the country reached 2,03,68,343 at 5.27 pm, according to data on the Co-WIN portal.

The total number of doses administered in the country has crossed 787 million.

"A gift to the prime minister on behalf of health workers and the people of the country. On the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, India has crossed the historic figure of administering 20 million vaccine doses in a day, setting a new record. Well done India! " Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted in Hindi.

The daily vaccinations crossed the 10 million mark for the fourth time in less than a month.

Mandaviya said this is the fastest pace at which 10 million doses have been administered.

"On PM @Narendra Modi Ji's birthday, till 1:30 pm, the country has crossed the mark of 10 million vaccines, the fastest so far, and we are continuously moving forward. I believe that today we will all make a new record of vaccination and give it as a gift to the prime minister," he said in a tweet in Hindi earlier along with the hashtags "VaccineSeva" and "HappyBdayModiji".

The daily COVID-19 vaccinations in the country were over 10 million on September 6, August 31 and August 27.

Mandaviya, on Thursday, had called for a major push to the COVID-19 vaccination drive during Prime Minister Modi's birthday on Friday, saying it would be the perfect gift for him.

The BJP has asked its units across the country to help get a large number of people vaccinated on the occasion.

India took 85 days to touch the 100 million vaccination mark, 45 more days to cross the 200 million mark and 29 more days to reach the 300 million mark, according to the ministry.

The country took 24 days to reach 400 million from 300 million doses and then 20 more days to cross the 500 million vaccination mark on August 6, it said.

It took 19 more days to go past the 600 million mark and took only 13 days to reach 700 million from 600 million on September 7, the ministry said.

The total number of doses administered crossed the 750 million mark on September 13.

The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 with healthcare workers (HCWs) getting inoculated in the first phase. The vaccination of frontline workers (FLWs) started from February 2.

The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from March 1 for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions.

The country launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 years from April 1.

The government then decided to expand its vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 to be vaccinated from May 1.

India set a record on Friday by administering over 20 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, in a major push to the inoculation drive on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday.

India set a record on Friday by administering over 20 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, in a major push to the inoculation drive on the occasion of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's birthday. The cumulative doses administered in the country reached 2,03,68,343 at 5.27 pm, according to data on the Co-WIN portal. The total number of doses administered in the country has crossed 787 million. "A gift to the prime minister on behalf of health workers and the people of the country. On the birthday of Prime Minister Narendra Modi today, India has crossed the historic figure of administering 20 million vaccine doses in a day, setting a new record. Well done India! " Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted in Hindi. The daily vaccinations crossed the 10 million mark for the fourth time in less than a month. Mandaviya said this is the fastest pace at which 10 million doses have been administered. "On PM @Narendra Modi Ji's birthday, till 1:30 pm, the country has crossed the mark of 10 million vaccines, the fastest so far, and we are continuously moving forward. I believe that today we will all make a new record of vaccination and give it as a gift to the prime minister," he said in a tweet in Hindi earlier along with the hashtags "VaccineSeva" and "HappyBdayModiji". The daily COVID-19 vaccinations in the country were over 10 million on September 6, August 31 and August 27. Mandaviya, on Thursday, had called for a major push to the COVID-19 vaccination drive during Prime Minister Modi's birthday on Friday, saying it would be the perfect gift for him. The BJP has asked its units across the country to help get a large number of people vaccinated on the occasion. India took 85 days to touch the 100 million vaccination mark, 45 more days to cross the 200 million mark and 29 more days to reach the 300 million mark, according to the ministry. The country took 24 days to reach 400 million from 300 million doses and then 20 more days to cross the 500 million vaccination mark on August 6, it said. It took 19 more days to go past the 600 million mark and took only 13 days to reach 700 million from 600 million on September 7, the ministry said. The total number of doses administered crossed the 750 million mark on September 13. The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 with healthcare workers (HCWs) getting inoculated in the first phase. The vaccination of frontline workers (FLWs) started from February 2. The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from March 1 for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions. The country launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 years from April 1. The government then decided to expand its vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 to be vaccinated from May 1.

Setting a record, India administers over 20 million vaccine doses on PM Modi's birthday

Africa&nbsp;faces a 470 million&nbsp;shortfall&nbsp;in&nbsp;COVID-19 vaccine doses this year after the Covax alliance cut its projected shipments, raising the risk of new and deadly variants, the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;said on Thursday.

Only 17 per cent of the continent's population will now be vaccinated by the end of this year, compared with the 40 percent target set by the&nbsp;World&nbsp;Health Organization.

“The staggering inequity and severe lag in shipments of vaccines threatens to turn areas in&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;... into breeding grounds for vaccine-resistant variants," said Matshidiso Moeti,&nbsp;WHO's&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;director. "This&nbsp;could&nbsp;end up sending the whole&nbsp;world&nbsp;back&nbsp;to&nbsp;square&nbsp;one," he added.

Due to global shortages, the Covax alliance set up to ensure equitable delivery of jabs, will ship about 150 million fewer doses of vaccine to&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;than planned.&nbsp;

<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/sinovac-begins-global-pediatric-vaccine-trial-in-south-africa-412184">Also read |&nbsp;Sinovac begins global pediatric vaccine trial in South Africa</a>

“As long as rich countries lock Covax out of the market,&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;will miss its vaccination goals," Moetti said.

The reduction in the vaccination target comes as&nbsp;Africa&nbsp;passes the eight million mark in infections this week, the&nbsp;WHO&nbsp;said.&nbsp;

Meanwhile,&nbsp;South Africa has&nbsp;launched the main phase of a global COVID-19 vaccine study on children and teenagers led by Chinese maker Sinovac Biotech, with the first two participants jabbed in Pretoria. The study aims at testing the efficacy of Sinovac's two-dose CoronaVac on 14,000 children, who are aged between six months and 17 years in Chile, Kenya, Malaysia, the Philippines, and South Africa.

