Tag: icmr

COVID-19 has become an endemic, new variants emerging over time not unusual: Kiran Mazumdar Shaw

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

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The Omicron variant of COVID-19, which has contributed to a fourfold rise in new cases in South Africa over just the past 2 weeks, has been declared a variant of concern by the World Health Organisation.

As per the genomics surveillance authority in South Africa, the new variant has an unusually high number of mutations. Mutations include those contributing to higher transmissibility, immunity evasion and increased infectivity. The new strain is, however, easily identifiable and can be detected by regular RT-PCR tests. No additional, unique symptoms have been recorded yet, and some patients are asymptomatic.

Read More: COVID vaccination need of the hour; precautionary measures should continue: Dr Samiran Panda

Speaking to CNBC-TV18, Kiran Mazumdar Shaw, Executive Chairperson of Biocon said, “We should expect newer and new variants to emerge over time. Because I think COVID-19 has become an endemic, and these variants are nothing unusual in these kinds of viruses. So to get panicky over a new viral strain is not the right way to approach this problem.”

She added, “Omicron is a new virus. It is a new variant with a number of mutations. But we really don’t know whether is it far more virulent? Of course, we know it is far more infectious and transmittable, but is it as lethal as the Delta virus? We don’t know. The data so far suggests that it is in fact milder than the data variable. So it looks like as if the virus is mutating into a milder and milder form, or better still, that vaccination has also helped to mute it. So I don’t think we should panic at this stage. It is an alert, but not an alarm is my view.”

“I think we should not panic over suddenly coming out with these drastic travel curbs and things like that, because it is just setting fear amongst people. Moreover, you want people to get vaccinated. So, if you are going to start creating a fear factor saying whether you are vaccinated or not, it is not going to protect you I think that is the wrong kind of message to send to the world,” she said.

She added that all governments around the world should stop this panic.

She said, “We don’t have enough data and I believe that these variants with the vaccines are easily manageable.”

For full interview, watch accompanying video…

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COVID vaccination need of the hour; precautionary measures should continue: Dr Samiran Panda

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

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that it is not yet clear as to whether the newly-detected coronavirus variant Omicron is more transmissible or causes a more severe infection compared to other variants, including the highly-transmissible and globally prevalent Delta variant.

As per WHO, understanding the level of severity of the Omicron variant might take several weeks. To get a basic sense of the new variant and how to tackle it, CNBC-TV18 spoke to Dr Samiran Panda, Head-Epidemiology & Communicable Diseases, ICMR.

Read Here: COVID-19: Maldives bans travellers from 7 African nations due to Omicron variant

He said, “The first thing that I would like to underline is the known prevention and precautionary measures, for example- using a mask in a public space, hygiene, avoiding mass gatherings should be adhered to. Secondly, these mutations, they of course, sometimes impart some advantage to the virus.”

He added, “I would say that this is the time for us to be vigilant. The need of the hour is to go and get ourselves vaccinated and then watch out on the evolution of the whole thing.”

Read Here: Omicron: Centre stresses rigorous surveillance of travellers coming from ‘at risk’ countries

Dr Panda said, “ Cases have happened in South Africa and in other countries, which have reported the presence of Omicron. In India, the mechanism is in place; the collection of samples and sequencing them has been ramped up.”

He added, “There are certain reports that the people who are infected are not necessarily getting severely infected, but if it is transmitted widely then naturally there will be some elderly people and those with comorbidities, who might land up in the advanced stages of the disease.”

“So, you should remain vigilant, but there is no need for panic. But we should not take it lightly. There has to be a mechanism for early detection and response. What we should do from our end is to ramp up vaccination,” he explained.

For the full interview, watch accompanying video.

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No scientific evidence to support need for booster vaccine dose against COVID: ICMR chief

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

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There is no scientific evidence so far to support the need for a booster vaccine dose against COVID-19, ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava said on Monday underlining the completion of second dose for India’s adult population is the priority for the government for now. According to sources, the booster dose issue is likely to be discussed in the next meeting of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation in India (NTAGI).

