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India administered zero Covid vaccinations on Dec 19 since drive began, though cases are surging

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Summary

Notably, there were three days when the MoHFW failed to update the daily vaccination number on the website and kept the daily number unchanged, but this was not a case of “0” vaccinations which is now being seen on the website. Incidentally, this is two days after the Health Ministry alerted states about the new variant in India, which WHO has classified as a ‘variant of interest’ yesterday.

Within nine days, the number of active Covid cases in India exhibited a more than twofold increase, rising from 938 on December 11 to 1,970 on December 19. The government lab forum, Insacog, detected 19 instances of JN.1, a subvariant of Omicron, with Maharashtra reporting one case and Goa 18, reported Times of India.

Interestingly, for the first time since the COVID-19 vaccination drive began on January 16, 2021, zero vaccinations were administered in India on December 19, 2023.

Notably, there were three days when the MoHFW didn’t update the daily vaccination number on the website and left the daily number unchanged, but this was not a case of “0” vaccination, which is now being shown on the website.

Incidentally, this is two days after the Health Ministry alerted states about the new variant in India and WHO classified it as a ‘variant of interest’ yesterday.

“Due to its rapidly increasing spread, WHO is classifying the variant JN.1 as a separate variant of interest (VOI) from the parent lineage BA.2.86,” said a statement from the inter-government body. It was previously considered to be a VOI as a part of Pirola sub-lineages.

The World Health Organization (WHO) classifies a variant as a Variant of Interest (VOI) when it demonstrates a growth advantage compared to other circulating variants. This growth advantage implies that its proportion rises in tandem with an increase in the overall number of cases.

Additionally, a variant can attain VOI status if it is anticipated or confirmed to alter characteristics such as transmissibility, virulence, evasion of antibodies, or susceptibility to therapies and diagnostics.

The Centre on Monday, December 18, issued an advisory to states and Union Territories after the detection of the first case of the JN.1 variant of COVID-19 in India and an upsurge in fresh cases.
Union Health Secretary, Sudhansh Pant, in a letter to states and UTs, sounded an alarm on the imperative need for heightened vigilance. The health secretary underlined that “due to consistent and collaborative actions between Centre and State Governments, we have been able to sustain the trajectory at sustainable low rates”.
While on December 20, Mandaviya, announced that mock drills will be conducted quarterly at both the Central and State levels. This decision comes as India witnessed a rise in COVID-19 cases, with 614 new infections reported in the last 24 hours. The increase is attributed to the JN.1 sub-variant
Following the advisory, the Karnataka government has mandated masks for individuals aged 60 and above, those with heart or kidney ailments, and those with cold symptoms due to concerns about the JN.1 subvariant.
Madhya Pradesh has adopted the Centre’s guidelines for the new COVID-19 variant JN.1. This comes as some states experience a rise in cases of the viral infection. Yadav visited Hamidia Hospital, the largest government hospital in Bhopal, on Monday night to assess the preparations in place.

The JN.1 sub-variant — first identified in Luxembourg and since spread to several countries — is a descendant of the Pirola variant (BA.2.86).

According to sources, it contains a significant number of unique mutations, particularly in the spike protein, that may contribute to increased infectivity and immune evasion.

However, initial data suggests that updated vaccines and treatments will still offer protection against JN.1 sub-strain, the source stated. This sub-variant’s resemblance to earlier sub-strains with distinct spike proteins is also noteworthy.

Most of the changes in the JN.1 sub-variant are found in the spike protein, which likely correlates to increases in infectivity and immune evasion.

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index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -72.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +28.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +30.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -14.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -72.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +28.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +30.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -14.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95

Currency

Company Price Chng %Chng
Dollar-Rupee 73.3500 0.0000 0.00
Euro-Rupee 89.0980 0.0100 0.01
Pound-Rupee 103.6360 -0.0750 -0.07
Rupee-100 Yen 0.6734 -0.0003 -0.05
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WHO authorizes emergency use of Novavax’s updated COVID vaccine

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Summary

Novavax missed out on the COVID-19 vaccine windfall, which benefited rivals, due to manufacturing issues that delayed its filing for approval during the peak of the pandemic.

