The Palestinian Authority (PA) cancelled a deal on Friday to receive soon-to-expire COVID-19 vaccines from Israel after an initial Israeli shipment showed an expiration date sooner than had been agreed, the PA health minister said. 
 
Israel and the PA announced a vaccine swap deal earlier on Friday that would have seen Israel send up to 1.4 million Pfizer-BioNTech doses to the PA, in exchange for receiving a reciprocal number of doses from the PA later this year. 
 
The doses were due to 'expire soon', Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's office said in a statement announcing the deal. The PA said they had been 'approved in order to speed up the vaccination process' in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. 
 
"They told us the expiration date was in July or August, which would allow lots of time for use," PA Health Minister Mai Alkaila told reporters later on Friday. 
 
"But (the expiration) turned out to be in June. That's not enough time to use them, so we rejected them," she said. 
 
The PA cancelled the deal over the date issue, a PA spokesman said, and sent the initial shipment of around 90,000 doses back to Israel. 
 
Bennett's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. 
 
Rights groups have criticised Israel, which led one of the world's swiftest vaccination campaigns, for not doing more to ensure Palestinian access to doses in the West Bank and Gaza, territory it captured in a 1967 war. 
 
Israeli officials argue that under the Oslo peace accords, the PA health ministry is responsible for vaccinating people in Gaza and parts of the West Bank where it has limited self-rule. 
 
The vaccine deal was among initial policy moves towards the Palestinians by Bennett, who was sworn in on Sunday and replaced veteran leader Benjamin Netanyahu. 
 
Around 55% of Israel's 9.3 million population are fully vaccinated - a coverage rate largely unchanged by this month's expansion of eligibility to include 12- to 15-year-olds. 
 
Some 30% of eligible Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, home to a combined 5.2 million people, have received at least one vaccine dose, according to Palestinian officials. 
 
According to a poll released on Tuesday by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, 40% of Palestinians are willing to take the vaccine once it is available, while 35% say they and their families are not willing to get vaccinated. 
 
The Palestinians have received vaccine doses from Israel, Russia, China, the United Arab Emirates and the global COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

The Palestinian Authority (PA) cancelled a deal on Friday to receive soon-to-expire COVID-19 vaccines from Israel after an initial Israeli shipment showed an expiration date sooner than had been agreed, the PA health minister said.

The Palestinian Authority (PA) cancelled a deal on Friday to receive soon-to-expire COVID-19 vaccines from Israel after an initial Israeli shipment showed an expiration date sooner than had been agreed, the PA health minister said. Israel and the PA announced a vaccine swap deal earlier on Friday that would have seen Israel send up to 1.4 million Pfizer-BioNTech doses to the PA, in exchange for receiving a reciprocal number of doses from the PA later this year. The doses were due to 'expire soon', Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's office said in a statement announcing the deal. The PA said they had been 'approved in order to speed up the vaccination process' in the occupied West Bank and Gaza. "They told us the expiration date was in July or August, which would allow lots of time for use," PA Health Minister Mai Alkaila told reporters later on Friday. "But (the expiration) turned out to be in June. That's not enough time to use them, so we rejected them," she said. The PA cancelled the deal over the date issue, a PA spokesman said, and sent the initial shipment of around 90,000 doses back to Israel. Bennett's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Rights groups have criticised Israel, which led one of the world's swiftest vaccination campaigns, for not doing more to ensure Palestinian access to doses in the West Bank and Gaza, territory it captured in a 1967 war. Israeli officials argue that under the Oslo peace accords, the PA health ministry is responsible for vaccinating people in Gaza and parts of the West Bank where it has limited self-rule. The vaccine deal was among initial policy moves towards the Palestinians by Bennett, who was sworn in on Sunday and replaced veteran leader Benjamin Netanyahu. Around 55% of Israel's 9.3 million population are fully vaccinated - a coverage rate largely unchanged by this month's expansion of eligibility to include 12- to 15-year-olds. Some 30% of eligible Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, home to a combined 5.2 million people, have received at least one vaccine dose, according to Palestinian officials. According to a poll released on Tuesday by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, 40% of Palestinians are willing to take the vaccine once it is available, while 35% say they and their families are not willing to get vaccinated. The Palestinians have received vaccine doses from Israel, Russia, China, the United Arab Emirates and the global COVAX vaccine-sharing initiative. (With inputs from agencies)

Palestinians cancel deal for near-expired COVID-19 vaccines from Israel

A few weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin assured that the country will not make <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccines</a> mandatory, the capital city Moscow has ordered a contradictory order due to a 'dramatic' case rise.

"We simply must do everything to carry out mass vaccinations in the shortest possible time and stop this terrible disease, stop the deaths of thousands of people," said Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Wednesday.

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Authorities have recorded an alarming increase in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">coronavirus</a> cases in the past few weeks. Due to this, Sobyanin has made vaccinations mandatory for the people working in the service industry.

This has come at a time when the country is focused on the president’s meeting with his US counterpart, Joe Biden. The meet has taken the focus off the covid crisis that is brewing in the country.

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Putin has always claimed that Russia has handled the coronavirus pandemic better than any other country, but the Moscow Mayor has now claimed that the situation "continues to unfold dramatically".

"In connection with the extremely difficult epidemiological situation, the Chief State Sanitary Doctor for the city of Moscow today adopted a decree on the compulsory vaccination of workers in the service sector," Sobyanin said.

A few weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin assured that the country will not make coronavirus vaccines mandatory, the capital city Moscow has ordered a contradictory order due to a 'dramatic' case rise.

A few weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin assured that the country will not make coronavirus vaccines mandatory, the capital city Moscow has ordered a contradictory order due to a 'dramatic' case rise. "We simply must do everything to carry out mass vaccinations in the shortest possible time and stop this terrible disease, stop the deaths of thousands of people," said Moscow’s Mayor Sergei Sobyanin on Wednesday. Have a look | No, Vladimir, you're cold-blooded, said a US president Authorities have recorded an alarming increase in coronavirus cases in the past few weeks. Due to this, Sobyanin has made vaccinations mandatory for the people working in the service industry. This has come at a time when the country is focused on the president’s meeting with his US counterpart, Joe Biden. The meet has taken the focus off the covid crisis that is brewing in the country. Also read | Hackers have found a safe haven in Russia to attack foreign nations: US media Putin has always claimed that Russia has handled the coronavirus pandemic better than any other country, but the Moscow Mayor has now claimed that the situation "continues to unfold dramatically". "In connection with the extremely difficult epidemiological situation, the Chief State Sanitary Doctor for the city of Moscow today adopted a decree on the compulsory vaccination of workers in the service sector," Sobyanin said.

Moscow makes vaccines mandatory, ahead of Biden-Putin meet

Japan will send 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Tuesday. 
 
The shipment of AstraZeneca PLC vaccines produced in Japan are due to arrive in Vietnam on Wednesday, Motegi told reporters. 
 
Japan is considering additional vaccine donations to Vietnam and Taiwan, and it plans to send doses to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand early next month, Motegi added. Taiwan received its first shipment of AstraZeneca doses earlier this month.

Japan will send 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Tuesday. The shipment of AstraZeneca PLC vaccines produced in Japan are due to arrive in Vietnam on Wednesday, Motegi told reporters.

Japan will send 1 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam, Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said on Tuesday. The shipment of AstraZeneca PLC vaccines produced in Japan are due to arrive in Vietnam on Wednesday, Motegi told reporters. Japan is considering additional vaccine donations to Vietnam and Taiwan, and it plans to send doses to Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Thailand early next month, Motegi added. Taiwan received its first shipment of AstraZeneca doses earlier this month.

Japan to ship 1 million COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam on June 16

The 200,000 COVID-19 vaccines gifted by India for all UN peacekeepers are 'already being put to use' and a number of these Blue Helmets have already been vaccinated, spokesperson for UN chief Antonio Guterres has said.

"The Indian Government' had offered us '200,000 doses' and a number of peacekeepers are already, as far as I know, being vaccinated," Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, told reporters at the daily press briefing on Friday in response to a question on vaccination of UN peacekeepers.

"So, on the Indian vaccines, those, which I think were&nbsp;AstraZeneca, those were 200,000. They're already being put to use," he said. India, one of the largest troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions, gifted 200,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines for UN peacekeepers across all UN missions.

As of March 31 this year, there are 87,889 personnel serving in 12 peacekeeping operations around the world. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had announced in February that India will gift vaccine doses for UN peacekeepers.

"Keeping in mind the UN Peacekeepers, who operate in such difficult circumstances, we would like to announce today a gift of 200,000 doses for them," Jaishankar had said, while addressing the UN Security Council open debate on the implementation of resolution 2532 (2020) on the cessation of hostilities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Quoting the Bhagavad Gita, Jaishankar had said, "Do your work with the welfare of others always in mind."

The 200,000 doses essentially meant that it would be possible to administer the required double doses of COVID vaccines to all UN peacekeepers across missions.

The AstraZeneca vaccines had left Mumbai via Qatar Airways on March 27.&nbsp;The shipment went to Copenhagen, where it was safely stored in a facility, re-packaged and quickly distributed to all peacekeeping missions for the peacekeepers.

The 200,000 COVID-19 vaccines gifted by India for all UN peacekeepers are 'already being put to use' and a number of these Blue Helmets have already been vaccinated, spokesperson for UN chief Antonio Guterres has said.

The 200,000 COVID-19 vaccines gifted by India for all UN peacekeepers are 'already being put to use' and a number of these Blue Helmets have already been vaccinated, spokesperson for UN chief Antonio Guterres has said. "The Indian Government' had offered us '200,000 doses' and a number of peacekeepers are already, as far as I know, being vaccinated," Stephane Dujarric, Spokesman for the Secretary-General, told reporters at the daily press briefing on Friday in response to a question on vaccination of UN peacekeepers. "So, on the Indian vaccines, those, which I think were AstraZeneca, those were 200,000. They're already being put to use," he said. India, one of the largest troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions, gifted 200,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines for UN peacekeepers across all UN missions. As of March 31 this year, there are 87,889 personnel serving in 12 peacekeeping operations around the world. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had announced in February that India will gift vaccine doses for UN peacekeepers. "Keeping in mind the UN Peacekeepers, who operate in such difficult circumstances, we would like to announce today a gift of 200,000 doses for them," Jaishankar had said, while addressing the UN Security Council open debate on the implementation of resolution 2532 (2020) on the cessation of hostilities in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Quoting the Bhagavad Gita, Jaishankar had said, "Do your work with the welfare of others always in mind." The 200,000 doses essentially meant that it would be possible to administer the required double doses of COVID vaccines to all UN peacekeepers across missions. The AstraZeneca vaccines had left Mumbai via Qatar Airways on March 27. The shipment went to Copenhagen, where it was safely stored in a facility, re-packaged and quickly distributed to all peacekeeping missions for the peacekeepers.