"We see a lot of milder and less severe disease in children, but they still remain susceptible," project director Sanet Aspinall told reporters at the event.

She further added, "They are... getting the infection and they are then able to transmit it to the rest of the population."

Africa faces a 470 million shortfall in COVID-19 vaccine doses this year after the Covax alliance cut its projected shipments, raising the risk of new and deadly variants, the WHO said on Thursday.

Africa faces a 470 million shortfall in COVID-19 vaccine doses this year after the Covax alliance cut its projected shipments, raising the risk of new and deadly variants, the WHO said on Thursday. Only 17 per cent of the continent's population will now be vaccinated by the end of this year, compared with the 40 percent target set by the World Health Organization. “The staggering inequity and severe lag in shipments of vaccines threatens to turn areas in Africa ... into breeding grounds for vaccine-resistant variants," said Matshidiso Moeti, WHO's Africa director. "This could end up sending the whole world back to square one," he added. Due to global shortages, the Covax alliance set up to ensure equitable delivery of jabs, will ship about 150 million fewer doses of vaccine to Africa than planned. Also read | Sinovac begins global pediatric vaccine trial in South Africa “As long as rich countries lock Covax out of the market, Africa will miss its vaccination goals," Moetti said. The reduction in the vaccination target comes as Africa passes the eight million mark in infections this week, the WHO said. Meanwhile, South Africa has launched the main phase of a global COVID-19 vaccine study on children and teenagers led by Chinese maker Sinovac Biotech, with the first two participants jabbed in Pretoria. The study aims at testing the efficacy of Sinovac's two-dose CoronaVac on 14,000 children, who are aged between six months and 17 years in Chile, Kenya, Malaysia, the Philippines, and South Africa. "We see a lot of milder and less severe disease in children, but they still remain susceptible," project director Sanet Aspinall told reporters at the event. She further added, "They are... getting the infection and they are then able to transmit it to the rest of the population."

Africa COVID-19 jab shortfall could take world 'back to square one', says WHO

India has now administered more than two million covid-19 vaccines in a single day, a huge milestone in the country's fight against the deadly coronavirus pandemic.

India administers 20 million Covid-19 jabs to mark PM Modi's birthday

China has fully vaccinated more than one billion people against the coronavirus -- 71 per cent of its population -- official figures showed Thursday.

The country where the virus was first detected has mostly curbed the virus within its borders but is racing to get the vast majority of its population vaccinated as a new outbreak flickers in the southeast.

"As of September 15, 2.16 billion vaccine doses have been administered nationwide," said National Health Commission spokesman Mi Feng at a press briefing.&nbsp;

Chinese health authorities said late last month that 890 million people in China had been fully vaccinated and two billion doses administered.&nbsp;

The government has not publicly announced a target for vaccination coverage, but top virologist Zhong Nanshan said last month that the country is likely to have 80 per cent of its population inoculated by the end of the year, reaching herd immunity.

China is currently battling an outbreak of the Delta variant in the southeastern province of Fujian that has infected almost 200 people so far in three cities, dozens of whom are schoolchildren.

The Fujian cluster is the biggest rebound in weeks and comes after the country declared the Delta variant under control, in a test of China's "zero-case" approach to the pandemic.

China reported 49 new domestic transmissions on Thursday, the vast majority in Fujian.

Authorities said the cluster's suspected patient zero was a man who had recently returned from Singapore to the city of Putian, and developed symptoms after completing a 14-day quarantine and initially testing negative for the virus.

The man's 12-year-old son and a classmate were among the first patients detected in the cluster last week, shortly after the new school term began.

The variant then raced through classrooms, infecting more than 36 children including 8 kindergartners, city authorities said Tuesday, in the first major school-linked spread the country has seen since the start of the pandemic.

Despite rolling out its vaccine campaign to include minors aged 12-17 in July, most young children remain unvaccinated in China, sparking fears that the latest Fujian outbreak could hit the most vulnerable people in the country disproportionately.

Authorities have rushed to quash the outbreak with targeted lockdowns, travel restrictions, mass testing and school closures before the upcoming October 1 public holiday, a week-long tourism peak.

Chinese vaccines have nearly 60 per cent efficacy against the Delta strain, with antibodies rising with a booster shot, Zhong previously said.

The country is also racing to produce its own mRNA vaccine -- whose technology is believed to be more effective against the Delta variant -- with candidates by state-owned Sinopharm and domestic firm Walvax Biotechnology currently in development.

China has fully vaccinated more than one billion people against the coronavirus -- 71 per cent of its population -- official figures showed Thursday. The country where the virus was first detected has mostly curbed the virus within its borders but is racing to get the vast majority of its population vaccinated as a new outbreak flickers in the southeast.