“Administering the second dose of COVID-19 vaccine to all adult population and ensuring that not only India but the entire world gets vaccinated is the priority of the government for now. More so, there is no scientific evidence so far to support the need for a booster vaccine dose against COVID-19,” Bhargava told PTI.

On the probability of administering a booster dose, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya recently said that adequate stocks are available and the aim is to complete the vaccination of the target population with two doses. After that, a decision on booster dose would be taken based on expert recommendation, he had said.

“The government cannot take a direct decision in such a matter. When the Indian Council of Medical Research and expert team will say that a booster dose should be given, we will consider it then,” he had said, adding that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always depended on expert opinion, be it vaccine research, manufacturing or approval.

According to officials, around 82 percent of the eligible population in India have received the first dose of the vaccine while around 43 percent have been fully inoculated.

The total number of COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country has exceeded 116.87 crore, according to provisional reports till 7 am. The government has launched a month-long ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign for house-to-house COVID-19 vaccination of those who are yet to take a dose and for people whose second dose is overdue.

According to officials, over 12 crore beneficiaries are overdue for their second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine after the expiry of the prescribed interval between the two doses.

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

ICMR experts favour phased reopening of schools with multi-layered Covid mitigation steps

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

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Schools need to be reopened in a phased manner, starting with primary sections with proper implementation of multi-layered COVID-19 mitigation measures, according to experts at the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

In an opinion piece published in The Indian Journal of Medical Research, the experts said testing strategies in school settings could serve as key interventions to check the potential spread of the virus underlining routine temperature or symptom checking in schools should be avoided due to limited evidence on their utility.

Experts cited a UNESCO report, which stated that school closures in India for more than 500 days have affected over 320 million children. It has hit hard children from the relatively deprived hamlets and slums with many not being able to read more than a few words.

A survey has found that students missed out on social interactions, lacked physical activity and had a sense of loosening the bonds of friendship due to prolonged school closures, mentioned the piece ‘Reopening of schools during COVID-19 pandemic: A persistent dilemma’.

In the opinion piece that has synthesised scientific evidence from within India and abroad on the justification for reopening of schools, experts said knowing that COVID-19 transmission is an “over-dispersed” phenomenon, testing strategies in schools could serve as key interventions to check the potential spread of the virus.

It must also be acknowledged that Covid testing strategies in schools should act as an adjunct and not substitute to other organisational and behavioural interventions, stated the perspective by Tanu Anand, Balram Bhargava and Samiran Panda.

Evidence indicates that restoration of functioning of the education system as it was in pre-Covid times, as early as possible appears prudent in the current Indian context, they said.

“However, it would be necessary to examine state-specific as well as district-specific data on earlier waves of infection and the status of adult vaccination coverage to project any plausible third wave and its potential intensity to inform decisions related to schools reopening.”

“It is recommended that schools should have access to on-site testing facilities according to existing country-specific guidelines. Temporary or localised closures of a class or school may occur depending upon the local community transmission levels or if COVID-19 indicators worsen.”

School teachers, staff and those involved in the transportation of children should be vaccinated on an emergent basis and continue to use a mask even after receiving the jabs, the experts underlined.

This combination intervention is critical as vaccination against COVID-19 does not prevent acquisition or transmission of infection, and it is true for adults and children.

“Opening of schools under this combination-intervention will ensure not only continuity of in-person learning but also instil confidence among parents that schools are safe for their children,” they said.

COVID-19 vaccine trials for children and adolescents are still ongoing in India. Available evidence suggests that those aged 12 years and above are at a high risk of contracting the infection. Therefore, they must be prioritised for vaccination compared to the younger children, the experts said.

To get the maximum benefits of reopening schools, the opinion piece highlighted the need for devising proactive multi-layered mitigation strategies to create an optimal learning environment for the children with a reduced risk of transmission.

Consistent and appropriate use of masks, implementation of a standard protocol for sanitization and hand washing are the key pillars of Covid-appropriate behaviour and must be practised by students and school staff alike.

Ensuring the provision for such behaviour change practices requires planning and resource allocation by school authorities, the experts highlighted.