Novavax’s updated vaccine has been granted emergency-use authorization by the World Health Organization (WHO) for active immunization to prevent COVID-19 in individuals aged 12 and older, the company said on Tuesday.

The single-target vaccine is aimed at the XBB.1.5 Omicron subvariant of the coronavirus, which was dominant in the U.S. for much of this year but has since been overtaken by other variants as the virus evolves.

Novavax missed out on the COVID-19 vaccine windfall, which benefited rivals, due to manufacturing issues that delayed its filing for approval during the peak of the pandemic.

The Maryland-based biotech’s updated COVID shot, which was authorized in the U.S. in October, uses a more traditional protein-based technology than the mRNA-based vaccines by rivals Pfizer and Moderna.

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index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -72.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +28.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +30.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -14.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -72.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +28.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +30.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -14.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95

Currency

Company Price Chng %Chng
Dollar-Rupee 73.3500 0.0000 0.00
Euro-Rupee 89.0980 0.0100 0.01
Pound-Rupee 103.6360 -0.0750 -0.07
Rupee-100 Yen 0.6734 -0.0003 -0.05
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Covid-19 vaccines prevented over 42 lakh deaths in India in 2021: Lancet study

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Summary

The study estimates a further 5.99 lakh lives could have been saved if the World Health Organisation’s target of vaccinating 40 percent of the population in each country with two or more doses by the end of 2021 had been met. 

The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal reported that the COVID-19 vaccine prevented over 42 lakh potential deaths in India in 2021, based on estimates of “excess” mortalities during the pandemic.

The study based on excess deaths from 185 countries and territories found that in the first year of the vaccination programme, 1.98 crores out of a potential 3.14 crore COVID-19 deaths were prevented globally.

The study estimates a further 5.99 lakh lives could have been saved if the World Health Organisation’s target of vaccinating 40 percent of the population in each country with two or more doses by the end of 2021 had been met. 

Also readIndia records 17,336 new COVID-19 cases, highest daily spike in four months

“For India, we estimate that 42,10,000 (over 42 lakh) deaths were prevented by vaccination in this period. This is our central estimate, with the uncertainty in this estimate ranging between 36,65,000-43,70,000 (over 36.6 lakh to 43.7 lakh),” lead author of the study, Oliver Watson from the Imperial College London, the UK, told PTI.

He said the India numbers are based on the estimates that between 48.2 lakh and 56.3 lakh deaths may have occurred in the country during the pandemic, a number which is 10 times the official figure of over 5.24 lakh deaths reported so far. 

According to the estimates by The Economist, 23 lakh people died in India from COVID-19 by the start of May 2021, as against official figures of around 2 lakh by then. The WHO had last month estimated that there were 47 lakh Covid-linked deaths in India, a figure that was refuted by the government.

“The saving of more than 19 million (1.9 crore) lives by the unprecedented rapidity of development and roll-out of COVID-19 vaccines is an extraordinary global health feat,” Professor Alison Galvani, from Yale University School of Public Health, US, said.

“Nonetheless, millions of additional lives could be saved by more equitable distribution of vaccines,” Galvani, who was not involved in the study, said in a statement. 

Also read: Govt dismisses NYT report on COVID-19 death toll in India, says it is ‘baseless’

The cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in India have crossed 196.44 crore, the Union health ministry said. Despite the incredible speed of the vaccine roll-out worldwide, more than 35 lakh COVID-19 deaths have been reported, researchers said.

Methodology for the research 

The researchers used an established model of COVID-19 transmission using country-level data for officially recorded COVID-19 deaths occurring between December 8, 2020, and December 8 2021. To account for the under-reporting of deaths in countries with weaker surveillance systems, they carried out a separate analysis based on the number of excess deaths recorded above those that would have been expected during the same time period.

The global scenario

China was not included in the analysis owing to its large population and very strict lockdown measures which would have skewed the findings, the researchers said. The team found that based on officially recorded COVID-19 deaths, an estimated 1.81 crore deaths would have occurred during the study period if vaccinations had not been implemented.

Of these, the model estimates that vaccination has prevented 1.44 crore deaths, representing a global reduction of 79 per cent. These findings do not account for the under-reporting of COVID-19 deaths, which is common in lower-income countries.