China has fully vaccinated more than one billion people against the coronavirus -- 71 per cent of its population -- official figures showed Thursday. The country where the virus was first detected has mostly curbed the virus within its borders but is racing to get the vast majority of its population vaccinated as a new outbreak flickers in the southeast. "As of September 15, 2.16 billion vaccine doses have been administered nationwide," said National Health Commission spokesman Mi Feng at a press briefing. Chinese health authorities said late last month that 890 million people in China had been fully vaccinated and two billion doses administered. The government has not publicly announced a target for vaccination coverage, but top virologist Zhong Nanshan said last month that the country is likely to have 80 per cent of its population inoculated by the end of the year, reaching herd immunity. China is currently battling an outbreak of the Delta variant in the southeastern province of Fujian that has infected almost 200 people so far in three cities, dozens of whom are schoolchildren. The Fujian cluster is the biggest rebound in weeks and comes after the country declared the Delta variant under control, in a test of China's "zero-case" approach to the pandemic. China reported 49 new domestic transmissions on Thursday, the vast majority in Fujian. Authorities said the cluster's suspected patient zero was a man who had recently returned from Singapore to the city of Putian, and developed symptoms after completing a 14-day quarantine and initially testing negative for the virus. The man's 12-year-old son and a classmate were among the first patients detected in the cluster last week, shortly after the new school term began. The variant then raced through classrooms, infecting more than 36 children including 8 kindergartners, city authorities said Tuesday, in the first major school-linked spread the country has seen since the start of the pandemic. Despite rolling out its vaccine campaign to include minors aged 12-17 in July, most young children remain unvaccinated in China, sparking fears that the latest Fujian outbreak could hit the most vulnerable people in the country disproportionately. Authorities have rushed to quash the outbreak with targeted lockdowns, travel restrictions, mass testing and school closures before the upcoming October 1 public holiday, a week-long tourism peak. Chinese vaccines have nearly 60 per cent efficacy against the Delta strain, with antibodies rising with a booster shot, Zhong previously said. The country is also racing to produce its own mRNA vaccine -- whose technology is believed to be more effective against the Delta variant -- with candidates by state-owned Sinopharm and domestic firm Walvax Biotechnology currently in development.

China fully vaccinates more than 1 billion people 

US President Joe Biden is set to propose a target of vaccinating nearly 70 per cent of world’s population within next year.

Biden will reportedly make an announcement at a global vaccines summit that he is planning to attend soon. His ambition will be in line with World Bank’s target which are in partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the WTO and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-to-offer-booster-covid-shots-next-week-says-health-secretary-sajid-javid-413080" hreflang="en">UK to offer booster Covid shots next week, says Health Secretary Sajid Javid</a>

As per the White House, led by Biden, this target of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">vaccinating</a> 70 per cent of the world’s population "is ambitious but consistent with existing targets".

His new target has come a little after the chiefs of World Bank, IMF, WTO and WHO decided that the world leaders will come together to vaccinate at least 60 per cent of the world’s population by middle of 2022.

Biden will also urge other wealthy countries to purchase or donate at least one billion additional doses of coronavirus vaccines, in addition to the already pledged two billion vaccines. The world leaders have also been requested to donate $3bn (£2.2bn) in 2021 and &nbsp;$7bn in 2022 for financing "for vaccine readiness and administration, combating&nbsp;hesitancy, and procuring ancillary supplies".

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/united-kingdom-to-launch-booster-programme-413207">WATCH |</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/united-kingdom-to-launch-booster-programme-413207/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The WHO, meanwhile, reported that this month only 20 per cent of people in low and lower-middle income countries have received the first dose of coronavirus vaccine. This figure shows a drastic contrast with the developed and wealthy nations where nearly 80 per cent people were vaccinated.

Experts of the WHO have assured that they are still trying to protect the vulnerable people in the world as it "continues to be hampered by export bans, the prioritisation of bilateral deals by manufacturers and countries, ongoing challenges in scaling up production by some key producers, and delays in filing for regulatory approval".

US President Joe Biden is set to propose a target of vaccinating nearly 70 per cent of world’s population within next year. Biden will reportedly make an announcement at a global vaccines summit that he is planning to attend soon.

US President Joe Biden is set to propose a target of vaccinating nearly 70 per cent of world’s population within next year. Biden will reportedly make an announcement at a global vaccines summit that he is planning to attend soon. His ambition will be in line with World Bank’s target which are in partnership with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the WTO and the World Health Organization (WHO). Also read | UK to offer booster Covid shots next week, says Health Secretary Sajid Javid As per the White House, led by Biden, this target of vaccinating 70 per cent of the world’s population "is ambitious but consistent with existing targets". His new target has come a little after the chiefs of World Bank, IMF, WTO and WHO decided that the world leaders will come together to vaccinate at least 60 per cent of the world’s population by middle of 2022. Biden will also urge other wealthy countries to purchase or donate at least one billion additional doses of coronavirus vaccines, in addition to the already pledged two billion vaccines. The world leaders have also been requested to donate $3bn (£2.2bn) in 2021 and $7bn in 2022 for financing "for vaccine readiness and administration, combating hesitancy, and procuring ancillary supplies". WATCH | The WHO, meanwhile, reported that this month only 20 per cent of people in low and lower-middle income countries have received the first dose of coronavirus vaccine. This figure shows a drastic contrast with the developed and wealthy nations where nearly 80 per cent people were vaccinated. Experts of the WHO have assured that they are still trying to protect the vulnerable people in the world as it "continues to be hampered by export bans, the prioritisation of bilateral deals by manufacturers and countries, ongoing challenges in scaling up production by some key producers, and delays in filing for regulatory approval".

Joe Biden aims to vaccinate 70% of world population within a year: Reports

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) employees have sued over mandatory Covid vaccination directions. They have alleged that the department has created 'hostile work environment' for unvaccinated members of the staff. The employees also argued that the vaccine mandate violated their privacy and civil rights.

The lawsuit has thrown up an aggressive challenge to the vaccine mandate and some police unions across California have threatened mass resignations.&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden has taken a strong stance recently with respect to vaccination. It has been made mandatory for government workers to get vaccinated failing which even their jobs would be on the line.&nbsp;

The mandate however is attracting legal challenges.&nbsp;

"Have at it," a defiant Biden told reporters on Friday when asked about legal challenges to the strict vaccination rules that would affect tens of millions of American workers.

