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Monday, February 16, 2026 9:08 PM

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Omicron-specific vaccine being developed by SII could be released by the end of the year: Report

An Omicron-specific vaccination is apparently being developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII), according to an NDTV report. The vaccine is being developed in collaboration with Novavax, according to SII Chief Executive Officer Adar Poonawalla, who spoke to NDTV. Poonawalla added that the vaccine would only protect against the Omicron sub-variant BA5. Poonawalla says that SII may introduce the vaccine in India within the next six months. “Think this vaccine is important as a booster. Trials of Novavax are in progress in Australia currently. By November-December should be in a position to approach the US drug regulator,” Poonawalla was quoted as saying by NDTV.  The COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca is made by SII, the largest vaccine manufacturer in the world, and is sold under the brand name Covishield. A new Covid vaccine that targets the Omicron variant was approved earlier today by the UK, making it the first country to do so. The bivalent vaccine from Moderna, which targets both the original Covid strain and the Omicron variant, has received approval from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), according to the Daily Mirror. The “next generation” coronavirus booster shot has been approved for use in adults and may only need to be given once a year. The Moderna vaccine, also known as mRNA-1273.214, is an updated version that is currently used for first, second, and booster doses. This dose will be the first one to be authorised in the UK that specifically targets two strains of the virus.

Omicron-specific vaccine being developed by SII could be released by the end of the year: Report Read More »

100 million Corbevax doses were supplied to the centre: Biological E. Ltd

The Center has received doses of Corbevax, the COVID-19 vaccine developed by Biological E. Ltd. (BE), totaling 10 crore (100 million), the company reported on Thursday. The city-based vaccine manufacturer stated in a release: “Biological E. Limited has delivered 10 crore doses of Corbevax to the Government of India till now. PanIndia roll-out of Corbevax in children 12-14 years of age was initiated on March 16, 2022 and till now almost seven crore doses have been administered and 2.9 crore children have completed the two-dose vaccination regimen.” The Union Health Ministry also gave Corbevax approval as a heterologous COVID-19 booster dosage under emergency use authorization for people 18 years of age and older after primary immunisation (two doses) with Covaxin or Covishield, the company reported. The COVID-19 Working Group of the National Technical Advisory Group (NTAGI) on Immunization’s recent recommendations served as the foundation for the Health Ministry’s approval. From August 12, 2022, Corbevax is anticipated to be offered as a booster dosage through the CoWIN App in public and private vaccination centers. The vaccine was previously given the go-ahead for emergency use as a heterologous COVID-19 booster dosage for those age 18 and over on June 4, 2022, by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). In a series of approvals from December 2021 to April 2022, the vaccine had gained emergency use authorisation as the primary two-dose immunisation schedule in adults, adolescents, and children aged five and above. For private COVID-19 vaccination centers, Corbevax is available for Rs. 250, GST inclusive. The price was set at Rs 400 for the consumer, including taxes and administrative expenses. Source: PTI

100 million Corbevax doses were supplied to the centre: Biological E. Ltd Read More »

Scientists in Bhopal develop country’s first indigenous vaccine for bird flu

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The National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal has achieved success in developing a vaccine to safeguard birds against the bird flu virus. It is the first locally produced bird flu vaccine in the nation. As of today, the vaccination has been imported to prevent the spread of this virus. On the ninth anniversary of NIHSAD in Bhopal’s foundation, Dr. Bhupendra Nath Tripathi, deputy director general of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, travelled from Delhi on Monday to launch the vaccine. Along with other experts, Dr. VP Singh, director of NIHSAD Bhopal, attended this event. The NIHSAD is one of India’s premier institutes for researching new and exotic animal pathogens. Dr. Tripathi said that the bird flu subtype H9N2 kills millions of chickens and other birds each year, preventing them from being able to lay eggs. The H9N2 virus comes in two types. The first virus is low pathogenic, and the second is high pathogenic. The chickens will be protected from low pathogenic viruses by the vaccine. A high pathogenic avian influenza mortality rate can reach approximately 100% in chickens. He said that the institute would shortly distribute the vaccination formula to private entities. Animal scientists estimate that a chicken raised in a poultry farm has a six-month lifespan. The vaccination will be given within this six-month period. Source: TNN

Scientists in Bhopal develop country’s first indigenous vaccine for bird flu Read More »

Gap between 2nd dose and precaution dose of Covid vaccines reduced on NTAGI’s advice: Govt