A further analysis based on total excess deaths during the same time period found that COVID-19 vaccination prevented an estimated 1.98 crore deaths out of a total of 3.14 crore potential deaths that would have occurred without vaccination, a reduction of 63 per cent. More than 79 per cent of deaths averted were due to the direct protection against severe symptoms provided by the vaccination, leading to lower mortality rates, the researchers said.

The remaining 43 lakh averted deaths were estimated to have been prevented by indirect protection from reduced transmission of the virus in the population and reduced burden on healthcare systems, they said. “Our study demonstrates the enormous benefit that vaccines had in reducing deaths from COVID-19 globally,” said Professor Azra Ghani, Chair in Infectious Disease Epidemiology at Imperial College London.

Also read: India’s COVID vaccination drive completes 1 year, over 156.76 cr doses administered so far

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

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index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -72.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +28.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +30.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -14.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -72.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +28.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +30.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -14.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95

Currency

Company Price Chng %Chng
Dollar-Rupee 73.3500 0.0000 0.00
Euro-Rupee 89.0980 0.0100 0.01
Pound-Rupee 103.6360 -0.0750 -0.07
Rupee-100 Yen 0.6734 -0.0003 -0.05
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UK kicks off 4-day week on trial basis. A report card of countries that toyed with shorter workweeks

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Summary

Touted to be the world’s largest trial, the pilot program has more than 3,300 workers at 70 UK companies participating in it. Employees from different sectors ranging from local chippy to large financial firms will work for lesser hours with no loss of pay

UK has kicked off the trial of a four-day week from Monday. Touted to be the world’s largest trial, the pilot program has more than 3,300 workers at 70 UK companies participating in it. Employees from different sectors ranging from a local fish and chip shop to large financial firms will work for lesser hours with no loss of pay.

The 4-Day Week UK Pilot Programme is being organised by 4-Day Week Global in partnership with researchers at Cambridge University, Oxford University and Boston College and think tank Autonomy. The pilot project will run for six months and measure the productivity and wellbeing of employees during the period.

During the trial, employees will get 100 percent pay for 80 percent of the hours they usually work in exchange for a commitment to give 100 percent productivity.

According to a BBC report, office-based software developers, recruitment firms, charities and even local fish and chip shops are participating in the programme.

ALSO READ: How UK’s High Potential Individual visa will impact Indians

Sam Smith, co-founder of Pressure Drop Brewery in Tottenham, told BBC that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced people to rethink the way they work and organise their lives. “We’re doing this to improve the lives of our staff and be part of a progressive change in the world that will improve people’s mental health and wellbeing,” Smith said.

UK’s trial is part of the worldwide initiative and smaller trials that are being run in the US, Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. Here’s a look at some of the countries experimenting or have experimented with a four-day work week.

Belgium

In February, Belgium joined a host of other countries in offering a four-day workweek to employees. The reform package was announced by Belgian Prime Minister Alexander de Croo, who said the employee empowerment policy would make the rigid labour market more flexible and people and businesses stronger after two difficult years of the pandemic. However, unlike other countries, the new work regime in Belgium states that workers will have to put in 10 hours of work per day instead of the current eight hours. The new work regime is available to those who opt for it.

Scotland and Wales

Scotland is testing the four-day workweek with the state supporting companies with 10 million pounds. In Scotland, work hours have been cut by 20 percent with no loss of pay.

In Wales, Sophie Howe, the Future Generations Commissioner, has asked the government to introduce a similar workweek trial, at least for public sector companies.

Iceland

Iceland witnessed an “overwhelming success” of its trials of a four-day week in 2021 with many workers opting for shorter spells. The country had tested the shorter workweek between 2015 and 2019 in over 2,500 people. Workers were allowed to work for 35 to 36-hour workweeks without pay cuts. According to researchers, the productivity of the workers remained the same or improved in the majority of workplaces during the trial.

ALSO READ: Boris Johnson survives confidence vote over Partygate scandal

Following the success of the pilot program, trade unions in Iceland negotiated permanent cuts in working hours. Around 86 percent of the total workforce in the country opted for a four-day week.

Sweden

Sweden tested the four-day working week with full pay in 2015 but received a mixed response. Even as left-wing parties thought the project to be too expensive to implement on a large scale, some companies chose to retain the reduced hours for their workers.

