In a statement, the EU drug regulator said its analysis had shown that a third dose given of Moderna’s vaccine — which is usually given in a two-dose schedule — at least six months after the second dose, led to an increase in antibody levels in adults whose levels were waning.
India is committed to supplying COVID-19 vaccines to other nations and such supplies are likely to begin by the end of this year, as the abundant production will not just meet domestic needs but also generate surplus for exports, a top government official said on Monday.
The official, however, added that the supply of vaccines to other nations will have to be balanced against the country’s vaccination program.
India logged 14,306 new COVID-19 cases, taking the virus tally to 3,41,89,774, while the active cases declined to 1,67,695, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Monday.
The death toll climbed to 4,54,712 with 443 daily fatalities, according to the data updated at 8 am.
The daily rise in new coronavirus infections has been below 30,000 for 31 straight days and less than 50,000 daily new cases have been reported for 120 consecutive days now.
Here are the latest developments:
EU drug regulator okays booster doses of Moderna’s COVID shot
The European Medicines Agency said on Monday that a booster dose of Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine “can be considered” in people aged 18 and above.
In a statement, the EU drug regulator said its analysis had shown that a third dose given of Moderna’s vaccine — which is usually given in a two-dose schedule — at least six months after the second dose, led to an increase in antibody levels in adults whose levels were waning. The booster dose consists of half the dose normally given to adults.
The EMA said that currently available data suggest the incidence of side effects is similar to what is observed following the second dose of Moderna’s vaccine, which is known to cause temporary heart and chest inflammation in a small number of people. – AP
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Survey to identify people yet to get one dose of COVID-19 vaccine in Andhra Pradesh
Principal Secretary (Health, Medical and Family Welfare) Anil Kumar Singhal has said that a door-to-door survey will be conducted across the State to determine the number of eligible people who are yet receive at least one dose of vaccine against COVID-19 infection.
Mr. Singhal told the media here on Monday said that as per an estimate done by the government last year, there were 3.47 crore persons eligible (18+) for vaccination and 91.4% of them got at least one dose, while 53.2% got fully vaccinated.
The Central government later revised the eligible population as per the office of Registrar General and Census Commissioner of India to 3.95 crore.
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U.S. issues vaccines-based entry rules for air travel
Most adults who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents and want to fly to the country on or after November 8 will have to be fully vaccinated, as per a new Presidential Proclamation signed by U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday. The rules, which also include pre-travel testing specifications, have been expected for weeks and will harmonise disparate, country-specific rules. For some jurisdictions and countries, including India, Brazil, Ireland, the Schengen Area, South Africa and the U.K. , where entry into the U.S. has been the exception to the rule, it will mean a significant easing of restrictions.
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COVID SOPs must be followed scrupulously during festivals: Delhi HC
The Delhi High Court on Monday told the Centre, the city government, the police and various authorities here that Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), guidelines and protocols set for COVID-appropriate behaviour and managing crowds in marketplaces must be followed scrupulously in this festive season.
A Bench of Chief Justice D.N. Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh made the observation while hearing a public interest litigation initiated by the High Court on violation of COVID-19 protocols in various markets in the Capital.
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