200,000 COVID-19 vaccines given by India for UN peacekeepers are already being put to use: UN spokesperson

Amid Nepal reporting a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, a consignment of 800,000 doses from China&nbsp;landed in Kathmandu on Tuesday. The vaccine and&nbsp;syringes were airlifted from Beijing to Kathmandu by a chartered flight of Nepal Airlines Corporation.

This development comes after Chinese President Xi Jinping announced one million doses for Nepal on May 26 during the telephone conversation with Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari, out of which 800,000 have arrived.&nbsp;

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal said the remaining 200,000 doses of the vaccine are being provided to Nepal by the Government of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.&nbsp;

“Accordingly, 50,400 doses of the vaccine and syringes have been handed over to the officials of the Ministry of Health and Population this morning, and another batch of 50,400 vaccines and syringes is scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu this evening,” Nepal Foreign Ministry said in a statement.&nbsp;

The ministry has confirmed that the consignment of remaining 99,200 vaccines and syringes will arrive in Kathmandu tomorrow.

In March, China had provided 800,000 doses of Vero Cell vaccine to Nepal. Nepal had also received a million shots of AstraZeneca vaccine from India.&nbsp; Nepal had begun its vaccination drive in January, but the campaign has been suspended due to lack of vaccines.

President Xi Jinping during the conversation with President Bhandari had said China attaches great importance to the development of China-Nepal relations&nbsp;and is willing to share China's development opportunities with Nepal to accelerate Belt and Road cooperation, steadily advance the building of the trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network, and continuously lift the two countries' strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity to higher levels.

“Nepal attaches great importance to its relations with China, firmly adheres to the one-China policy, firmly supports China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity and will never allow any forces to use the Nepali territory for any anti-China activities,” said the China’s Foreign Ministry.&nbsp;

Earlier in the day, Nepal also received 1500 oxygen cylinders under the grant assistance from the Chinese government. Along with this, 527,500 KN95 face masks were also received from the China Cultural Media Group.&nbsp;

Amid Nepal reporting a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, a consignment of 800,000 doses from China landed in Kathmandu on Tuesday. The vaccine and syringes were airlifted from Beijing to Kathmandu by a chartered flight of Nepal Airlines Corporation.

Amid Nepal reporting a shortage of COVID-19 vaccines, a consignment of 800,000 doses from China landed in Kathmandu on Tuesday. The vaccine and syringes were airlifted from Beijing to Kathmandu by a chartered flight of Nepal Airlines Corporation. This development comes after Chinese President Xi Jinping announced one million doses for Nepal on May 26 during the telephone conversation with Nepal President Bidya Devi Bhandari, out of which 800,000 have arrived. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Nepal said the remaining 200,000 doses of the vaccine are being provided to Nepal by the Government of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. “Accordingly, 50,400 doses of the vaccine and syringes have been handed over to the officials of the Ministry of Health and Population this morning, and another batch of 50,400 vaccines and syringes is scheduled to arrive in Kathmandu this evening,” Nepal Foreign Ministry said in a statement. The ministry has confirmed that the consignment of remaining 99,200 vaccines and syringes will arrive in Kathmandu tomorrow. In March, China had provided 800,000 doses of Vero Cell vaccine to Nepal. Nepal had also received a million shots of AstraZeneca vaccine from India. Nepal had begun its vaccination drive in January, but the campaign has been suspended due to lack of vaccines. President Xi Jinping during the conversation with President Bhandari had said China attaches great importance to the development of China-Nepal relations and is willing to share China's development opportunities with Nepal to accelerate Belt and Road cooperation, steadily advance the building of the trans-Himalayan Multi-Dimensional Connectivity Network, and continuously lift the two countries' strategic partnership of cooperation featuring ever-lasting friendship for development and prosperity to higher levels. “Nepal attaches great importance to its relations with China, firmly adheres to the one-China policy, firmly supports China in safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity and will never allow any forces to use the Nepali territory for any anti-China activities,” said the China’s Foreign Ministry. Earlier in the day, Nepal also received 1500 oxygen cylinders under the grant assistance from the Chinese government. Along with this, 527,500 KN95 face masks were also received from the China Cultural Media Group.

COVID-19: 800,000 doses of Chinese vaccine arrive in Nepal

Sputnik V`s manufacturers have agreed to supply the Russian anti-Covid vaccine to Delhi, but the quantity is yet to be decided, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Wednesday. 
 
"We are in touch with the makers of Sputnik V. They assure that they will give us vaccines, but the quantity is yet to be decided. Our officials and the representatives of the vaccine manufacturers met on Tuesday too," he said. 
 
Kejriwal told the press that the vaccination process for the 18-44 age group has been suspended for the last four days as there has been no clarity when the next supply of anti-Covid jabs will be supplied to Delhi. 
 
Covaxin stock for 45 and above age groups has also finished and only Covishield doses are being administered at government vaccination centres, he said. 
 
The Chief Minister also said that mucormycosis infections have continued to surge in the capital and 620 cases are being treated at over 15 government and private hospitals, as of Wednesday.

Sputnik V`s manufacturers have agreed to supply the Russian anti-Covid vaccine to Delhi, but the quantity is yet to be decided, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Wednesday.

Sputnik V`s manufacturers have agreed to supply the Russian anti-Covid vaccine to Delhi, but the quantity is yet to be decided, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal announced on Wednesday. "We are in touch with the makers of Sputnik V. They assure that they will give us vaccines, but the quantity is yet to be decided. Our officials and the representatives of the vaccine manufacturers met on Tuesday too," he said. Kejriwal told the press that the vaccination process for the 18-44 age group has been suspended for the last four days as there has been no clarity when the next supply of anti-Covid jabs will be supplied to Delhi. Covaxin stock for 45 and above age groups has also finished and only Covishield doses are being administered at government vaccination centres, he said. The Chief Minister also said that mucormycosis infections have continued to surge in the capital and 620 cases are being treated at over 15 government and private hospitals, as of Wednesday.

Covid in India: Delhi to get Sputnik V vaccine, quantity to be decided, says Chief Minister Kejriwal

US biotech firm Moderna said Tuesday that trials had shown its Covid-19 vaccine is "highly effective" in adolescents aged 12-17 and the company would seek regulators' approval in June. 
 
"We are encouraged that mRNA-1273 was highly effective at preventing Covid-19 in adolescents," CEO Stephane Bancel said in a statement. 
 
"We will submit these results to the US FDA and regulators globally in early June and request authorization." 
 
If greenlit, as expected, it would be the second Covid vaccine authorised for use in US adolescents after Pfizer's, which began rolling out this month for 12-to-15-year-olds.&nbsp; 
 
The Moderna study enrolled 3,732 adolescents aged 12 to 17 and randomised, with two-thirds receiving the two doses of the vaccine and the rest receiving a placebo. 
 
After two doses, no cases of symptomatic Covid-19 were observed in the vaccine group compared to four cases in the placebo group, meaning the shots were 100 percent effective. 
 
Adolescents are less likely than adults to contract the illness. 
 
Therefore the study also examined efficacy according to a more stringent definition of Covid, which requires just one symptom in addition to a positive test. 
 
Under this definition, the vaccine was 93 percent effective after the first dose. 
 
The vaccine, called mRNA-1273, was generally well tolerated, consistent with what has been observed in adults, with no significant safety concerns. 
 
The majority of side effects were mild or moderate and included injection site pain, headache, fatigue, muscle ache and chills. 
 
Although adolescents are much less susceptible to severe Covid than adults, experts believe they are important to reach in order to help achieve population immunity against the disease. 
 
The US has reached almost 50 percent of its population of 332 million with at least one dose, but its vaccination campaign is slowing in the face of hesitancy. 
 
President Joe Biden has set a target of having 70 percent of adults vaccinated with at least one dose by July 4. The current figure is almost 62 percent.

US biotech firm Moderna said Tuesday that trials had shown its Covid-19 vaccine is "highly effective" in adolescents aged 12-17 and the company would seek regulators' approval in June.

US biotech firm Moderna said Tuesday that trials had shown its Covid-19 vaccine is "highly effective" in adolescents aged 12-17 and the company would seek regulators' approval in June. "We are encouraged that mRNA-1273 was highly effective at preventing Covid-19 in adolescents," CEO Stephane Bancel said in a statement. "We will submit these results to the US FDA and regulators globally in early June and request authorization." If greenlit, as expected, it would be the second Covid vaccine authorised for use in US adolescents after Pfizer's, which began rolling out this month for 12-to-15-year-olds. The Moderna study enrolled 3,732 adolescents aged 12 to 17 and randomised, with two-thirds receiving the two doses of the vaccine and the rest receiving a placebo. After two doses, no cases of symptomatic Covid-19 were observed in the vaccine group compared to four cases in the placebo group, meaning the shots were 100 percent effective. Adolescents are less likely than adults to contract the illness. Therefore the study also examined efficacy according to a more stringent definition of Covid, which requires just one symptom in addition to a positive test. Under this definition, the vaccine was 93 percent effective after the first dose. The vaccine, called mRNA-1273, was generally well tolerated, consistent with what has been observed in adults, with no significant safety concerns. The majority of side effects were mild or moderate and included injection site pain, headache, fatigue, muscle ache and chills. Although adolescents are much less susceptible to severe Covid than adults, experts believe they are important to reach in order to help achieve population immunity against the disease. The US has reached almost 50 percent of its population of 332 million with at least one dose, but its vaccination campaign is slowing in the face of hesitancy. President Joe Biden has set a target of having 70 percent of adults vaccinated with at least one dose by July 4. The current figure is almost 62 percent.