The UAE

In 2022, the UAE became the first nation to adopt a four-and-a-half-day workweek with the weekend for federal government entities starting midday Friday and lasting through Sunday. Employees in the UAE work from 7.30 am to 3.30 pm from Monday to Thursday and from 7.30 am to noon on Fridays.

Japan and New Zealand

Although, the four-day workweek program is yet to be implemented in Japan, Microsoft had started a pilot shorter workweek program in 2019. The company received positive results from the experiment.

Similarly, in New Zealand, 81 employees of consumer goods giant Unilever are currently participating in a year-long trial of a four-day workweek at full pay.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

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index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -72.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +28.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +30.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -14.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -72.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +28.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +30.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -14.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95

Currency

Company Price Chng %Chng
Dollar-Rupee 73.3500 0.0000 0.00
Euro-Rupee 89.0980 0.0100 0.01
Pound-Rupee 103.6360 -0.0750 -0.07
Rupee-100 Yen 0.6734 -0.0003 -0.05
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COVID-19: India vaccinates teens aged 15 to 18 as omicron variant wreaks havoc

A woman wearing a protective face mask walks past a mural on a street, amidst the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19). (Reuters)
Authorities in India began vaccinating teens in the age group of 15 to 18, as more states started to enforce tighter restrictions to arrest a new COVID-19surge stoked by the infectious omicron variant. Pictured here: Children wait to receive their vaccination for COVID-19 at a government school in New Delhi. (Image: AP)
The election commission has decided to go ahead with legislature elections early this year in the country’s most populous state with over 20 crore people despite a spike in COVID-19 cases. Pictured here: Policemen stand guard as a large crowd of supporters gather to listen to  PM Narendra Modi as he lays the foundation stone of Major Dhyan Chand Sports University in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.  (Image: AP)
On Monday, state governments across the country administered doses at schools, hospitals, and through special vaccination sites amid a rapid rise in coronavirus infections, particularly in the country’s densely populated cities. (Image: AP)
A teenager receives vaccination for COVID-19 at a government school, in New Delhi. (Image: AP)
A teenager registers to receive vaccination for COVID-19 at a government school, in New Delhi. (Image: AP)
India has begun vaccinating teens in the age group of 15 to 18, as more states are enforcing tighter restrictions to arrest a surge of infections stoked by the omicron variant.  (Image: AP)
Indian teens wait to receive their vaccination for COVID-19. (Image: AP)
 5 Minutes Read

COVID-19 vaccination drive: Centre’s ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign begins today

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Summary

Under the campaign, health workers will go door-to-door for a month to inoculate more people in districts with low COVID-19 vaccination coverage.

The Centre on November 2 launched its mega COVID-19 vaccination drive, ‘Har Ghar Dastak,’ on the occasion of Dhanwantari Diwas. Under the campaign, health workers will go door-to-door for a month to vaccinate people in districts with low vaccination coverage.

India had so far administered more than 106.79 crore COVID-19 vaccine doses with over 47 lakh shots being given on November 1 itself.

The campaign, which seeks to ramp up vaccination against COVID-19, was first announced by Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya after a review meeting with the state governments last week.

Also read: COVID vaccination: 48 districts across India see first dose coverage below 50%

“We are going to launch a mega vaccination campaign ‘Har Ghar Dastak.’ We have decided that for the next one month, healthcare workers will go door-to-door to vaccinate people eligible for the second dose and also those who have not taken the first dose,” Mandaviya said.

What is the campaign about?

The drive will focus on poor-performing districts or those areas with less than 50 percent coverage on the first dose and lower than that on the second dose.

According to the health minister, 32 percent of the eligible Indian population has received both jabs of the COVID-19 vaccine, while 77 percent has received the first shot.

Also read: India’s FY22 vaccine spend may rise to Rs 50,000 crore

“More than 10 crore people have not taken the second dose of vaccine,” he said.

Vaccination drive in India

India had rolled out a countrywide vaccination drive on January 16. In the first phase, priority was given to an estimated three crore healthcare and frontline workers. Vaccination for frontline workers started from February 2.