After months of seeking to boost vaccination rates through gentle persuasion and incentives, the Democratic president made it clear on Thursday that he was fed up as the Delta variant sends Covid cases surging across the country.

Biden directly addressed the estimated 80 million eligible Americans who have not yet gotten the shot against a disease that has left 650,000 people dead in the United States.

"We've been patient, but our patience is wearing thin," the 78-year-old president said. "And your refusal has cost all of us. So, please, do the right thing."

Biden's plan mandates vaccinations for all federal employees and contractors and businesses with more than 100 employees. Companies could face fines if they do not comply.

Most of the Americans who have not yet been vaccinated tend to be younger, less educated, and more likely to be Republican, according to studies.

Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas said Friday that while he supports the vaccine, getting the shot should be the individual choice of every American.

"The federal government has no authority to force businesses in Texas and across the country to mandate their employees get vaccinated," Cruz said. "It is cruel and burdensome to impose this authoritarian mandate.

"While I support the vaccine and have received it, Americans have the right to exercise personal choice when it comes to their health."

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) employees have sued over mandatory Covid vaccination directions. They have alleged that the department has created 'hostile work environment' for unvaccinated members of the staff.

Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) employees have sued over mandatory Covid vaccination directions. They have alleged that the department has created 'hostile work environment' for unvaccinated members of the staff. The employees also argued that the vaccine mandate violated their privacy and civil rights. The lawsuit has thrown up an aggressive challenge to the vaccine mandate and some police unions across California have threatened mass resignations. US President Joe Biden has taken a strong stance recently with respect to vaccination. It has been made mandatory for government workers to get vaccinated failing which even their jobs would be on the line. The mandate however is attracting legal challenges. "Have at it," a defiant Biden told reporters on Friday when asked about legal challenges to the strict vaccination rules that would affect tens of millions of American workers. After months of seeking to boost vaccination rates through gentle persuasion and incentives, the Democratic president made it clear on Thursday that he was fed up as the Delta variant sends Covid cases surging across the country. Biden directly addressed the estimated 80 million eligible Americans who have not yet gotten the shot against a disease that has left 650,000 people dead in the United States. "We've been patient, but our patience is wearing thin," the 78-year-old president said. "And your refusal has cost all of us. So, please, do the right thing." Biden's plan mandates vaccinations for all federal employees and contractors and businesses with more than 100 employees. Companies could face fines if they do not comply. Most of the Americans who have not yet been vaccinated tend to be younger, less educated, and more likely to be Republican, according to studies. Republican Senator Ted Cruz of Texas said Friday that while he supports the vaccine, getting the shot should be the individual choice of every American. "The federal government has no authority to force businesses in Texas and across the country to mandate their employees get vaccinated," Cruz said. "It is cruel and burdensome to impose this authoritarian mandate. "While I support the vaccine and have received it, Americans have the right to exercise personal choice when it comes to their health." (With inputs from agencies)

LAPD officials file lawsuit against compulsory Covid vaccination

Amid surging Delta variant cases in the US, COVID-19 vaccines for children younger than 12 years could be available by the end of next month, says a media report.

A report in The New York Times quoted two health experts saying that COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5 to 11 could be available as soon as the end of October.

This brought relief to parents of younger children since vaccines are only available for children aged 12 and above.

The NYT report quoted Dr Scott Gottlieb, who is a former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration who also sits on the board of Pfizer, as saying that getting the green light for younger children will require careful and expeditious review of the clinical data.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-zealand-extends-lockdown-in-virus-hit-auckland-412749">Also read |&nbsp;New Zealand extends lockdown in virus-hit Auckland</a>

Gottlieb said on the CBS show “Face the Nation” that “in a best-case scenario,” the Pfizer vaccine could be ready by October 31 for younger children.

“I have confidence in Pfizer in terms of the data that they’ve collected,” Gottlieb said.

Dr James Versalovic, who is an interim paediatrician in chief at Texas Children’s Hospital, said he agreed with Gottlieb on the possibility of the vaccine for younger children getting approval by October.

“We’re doing everything we can now to move these trials ahead,” he was quoted as saying in the NYT report.

“We continue to be on a high plateau” and may yet hit “another peak,” he said.

The report added that both Pfizer and Moderna "are gathering data on the safety, correct dose and effectiveness of the Covid vaccines in children.”

"Compared with adults, children diagnosed with COVID are more likely to have mild symptoms or none at all. Children are also far less likely to develop severe illness, be hospitalised or die from the disease,” the NYT report said.

Amid surging Delta variant cases in the US, COVID-19 vaccines for children younger than 12 years could be available by the end of next month, says a media report.

Amid surging Delta variant cases in the US, COVID-19 vaccines for children younger than 12 years could be available by the end of next month, says a media report. A report in The New York Times quoted two health experts saying that COVID-19 vaccines for children aged 5 to 11 could be available as soon as the end of October. This brought relief to parents of younger children since vaccines are only available for children aged 12 and above. The NYT report quoted Dr Scott Gottlieb, who is a former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration who also sits on the board of Pfizer, as saying that getting the green light for younger children will require careful and expeditious review of the clinical data. Also read | New Zealand extends lockdown in virus-hit Auckland Gottlieb said on the CBS show “Face the Nation” that “in a best-case scenario,” the Pfizer vaccine could be ready by October 31 for younger children. “I have confidence in Pfizer in terms of the data that they’ve collected,” Gottlieb said. Dr James Versalovic, who is an interim paediatrician in chief at Texas Children’s Hospital, said he agreed with Gottlieb on the possibility of the vaccine for younger children getting approval by October. “We’re doing everything we can now to move these trials ahead,” he was quoted as saying in the NYT report. “We continue to be on a high plateau” and may yet hit “another peak,” he said. The report added that both Pfizer and Moderna "are gathering data on the safety, correct dose and effectiveness of the Covid vaccines in children.” "Compared with adults, children diagnosed with COVID are more likely to have mild symptoms or none at all. Children are also far less likely to develop severe illness, be hospitalised or die from the disease,” the NYT report said.