Moderna says Covid vaccine 'highly effective' among adolescents aged 12 and above

Moderna Inc and Novavax Inc entered into a deal with the South Korean government to manufacture their COVID-19 vaccines, as the country has been under pressure to secure more and faster deliveries of US-made vaccines. 
 
Saturday`s agreements with the US&nbsp;drugmakers came a day after US&nbsp;President Joe Biden said that he and South Korean President Moon Jae-in had agreed on a comprehensive partnership on COVID-19 vaccines and that the United States would provide vaccinations for 550,000 South Korean soldiers. 
 
Moon, under pressure over the COVID-19 pandemic, said a vaccine partnership would combine US&nbsp;expertise and Korean production capacity. 
 
Moderna, whose shot was granted approval in South Korea on Friday, said on Saturday its vaccine will be manufactured by Samsung Biologics Co and that it intends to supply these vaccines to markets outside the United States starting in the third quarter. 
 
South Korea has emerged as a global vaccine production base with its fourth COVID-19 vaccine contract manufacturing deal, Vice Health Minister Kang Do-tae told a briefing on Sunday. 
 
"The establishment of the South Korea-U.S. vaccine partnership is to build the basis for mass production of vaccines domestically by combining the advanced technology of the US&nbsp;with production capabilities of South Korea," said Kang. 
 
South Korea has deals to locally produce coronavirus vaccines developed by AstraZeneca Plc and Novavax, and Russia`s Sputnik V. The country has secured access to 40 million doses of Moderna`s COVID-19 vaccine, the authorities had said. 
 
"We will continue to explore options for establishing potential local manufacturing opportunities in South Korea," Moderna Chief Executive Stephane Bancel said in a press release. 
 
Novavax also on Saturday reaffirmed its partnership with South Korean firm SK bioscience Co Ltd to expand its production of vaccines, including the US&nbsp;drug developer`s protein-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate. 
 
In February, Novavax had entered into a license agreement with the South Korea manufacturer to produce 40 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for the country. 
 
South Korea, which has vaccinated fewer than 10 per cent of its 52 million people, aims to inoculate at least 70% by September. It has ordered up to 192 million doses of those made by AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Novavax, Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson. 
 
The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 585 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Saturday, bringing the total tally to 135,929 infections, with 1,931 deaths.

Moderna Inc and Novavax Inc entered into a deal with the South Korean government to manufacture their COVID-19 vaccines, as the country has been under pressure to secure more and faster deliveries of US-made vaccines.

Moderna Inc and Novavax Inc entered into a deal with the South Korean government to manufacture their COVID-19 vaccines, as the country has been under pressure to secure more and faster deliveries of US-made vaccines. Saturday`s agreements with the US drugmakers came a day after US President Joe Biden said that he and South Korean President Moon Jae-in had agreed on a comprehensive partnership on COVID-19 vaccines and that the United States would provide vaccinations for 550,000 South Korean soldiers. Moon, under pressure over the COVID-19 pandemic, said a vaccine partnership would combine US expertise and Korean production capacity. Moderna, whose shot was granted approval in South Korea on Friday, said on Saturday its vaccine will be manufactured by Samsung Biologics Co and that it intends to supply these vaccines to markets outside the United States starting in the third quarter. South Korea has emerged as a global vaccine production base with its fourth COVID-19 vaccine contract manufacturing deal, Vice Health Minister Kang Do-tae told a briefing on Sunday. "The establishment of the South Korea-U.S. vaccine partnership is to build the basis for mass production of vaccines domestically by combining the advanced technology of the US with production capabilities of South Korea," said Kang. South Korea has deals to locally produce coronavirus vaccines developed by AstraZeneca Plc and Novavax, and Russia`s Sputnik V. The country has secured access to 40 million doses of Moderna`s COVID-19 vaccine, the authorities had said. "We will continue to explore options for establishing potential local manufacturing opportunities in South Korea," Moderna Chief Executive Stephane Bancel said in a press release. Novavax also on Saturday reaffirmed its partnership with South Korean firm SK bioscience Co Ltd to expand its production of vaccines, including the US drug developer`s protein-based COVID-19 vaccine candidate. In February, Novavax had entered into a license agreement with the South Korea manufacturer to produce 40 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine for the country. South Korea, which has vaccinated fewer than 10 per cent of its 52 million people, aims to inoculate at least 70% by September. It has ordered up to 192 million doses of those made by AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Novavax, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson. The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency reported 585 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus on Saturday, bringing the total tally to 135,929 infections, with 1,931 deaths.

Moderna, Novavax to produce more COVID-19 vaccines in South Korea

Coronavirus vaccine producers promised billions of doses for poorer countries at a G20 health summit Friday, where leaders vowed to expand access to jabs as the only way to end the pandemic.&nbsp;

The bosses of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson &amp; Johnson announced they would supply around 3.5 billion vaccine doses at cost or discount to low- and middle-income countries this year and next.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, the European Union pledged to donate 100 million doses and invest in regional manufacturing hubs in Africa to reduce the continent's reliance on imports.&nbsp;

World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed the 'generous announcements', but warned, 'in the coming months, we will need hundreds of millions more doses’.&nbsp;

In their summit declaration, the Group of 20 most powerful countries emphasised the importance of open supply chains and equitable access to tools to tackle Covid-19.&nbsp;

"It is a very clear 'no' to health nationalism," said European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who co-hosted the summit with Prime Minister Mario Draghi of Italy, the current G20 chair.&nbsp;

But the five-page text, containing a list of 16 principles, stopped short of endorsing the contentious idea of a temporary global waiver on patent protections for coronavirus vaccines to boost global production.&nbsp;

Instead, it called for other tools such as 'data sharing, capacity building, licensing agreements, and voluntary technology and know-how transfers on mutually agreed terms’.&nbsp;

Coronavirus vaccine producers promised billions of doses for poorer countries at a G20 health summit Friday, where leaders vowed to expand access to jabs as the only way to end the pandemic.

Coronavirus vaccine producers promised billions of doses for poorer countries at a G20 health summit Friday, where leaders vowed to expand access to jabs as the only way to end the pandemic. The bosses of Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson announced they would supply around 3.5 billion vaccine doses at cost or discount to low- and middle-income countries this year and next. Meanwhile, the European Union pledged to donate 100 million doses and invest in regional manufacturing hubs in Africa to reduce the continent's reliance on imports. World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus hailed the 'generous announcements', but warned, 'in the coming months, we will need hundreds of millions more doses’. In their summit declaration, the Group of 20 most powerful countries emphasised the importance of open supply chains and equitable access to tools to tackle Covid-19. "It is a very clear 'no' to health nationalism," said European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, who co-hosted the summit with Prime Minister Mario Draghi of Italy, the current G20 chair. But the five-page text, containing a list of 16 principles, stopped short of endorsing the contentious idea of a temporary global waiver on patent protections for coronavirus vaccines to boost global production. Instead, it called for other tools such as 'data sharing, capacity building, licensing agreements, and voluntary technology and know-how transfers on mutually agreed terms’.

Pharma firms, G20 leaders pledge vaccines for poorer nations 

Authorities in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka said on Friday that the countries were close to running out of coronavirus vaccines. They expressed hope that China and Russia would bolster South Asia's efforts to tackle the pandemic.

Covid-19 cases and deaths have hit record levels across India and its neighbours in recent weeks and all are counting on vaccine campaigns to head off the next surge.&nbsp;

However, India's decision to ban vaccine exports because of growing domestic shortages has hit other countries in the region

Bangladesh has about one million doses of AstraZeneca's Covishield and Chinese Sinopharm jabs, and was expecting 100,000 Pfizer shots, but all will be gone in "days", government health chief A.B.M. Khorshed Alam said.&nbsp;

The country of 168 million people has reported some 800,000 infections and 12,200 deaths. As in other South Asian nations, experts say the true toll is much higher.

Bangladesh had a deal to buy 30 million Covishield doses from the Serum Institute of India, the world's biggest vaccine maker. Only seven million had been delivered when India halted exports last month.

It has since contacted China and Russia to get their vaccines and Western countries that may have surplus AstraZeneca shots.&nbsp;

One deal with China for an unspecified number of Sinopharm shots was approved on Wednesday, officials said. 
But China's Ambassador Li Jiming said Bangladesh should not expect commercial supplies before December. He told the bdnews24.com portal that "the queue is too long".

'Vaccines must be available'

Nepal has an estimated 1.5 million people waiting for a second shot of Covishield, with supplies also held up by the Indian export ban. It is now getting through dwindling numbers of Sinopharm jabs given by China.

Sri Lanka, with a population of 21 million, has about 115,000 vaccine doses left and has slowed its inoculations to 15,000 a day as it also negotiates with other countries, officials said.

The new pandemic wave saw the daily death toll hit a record 38 on Thursday.&nbsp;

India's export ban froze Sri Lanka's deal to buy 13.5 million Covishield doses from Serum International, authorities said.

Sri Lanka is now going through 600,000 gifted Sinopharm doses and is hoping to receive 26 million shots from Russia and China.

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said governments and pharmaceutical companies had to help struggling Asian nations where hospitals are overflowing with sufferers.

"Tens of thousands of lives are being lost each week and vaccines must be available so that we can prevent further terrible tolls in the weeks and months ahead," said Alexander Matheou, Asia Pacific head of the IFRC.

Even India, one of the world's major pharmaceutical and vaccine producers, is looking for foreign supplies. 
India has already started importing Sputnik V from Russia as its ambitious target of inoculating 300 million people by the end of July is slowed by shortages.

About 150 million people have had a first dose and 40 million the second jab. But daily injections have fallen from 3.6 million a day in April to 1.4 million on Thursday.

Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is to visit the United States next week and media reports said he would meet executives from US vaccine makers.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Authorities in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka said on Friday that the countries were close to running out of coronavirus vaccines. They expressed hope that China and Russia would bolster South Asia's efforts to tackle the pandemic.