In the next phase, COVID-19 vaccines were administered to people above 60 years and those above 45 with co-morbid conditions. The drive started on March 1. From April 1, those aged more than 45 years were allowed to get vaccinated. The government further expanded its vaccination drive from May 1, allowing everyone above 18 to be vaccinated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to hold a COVID-19 review meeting after returning from Glasgow, UK, where he is attending the COP26 climate conference.

Also read: India’s active COVID-19 cases in country lowest in 247 days; fatalities at 446

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

 Daily Newsletter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

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index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -72.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +28.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +30.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -14.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -72.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +28.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +30.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -14.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95

Currency

Company Price Chng %Chng
Dollar-Rupee 73.3500 0.0000 0.00
Euro-Rupee 89.0980 0.0100 0.01
Pound-Rupee 103.6360 -0.0750 -0.07
Rupee-100 Yen 0.6734 -0.0003 -0.05
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Health Ministry urges states, UTs to focus on coverage of 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccines

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Summary

In a press statement health ministry has said that the Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan took a detailed review of the ongoing vaccination drive with states and UTs.

As the nation closes in on administering a billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines, the Health Ministry has urged states and union territories (UTs) to focus on administering the second dose of vaccines to the population.

In a press statement, the Health Ministry has said Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan took a detailed review of the ongoing with states and UTs. Bhushan has also pitched for wider coverage of the second dose as the Centre is aiming to further relax international travel SOPs.

According to the ministry’s press statement, the secretary has assured that states have adequate availability of doses especially to boost the second dose coverage.

While there is a sizeable number of beneficiaries who are eligible to receive a second dose but have not received that was a review statement made by the health secretary asking states to cover this particular gap as soon as possible.

Also, the Centre assured the states that they are willing to provide additional vaccine doses. However, states have an adequate number of doses. The centre has also asked states and union territories to come up with suggestions on maximizing the coverage, identify and prioritize districts having low coverage.

States should also focus on local challenges, the need for additional COVID vaccine canters, improving access in rural areas etc.

On the international travel SOPs, the ministry has clearly stated that soon it is likely to advise for further relaxations in the international travel SOPs.

The process of reviewing the guidelines and SOPs is in consultation with stakeholders like the Home Ministry, Bureau of Immigration, Civil Aviation Ministry, External Affairs Ministry is underway and they will be incorporated soon along with the suggestions from the states.

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sensex ₹1,882.60 +28.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +30.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -14.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -72.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +28.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +30.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -14.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95

Currency

Company Price Chng %Chng
Dollar-Rupee 73.3500 0.0000 0.00
Euro-Rupee 89.0980 0.0100 0.01
Pound-Rupee 103.6360 -0.0750 -0.07
Rupee-100 Yen 0.6734 -0.0003 -0.05
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COVID-19 vaccination picks pace in India; these states have outdone several nations

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Summary

Uttar Pradesh administered an average of 11.73 lakh daily doses in September, whereas the US managed only 8.07 lakh. Similarly, Gujarat administered an average of 4.8 lakh daily doses against Mexico’s 4.56 lakh. But India is still far from its target of 200 crore jabs by the year end.

The COVID-19 vaccination numbers in India have soared, with five states recording daily vaccination rates that are higher than several countries. According to data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, and Haryana have administered doses at a higher average rate than Canada, France, Russia, Mexico and the US.

According to the data, Uttar Pradesh administered 11.73 lakh vaccine doses on average on a daily basis in September; whereas the US has only managed to administer an average 8.07 lakh daily doses during the same period. Similarly, Gujarat administered an average of 4.8 lakh daily doses in contrast with Mexico’s 4.56 lakh.

Karnataka managed 3.82 lakh doses against Russia’s 3.68 lakh doses, Madhya Pradesh administered 3.71 lakh doses against France’s 2.84 lakh and Haryana gave 1.52 lakh jabs against Canada’s 0.85 lakh.

Over 75 crore doses have been administered so far in India and Union Health Minister Maansukh Mandaviya said the country will have 43 percent fully vaccinated adults by December, 2021.

But even as vaccination rates speed up, the government’s target looks improbable. The government had aimed at an ambitious 200 crore doses by the end of December. With 125 crore doses remaining to be administered and just over 100 days left till the end of the year, the government would need to give over 1.2 crore jabs per day. At the current rate of vaccination, the 200-crore target will only be met by March 2022.