COVID-19 vaccines for children younger than 12 years in US to be made available soon

New Zealand is buying an extra 500,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine from Denmark. The attempt comes in as the country tries to keep its coronavirus vaccination program running at full speed, the government said.

The doses are on top of New Zealand’s regular shipments from Pfizer and come a few days after officials announced a similar deal with Spain for more than 250,000 extra doses.&nbsp;

New Zealand reported 20 locally acquired COVID-19 cases in Auckland on Sunday.&nbsp;

The latest outbreak totals 599 infections since the first case was detected in late August.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/911-attacks-fbi-releases-newly-declassified-record-412485">Also read |&nbsp;9/11 attacks: FBI releases newly declassified record</a>

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that the vaccine will arrive within days.&nbsp;

In an email, she wrote, "There is now more than enough vaccine in the country to vaccinate at the world leading rates we were hitting earlier in the month, and I strongly encourage every New Zealander not yet vaccinated to do so as soon as possible."

The government has been attempting to eliminate the virus in Auckland by imposing a lockdown.

About 54 per cent of people in New Zealand have had at least one dose and 28 per cent are fully vaccinated.

New Zealand is buying an extra 500,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine from Denmark. The attempt comes in as the country tries to keep its coronavirus vaccination program running at full speed, the government said.

New Zealand is buying an extra 500,000 doses of the Pfizer vaccine from Denmark. The attempt comes in as the country tries to keep its coronavirus vaccination program running at full speed, the government said. The doses are on top of New Zealand’s regular shipments from Pfizer and come a few days after officials announced a similar deal with Spain for more than 250,000 extra doses. New Zealand reported 20 locally acquired COVID-19 cases in Auckland on Sunday. The latest outbreak totals 599 infections since the first case was detected in late August. Also read | 9/11 attacks: FBI releases newly declassified record New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that the vaccine will arrive within days. In an email, she wrote, "There is now more than enough vaccine in the country to vaccinate at the world leading rates we were hitting earlier in the month, and I strongly encourage every New Zealander not yet vaccinated to do so as soon as possible." The government has been attempting to eliminate the virus in Auckland by imposing a lockdown. About 54 per cent of people in New Zealand have had at least one dose and 28 per cent are fully vaccinated.

New Zealand buys half a million vaccine doses from Denmark

Police&nbsp;in Greece's second city Thessaloniki on Saturday fired&nbsp;tear&nbsp;gas&nbsp;at anti-vaccination protesters ahead of a keynote economic speech by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

The police&nbsp;used&nbsp;tear&nbsp;gas&nbsp;and a water cannon to keep around 1,000 protesters away from the venue of the PM's speech.

There has been opposition in Greece to the mandatory Covid-19 vaccination of all health workers, who are threatened with suspension if they fail to comply.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/with-display-of-unity-biden-obama-clinton-mark-911-anniversary-in-nyc-412414">Also read |&nbsp;With display of unity, Biden, Obama, Clinton mark 9/11 anniversary in NYC</a>

Tougher air, sea and rail transport restrictions also come into effect on Monday, with the unvaccinated no longer entitled to free testing.

Over 14,000 people in Greece have died from causes related to the pandemic. Over half of the country's 11 million residents have been fully vaccinated.

Police in Greece's second city Thessaloniki on Saturday fired tear gas at anti-vaccination protesters ahead of a keynote economic speech by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Police in Greece's second city Thessaloniki on Saturday fired tear gas at anti-vaccination protesters ahead of a keynote economic speech by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The police used tear gas and a water cannon to keep around 1,000 protesters away from the venue of the PM's speech. There has been opposition in Greece to the mandatory Covid-19 vaccination of all health workers, who are threatened with suspension if they fail to comply. Also read | With display of unity, Biden, Obama, Clinton mark 9/11 anniversary in NYC Tougher air, sea and rail transport restrictions also come into effect on Monday, with the unvaccinated no longer entitled to free testing. Over 14,000 people in Greece have died from causes related to the pandemic. Over half of the country's 11 million residents have been fully vaccinated.

Greek police tear gas anti-vaxxers

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported on Friday said&nbsp;that a new study has found that unvaccinated individuals are four-and-a-half times more likely to contract COVID-19 and eleven times more likely to die from it.

CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky discussed the findings at a White House COVID-19 response team briefing on Friday. She said that the study, published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), evaluated over six hundred thousand people with COVID-19 from April through mid-July.

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Walensky also said that the seven-day average of daily deaths from COVID-19 remains over one thousand.

The data comes one day after US&nbsp;President Joe Biden unveiled a six step plan to combat COVID-19 that includes measures such as requiring some employers to impose vaccination mandates or mandatory testing, making available more over-the-counter at-home coronavirus tests and expanding the government's free testing program.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported on Friday said that a new study has found that unvaccinated individuals are four-and-a-half times more likely to contract COVID-19 and eleven times more likely to die from it.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported on Friday said that a new study has found that unvaccinated individuals are four-and-a-half times more likely to contract COVID-19 and eleven times more likely to die from it. CDC Director, Dr. Rochelle Walensky discussed the findings at a White House COVID-19 response team briefing on Friday. She said that the study, published in the CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), evaluated over six hundred thousand people with COVID-19 from April through mid-July. Also read | 'Clearly unconstitutional': US Justice Department sues Texas over restrictive abortion law Walensky also said that the seven-day average of daily deaths from COVID-19 remains over one thousand. The data comes one day after US President Joe Biden unveiled a six step plan to combat COVID-19 that includes measures such as requiring some employers to impose vaccination mandates or mandatory testing, making available more over-the-counter at-home coronavirus tests and expanding the government's free testing program.