Authorities in Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka said on Friday that the countries were close to running out of coronavirus vaccines. They expressed hope that China and Russia would bolster South Asia's efforts to tackle the pandemic. Covid-19 cases and deaths have hit record levels across India and its neighbours in recent weeks and all are counting on vaccine campaigns to head off the next surge. However, India's decision to ban vaccine exports because of growing domestic shortages has hit other countries in the region Bangladesh has about one million doses of AstraZeneca's Covishield and Chinese Sinopharm jabs, and was expecting 100,000 Pfizer shots, but all will be gone in "days", government health chief A.B.M. Khorshed Alam said. The country of 168 million people has reported some 800,000 infections and 12,200 deaths. As in other South Asian nations, experts say the true toll is much higher. Bangladesh had a deal to buy 30 million Covishield doses from the Serum Institute of India, the world's biggest vaccine maker. Only seven million had been delivered when India halted exports last month. It has since contacted China and Russia to get their vaccines and Western countries that may have surplus AstraZeneca shots. One deal with China for an unspecified number of Sinopharm shots was approved on Wednesday, officials said. But China's Ambassador Li Jiming said Bangladesh should not expect commercial supplies before December. He told the bdnews24.com portal that "the queue is too long". 'Vaccines must be available' Nepal has an estimated 1.5 million people waiting for a second shot of Covishield, with supplies also held up by the Indian export ban. It is now getting through dwindling numbers of Sinopharm jabs given by China. Sri Lanka, with a population of 21 million, has about 115,000 vaccine doses left and has slowed its inoculations to 15,000 a day as it also negotiates with other countries, officials said. The new pandemic wave saw the daily death toll hit a record 38 on Thursday. India's export ban froze Sri Lanka's deal to buy 13.5 million Covishield doses from Serum International, authorities said. Sri Lanka is now going through 600,000 gifted Sinopharm doses and is hoping to receive 26 million shots from Russia and China. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said governments and pharmaceutical companies had to help struggling Asian nations where hospitals are overflowing with sufferers. "Tens of thousands of lives are being lost each week and vaccines must be available so that we can prevent further terrible tolls in the weeks and months ahead," said Alexander Matheou, Asia Pacific head of the IFRC. Even India, one of the world's major pharmaceutical and vaccine producers, is looking for foreign supplies. India has already started importing Sputnik V from Russia as its ambitious target of inoculating 300 million people by the end of July is slowed by shortages. About 150 million people have had a first dose and 40 million the second jab. But daily injections have fallen from 3.6 million a day in April to 1.4 million on Thursday. Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar is to visit the United States next week and media reports said he would meet executives from US vaccine makers. (With inputs from agencies)

Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka nearly out of Covid vaccines, say officials

A modelling study has advised delaying the second dose of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus-vaccine">coronavirus vaccine</a> to save more lives, similar to the UK’s plan.

Initially, the scientists had developed the vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca) in such a way that the second shot was advised to be administered within three to four weeks of the first dose.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-offering-a-fat-bonus-to-its-ceo-sets-the-wrong-tone-for-astrazeneca-384620" hreflang="en">Why offering a fat bonus to its CEO sets the wrong tone for AstraZeneca</a>

However, the UK decided to opt for a 12-week gap between the two doses to make sure more people are administered with at least the first shot quickly. Studying the same model, researchers have reported that the immunological evidence proves more protection from the first dose.

The UK’s model has also shown that there have been comparatively fewer infections of covid in people who were administered with the first dose of AstraZeneca and Pfizer coronavirus vaccines. Similarly, Pfizer and Moderna provide nearly 80 per cent protection after the first dose.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/covid-19-canadas-largest-province-halts-astrazeneca-first-doses-over-blood-clot-384495" hreflang="en">COVID-19: Canada's largest province halts AstraZeneca first doses&nbsp;over blood clot</a>

This study was conducted by scientists at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester who examined&nbsp;models of the UK and other countries that have delayed the second shot due to a shortage of vaccines.

As per their research, delaying the second dose and getting more people vaccinated with the first shot is more advisable as it could save more lives.

This is specifically important for people under the age of 65. The vaccine efficacy is nearly 80 per cent and less than 0.3 per cent of the population is vaccinated with the first dose in a day.

“A delayed second dose vaccination strategy, at least for people aged under 65, could result in reduced cumulative mortality under certain conditions,” the report read.

A modelling study has advised delaying the second dose of coronavirus vaccine to save more lives, similar to the UK’s plan. Initially, the scientists had developed the vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca) in such a way that the second shot was advised to be administered within three to four weeks of the first dose.

A modelling study has advised delaying the second dose of coronavirus vaccine to save more lives, similar to the UK’s plan. Initially, the scientists had developed the vaccines (Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, Oxford-AstraZeneca) in such a way that the second shot was advised to be administered within three to four weeks of the first dose. Also read | Why offering a fat bonus to its CEO sets the wrong tone for AstraZeneca However, the UK decided to opt for a 12-week gap between the two doses to make sure more people are administered with at least the first shot quickly. Studying the same model, researchers have reported that the immunological evidence proves more protection from the first dose. The UK’s model has also shown that there have been comparatively fewer infections of covid in people who were administered with the first dose of AstraZeneca and Pfizer coronavirus vaccines. Similarly, Pfizer and Moderna provide nearly 80 per cent protection after the first dose. Also read | COVID-19: Canada's largest province halts AstraZeneca first doses over blood clot This study was conducted by scientists at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester who examined models of the UK and other countries that have delayed the second shot due to a shortage of vaccines. As per their research, delaying the second dose and getting more people vaccinated with the first shot is more advisable as it could save more lives. This is specifically important for people under the age of 65. The vaccine efficacy is nearly 80 per cent and less than 0.3 per cent of the population is vaccinated with the first dose in a day. “A delayed second dose vaccination strategy, at least for people aged under 65, could result in reduced cumulative mortality under certain conditions,” the report read.

Delaying second doses of Covid vaccines can save more lives: Study

The European Commission called on Friday on the United States and other major COVID-19 vaccine producers to export what they make as the European Union does, rather than talk about waiving intellectual property rights to the shots.&nbsp;

Commission head Ursula von der Leyen told a news conference on the sidelines of a summit of EU leaders that discussions on the waiver would not produce a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the short- to medium-term.&nbsp;

"We should be open to lead this discussion. But when we lead this discussion, there needs to be a 360-degree view on it because we need vaccines now for the whole world," she said.&nbsp;

"The European Union is the only continental or democratic region of this world that is exporting at large scale," von der Leyen said.&nbsp;

She said about 50% of European-produced coronavirus vaccine is exported to almost 90 countries, including those in the World Health Organization-backed COVAX programme.&nbsp;

"And we invite all those, who engage in the debate of a waiver for IP rights also to join us to commit to be willing to export a large share of what is being produced in that region," she said.&nbsp;

Only higher production, removing exports barriers and the sharing of already-ordered vaccines could immediately help fight the pandemic quickly, she said.&nbsp;

"So, what is necessary in the short term and the medium term: First of all, vaccine sharing. Secondly export of vaccines that are being produced. And the third is investment in the increasing of the capacity to manufacture vaccines."&nbsp;

Von der Leyen said the European Union had started its vaccine sharing mechanism, citing delivery of 615,000 doses to the Western Balkans as an example.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

The European Commission called on Friday on the United States and other major COVID-19 vaccine producers to export what they make as the European Union does, rather than talk about waiving intellectual property rights to the shots.

The European Commission called on Friday on the United States and other major COVID-19 vaccine producers to export what they make as the European Union does, rather than talk about waiving intellectual property rights to the shots. Commission head Ursula von der Leyen told a news conference on the sidelines of a summit of EU leaders that discussions on the waiver would not produce a single dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the short- to medium-term. "We should be open to lead this discussion. But when we lead this discussion, there needs to be a 360-degree view on it because we need vaccines now for the whole world," she said. "The European Union is the only continental or democratic region of this world that is exporting at large scale," von der Leyen said. She said about 50% of European-produced coronavirus vaccine is exported to almost 90 countries, including those in the World Health Organization-backed COVAX programme. "And we invite all those, who engage in the debate of a waiver for IP rights also to join us to commit to be willing to export a large share of what is being produced in that region," she said. Only higher production, removing exports barriers and the sharing of already-ordered vaccines could immediately help fight the pandemic quickly, she said. "So, what is necessary in the short term and the medium term: First of all, vaccine sharing. Secondly export of vaccines that are being produced. And the third is investment in the increasing of the capacity to manufacture vaccines." Von der Leyen said the European Union had started its vaccine sharing mechanism, citing delivery of 615,000 doses to the Western Balkans as an example. (With inputs from agencies)

EU calls on US, others to export vaccines, rather than talk about IP waiver

Countries should share spare vaccine doses with Brazil to help the global fight against COVID-19 and meet the battered country's goal of inoculating all citizens by year-end, Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said on Friday.&nbsp;

Speaking to a World Health Organization (WHO) briefing, Queiroga said Brazil had administered 41,000,000&nbsp;vaccine doses but needed more supplies to meet a daily target of 2,400,000.&nbsp;

"We need to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and in line with this, we would like to call on those countries with extra doses to share them with Brazil as soon as possible so we can also broaden our vaccination campaign and contain the pandemic at this critical time, and avoid the proliferation of new variants," Queiroga said.&nbsp;

Brazil on Thursday became the second country to pass 400,000 COVID-19 deaths after the United States. Experts warned the daily toll could remain high for several months due to a slow vaccination rate and loosening social restrictions. Brazil registered 3,001 new COVID-19 deaths on that day.&nbsp;

Experts have blamed the death toll on the failure of government, from President Jair Bolsonaro down to many state governors and mayors, to launch a robust response to the pandemic. &nbsp;

"We hope by the end of this year, we will have vaccinated the entire population," Queiroga said.&nbsp;

The Russian developer of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine said on Thursday, it would sue the Brazilian health regulator Anvisa for defamation, prompting a stern rebuttal from the agency.&nbsp;

Anvisa's board on Monday denied requests by Brazilian states to approve Sputnik V for import. The agency's manager for medicines and biological products, Gustavo Mendes, said there was evidence an adenovirus used in the vaccine could reproduce, which he called a 'serious' defect.&nbsp;

Queiroga said Anvisa could withstand external as well as internal pressure. Bolsonaro had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese officials about their respective COVID-19 vaccines, he said, adding: "They are nations that we are friendly with, and as soon as they (vaccines) are approved, we can include them in our immunisation programme".&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Countries should share spare vaccine doses with Brazil to help the global fight against COVID-19 and meet the battered country's goal of inoculating all citizens by year-end, Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said on Friday.

