A Delhi-based non-governmental organisation working for the homeless people has on Monday appealed the AAP and central governments to include those under priority group after healthcare and frontline workers for vaccination against coronavirus. According to Centre for Holistic Development (CHD), the homeless people due to weak immunity have compromised their ability to fight a deadly virus like the covid. Sunil Kumar Aledia, executive director of the organistaion said: “I witness how poor … [Read more...] about India: NGO urges govts to include homeless in priority list for vaccination drive
UN agencies supporting mammoth India COVID-19 vaccine rollout
On 16 January, the first day of the campaign, 207,229 vaccine shots were given across the country, one of the worst-hit by COVID-19, with over 10 million COVID-19 infections and 150,000 deaths. WHO Representative in India, Roderico H. Ofrin said: "We provided technical assistance to the Government of India for the development of operational guidelines and other training materials for state and district programme managers and vaccinators, and establishing tracking and accountability … [Read more...] about UN agencies supporting mammoth India COVID-19 vaccine rollout
PAHO commits more than $263 million in 2020
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) received commitments for more than $263 million in 2020 to provide technical support and supplies for the fight against COVID-19 in the Americas. The $263 million included direct financial support to PAHO, contributions channeled through WHO to fund the response to COVID-19 in the Americas, and agreements negotiated with PAHO member states with support from a range of international financial institutions. PAHO Director, Carissa F. Etienne said, "We … [Read more...] about PAHO commits more than $263 million in 2020
Get COVID-19 vaccinations for ‘high-risk’ populations underway within 100 days worldwide, Tedros urges
The UN health agency chief said that there needs to be a “collective commitment” to get vaccinations underway worldwide for health workers and others who are at high risk of catching COVID-19, within the next 100 days. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) was briefing journalists in Geneva, a year on from the first-ever recorded COVID-19 death. Today, there are more than 1.93 million dead, and nearly 90 million confirmed cases. Governments, … [Read more...] about Get COVID-19 vaccinations for ‘high-risk’ populations underway within 100 days worldwide, Tedros urges
European Commission to purchase up to 300 million additional doses of BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine
The European Commission today proposed to the EU Member States to purchase an additional 200 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine produced by BioNTech and Pfizer, with the option to acquire another 100 million doses. This would enable the EU to purchase up to 600 million doses of this vaccine, which is already being used across the EU. The additional doses will be delivered starting in the second quarter of 2021. The EU has acquired a broad portfolio of vaccines with different … [Read more...] about European Commission to purchase up to 300 million additional doses of BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine
COVID-19: European Commission authorises second safe and effective vaccine
The European Commission has granted a conditional marketing authorisation (CMA) for the COVID‑19 vaccine developed by Moderna, the second COVID-19 vaccine authorised in the EU. This authorisation follows a positive scientific recommendation based on a thorough assessment of the safety, effectiveness, and quality of the vaccine by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and is endorsed by the Member States. The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “We are providing … [Read more...] about COVID-19: European Commission authorises second safe and effective vaccine
Bill Gates and Global Leaders applaud India’s leadership to combat COVID-19 pandemic
Global leaders have lauded India's leadership in scientific innovation and decisive action to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, as the country gets set to begin the world's largest vaccination drive against the novel coronavirus. The Drug Controller General of India on Sunday approved the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech, for restricted emergency use in the country, paving the way for a massive inoculation … [Read more...] about Bill Gates and Global Leaders applaud India’s leadership to combat COVID-19 pandemic
Sputnik V vaccine: Moscow launches online registration for Covid-19 vaccination
Two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin called for mass vaccinations against Covid-19, Moscow launched an online service today for people to book appointments to be vaccinated. Sputnik V, one of two Russian-made vaccines to have received regulatory approval in Russia despite clinical trials being incomplete, requires two injections. Interim trials showed it is 92% effective at protecting people from the novel coronavirus. Russian Health Minister Mikhail Murashko had earlier … [Read more...] about Sputnik V vaccine: Moscow launches online registration for Covid-19 vaccination
UK authorised Oxford University/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine
The UK Government has accepted the recommendation from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to authorise Oxford University/AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine for use. This follows rigorous clinical trials and a thorough analysis of the data by experts at the MHRA, which has concluded that the vaccine has met its strict standards of safety, quality and effectiveness. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) will also publish its latest advice for the … [Read more...] about UK authorised Oxford University/AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine
Gavi welcomes final approval of U.S. support for global immunisation
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance welcomes final approval of the United States’ commitment to provide the Alliance with US$ 4 billion in COVID-19 supplemental funding for global immunization These resources, which were included in a larger omnibus funding package, will ensure that lower-income economies have equitable access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines, helping to end the acute phase of the pandemic. The United States also approved a contribution of US$ 290 million for Fiscal Year … [Read more...] about Gavi welcomes final approval of U.S. support for global immunisation