Experts have said 60 percent of the population needs to be fully vaccinated in order to prevent a potential third wave of COVID-19. Currently, only 13 percent of the eligible population is fully vaccinated while 41 percent has received at least one dose of the vaccine.

Also read: Govt’s vaccine math: Zydus, Sputnik do not figure in official numbers, says AMICUS’ Dr Neelkantan

The US — where vaccination rates are starting to slow down because of the partisan divide over the efficacy of scientifically developed vaccines — has managed to fully vaccinate 54 percent of its population.

With sections of populations remaining unvaccinated, whether by choice or by circumstances, the COVID-19 virus has an opportunity to infect and mutate. Such mutations can make the SARS CoV-2 virus more resilient against antibodies generated by vaccines and possibly endanger the global immunisation effort.

Also read: Delta variant can infect fully-vaccinated people; priority should be to distribute vaccines across world: WHO Chief Scientist

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index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -72.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +28.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +30.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -14.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -72.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +28.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +30.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -14.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95

Currency

Company Price Chng %Chng
Dollar-Rupee 73.3500 0.0000 0.00
Euro-Rupee 89.0980 0.0100 0.01
Pound-Rupee 103.6360 -0.0750 -0.07
Rupee-100 Yen 0.6734 -0.0003 -0.05
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Who was behind Mumbai’s fake vaccine scam?

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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Summary

A mistake by data entry operators finally exposed the gang.

Mahendra Pratap Singh was a Class 10 dropout who worked as a clerk with Mumbai’s Malad Medical Association for 15 years before being fired in April for misusing its name and premises. Singh was unfazed as he had other plans. The 39-year-old had smelt an opportunity in the country’s ongoing COVID-1 vaccination drive. Today he is the key accused in Mumbai’s fake vaccination scam.

Singh and his accomplices conducted their first fake vaccination drive on April 23 when camps for private groups were not even allowed. He held 10 such camps, the last one on June 6.

In April, Singh, a long-term account holder with Bank of Baroda, offered to organise a vaccination camp for its employees and their families. Around 40 people enrolled themselves for the camp, which was supposed to be held at Shivam Hospital on May 25, but was shifted to the bank’s Malad branch office at the last moment. They were charged Rs 800 per shot. But they never received their vaccination certificates. The CoWIN portal does not recognise their first dose.

The scam only came to light when the residents of Hiranandani Heritage Society in the Mumbai suburbs of Kandivali raised questions about the authenticity and validity of the vaccine doses given to them on May 30. Subsequently, complaints were filed by other individuals and organisations.

So far, 10 FIRs have been registered in connection with 2,680 people being cheated — with many reportedly receiving saline water in place of the vaccine. The gang has duped people of over Rs 26 lakh. So far, 13 of the 20 accused have been arrested on the charge of attempt to culpable homicide, even though no adverse reaction has been reported so far. On July 1, Vishwas Nangre Patil, Joint Commissioner, Law and Order, confirmed that most of the victims got saline water.

Hospital in Eye of Storm

As per the Indian Express report, Singh knew Shivam Hospital owners Dr Shivraj Pataria and his wife Neeta well, thanks to his 15 years of professional background. Mumbai Police believes the hospital gave some of the leftover vials from its government supplied stock for the fake drives in the early days — hence some victims may have received genuine vaccines.

It was one of the hospitals enlisted as a private vaccination centre with BMC, which got 23,350 doses of vaccines from the government for Rs 150 each. It used 22,826 vials.

According to the article, the Patarias allegedly roped in one Manish Tripathi, who ran a private coaching institute for medical and engineering students from a rented space in Shivam Hospital, for administering the leftover vaccines.

Singh’s event manager friend Sanjay Gupta reportedly helped arrange the drives.

According to a Midday report, the police said Shivam Hospital wanted to procure vaccines directly from the Serum Institute of India (SII), which wanted it to place a minimum order of Rs 5 crore. Then, it allegedly decided to raise the amount through fake drives.

Shivam Hospital’s administration-in-charge Rahul Dube was arrested on July 1, along with Rajesh Pandey, another of Singh’s friends. A marketing executive with Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Pandey misused the health facility’s name for the vaccination drives.

Two more accused Seema Ahuja and Shrikant Mane, who had lost jobs in the pandemic, reportedly joined Gupta and Singh in May.

