COVID-19 vaccine updates from Nook and Corner

Summary

• With more than 200 million doses distributed worldwide, researchers are still concerned that it will likely take years for most of the world’s people to become immunised.
• Russia has authorised its 3^rd COVID-19 vaccine for domestic use.
• India becomes the second fastest country in the world to cross the milestone of 10 million vaccination, after the US.
• G7 countries promise to increase vaccine supply to the developing nations.

The pressure is on for nations to vaccinate people against COVID-19, especially when the new strain is also picking the pace. As per media reports, close to 200 million people have been vaccinated, covering more than 85 countries. With the launch of several vaccines and the commencement of vaccination drives, researchers are still concerned that it will likely take years for most of the world’s people to become immunised against COVID-19.

On the one hand, when every nation is trying hard to increase the number of people receiving a dose of COVID-19 vaccine, Oxford and AstraZeneca are preparing to adapt their COVID-19 vaccine to protect against new strains. 

Many countries have started a vaccination drive successfully, while some are getting ready to start in the next few weeks. Besides, a few of the world's richest countries are pledging to share COVID-19 vaccines with developing and poor nations.

With this backdrop, let us acquaint you with the latest COVID-19 vaccination updates-

Russians get 3^rd COVID-19 vaccine

On 20 February 2021, Russia has authorised its 3^rd COVID-19 vaccine for domestic use. The vaccine is manufactured by the Chumakov Centre and labelled as CoviVac.

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According to some media sources, Russian has followed the same approach for approving CoviVac as it did for earlier 2 COVID-19 vaccines, authorised without performing late-stage clinical trials. Inoculations will start after the trails are conducted and proved to be successful. Russia already authorised two COVID-19 vaccines are, Sputnik V and EpiVacCorona.

India attained 10 million vaccination mark in 34 days

India took 34 days to obtain the landmark feat of 10 million COVID-19 vaccinations and becomes the second-fastest in the world to cross this milestone after the US.  The US took 31 days, while the UK took 56 days to beat this vaccination mark.

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India took 34 days to obtain the landmark feat of 10 million COVID-19 vaccinations and became the second-fastest globally to cross this milestone after the US. Besides, more than 6 lakh healthcare workers have received the second dose.

DO READ: A race against COVID-19: Meet five global vaccine developers in the fray

Australia Vaccine update

The first Pfizer vaccine dose has reached Brisbane today morning and now will be dispatched for Gold Coast. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Paul Kelly, Chief Medical Officer, along with few more health workers and aged residents, are among the first batch to receive the dose.

Longer dose gap between Oxford-AstraZeneca’s vaccine shots more effective

A Lancet study reported that the vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca Plc (LON:AZN) and Oxford University would be more effective when two doses are given at an interval of three-months rather than the present gap of six weeks.  

The study has estimated that the single dose of the vaccine gives up to 76% protection for a period of three months.

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The study also suggested that it would also help governments vaccinate a larger number of people in a shorter interval of time.

The researchers stated that this dosage regimen is helpful, while COVID-19 vaccine supplies are initially limited and could allow nations to immunise the larger population promptly.

Vaccine Distribution in Japan

The Japanese government has signed a contract with AstraZeneca to produce the vaccine for 60 million people. The production for local distribution will start as soon as health ministry approval is received.

Britain to vaccinate adults by July end

Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that all adults will be administered the first shot of a COVID-19 vaccine in Britain by July end.  Britain now intends to give the first dose to all aged people (more than 50 years) by 15 April 2021.

Vaccine manufactured by Pfizer Inc/BioNTech SE and developed by the AstraZeneca/Oxford University is being rolled out in the UK.

G7 Leaders Commitment to increase Vaccine supply

Over a call that lasted for more than 45 minutes, the G7 leaders have committed their increased support to WHO led Covax global vaccine drive. The countries agreed to increase the supply of surplus vaccines to the developing nations. In his first international meeting, the US President, Joe Biden, promised an extra USD 4 billion support to the Covax scheme.

The distribution plans supporting anti-poverty campaigns on how many doses and when will they be sent will be taken later this year depending upon any additional shots needed during autumn and keeping into account the supply chain.