The government informed Parliament on Friday that the duration between the second and precaution dose of the COVID-19 vaccine for all beneficiaries 18 years of age and older has been changed from nine months to six months based on the recommendations made by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI). Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar stated in a written response to a question in the Lok Sabha that as of August 1, a total of 9.07 crore (13%) precaution doses of the Covid vaccinations were administered against the due beneficiaries. According to the minister, the Center monitors the rate of Covid immunisation and has repeatedly advised the states and union territories to provide the eligible beneficiaries with precautionary doses. Through door-to-door mobilisation and vaccination activities, the “Har Ghar Dastak 2.0” campaign is being carried out nationwide with the goal of immunising all eligible beneficiaries with the second dosage and the precautionary dose. According to the “Covid Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava” initiative, the precaution dose would be given for free to all recipients 18 years of age and older at the government-run Covid vaccination centres (CVCs) six months after the second dose is administered, according to Pawar. Source: PTI

Gap between 2nd dose and precaution dose of Covid vaccines reduced on NTAGI’s advice: Govt Read More »

Health ministry initiates training programme for CGHS employees

The week-long training programme created specifically for administrative medical officers of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) will soon improve their ability to use and handle technology, as well as their ability to manage and communicate with others. The senior medical officers from various CGHS offices and wellness centres will benefit from the training and orientation programme, which was developed by CGHS in partnership with the National Institute for Health and Family Welfare (NIHFW) and adheres to the Prime Minister’s mantra of “skill, reskill, and upskill.” Starting on August 1 and continuing through August 6, the thorough training will train 70 officers in two batches. These officers will not only be able to increase their managerial and administrative abilities, but they will also emerge with stronger and more compassionate personalities. This training programme is being implemented at a time when CGHS is rapidly digitising its services and launching new health modalities. Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Minister for Health, spoke on how advancement is only possible for organisations and people who are always learning. He emphasised the significance of constantly being in a state of learning and being open to learning from and imparting information to one another. With its network reaching 75 cities throughout India and operating over 450 wellness centres, CGHS today has a significant presence.

Health ministry initiates training programme for CGHS employees Read More »

Delhi’s 1st monkeypox patient recovers, discharged from hospital

The LNJP hospital has discharged the first monkeypox patient from Delhi after the patient recovered from the infection. On Monday night, the patient was released after exhibiting signs of improvement. Dr. Suresh Kumar, MD, of the LNJP Hospital, stated to IANS: “We have discharged the patient which was the first case of monkeypox in the capital city. The man recovered total in 25 days.” According to Dr. Kumar, it is an achievement for the hospital. “I want to congratulate the team of our doctors involved in the treatment of monkeypox infection. They worked hard day and night and the patient got cured,” he added. The patient, who has been discharged, is a resident of Delhi and has travelled to Himachal Pradesh in the past. He had been sick for the previous 15 days with a fever and skin issues, according to Dr. Kumar, before being taken to the hospital. The patient spent 11 days in the hospital after being admitted. His first two reports were positive, but after receiving a negative third report, he was released from the hospital. Another person who may have had monkeypox was admitted to the hospital last night. A total of three cases—two suspected and one confirmed—have been reported at the moment at LNJP Hospital, the nodal hospital for the treatment of monkeypox.

Delhi’s 1st monkeypox patient recovers, discharged from hospital Read More »

AIIMS along with IIT Delhi develops AI-based website for dyslexia

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has developed a new in-house website called readable.com to help youngsters who have been diagnosed with dyslexia read, write, and learn normally. The child neurology department has established an online portal for children with dyslexia, a neurological condition that impacts learning, including oral and written language and makes it challenging to comprehend or read words and/or numbers. “This website will help them read, write and learn like normal children. It is also going to help parents of dyslexic children. Once the parents get familiarised with the app or website, they can teach their children to overcome difficulties in reading and writing,” said Dr Shefali Gulati, professor, department of child neurology. AIIMS has done a research on 44 children who had undergone functional magnetic resonance imaging (F-MRI) while utilising the app before launching the website. The findings indicated that most of the children learned languages and vocabulary just like other children of their own age. According to Gulati, the app’s eight modules, which are creatively presented and cover various language-learning topics, will enable children use artificial intelligence to read, write, and explain things like other children. The app was developed with assistance from IIT-Delhi. This app was a result of a previous partnership between AIIMS and IIT-Delhi to create programmes focused on innovation and rehabilitation. Despite the fact that there is no cure for dyslexia, early diagnosis and treatment can boost children’s reading and writing skills. Before a child starts school, it can be challenging to identify dyslexia symptoms, but there are several warning signs that may point to the condition. Experts claim that some genes that have an impact on how the brain processes language and reading have been linked to dyslexia. These genes also tend to run in families. While most children can read by kindergarten or first grade, dyslexic children usually struggle to understand the fundamentals of reading by that point. Reading problems from childhood persist into adulthood when dyslexia is left undiagnosed and untreated.