Government Norms for Private Camps

As per the central government norms, private hospitals have to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the concerned society or office before holding a camp and inform the local civic body.

In the Mumbai fake drives, no MoU was signed, nor was the BMC alerted. The duped housing societies and private organisations admitted ignorance of the norms.

When the Hiranandani society residents demanded their vaccination certificates, the gang roped in data entry operators Chandan Singh and Nitin Mode of Lifeline Hospital for accessing its ID on CoWIN. They then reportedly roped in Gudiya Yadav from NESCO COVID jumbo centre.

But they mistakenly entered wrong dates and timings of the vaccination drives by using different logins. This exposed the gang as the certificates issued for the same drive showed names of different hospitals.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

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index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -72.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +28.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +30.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -14.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -72.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +28.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +30.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -14.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95

Currency

Company Price Chng %Chng
Dollar-Rupee 73.3500 0.0000 0.00
Euro-Rupee 89.0980 0.0100 0.01
Pound-Rupee 103.6360 -0.0750 -0.07
Rupee-100 Yen 0.6734 -0.0003 -0.05
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13-year-old, others sent vaccination certificates in MP. They never got the jab!

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

 Listen to the Article (6 Minutes)

Summary

Madhya Pradesh has seen wild swings in vaccine numbers in June, setting both highest and lowest records for states.

A 13-year-old in Madhya Pradesh has been “vaccinated” for COVID-19 when the country hasn’t begun inoculating minors. Many in the state have also claimed to have received vaccination messages and certificates without getting a single jab.

The incident happened on June 21, the day the new vaccination policy came into effect and Madhya Pradesh administered 17.42 lakh vaccine doses.

Rajat Dangre, who stays in Tila Jamalpura, Bhopal, received an SMS on June 21 that Vedant, his son who has disabilities, had got his COVID-19 vaccination.  The SMS received at 7.27 pm mentioned Vedant’s age as 56.

Dangre tried to register a complaint but failed. Later, after downloading the certificate using the link, he was shocked to see that officials had used Vedant’s documents, which had been shared with the municipality for his pension (as a person with special needs).

Satna’s unvaccinated resident Chainendra Pandey, 52, told NTDV that he got three messages within five minutes mentioning that three people — Katikram, Kalindri and Chandan — had been vaccinated.

Nuzhat Salim, 46, is worried about how she will get her first dose as she has received an SMS confirming her “vaccination” on June 21. Her pension documents are recorded as her ID proof even though she is not a pensioner.

Ratlam’s tax advisor Prem Pandya posted on Facebook that he got the vaccination SMS in the evening even though he skipped his scheduled appointment.

State government officials told the media that they would look into the matter. The opposition claimed foul play and data manipulation.

After administering a record-breaking 17.42 lakh vaccine doses on a single day, Madhya Pradesh plummeted to a record low of only 4,842 shots on June 22, according to data on the CoWin portal.

Over 11 lakh doses were given on June 23; 7.05 lakh on June 24; and 9.64 lakh on June 26. The state had earlier claimed 692 vaccinations on June 20; 22,006 doses on June 19; and 14,862 doses on June 18.

Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan tweeted on June 21 that 8.6 million vaccinations amounted to the “highest ever single-day coverage” across the world, but later replaced “world” with an emoji.

Bloomberg had reported that China was administering a world-record making 20 million (two crore) COVID-19 vaccine doses a day in June.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

 Daily Newsletter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

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Oil Fluctuates as Traders Assess China’s Vow, Unrest in Libya

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Shanghai residents turn to NFTs to record COVID lockdown, combat censorship

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today's market

index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -72.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +28.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +30.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -14.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -72.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +28.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +30.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -14.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95
index Price Change
nifty 50 ₹16,986.00 -7.15
sensex ₹1,882.60 +8.30
nifty IT ₹2,206.80 +3.85
nifty bank ₹1,318.95 -1.95

Currency

Company Price Chng %Chng
Dollar-Rupee 73.3500 0.0000 0.00
Euro-Rupee 89.0980 0.0100 0.01
Pound-Rupee 103.6360 -0.0750 -0.07
Rupee-100 Yen 0.6734 -0.0003 -0.05
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