Countries should share spare vaccine doses with Brazil to help the global fight against COVID-19 and meet the battered country's goal of inoculating all citizens by year-end, Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said on Friday. Speaking to a World Health Organization (WHO) briefing, Queiroga said Brazil had administered 41,000,000 vaccine doses but needed more supplies to meet a daily target of 2,400,000. "We need to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines and in line with this, we would like to call on those countries with extra doses to share them with Brazil as soon as possible so we can also broaden our vaccination campaign and contain the pandemic at this critical time, and avoid the proliferation of new variants," Queiroga said. Brazil on Thursday became the second country to pass 400,000 COVID-19 deaths after the United States. Experts warned the daily toll could remain high for several months due to a slow vaccination rate and loosening social restrictions. Brazil registered 3,001 new COVID-19 deaths on that day. Experts have blamed the death toll on the failure of government, from President Jair Bolsonaro down to many state governors and mayors, to launch a robust response to the pandemic. "We hope by the end of this year, we will have vaccinated the entire population," Queiroga said. The Russian developer of the Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine said on Thursday, it would sue the Brazilian health regulator Anvisa for defamation, prompting a stern rebuttal from the agency. Anvisa's board on Monday denied requests by Brazilian states to approve Sputnik V for import. The agency's manager for medicines and biological products, Gustavo Mendes, said there was evidence an adenovirus used in the vaccine could reproduce, which he called a 'serious' defect. Queiroga said Anvisa could withstand external as well as internal pressure. Bolsonaro had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese officials about their respective COVID-19 vaccines, he said, adding: "They are nations that we are friendly with, and as soon as they (vaccines) are approved, we can include them in our immunisation programme". (With inputs from agencies)

Brazil calls on countries to share spare vaccines 

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

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

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

Third phase of coronavirus vaccination begins in Jammu and Kashmir

Russian and Chinese media are systematically seeking to sow mistrust in Western COVID-19 vaccines in their latest disinformation campaigns aimed at dividing the West, a European Union report said on Wednesday. &nbsp;

From December to April, the two countries' state media outlets pushed fake news online in multiple languages sensationalising vaccine safety concerns, making unfounded links between jabs and deaths in Europe and promoting Russian and Chinese vaccines as superior, the EU study said.&nbsp;

The Kremlin and Beijing deny all disinformation allegations by the EU, which produces regular reports and seeks to work with Google, Facebook, Twitter and Microsoft to limit the spread of fake news.&nbsp;

Russian and Chinese vaccine diplomacy "follows a zero-sum game logic and is combined with disinformation and manipulation efforts to undermine trust in Western-made vaccines," said the EU study released by the bloc's disinformation unit, part of its EEAS foreign policy arm. &nbsp;

"Both Russia and China are using state-controlled media, networks of proxy media outlets and social media, including official diplomatic social media accounts, to achieve these goals," the report said, citing 100 Russian examples this year.&nbsp;

The EU and NATO regularly accuse Russia of covert action, including disinformation, to try to destabilise the West by exploiting divisions in society. &nbsp;

Vaccine supply issues with AstraZeneca, as well as very rare side effects with Astra and the Johnson &amp; Johnson vaccines have been seized upon, the report said.&nbsp;

"Both Chinese official channels and pro-Kremlin media have amplified content on alleged side-effects of the Western vaccines, misrepresenting and sensationalising international media reports and associating deaths to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in Norway, Spain and elsewhere," the report said.&nbsp;

Russia denies any such tactics and President Vladimir Putin has accused foreign foes of targeting Russia by spreading fake news about coronavirus.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Russian and Chinese media are systematically seeking to sow mistrust in Western COVID-19 vaccines in their latest disinformation campaigns aimed at dividing the West, a European Union report said on Wednesday.

Russian and Chinese media are systematically seeking to sow mistrust in Western COVID-19 vaccines in their latest disinformation campaigns aimed at dividing the West, a European Union report said on Wednesday. From December to April, the two countries' state media outlets pushed fake news online in multiple languages sensationalising vaccine safety concerns, making unfounded links between jabs and deaths in Europe and promoting Russian and Chinese vaccines as superior, the EU study said. The Kremlin and Beijing deny all disinformation allegations by the EU, which produces regular reports and seeks to work with Google, Facebook, Twitter and Microsoft to limit the spread of fake news. Russian and Chinese vaccine diplomacy "follows a zero-sum game logic and is combined with disinformation and manipulation efforts to undermine trust in Western-made vaccines," said the EU study released by the bloc's disinformation unit, part of its EEAS foreign policy arm. "Both Russia and China are using state-controlled media, networks of proxy media outlets and social media, including official diplomatic social media accounts, to achieve these goals," the report said, citing 100 Russian examples this year. The EU and NATO regularly accuse Russia of covert action, including disinformation, to try to destabilise the West by exploiting divisions in society. Vaccine supply issues with AstraZeneca, as well as very rare side effects with Astra and the Johnson & Johnson vaccines have been seized upon, the report said. "Both Chinese official channels and pro-Kremlin media have amplified content on alleged side-effects of the Western vaccines, misrepresenting and sensationalising international media reports and associating deaths to the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in Norway, Spain and elsewhere," the report said. Russia denies any such tactics and President Vladimir Putin has accused foreign foes of targeting Russia by spreading fake news about coronavirus. (With inputs from agencies)

Russia, China sow disinformation to undermine trust in Western vaccines: EU report  

As India battles the second wave of the Covid pandemic, US President Joe Bidn has said that his "intention" is to send vaccines to the country.

The development comes a&nbsp;day after the United States announced it will make&nbsp;60 million doses of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine available to other countries within two&nbsp;months.&nbsp;Before any AstraZeneca doses can be shipped from the United States, US FDA needs to give its nod.

Recalling his talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, President Biden said,&nbsp;"I spoke at length with PM Modi, we are sending immediately a whole series of help that it (India) needs including providing for those Remdesivir and other drugs that are able to deal" with the disease and help recovery."&nbsp;

On vaccines, he said, "we are sending actual mechanical parts that are needed for the machinery they have to build a vaccine", adding, "I have also discussed with him (PM Modi) when we will be able to send actual vaccines to India which will be my intention to do".

The&nbsp;United States has approved&nbsp;three&nbsp;vaccines so far, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson &amp; Johnson. And while AstraZeneca is being used in many parts of the world, it has not been authorised for use in the US yet. But despite no authorisation yet, the country still has stockpiled the vaccine doses as part of its strategy to be ready for a range of scenarios.&nbsp;

Biden said,&nbsp;"I think we will be in a position to share vaccines as well as knowhow with other countries who are in real need. That is the hope and expectations."

In the backdrop of the Covid crisis in India, the US over the weekend announced assistance including&nbsp;providing raw material for Indian manufactures to produce the Covishield vaccine. Other than that, the US will send therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment.

The president also lauded India's support of last year, saying, "when we were in a bind at the very beginning, India helped us." In 2020, India had sent HCQ to the US when it was battling the Covid pandemic.

As India battles the second wave of the Covid pandemic, US President Joe Bidn has said that his "intention" is to send vaccines to the country. The development comes a day after the United States announced it will make 60 million doses of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine available to other countries within two months.

As India battles the second wave of the Covid pandemic, US President Joe Bidn has said that his "intention" is to send vaccines to the country. The development comes a day after the United States announced it will make 60 million doses of AstraZeneca Covid vaccine available to other countries within two months. Before any AstraZeneca doses can be shipped from the United States, US FDA needs to give its nod. Recalling his talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, President Biden said, "I spoke at length with PM Modi, we are sending immediately a whole series of help that it (India) needs including providing for those Remdesivir and other drugs that are able to deal" with the disease and help recovery." On vaccines, he said, "we are sending actual mechanical parts that are needed for the machinery they have to build a vaccine", adding, "I have also discussed with him (PM Modi) when we will be able to send actual vaccines to India which will be my intention to do". The United States has approved three vaccines so far, Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson. And while AstraZeneca is being used in many parts of the world, it has not been authorised for use in the US yet. But despite no authorisation yet, the country still has stockpiled the vaccine doses as part of its strategy to be ready for a range of scenarios. Biden said, "I think we will be in a position to share vaccines as well as knowhow with other countries who are in real need. That is the hope and expectations." In the backdrop of the Covid crisis in India, the US over the weekend announced assistance including providing raw material for Indian manufactures to produce the Covishield vaccine. Other than that, the US will send therapeutics, rapid diagnostic test kits, ventilators, and Personal Protective Equipment. The president also lauded India's support of last year, saying, "when we were in a bind at the very beginning, India helped us." In 2020, India had sent HCQ to the US when it was battling the Covid pandemic.

Intend to send COVID-19 vaccines to India, says US President Joe Biden

After refusing to sell vaccine raw materials, the US is now trying to undo the damage.&nbsp; President Joe Biden spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last night and promised to send emergency assistance. This includes oxygen supplies, vaccine materials and medicines. On Monday, an Air India flight picked up oxygen concentrators from New York. &nbsp;

This is a welcome shift. Remember, America was reluctant to help. It changed, after it was slammed the world over. Not only for refusing to help India, but also for hoarding vaccines. &nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-bill-gates-says-no-to-sharing-vaccine-formulas-to-developing-world-380867/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

America wants to send up to 60,000,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to different countries. When will that happen? After American regulators check the safety of the shots. It could take weeks and even months. So, there are no clear timelines. The world is not America's priority. So, why is it sharing vaccines at all? Because it's got too many of them, more than 550,000,000 excess doses.&nbsp;

That's what you call hoarding. Countries like China and India exported more than 40 per cent of their supplies. Even the European Union had shared 42 per cent of its supplies. What about the United States? It exported zero shots. What about the United Kingdom? Again, zero. &nbsp;

Countries like the US and the UK represent the global elite. The rich, who booked millions of doses well in advance. Now, they have extra vaccines, enough to inoculate their population three times and in some cases, five times. But they haven't shared anything with the world and they are making sure this system does not change.&nbsp;

They won't share vaccines, or patents. Life-saving drugs have been locked in patents. &nbsp;

Reports say during the phone call, Prime Minister Modi pressed President Biden about this. India has been pushing for a waiver on vaccine patents at the World Trade Organisation. The US and the UK have aggressively blocked this proposal, backing them are the European Union and Japan.&nbsp;

After the phone call, a senior official of the Biden administration was asked if America will relent. Will the United States back a patent waiver? Team Biden said it has nothing to share on this front.