While masks are not recommended for children under five years, six to 11-year-old children may wear a mask depending on their ability to use them safely and appropriately. Those aged 12 years and above should wear masks under the same conditions as adults, they said.

Schools should ensure that the indoors are well ventilated and air conditioners should be avoided. Exhaust fans should be installed in classrooms to curtail the potential spread of the infection.

Also, children should be advised against sharing meals, spending long hours in canteens or dining halls.

Referring to the open-air classes propagated by Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore at Santiniketan, Anand, Bhargava and Panda said, “COVID-19 has forced us to explore and discover innovative learning methods, particularly in the nature’s lap.”

They said that there is ample evidence to suggest that children aged 1-17 years have similar susceptibility to a mild form of COVID-19 as in adults.

“However, the risk of severe disease and mortality in children when compared to adults is much less,” the experts said.

Anecdotal evidence from India also points towards a sporadic rise in Covid cases in states that initiated the reopening of schools after the first wave. All these points towards over-dispersed phenomenon in COVID-19 transmission in various settings, they said.

It should also be noted that global evidence suggests schools as “non-drivers” of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the community, the experts underlined.

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‘Schools are non-drivers of COVID transmission’, ICMR calls for school reopening

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

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“Schools need to be re-opened in a phased manner (beginning with primary schools followed by secondary schools) and allowed to remain open and safe with appropriate multi-layered mitigation measures,” says India’s premier medical body Indian Council of Medical Research.

In a paper published in the Indian Journal of Medical Research, ICMR says global evidence suggests schools as ‘non-drivers’ of transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the community. There is ample evidence to suggest that children aged 1-17 years have similar susceptibility to a mild form of SARS-CoV-2 infection as in adults, however, the risk of severe disease and mortality in children when compared to adults is much less. Other factors to consider also is that there is less onward transmission of SARS-CoV-2 infection by younger children than older children and adults.

Since vaccination is the key to prevent severe disease, ICMR calls for prioritising vaccination for children above 12 years of age. “Available evidence suggests that children aged 12 years and above are at a high risk of contracting the infection and therefore must be prioritized for vaccination compared to the younger children.” COVID-19 vaccine trials for children and adolescents are currently ongoing in India. Zydus Cadila vaccine that conducted trials on children above 12 years has been cleared by the regulator, however advisory on use on children is still awaited.

The paper is authored by ICMR chief Balram Bhargava, Head of Epidemiology Samiran Panda and Tanu Anand and throws light on the impact of prolonged school closures on overall development of children, both literary and social and calls for the need to continue physical schools.

Referring to global data from United Kingdom, ICMR paper says reopening of schools with younger children was unlikely to push the reproductive number (R) above one while reopening secondary schools resulted in more number of cases as older students had their respective family members infected as well, while another school setting in Ireland did not report any secondary transmission.

ICMR Chief Balram Bhargava last month, during a press briefing, had called for the reopening of primary schools ahead of secondary schools owing to less infection risk in children.

Prolonged schools closures have impacted learning and also had an impact on the social, physical and mental growth of children. In India, the already widened learning inequities were widened. However, the lack of scientific consensus on an appropriate time and approach to restore in-person learning among school children in India, even after 18 months into the pandemic has put education on the back burner.

ICMR paper calls for a series of measures to bring physical and social distancing, with staggered timing, alternate day schools, hybrid learning with online classes for compromised children. Alternate class arrangements in well-ventilated areas, hallrooms, open garden areas is advised. ICMR says frequent testing of school staff and students for early detection of cases is essential to prevent outbreaks. However routine temperature or symptom checking in schools should be avoided due to limited evidence on their utility. Schools have been recommended to have onsite testing facilities and temporary or localized closures of a class or school may occur depending upon the local community transmission levels or if COVID-19 indicators worsen.

Paper says benefits of reopening of school during the present scenario of COVID-19 in India (post-second wave) therefore, need to be assessed against the associated risks. Evidence indicates that restoration of functioning of the education system as it was in pre-COVID times, as early as possible appears prudent in the current Indian context.