New CDC study says unvaccinated 4.5 times more likely to get COVID-19, 11 times more likely to die

South Africa on Friday launched the main phase of a global COVID-19 vaccine study on children and teenagers led by Chinese maker Sinovac Biotech, with the first two participants jabbed in Pretoria.

The study aims at testing the efficacy of Sinovac's two-dose CoronaVac on 14,000 children, who are aged between six months and 17 years in Chile, Kenya, Malaysia, the Philippines, and South Africa.

South Africa, where vaccination has not yet been extended to under-18s, kicked off the study with two teenagers jabbed on the sunny campus of Pretoria's Sefako Makgatho Health Science University.

"We see a lot of milder and less severe disease in children, but they still remain susceptible," project director Sanet Aspinall told reporters at the event.

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She further added, "They are... getting the infection and they are then able to transmit it to the rest of the population."

US manufacturers Pfizer and Moderna have also undertaken the pediatric trials of their shots.

This has prompted several countries to green light them for children in varying age groups.

South African Medical Research Council president Glenda Gray urged the country to follow suit. "Delaying the inclusion of children in the Covid vaccine trials delays our ability to contain Covid-19," she said during Friday's event.

Also, over a third of South Africa's population is younger than 19.

The country has enrolled 2,000 participants in the study, carried out in collaboration with Sinovac's local partner Numolux Group.

South Africa on Friday launched the main phase of a global COVID-19 vaccine study on children and teenagers led by Chinese maker Sinovac Biotech, with the first two participants jabbed in Pretoria.

South Africa on Friday launched the main phase of a global COVID-19 vaccine study on children and teenagers led by Chinese maker Sinovac Biotech, with the first two participants jabbed in Pretoria. The study aims at testing the efficacy of Sinovac's two-dose CoronaVac on 14,000 children, who are aged between six months and 17 years in Chile, Kenya, Malaysia, the Philippines, and South Africa. South Africa, where vaccination has not yet been extended to under-18s, kicked off the study with two teenagers jabbed on the sunny campus of Pretoria's Sefako Makgatho Health Science University. "We see a lot of milder and less severe disease in children, but they still remain susceptible," project director Sanet Aspinall told reporters at the event. Also read | Nine in 10 Afghans are not consuming enough food: World Food Programme She further added, "They are... getting the infection and they are then able to transmit it to the rest of the population." US manufacturers Pfizer and Moderna have also undertaken the pediatric trials of their shots. This has prompted several countries to green light them for children in varying age groups. South African Medical Research Council president Glenda Gray urged the country to follow suit. "Delaying the inclusion of children in the Covid vaccine trials delays our ability to contain Covid-19," she said during Friday's event. Also, over a third of South Africa's population is younger than 19. The country has enrolled 2,000 participants in the study, carried out in collaboration with Sinovac's local partner Numolux Group.

Sinovac begins global pediatric vaccine trial in South Africa

As some of the countries still fight to contain the spread of Delta variant, Denmark has decided to let go of all Covid curbs and return to pre-pandemic times.<o:p></o:p>

Denmark locals can now be seen enjoying outdoors without masks, people in offices are seen logging on without any worry of catching Covid and concerts are attracting thousands of people to come enjoy in pre-Covid style.<o:p></o:p>

Vaccine passports, which were introduced in March 2021, were weeded out from the first day of September, except for in clubs. However, from Friday, the order of vaccine passports being compulsory for entry in clubs has also been retracted.'

<o:p><a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/sri-lanka-extends-covid-19-lockdown-till-september-21-412153">WATCH |</a></o:p>

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"We are definitely at the forefront in Denmark as we have no restrictions, and we are now on the other side of the pandemic thanks to the vaccination rollout," Ulrik Orum-Petersen, a promoter at event organiser Live Nation, told news agency AFP.<o:p></o:p>

This covid curb-free nation is readying itself to host Europe’s first sold-out concert in Copenhagen which will welcome at least 50,000 people.<o:p></o:p>

Earlier, on September 04, Live Nation also hosted an open-air festival in Copenhagen which was attended by 15,000 people and was humorously named "Back to Live".<o:p></o:p>

Experts believe Denmark has been able to lift all Covid curbs due to the country’s successful vaccine rollout. Nearly 73 per cent of the 5.8 million people have been fully vaccinated.<o:p></o:p>

As some of the countries still fight to contain the spread of Delta variant, Denmark has decided to let go of all Covid curbs and return to pre-pandemic times. Denmark locals can now be seen enjoying outdoors without masks, people in offices are seen logging on without any worry of catching Covid and concerts are attracting thousands of people to come enjoy in pre-Covid style.

As some of the countries still fight to contain the spread of Delta variant, Denmark has decided to let go of all Covid curbs and return to pre-pandemic times. Denmark locals can now be seen enjoying outdoors without masks, people in offices are seen logging on without any worry of catching Covid and concerts are attracting thousands of people to come enjoy in pre-Covid style. Vaccine passports, which were introduced in March 2021, were weeded out from the first day of September, except for in clubs. However, from Friday, the order of vaccine passports being compulsory for entry in clubs has also been retracted.' WATCH | "We are definitely at the forefront in Denmark as we have no restrictions, and we are now on the other side of the pandemic thanks to the vaccination rollout," Ulrik Orum-Petersen, a promoter at event organiser Live Nation, told news agency AFP. This covid curb-free nation is readying itself to host Europe’s first sold-out concert in Copenhagen which will welcome at least 50,000 people. Earlier, on September 04, Live Nation also hosted an open-air festival in Copenhagen which was attended by 15,000 people and was humorously named "Back to Live". Experts believe Denmark has been able to lift all Covid curbs due to the country’s successful vaccine rollout. Nearly 73 per cent of the 5.8 million people have been fully vaccinated.