And it's not just governments&nbsp;who are putting patents over lives. Even individuals, who make up the global elite, are championing the cause of big pharma. The likes of Bill Gates, the billionaire philanthropist, believes vaccine formulas should not be shared with the developing world. On Sunday, Bill Gates was asked if it would be helpful for intellectual property protections to be lifted. He responded with an emphatic no. &nbsp;

Because he fears that lifting patent rights even temporarily could comprise the safety of vaccines. Gates believes in keeping the circle tight, that ideas like moving production from a Johnson &amp; Johnson factory to a facility in India are novel and they only happen 'because of our grants and expertise'.&nbsp;

“There's only so many vaccine factories in the world and people are very serious about the safety of vaccines. So, moving something that had never been done, moving a vaccine, say, from a (Johnson &amp; Johnson) factory into a factory in India, it's novel, it's only because of our grants and expertise that can happen at all,” said Gates, who was toeing the line of big pharma. &nbsp;

According to a report, every vaccine maker has its own secret recipes and supply chains, and they insist that no other approach is possible. &nbsp;

This is exactly why the world is lagging behind in the global vaccination drive. It's because the supplies have been limited by design. Only a few companies are being allowed to make vaccines right now. More than one billion shots have been administered so far. 87 per cent of these have gone to rich countries. One in four people in wealthy countries have got a jab. What about the poor countries? Just one in 500 have got a shot in these nations. &nbsp;

According to a report, only 0.2 per cent of the doses made so far have been dispensed to low-income countries. This is not just a question of inequity. This strategy will come back to bite the rich, because at this rate, the pandemic will take years to end. And if it doesn't end in the poor countries, it won't end in the rich ones either as this virus mutates and jumps borders. &nbsp;

Around 185,00,000 doses are being administered daily around the world. At this pace, it would take at least 19 more months to inoculate 75 per cent of the world population, which means extending this pandemic for at least two more years. If the world wants to end this pandemic, it must end vaccine patents first.&nbsp;

After refusing to sell vaccine raw materials, the US is now trying to undo the damage. President Joe Biden spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last night and promised to send emergency assistance.

After refusing to sell vaccine raw materials, the US is now trying to undo the damage. President Joe Biden spoke to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi last night and promised to send emergency assistance. This includes oxygen supplies, vaccine materials and medicines. On Monday, an Air India flight picked up oxygen concentrators from New York. This is a welcome shift. Remember, America was reluctant to help. It changed, after it was slammed the world over. Not only for refusing to help India, but also for hoarding vaccines. America wants to send up to 60,000,000 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to different countries. When will that happen? After American regulators check the safety of the shots. It could take weeks and even months. So, there are no clear timelines. The world is not America's priority. So, why is it sharing vaccines at all? Because it's got too many of them, more than 550,000,000 excess doses. That's what you call hoarding. Countries like China and India exported more than 40 per cent of their supplies. Even the European Union had shared 42 per cent of its supplies. What about the United States? It exported zero shots. What about the United Kingdom? Again, zero. Countries like the US and the UK represent the global elite. The rich, who booked millions of doses well in advance. Now, they have extra vaccines, enough to inoculate their population three times and in some cases, five times. But they haven't shared anything with the world and they are making sure this system does not change. They won't share vaccines, or patents. Life-saving drugs have been locked in patents. Reports say during the phone call, Prime Minister Modi pressed President Biden about this. India has been pushing for a waiver on vaccine patents at the World Trade Organisation. The US and the UK have aggressively blocked this proposal, backing them are the European Union and Japan. After the phone call, a senior official of the Biden administration was asked if America will relent. Will the United States back a patent waiver? Team Biden said it has nothing to share on this front. And it's not just governments who are putting patents over lives. Even individuals, who make up the global elite, are championing the cause of big pharma. The likes of Bill Gates, the billionaire philanthropist, believes vaccine formulas should not be shared with the developing world. On Sunday, Bill Gates was asked if it would be helpful for intellectual property protections to be lifted. He responded with an emphatic no. Because he fears that lifting patent rights even temporarily could comprise the safety of vaccines. Gates believes in keeping the circle tight, that ideas like moving production from a Johnson & Johnson factory to a facility in India are novel and they only happen 'because of our grants and expertise'. “There's only so many vaccine factories in the world and people are very serious about the safety of vaccines. So, moving something that had never been done, moving a vaccine, say, from a (Johnson & Johnson) factory into a factory in India, it's novel, it's only because of our grants and expertise that can happen at all,” said Gates, who was toeing the line of big pharma. According to a report, every vaccine maker has its own secret recipes and supply chains, and they insist that no other approach is possible. This is exactly why the world is lagging behind in the global vaccination drive. It's because the supplies have been limited by design. Only a few companies are being allowed to make vaccines right now. More than one billion shots have been administered so far. 87 per cent of these have gone to rich countries. One in four people in wealthy countries have got a jab. What about the poor countries? Just one in 500 have got a shot in these nations. According to a report, only 0.2 per cent of the doses made so far have been dispensed to low-income countries. This is not just a question of inequity. This strategy will come back to bite the rich, because at this rate, the pandemic will take years to end. And if it doesn't end in the poor countries, it won't end in the rich ones either as this virus mutates and jumps borders. Around 185,00,000 doses are being administered daily around the world. At this pace, it would take at least 19 more months to inoculate 75 per cent of the world population, which means extending this pandemic for at least two more years. If the world wants to end this pandemic, it must end vaccine patents first.

Will rich countries share vaccines or patents? 

The central government on Monday asked the Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech to lower prices of their COVID-19 vaccines amid criticism from various states, who objected to profiteering during such a major crisis.&nbsp;

The issue of vaccine pricing was discussed at a meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba.&nbsp;Now, the two companies are expected to come up with revised pricing for their vaccines.&nbsp;

The Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has fixed the price of its COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin, at Rs 600 per dose for state governments and at Rs 1,200 per dose for private hospitals.&nbsp;

The Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's largest vaccine maker in terms of volume, has announced a price of Rs 400 per dose for its COVID-19 vaccine, 'Covishield', for state governments and Rs 600 per dose for private hospitals.&nbsp;

Both vaccines are available to the central government at a rate of Rs 150 per dose.&nbsp;

Many states have objected to different prices of the vaccines, with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal saying this is not time for profiteering.&nbsp;

India has announced expansion of its COVID-19 vaccination drive by allowing its large 18-plus population to get inoculated from May 1. &nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) &nbsp;

The central government on Monday asked the Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech to lower prices of their COVID-19 vaccines amid criticism from various states, who objected to profiteering during such a major crisis.

The central government on Monday asked the Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech to lower prices of their COVID-19 vaccines amid criticism from various states, who objected to profiteering during such a major crisis. The issue of vaccine pricing was discussed at a meeting chaired by Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba. Now, the two companies are expected to come up with revised pricing for their vaccines. The Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has fixed the price of its COVID-19 vaccine, Covaxin, at Rs 600 per dose for state governments and at Rs 1,200 per dose for private hospitals. The Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), the world's largest vaccine maker in terms of volume, has announced a price of Rs 400 per dose for its COVID-19 vaccine, 'Covishield', for state governments and Rs 600 per dose for private hospitals. Both vaccines are available to the central government at a rate of Rs 150 per dose. Many states have objected to different prices of the vaccines, with Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal saying this is not time for profiteering. India has announced expansion of its COVID-19 vaccination drive by allowing its large 18-plus population to get inoculated from May 1. (With inputs from agencies)

Indian Govt asks Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech to lower price of COVID-19 vaccines: Official sources  

The Biden administration has come under criticism from several quarters, including from members and supporters of the Democratic party, for not releasing surplus COVID-19 vaccines to India when the country is experiencing its worst-ever public health crisis.&nbsp;

Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi urged the Biden administration to release doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to countries currently experiencing the deadly surge in COVID-19 cases. &nbsp;

"We are currently sitting on close to 40 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the US stockpile, a stockpile which we're not using and which we've already opened to combat COVID-19 in Mexico and Canada," he said.&nbsp;

To curb the spread of this virus internationally and to protect public health and the international economy, the US needs to get these vaccines out the door now, he said.&nbsp;

"I respectfully but strongly call on the Biden administration to release millions of AstraZeneca vaccine doses to countries hardest hit by the spread of COVID-19, including India, Argentina, and potentially others, he added.&nbsp;

Indian-American Congressman from California Ro Khanna said that the leadership of the influential Congressional India Caucus will discuss with the government officials and the Indian envoy in the US to send urgent health supplies to help India fight its battle against coronavirus.&nbsp;

"The US-India caucus leadership will be discussing with government officials and Indian Ambassador on a bipartisan basis to send AZ vaccines we will never use, PPE, oxygen and other immediate aid. Time is of the essence to mobilise," Khanna said on Sunday.&nbsp;

India logged a record of 3,49,691 new coronavirus infections in a day on Sunday, taking its total tally of COVID-19 cases to 1,69,60,172. The death toll increased to 1,92,311 with a record 2,767 daily new fatalities, according to the official data.&nbsp;

The Biden administration has come under criticism from several quarters, including from members and supporters of the Democratic party, for not releasing surplus COVID-19 vaccines to India when the country is experiencing its worst-ever public health crisis.

