PM Modi calls for speedy access to COVID-19 vaccines for citizens once ready

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed the COVID-19 situation in the country and the preparedness of vaccine delivery, distribution and said that access to vaccines should be ensured speedily once they are ready keeping in view the geographical span and diversity of the country. He noted the steady decline in the daily COVID-19 cases and growth […]

COVID-19 vaccine to be available from January to July next year: Himanta Biswa Sarma

Assam health, finance and education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma told reporters at a presser in Guwahati that the COVID-19 vaccine would be made available from January to July in the next year. “The Government of India has been convening meetings with us to take a vaccination programme from January to July next year. The frontline […]

Russia to soon register second vaccine against COVID-19, says Putin

Russia will soon register a second vaccine against COVID-19, informed President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday. “By the way, the second vaccine against coronavirus will be registered soon,” as reported by Sputnik quoting Putin while speaking to the Russian Upper House lawmakers. On Tuesday, national consumer health watchdog said that another vaccine — developed by the […]

Three COVID-19 vaccines at clinical trial stage in India: ICMR

Three COVID-19 vaccines are at a clinical trial stage in the country and two indigenous vaccine candidates have completed phase one trial, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) DG Dr Balram Bhargava said on Tuesday. “Three vaccines are at the clinical trial stage in India. Zydus Cadila and Bharat Biotech have completed phase-I trials. Results […]

Oxford vaccine phase 3 trials resume after halt over safety concerns

The third phase of AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine have resumed in the UK, days after they were halted over safety concerns. AstraZeneca said on Saturday that it received confirmation from the United Kingdom’s Medicines Health Regulatory Authority that it was safe to resume clinical trials, CNBC reported. AstraZeneca, a UK-based biopharma giant, had announced on Tuesday […]

AstraZeneca suspends leading COVID-19 vaccine trial due to unexplained illness of participant

UK-based biopharma giant AstraZeneca has said that the phase 3 testing of its COVID-19 vaccine being developed with Oxford University has been put on hold, due to a suspected serious adverse reaction in a participant in the United Kingdom. The company said that its “standard review process triggered a pause to vaccination to allow the […]

Russia becomes first country to register COVID-19 vaccine

The first COVID-19 vaccine in the world has been registered by Russia on Tuesday, reported Sputnik. “As far as I know, for the first time in the world, a vaccine against the novel coronavirus infection was registered this morning,” President Vladimir Putin was quoted as saying at a meeting with the government. “I hope we […]

COVID-19: Three Indian vaccines in different phases of clinical testing, says ICMR

At present, the country has three Indian COVID-19 vaccines which are in different phases of clinical testing, said Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Tuesday. “At the present moment, we have three Indian vaccines which are in different phases of clinical testing. The 2 vaccines- Bharat Biotech vaccine and DNA vaccine of Zydus Cadila […]

DCGI gives nod to Serum Institute to hold Phase II, III COVID vaccine trials

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) gave approval to Serum Institute of India, Pune to conduct Phase II+III clinical trials of Oxford University-Astra Zeneca COVID-19 vaccine (COVISHIELD) in India, said the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on Monday. “The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given approval to Serum Institute of India, […]