'Back to live': Denmark lifts all Covid curbs a day before Europe's biggest post-pandemic concert

Dr Anthony Fauci, USA's top expert on viral diseases has said that US still had too many Covid cases for pandemic in country to end. He said this in an interview given to Axios.

“The endgame is to suppress the virus,” Fauci said. “Right now, we’re still in pandemic mode, because we have 160,000 new infections a day.”

He said that in a country as big as the USA, the number of daily infections needed to go below 10,000 to know that the country was moving towards ending the pandemic.

Fauci had mentioned this benchmark in an interview to Journal of the American Medical Association in August 2020.

This year in March, Fauci had warned against loosening restrictions before daily infections fell below 10,000. USA experienced lowest point in the pandemic in June. But even thenm number of daily infections was about 11,000. The cases have spiked with arrival of the Delta variant.

Fauci said that vaccines were important and instrumental in combating the pandemic. He said that when majority of the population was vaccinated, USA will still have infections but it would not be a large scale public health concern 
&nbsp;

Dr Anthony Fauci, USA's top expert on viral diseases has said that US still had too many Covid cases for pandemic in country to end. He said this in an interview given to Axios.

Dr Anthony Fauci, USA's top expert on viral diseases has said that US still had too many Covid cases for pandemic in country to end. He said this in an interview given to Axios. “The endgame is to suppress the virus,” Fauci said. “Right now, we’re still in pandemic mode, because we have 160,000 new infections a day.” He said that in a country as big as the USA, the number of daily infections needed to go below 10,000 to know that the country was moving towards ending the pandemic. Fauci had mentioned this benchmark in an interview to Journal of the American Medical Association in August 2020. This year in March, Fauci had warned against loosening restrictions before daily infections fell below 10,000. USA experienced lowest point in the pandemic in June. But even thenm number of daily infections was about 11,000. The cases have spiked with arrival of the Delta variant. Fauci said that vaccines were important and instrumental in combating the pandemic. He said that when majority of the population was vaccinated, USA will still have infections but it would not be a large scale public health concern

Covid cases in US 16 times too high to end pandemic, says Fauci

In the fight against coronavirus, Italy is going to give third dose of Covid-19 vaccine to ‘clinically vulnerable’ people this month. &nbsp;&nbsp;

With the move, it will become the latest country in the west to push forward with booster jabs. &nbsp;

Italy’s health minister Roberto Speranza said that the third dose of Covid-19 vaccine will be made available to groups of 'clinically vulnerable' people this month. &nbsp;&nbsp;

Watch | Gravitas: Can long COVID be linked to dementia?

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On Tuesday, Italy reported 71 coronavirus-related deaths, up from 52 on Monday. The daily tally of new infections rose to 4,720 from 3,361, Reuters reported. &nbsp;

Meanwhile, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has cut the average life expectancy in Italy by 1.2 years. &nbsp;

Italy’s national statistics bureau ISTAT in a report said that compared with 2019, the nationwide life expectancy for those born in 2020 has now dropped by over one year. &nbsp;

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-may-not-impair-lung-function-in-young-adults-research-shows-411444" hreflang="en">COVID-19 may not impair lung function in young adults, research shows</a>

According to the latest figures the nationwide life expectancy at birth last year stood at 82 years, compared to 83.2 years in 2019. &nbsp;

For a child born in 2020, male life expectancy is nearly 80 years while for women it is 84.4 years. &nbsp;

"In 2020, the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting sharp increase in mortality abruptly interrupted the growth in life expectancy at birth that had characterised the trend until 2019," ISTAT said. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

In the fight against coronavirus, Italy is going to give third dose of Covid-19 vaccine to ‘clinically vulnerable’ people this month. With the move, it will become the latest country in the west to push forward with booster jabs.

In the fight against coronavirus, Italy is going to give third dose of Covid-19 vaccine to ‘clinically vulnerable’ people this month. With the move, it will become the latest country in the west to push forward with booster jabs. Italy’s health minister Roberto Speranza said that the third dose of Covid-19 vaccine will be made available to groups of 'clinically vulnerable' people this month. Watch | Gravitas: Can long COVID be linked to dementia? × On Tuesday, Italy reported 71 coronavirus-related deaths, up from 52 on Monday. The daily tally of new infections rose to 4,720 from 3,361, Reuters reported. Meanwhile, the ongoing coronavirus pandemic has cut the average life expectancy in Italy by 1.2 years. Italy’s national statistics bureau ISTAT in a report said that compared with 2019, the nationwide life expectancy for those born in 2020 has now dropped by over one year. Also Read: COVID-19 may not impair lung function in young adults, research shows According to the latest figures the nationwide life expectancy at birth last year stood at 82 years, compared to 83.2 years in 2019. For a child born in 2020, male life expectancy is nearly 80 years while for women it is 84.4 years. "In 2020, the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting sharp increase in mortality abruptly interrupted the growth in life expectancy at birth that had characterised the trend until 2019," ISTAT said. (With inputs from agencies)

'Clinically vulnerable' people to get Covid vaccine’s third dose in Italy  

Vaccine passports will now be required for nightclubs, mass events and large venues in England by the end of September, the vaccines minister has confirmed.&nbsp;

He said that would allow businesses to stay open during the winter months if COVID-19 surges.