AIIMS along with IIT Delhi develops AI-based website for dyslexia Read More »

Doctors on alert for monkey pox symptoms at Delhi airport

Monkeypox symptoms would immediately get passengers at Delhi’s IGI airport directed to Lok Nayak hospital, according to officials aware of the situation on Monday. The decision was arrived at during a review meeting that Lieutenant Governor VK Saxena presided over. Inspecting passengers for high fevers, joint, and back pain, the airport health team’s doctors would reportedly refer suspected patients to LNJP. The National Institute of Virology in Pune will receive samples from patients who are hospitalised to the hospital. Additional district magistrate Vikram Singhal stated that the district administration would place suspected patients’ families under quarantine and conduct contact tracing. After the review meeting, the LG tweeted: “Reviewed the monkeypox situation in Delhi along with CS, secretary health, DGHS and others concerned. Was apprised of preparedness in terms of medical services, hospital infrastructure, tracing, testing, surveillance and clinical management. Advised officials to ensure all preventive measures. I appeal to the people to not panic and follow all prescribed prevention and treatment protocols.” One case of monkeypox has been reported in Delhi so far; the victim is a 34-year-old Paschim Vihar resident who has never travelled overseas. 13 contacts that belonged to his family or the doctors who initially treated him and suggested home quarantine have been tracked down by the district administration. The health teams presently have the capability to test just those with suspected Covid symptoms, according to officials positioned at the airport. According to sources, 2-3% of international passengers on each flight landing at IGI airport are randomly tested. “Some of the symptoms in both Covid and monkeypox are the same. After randomly testing passengers for Covid-19, we let them go to their destination. If found positive, the reports are sent to them as well as the district and state authorities. It is important that we increase surveillance to screen passengers for the symptoms of monkeypox. We have already written to the government for the same,” an official said, asking to remain anonymous. A team of 150 health professionals are currently stationed at Delhi Airport to screen travellers for Covid-19. A decision to increase the number of doctors, testing teams, and health professionals at the airport has not yet been made, according to sources.

Doctors on alert for monkey pox symptoms at Delhi airport Read More »

NTAGI panel reviews data for Corbevax as booster for adults who got Covishield, Covaxin shots

According to official sources, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization’s Covid working group has examined the data of Biological E’s Corbevax to allow it as a booster for those aged 18 and over completely vaccinated with Covishield or Covaxin. The NTAGI panel did not yet make a recommendation at their meeting on Wednesday. On June 4, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approved Corbevax as a precautionary dose for individuals 18 years of age and above. Corbevax, India’s first locally produced RBD protein subunit vaccine, is currently being administered to children between the ages of 12 and 14. According to an official source who spoke to the media agency, “The NTAGI panel reviewed the data of Biological E’s Corbevax as a booster for those aged 18 and above fully vaccinated with either Covishield or Covaxin,” In accordance with a 75-day special drive that started on July 15, everyone aged 18 and over is receiving free precautionary doses of the Covid vaccine at government immunisation centres. As part of the government’s Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to commemorate the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence, the “COVID Vaccination Amrit Mahotsava” programme is being undertaken with the intention of increasing the adoption of Covid precaution dosages. To date, the nation has administered more than 6 crore precautionary doses.

NTAGI panel reviews data for Corbevax as booster for adults who got Covishield, Covaxin shots Read More »

India registers 20,557 new COVID19 cases, bringing the total number of active cases to 1,45,654

India’s COVID-19 immunisation coverage has surpassed 200.61 crore (92.71 crore second dose and 6.11 crore precaution dosage have been provided so far under National Vaccination Drive). There have been 26,04,797 doses given over the past 24 hours. The COVID-19 vaccine’s initial dosage has been given to more than 3.81 crore adolescents so far. 2,64,58,875 sessions have been used to accomplish this. In the past 24 hours, 18,517 patients have recovered, bringing the total number of recovered patients to 4,31,32,140. India now has a recovery rate of 98.47 percent. In the previous 24 hours, 20,557 new cases were reported. The number of active cases in India is presently 1,45,654. Currently, 0.33 percent of all positive cases in the nation are active cases. In the past 24 hours, 4,98,034 COVID-19 tests have been performed. In total, India has performed about 87.06 billion tests to date. Currently, the country’s weekly positivity rate is 4.64 percent, and its daily positivity rate is 4.13 percent.

India registers 20,557 new COVID19 cases, bringing the total number of active cases to 1,45,654 Read More »