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Covid vaccine effectiveness in preventing mortality 96% after 1st dose, 97% after 2nd dose: Govt

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

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The effectiveness of anti-coronavirus vaccine in preventing mortality is 96.6 per cent after the first dose and 97.5 per cent after the second dose, the Centre said on Thursday, citing data from a COVID-19 tracker’ developed by synergising data from three platforms.

Speaking at a briefing of the Union health ministry, Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Balram Bhargava said the vaccine tracker has been developed by synergising data from CO-WIN potal, National COVID-19 testing database and COVID-19 India portal, to give information on various aspects of vaccination. The data has been synergised based on ICMR identification number and on the basis of mobile numbers. We have been able to get a vaccine tracker which is going to be online very soon on the health ministry’s website, he said.

The tracker gives week by week coverage of the first and second dose of vaccine and also their effectiveness. Citing the data from COVID-19 tracker from April 18 to August 15, Bhargava said, Vaccine effectiveness in preventing mortality is 96.6 per cent and 97.5 per cent after the second dose.

V K Paul, NITI Aayog member (Health) said it is clear that after two doses, there is near total protection from serious diseases and death. Vaccine is an important shield for protection against the novel coronavirus infection. This will change the scenario very dramatically, he said.

Responding to a question on the rate of breakthrough infection, Bhargava said, “This is the data we are still looking at. These vaccines are disease modifying and not disease preventing. So breakthrough infections will occur even after vaccination and that is why we keep recommending continued use of masks and following Covid appropriate behaviour. It is very important to continue the use of masks even after vaccination. Ahead of the festive season, both the officials noted that mass gatherings have to be discouraged.

Bhargava said low-key celebration of festivals this year will provide an opportunity to enjoy them in a bigger way next year. He also emphasised on responsible travel rather than revenge travel.

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Spike in COVID cases in Kerala cannot be attributed to Onam, says Dr Chandrakant Lahariya

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

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Dr Chandrakant Lahariya, epidemiologist and public policy, health systems expert, on Thursday, said that spike in COVID-19 cases in Kerala cannot be attributed to Onam.

Kerala has seen a rise in fresh COVID cases. The figure for yesterday, August 25, stands at 31,445. Test positivity rate in the state is also alarmingly high at 19 percent versus India’s average of 2 percent.

In an interview to CNBC-TV18, Dr Lahariya said, “This cannot be attributed to Onam celebration because there is a time lag of two weeks before the cases are due to any activity or event. However, maybe due to festivities, the state’s testing capacity wasn’t functional or people were not coming forward for testing. So now, the people who have been tested are the ones who might have been waiting for some period.”

Also Read: COVID-19: Japan suspends 1.63 million doses of Moderna vaccine over contamination

“We also need to look at the pandemic at this stage, in a more composite manner. One, how well the infections are detected and also how well the health system is functioning, for example, people who got infected, how well they are treated and the parameter for that is, the case fatality rate in Kerala has been really low. So what we need to keep an eye on is, what is happening and the number of cases, but we cannot simply look at the numbers only; we need to look at the overall system performance,” he said.

On densely populated states, Dr Lahariya said, “Kerala, Maharashtra and some of the northeastern states, where transmission is ongoing; and in the previous wave, there was less number of individuals infected; we know through sero-survey (by ICMR). So we need to be really careful as long as the virus is circulating, we need to cut down on the nonessential travels, interactions or meetings or tourism activity. So, Kerala and Maharashtra definitely need to be cautious as many of the festivities are coming.”

Also Read: India may be in endemic stage of COVID-19, says WHO expert; what that means

According to him, there is no scientific evidence that children will be disproportionately affected during COVID third wave. “There is no evidence from India, or any other part that any subsequent wave would affect children. There is no evidence that any emerging variant including the Delta variant disproportionately affects children. So we can be really assured and that is completely without any scientific evidence, rather children are protected,” said Dr Lahariya.

For the entire interview, watch the video

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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

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

As 3rd COVID-19 wave looms, expert points to gender gap challenge in inoculation drive

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

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An expert panel, set up by an institute under the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), has predicted that the third wave of COVID-19 can hit the country anytime between September and October. It has suggested significantly ramping up the vaccination pace.