The Biden administration has come under criticism from several quarters, including from members and supporters of the Democratic party, for not releasing surplus COVID-19 vaccines to India when the country is experiencing its worst-ever public health crisis. Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi urged the Biden administration to release doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to countries currently experiencing the deadly surge in COVID-19 cases. "We are currently sitting on close to 40 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine in the US stockpile, a stockpile which we're not using and which we've already opened to combat COVID-19 in Mexico and Canada," he said. To curb the spread of this virus internationally and to protect public health and the international economy, the US needs to get these vaccines out the door now, he said. "I respectfully but strongly call on the Biden administration to release millions of AstraZeneca vaccine doses to countries hardest hit by the spread of COVID-19, including India, Argentina, and potentially others, he added. Indian-American Congressman from California Ro Khanna said that the leadership of the influential Congressional India Caucus will discuss with the government officials and the Indian envoy in the US to send urgent health supplies to help India fight its battle against coronavirus. "The US-India caucus leadership will be discussing with government officials and Indian Ambassador on a bipartisan basis to send AZ vaccines we will never use, PPE, oxygen and other immediate aid. Time is of the essence to mobilise," Khanna said on Sunday. India logged a record of 3,49,691 new coronavirus infections in a day on Sunday, taking its total tally of COVID-19 cases to 1,69,60,172. The death toll increased to 1,92,311 with a record 2,767 daily new fatalities, according to the official data.

Biden admin criticised for not releasing surplus COVID-19 vaccines to India  

India’s vaccines can fight off the double mutation, but the numbers are still rising. India set a double record on Tuesday with almost 300,000 new cases and more than 2,000 deaths in 24 hours.&nbsp;

There were 825,000 cases reported globally and 300,000 of them came from India, almost 36% of the global caseload. So, what's India's exit route here?&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-made-in-india-vaccine-neutralises-deadly-mutations-379131/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Simple, vaccines. On May 1, India will begin vaccinating all adults, but are we ready for this phase? &nbsp;

State governments can buy Covishield at Rs 400 per dose, which is around five US dollars. Private hospitals will have to pay Rs 600 per dose, which is around eight US dollars.&nbsp;

Vaccine makers will divide their output in two parts, one half goes to the central govt and the second half will be sold to states and in the open market. So, hospitals and state govts can buy directly and distribute any way they like.&nbsp;

Either sell or give the shots for free. If you are 45 plus, you can still get vaccinated free of cost but only at government facilities. If you are in the 18 to 45 category, you will have to visit a private hospital. They will charge you more than Rs 600, which depends on where the government caps the price. And these are the prices for Covishield. Bharat Biotech and Sputnik are yet to announce their rates. Chances are they will be somewhere between Rs 700 and Rs 1,000 per dose. Somewhere in the 10 US dollar range.&nbsp;

India is also expanding capacity as the government has granted 610 million dollars to the two vaccine makers, Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech. Bharat Biotech is expanding output to 700 million doses per year, which means around 60 million shots of Covaxin per month.&nbsp;

Covaxin's biggest market is still India, but it is being studied around the world including in the US and Europe. &nbsp;

Serum Institute is producing 70 million doses of Covishield per week and with additional funds, they are hoping to produce 100 million doses by the end of May. And if everything goes to plan, Sputnik shipments should also start arriving by then.&nbsp;

Two doses of a vaccine, that's the accepted norm, but if you have recovered from the coronavirus, you may need only one shot. &nbsp;

According to a new study, recovered patients could do with a single shot to build immunity as the body remembers the virus and one shot may be enough to jolt that memory.&nbsp;

In February, Israel recommended a single shot for recovered patients and so far, their rollout has been flawless. &nbsp;

The hysteria about the vaccine side effects is cooling down as people have started realising that side effects are rare, but natural. &nbsp;

Johnson and Johnson jab has got a clean chit from the European Union. They have listed blood clots as a rare side effect. So, the benefits continue to outweigh the risks.&nbsp;

Most European countries have resumed use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine. Mexico's president took the jab on live television. Confidence in AstraZeneca is slowly building up, but in the United States, women are reporting an unusual side effect. They are complaining of heavier and off-cycle periods after getting the jab. Vaccines are known to disrupt menstrual cycles. So, your body will course-correct itself in time. &nbsp;

States are accusing each other of looting oxygen cylinders. In the national capital, three hospitals were down to just a few hours of oxygen and in the middle of this shortage, some states are hoarding. So, the central government has stepped in. It is planning to restructure oxygen allocation to states.&nbsp;

India has enough capacity for this crisis but there are too many bottlenecks. Like there may be oxygen, but not enough cryogenic tankers to transport it, and there is a limit to what these new oxygen trains can do.&nbsp;

Mistakes like in Nashik, where oxygen started leaking while oxygen tankers were filling up the local hospital's stock, should not happen as 22 patients died because they couldn't get oxygen. &nbsp;

India’s vaccines can fight off the double mutation, but the numbers are still rising. India set a double record on Tuesday with almost 300,000 new cases and more than 2,000 deaths in 24 hours.

India’s vaccines can fight off the double mutation, but the numbers are still rising. India set a double record on Tuesday with almost 300,000 new cases and more than 2,000 deaths in 24 hours. There were 825,000 cases reported globally and 300,000 of them came from India, almost 36% of the global caseload. So, what's India's exit route here? Simple, vaccines. On May 1, India will begin vaccinating all adults, but are we ready for this phase? State governments can buy Covishield at Rs 400 per dose, which is around five US dollars. Private hospitals will have to pay Rs 600 per dose, which is around eight US dollars. Vaccine makers will divide their output in two parts, one half goes to the central govt and the second half will be sold to states and in the open market. So, hospitals and state govts can buy directly and distribute any way they like. Either sell or give the shots for free. If you are 45 plus, you can still get vaccinated free of cost but only at government facilities. If you are in the 18 to 45 category, you will have to visit a private hospital. They will charge you more than Rs 600, which depends on where the government caps the price. And these are the prices for Covishield. Bharat Biotech and Sputnik are yet to announce their rates. Chances are they will be somewhere between Rs 700 and Rs 1,000 per dose. Somewhere in the 10 US dollar range. India is also expanding capacity as the government has granted 610 million dollars to the two vaccine makers, Serum Institute and Bharat Biotech. Bharat Biotech is expanding output to 700 million doses per year, which means around 60 million shots of Covaxin per month. Covaxin's biggest market is still India, but it is being studied around the world including in the US and Europe. Serum Institute is producing 70 million doses of Covishield per week and with additional funds, they are hoping to produce 100 million doses by the end of May. And if everything goes to plan, Sputnik shipments should also start arriving by then. Two doses of a vaccine, that's the accepted norm, but if you have recovered from the coronavirus, you may need only one shot. According to a new study, recovered patients could do with a single shot to build immunity as the body remembers the virus and one shot may be enough to jolt that memory. In February, Israel recommended a single shot for recovered patients and so far, their rollout has been flawless. The hysteria about the vaccine side effects is cooling down as people have started realising that side effects are rare, but natural. Johnson and Johnson jab has got a clean chit from the European Union. They have listed blood clots as a rare side effect. So, the benefits continue to outweigh the risks. Most European countries have resumed use of AstraZeneca’s vaccine. Mexico's president took the jab on live television. Confidence in AstraZeneca is slowly building up, but in the United States, women are reporting an unusual side effect. They are complaining of heavier and off-cycle periods after getting the jab. Vaccines are known to disrupt menstrual cycles. So, your body will course-correct itself in time. States are accusing each other of looting oxygen cylinders. In the national capital, three hospitals were down to just a few hours of oxygen and in the middle of this shortage, some states are hoarding. So, the central government has stepped in. It is planning to restructure oxygen allocation to states. India has enough capacity for this crisis but there are too many bottlenecks. Like there may be oxygen, but not enough cryogenic tankers to transport it, and there is a limit to what these new oxygen trains can do. Mistakes like in Nashik, where oxygen started leaking while oxygen tankers were filling up the local hospital's stock, should not happen as 22 patients died because they couldn't get oxygen.

Vaccines only hope as India’s fight with Covid-19 gets intense  

Moderna&nbsp;Inc said on Tuesday that its COVID-19 vaccine still showed strong protection against the illness six months after people received their second shot, with efficacy of more than 90 percent against all cases of COVID-19 and more than 95 percent against severe COVID-19.

The vaccine maker, which will be updating investors on the progress of its vaccines at an event on Wednesday, said the six-month follow-up of its original late-stage study of the vaccine showed that vaccine efficacy remained consistent with its previous updates.

The company has also started testing new versions of the vaccine that target a concerning new variant of the coronavirus, which was first identified in South Africa and is known as B.1.351.

It said both versions of the vaccine that it is testing, including a multivalent vaccine that combines the newly designed vaccine with the previous one, increased neutralising antibody titres against variants of concerns in mice, with the multivalent providing the broadest level of immunity.

The company in March began testing three approaches to boosting the vaccine in order to protect against new variants.

Moderna's vaccine is authorised or approved for use in more than 40 countries. It uses messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, which contains instructions for human cells to make proteins that mimic part of the coronavirus.

The instructions spur the immune system into action, turning the body into a virus-zapping vaccine factory. No actual virus is contained in the vaccines.

The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company said that as of Monday it has delivered about 132 million doses globally, including 117 million doses for the United States. The company said it is on track to supply the nation with 300 million doses of the vaccine by the end of July.

Moderna&nbsp;said its supply chain outside the United States was established about a quarter behind the U.S. supply chain and continues to ramp up.

The company said its average US&nbsp;selling price in the first quarter was around $15.40 per dose excluding a roughly $1 billion payment from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which is part of the US&nbsp;Department of Health and Human Services.

Outside the United States, prices ranged from $22 to $37 per dose, it said.

Moderna Inc said on Tuesday that its COVID-19 vaccine still showed strong protection against the illness six months after people received their second shot, with efficacy of more than 90 percent against all cases of COVID-19 and more than 95 percent against severe COVID-19.