Nadhim Zahawi said that the government wanted to “make sure the whole economy remains open” through the autumn amid fears that a return to school could lead to a new wave.

“We are looking at, by the end of September when everyone has had the opportunity to be fully vaccinated, for the large venues, venues that could end up causing a real spike in infections, where we need to use the certification process,” Zahawi told Sky’s Trevor Phillips.

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He further added, “If you look at what the FA have done, they’ve done so brilliantly in terms of checking vaccine status to reopen football. That is the sort of right thing to do and we are absolutely on track to continue to make sure that we do that.”

Vaccine passports can be shown via the NHS app.

They have been fiercely opposed by some Conservative MPs.&nbsp;

Also, Zahawi assured that Boris Johnson was committed to the plan.

Zahawi also said that the parents of healthy 12 to 15-year-olds would be asked for consent if coronavirus jabs were approved for their children.

Vaccine passports will now be required for nightclubs, mass events and large venues in England by the end of September, the vaccines minister has confirmed. He said that would allow businesses to stay open during the winter months if COVID-19 surges.

Vaccine passports will now be required for nightclubs, mass events and large venues in England by the end of September, the vaccines minister has confirmed. He said that would allow businesses to stay open during the winter months if COVID-19 surges. Nadhim Zahawi said that the government wanted to “make sure the whole economy remains open” through the autumn amid fears that a return to school could lead to a new wave. “We are looking at, by the end of September when everyone has had the opportunity to be fully vaccinated, for the large venues, venues that could end up causing a real spike in infections, where we need to use the certification process,” Zahawi told Sky’s Trevor Phillips. Also read | At least 600 Taliban fighters killed in Panjshir clashes against resistance forces He further added, “If you look at what the FA have done, they’ve done so brilliantly in terms of checking vaccine status to reopen football. That is the sort of right thing to do and we are absolutely on track to continue to make sure that we do that.” Vaccine passports can be shown via the NHS app. They have been fiercely opposed by some Conservative MPs. Also, Zahawi assured that Boris Johnson was committed to the plan. Zahawi also said that the parents of healthy 12 to 15-year-olds would be asked for consent if coronavirus jabs were approved for their children.

Vaccine passports needed to keep venues in England open

British vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi on Sunday said a decision had not yet been taken on whether healthy children aged 12&nbsp;to 15-years-old should be vaccinated against COVID-19, following reports that a rollout could begin in the coming days.

Britain's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on Friday declined to recommend vaccinations for children in that group, taking a precautionary approach due to a rare risk of heart inflammation, but adding the issue was finely balanced.

The government is consulting medical advisers to seek advice on wider considerations, such as the impact on schools, and may still give the go-ahead to broad vaccination of the age group.

Some newspapers reported confidence among ministers that the chief medical officers would swiftly back shots for healthy 12- to 15-year-olds, but Zahawi said the government would not prejudge the decision.

"No decision will be made until we hear back from the chief medical officers," Zahawi told the BBC.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/at-least-600-taliban-fighters-killed-in-panjshir-clashes-against-resistance-forces-410830">Also read |&nbsp;At least 600 Taliban fighters killed in Panjshir clashes against resistance forces</a>

Children are being widely vaccinated already in the United States, Israel and many European countries.

British officials have emphasised that 12- to 15-year-olds who are vulnerable to COVID-19 are already eligible for vaccination, as well as all people over 16.

The four nations of the United Kingdom, which have recorded 133,000 COVID deaths, control their own health policy, although all have followed JCVI advice on vaccine rollout thus far.

Zahawi confirmed that proof of vaccination would be required in England for some large events from the end of this month once all adults have been offered two shots.

He also said that the government was still finalising plans for a vaccine booster programme following interim advice from the JCVI that one might be needed for the vulnerable and elderly.

"It is very likely that we will begin boosting those groups, as&nbsp;I hope the interim then becomes final advice, by the middle of this month," he said.

British vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi on Sunday said a decision had not yet been taken on whether healthy children aged 12 to 15-years-old should be vaccinated against COVID-19, following reports that a rollout could begin in the coming days.

British vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi on Sunday said a decision had not yet been taken on whether healthy children aged 12 to 15-years-old should be vaccinated against COVID-19, following reports that a rollout could begin in the coming days. Britain's Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) on Friday declined to recommend vaccinations for children in that group, taking a precautionary approach due to a rare risk of heart inflammation, but adding the issue was finely balanced. The government is consulting medical advisers to seek advice on wider considerations, such as the impact on schools, and may still give the go-ahead to broad vaccination of the age group. Some newspapers reported confidence among ministers that the chief medical officers would swiftly back shots for healthy 12- to 15-year-olds, but Zahawi said the government would not prejudge the decision. "No decision will be made until we hear back from the chief medical officers," Zahawi told the BBC. Also read | At least 600 Taliban fighters killed in Panjshir clashes against resistance forces Children are being widely vaccinated already in the United States, Israel and many European countries. British officials have emphasised that 12- to 15-year-olds who are vulnerable to COVID-19 are already eligible for vaccination, as well as all people over 16. The four nations of the United Kingdom, which have recorded 133,000 COVID deaths, control their own health policy, although all have followed JCVI advice on vaccine rollout thus far. Zahawi confirmed that proof of vaccination would be required in England for some large events from the end of this month once all adults have been offered two shots. He also said that the government was still finalising plans for a vaccine booster programme following interim advice from the JCVI that one might be needed for the vulnerable and elderly. "It is very likely that we will begin boosting those groups, as I hope the interim then becomes final advice, by the middle of this month," he said.

UK minister: No decision yet on COVID-19 vaccines for healthy children

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