The committee of experts, constituted by the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM), said children will have a similar risk as adults since paediatric facilities, doctors and equipment like ventilators, ambulances, etc. are nowhere close to what may be required in case a large number of children are infected.

The report, which has been submitted to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), observed that only around 7.6 percent (10.4 crore) people are fully vaccinated in India and if the current vaccination rate is not increased, India can witness six lakh cases per day in the next wave.

Also read: How to book COVID-19 vaccine slot via WhatsApp

According to data from the CoWin portal, out of the total 30.9 crore doses administered from January 2021 till June 25, 2021, 14.3 crore were given to women vis-a-vis 16.7 crore to men. The proportion of vaccine coverage — 856 doses to women for every 1,000 doses for men — does not match India’s current sex ratio of 924 women per 1,000 men.

The largest state in India, Uttar Pradesh, has 42 percent vaccination coverage of women, West Bengal has 44 percent, Dadra and Nagar Haveli (predominantly rural UT) has 30 percent. Only a few states- Kerala and Andhra Pradesh — have more vaccine coverage for women than men. Rural women are even more marginally placed vaccination-wise, the report said.

Speaking about gender gaps in vaccination, Dr Rajib Dasgupta, Member of National AEFI Committee said, “As far as vaccination goes, yes it has certainly picked up pace, but some gaps still remain. For example, the gender gap. Even as of today, 4 crore fewer women have been immunised than men. Part of it is linked to pregnancy, lactation, etc. but the fact is that a gender gap exists. Similarly, there are other inequities and just beyond a sheer target of covering so many by such and such date, it is really inequities that ought to be the discourse.”

On the NIDM report Das said, “The NIDM report simply compiles a set of alternative scenarios, and yes, that was the worst-case scenario based on a certain set of assumptions.

He added that now it is known that seroprevalence is on an average of 66 percent and it is as high as 70-75 percent in at least half a dozen states with large populations. This also means that there are pockets where the seroprevalence would be relatively low.

Also Read: India doesn’t have sufficient data to decide on Covid-19 booster dose, say experts

“Kerala as a whole is at around 45 percent and therefore, the need for district-level sero surveys, which actually point to a more granular understanding of vulnerability,” he said, adding that vulnerability assessment can help figure what needs to be focussed on and where resources must be used.

He said that planning should shift to the district level in a much stronger way than earlier and in fact, the NITI Aayog and the ICMR have all mandated that district-level sero-surveys be undertaken by the states.

“But then sero-surveys are resource-intensive not just in terms of money, but human resources, technology and so on. So, it may not be possible to produce district-level sero-surveys overnight. Therefore, the assessment of the situation level at the district level has to be made and then responded accordingly,” Das said.

For the full interview, watch the accompanying video…

With PTI inputs

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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

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

COVID-19: Delta variant can infect vaccinated, unvaccinated people, says ICMR study

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

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The Delta variant of COVID-19 has the potential to infect both vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals, said a study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research in Chennai. The study added that the mortality in the vaccinated group due to the Delta variant is lower than the unvaccinated group.

In an exclusive interview with CNBC-TV18, Dr Gagandeep Kang, a noted clinical scientist, had said that COVID-19 vaccines are working against the Delta variant and people should not rush for booster shots. The microbiologist and virologist said the third dose does help but it does not guarantee protection.

Dr Kang said, “The third dose does not guarantee protection but it does help. Booster doses may add a little bit of benefit in reducing disease but it may not be the best use of doses. We shouldn’t panic and run for booster shots.”

Also read: A pandemic beyond COVID-19

She also backed the ICMR studies that showed the mixing of Covishield and Covaxin vaccines is better than two doses of Covaxin.

On August 11, India’s drug regulator has given approval for a study to be conducted by the CMC, Vellore, on mixing of Covaxin and Covishield, official sources had said. An expert panel of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on July 29 had recommended granting permission for conducting the study. The trial will involve 300 healthy volunteers.

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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

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