Moderna Inc said on Tuesday that its COVID-19 vaccine still showed strong protection against the illness six months after people received their second shot, with efficacy of more than 90 percent against all cases of COVID-19 and more than 95 percent against severe COVID-19. The vaccine maker, which will be updating investors on the progress of its vaccines at an event on Wednesday, said the six-month follow-up of its original late-stage study of the vaccine showed that vaccine efficacy remained consistent with its previous updates. The company has also started testing new versions of the vaccine that target a concerning new variant of the coronavirus, which was first identified in South Africa and is known as B.1.351. It said both versions of the vaccine that it is testing, including a multivalent vaccine that combines the newly designed vaccine with the previous one, increased neutralising antibody titres against variants of concerns in mice, with the multivalent providing the broadest level of immunity. The company in March began testing three approaches to boosting the vaccine in order to protect against new variants. Moderna's vaccine is authorised or approved for use in more than 40 countries. It uses messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, which contains instructions for human cells to make proteins that mimic part of the coronavirus. The instructions spur the immune system into action, turning the body into a virus-zapping vaccine factory. No actual virus is contained in the vaccines. The Cambridge, Massachusetts-based company said that as of Monday it has delivered about 132 million doses globally, including 117 million doses for the United States. The company said it is on track to supply the nation with 300 million doses of the vaccine by the end of July. Moderna said its supply chain outside the United States was established about a quarter behind the U.S. supply chain and continues to ramp up. The company said its average US selling price in the first quarter was around $15.40 per dose excluding a roughly $1 billion payment from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which is part of the US Department of Health and Human Services. Outside the United States, prices ranged from $22 to $37 per dose, it said.

Moderna says protection from its COVID-19 vaccine still strong six months on

The European Commission has decided against renewing coronavirus vaccine contracts next year with AstraZeneca and Johnson &amp; Johnson in view of the recent concerns surrounding the jabs made by the companies.

Italian newspaper La Stampa on Wednesday revealed the big move, citing a source in the Italian Health Ministry. According to the newspaper, the EU Commission is in agreement with the leaders of many EU countries to not renew the vaccine contracts for companies that have produced viral vector vaccines.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-astrazeneca-and-the-blood-clot-controversy-375975/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The contracts are valid for 2021 and will not be renewed for 2022. The EU is reportedly shifting is focus to vaccines that have been developed using the mRNA (messenger RNA) technology - the ones made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/botswana-is-probing-link-between-two-deaths-and-astrazeneca-covid-shots-377230" hreflang="en">Botswana is probing link between two deaths and AstraZeneca Covid shots</a>

An EU official told Reuters on Tuesday that they are awaiting a clarification from Johnson &amp; Johnson about the “completely unexpected” delay in delivery of vaccines to the bloc which has been hit hard.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/australia-orders-more-alternatives-for-astrazeneca-vaccine-setting-back-its-rollout-376500" hreflang="en">Australia orders more alternatives for AstraZeneca vaccine setting back its rollout</a>

Both the vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and Johnson &amp; Johnson have come under the scrutiny of health regulators after instances of blood clots were reported. Even though very rare, the clots have led to deaths, prompting many countries to halt the usage of these vaccines.

(With inputs from agencies)

The European Commission has decided against renewing coronavirus vaccine contracts next year with AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson in view of the recent concerns surrounding the jabs made by the companies.

The European Commission has decided against renewing coronavirus vaccine contracts next year with AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson in view of the recent concerns surrounding the jabs made by the companies. Italian newspaper La Stampa on Wednesday revealed the big move, citing a source in the Italian Health Ministry. According to the newspaper, the EU Commission is in agreement with the leaders of many EU countries to not renew the vaccine contracts for companies that have produced viral vector vaccines. The contracts are valid for 2021 and will not be renewed for 2022. The EU is reportedly shifting is focus to vaccines that have been developed using the mRNA (messenger RNA) technology - the ones made by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. Also read: Botswana is probing link between two deaths and AstraZeneca Covid shots An EU official told Reuters on Tuesday that they are awaiting a clarification from Johnson & Johnson about the “completely unexpected” delay in delivery of vaccines to the bloc which has been hit hard. Also read: Australia orders more alternatives for AstraZeneca vaccine setting back its rollout Both the vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson have come under the scrutiny of health regulators after instances of blood clots were reported. Even though very rare, the clots have led to deaths, prompting many countries to halt the usage of these vaccines. (With inputs from agencies)

Blood clot row: European Commission to not renew AstraZeneca, J&J COVID-19 vaccine contracts, says report

The World Bank Group will have committed $2 billion in financing by the end of April for Covid-19 vaccines in some 40 developing countries, World Bank Managing Director of Operations Axel van&nbsp;Trotsenburg&nbsp;said on Friday.&nbsp;

The $2 billion is part of a pool of some $12 billion that the World Bank has made available overall for vaccine development, distribution and production in low-and middle-income countries, van&nbsp;Trotsenburg&nbsp;told a World Bank forum.&nbsp;

David Malpass, the World Bank's president, said in separate remarks to the lender's development committee that the bank expects this to expand to $4 billion worth of commitments in 50 countries by mid-year.&nbsp;

But public health officials at the same forum warned that a race between the coronavirus and the vaccines meant to stop it could be lost if the pace of vaccinations in the developing world did not pick up.&nbsp;&nbsp;

World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that existing vaccines could be rendered ineffective if the virus continues to spread and mutate.&nbsp;

"Even those countries who have high coverage of vaccines will not be secure because the new variants that may not be stopped by the vaccines we have, will invade the countries that may have even 100% coverage in a few months," he said.&nbsp;

Tedros called for more political will to boost production of Covid-19 vaccines and share supplies, including through stalled intellectual property waiver on vaccines through the World Trade Organization.&nbsp;

The WTO's Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property, or TRIPS waiver was the "elephant in the room" holding back vaccine production, Tedros said, adding that it was meant for emergencies such as the coronavirus pandemic.&nbsp;

"We haven't seen any emergency like this in our lifetime. If we cannot use it now, then when are we going to use it?" Tedros asked. "The mother of all these bottlenecks is lack of political will."&nbsp;

The World Bank Group will have committed $2 billion in financing by the end of April for Covid-19 vaccines in some 40 developing countries, World Bank Managing Director of Operations Axel van Trotsenburg said on Friday.

The World Bank Group will have committed $2 billion in financing by the end of April for Covid-19 vaccines in some 40 developing countries, World Bank Managing Director of Operations Axel van Trotsenburg said on Friday. The $2 billion is part of a pool of some $12 billion that the World Bank has made available overall for vaccine development, distribution and production in low-and middle-income countries, van Trotsenburg told a World Bank forum. David Malpass, the World Bank's president, said in separate remarks to the lender's development committee that the bank expects this to expand to $4 billion worth of commitments in 50 countries by mid-year. But public health officials at the same forum warned that a race between the coronavirus and the vaccines meant to stop it could be lost if the pace of vaccinations in the developing world did not pick up. World Health Organization (WHO) director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said that existing vaccines could be rendered ineffective if the virus continues to spread and mutate. "Even those countries who have high coverage of vaccines will not be secure because the new variants that may not be stopped by the vaccines we have, will invade the countries that may have even 100% coverage in a few months," he said. Tedros called for more political will to boost production of Covid-19 vaccines and share supplies, including through stalled intellectual property waiver on vaccines through the World Trade Organization. The WTO's Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property, or TRIPS waiver was the "elephant in the room" holding back vaccine production, Tedros said, adding that it was meant for emergencies such as the coronavirus pandemic. "We haven't seen any emergency like this in our lifetime. If we cannot use it now, then when are we going to use it?" Tedros asked. "The mother of all these bottlenecks is lack of political will."

World Bank says to commit $2 billion to vaccines in developing countries by end-April 

Brazil is now widely viewed as the epicentre of the pandemic, with the highest number of daily deaths of any nation.&nbsp;

“We have people dying because of lack of oxygen, people are literally suffocating. The situation is completely out of control,” said journalist Patricia Campos Mello.

Campos Mello comments came after Brazil registered on Tuesday a daily record tally of Covid deaths, recording more than 3,700 deaths, according to data from Brazil’s health ministry.

Patricia Campos Mello, a reporter for Folha de Sao Paulo, had sued President Jair Bolsonaro after he made remarks that questioned her credibility.

The Covid-19 death toll spiralled out of control in Brazil in March, more than doubling the country's previous monthly record.

Brazil reported 66,573 people had died of Covid-19 in March -- more than twice as many fatalities as the country's second-deadliest month of the pandemic, July 2020.

The virus has killed more than 2.8 million people since it emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019. And though the world is looking to vaccines to end the upheaval Covid-19 has brought, rollouts are off to a sputtering start in many countries.

That includes Brazil, where health experts say the explosion of cases is partly driven by a local variant of the virus known as P1, which can re-infect people who have had the original strain and is believed to be more contagious.

"Never in Brazilian history have we seen a single event kill so many people" in one month, said Doctor Miguel Nicolelis, former pandemic response coordinator for Brazil's impoverished northeast.

With the southern hemisphere winter approaching and the virus spreading fast, Brazil is facing "a perfect storm," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Brazil is now widely viewed as the epicentre of the pandemic, with the highest number of daily deaths of any nation. “We have people dying because of lack of oxygen, people are literally suffocating.

Brazil is now widely viewed as the epicentre of the pandemic, with the highest number of daily deaths of any nation. “We have people dying because of lack of oxygen, people are literally suffocating. The situation is completely out of control,” said journalist Patricia Campos Mello. Campos Mello comments came after Brazil registered on Tuesday a daily record tally of Covid deaths, recording more than 3,700 deaths, according to data from Brazil’s health ministry. Patricia Campos Mello, a reporter for Folha de Sao Paulo, had sued President Jair Bolsonaro after he made remarks that questioned her credibility. The Covid-19 death toll spiralled out of control in Brazil in March, more than doubling the country's previous monthly record. Brazil reported 66,573 people had died of Covid-19 in March -- more than twice as many fatalities as the country's second-deadliest month of the pandemic, July 2020. The virus has killed more than 2.8 million people since it emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019. And though the world is looking to vaccines to end the upheaval Covid-19 has brought, rollouts are off to a sputtering start in many countries. That includes Brazil, where health experts say the explosion of cases is partly driven by a local variant of the virus known as P1, which can re-infect people who have had the original strain and is believed to be more contagious. "Never in Brazilian history have we seen a single event kill so many people" in one month, said Doctor Miguel Nicolelis, former pandemic response coordinator for Brazil's impoverished northeast. With the southern hemisphere winter approaching and the virus spreading fast, Brazil is facing "a perfect storm," he said. (With inputs from agencies)

Covid in Brazil 'out of control', says the journalist who sued Bolsonaro for derogatory remarks

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