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Infectious diseases

Inoculation record achieved, but concerns remain

Monday saw India administer a record 8.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Nonetheless, concerns remain surrounding the pace of an inoculation campaign once billed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as set to be the largest in the world. “Today’s record-breaking vaccination numbers are gladdening,” Modi tweeted. “The vaccine remains our strongest weapon to fight COVID-19. …

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Covaxin to face WHO scrutiny this week

India’s homegrown COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin is to face scrutiny from the World Health Organization (WHO) on June 23rd when a pre-submission hearing will be held.  Manufacturer Bharat Biotech received the WHO’s nod for its expression of interest for emergency use listing of Covaxin, in a step commentators regard as moving the vaccine closer to securing …

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Inquiry into fake COVID-19 tests begins

The Kumbh Mela festival, attended by millions of people in Uttarakhand, may have used fake COVID-19 tests, generating more than 100,000 falsified records according to recent allegations. Media reports say fake names, mobile numbers, and addresses were used in more than 100,000 tests during the Kumbh festival in April. Such allegations add fuel to the …

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Deaths due to COVID-19 understated?

India’s official COVID-19 death figures are already tragic, rising rapidly throughout the second wave. However, there are many that now believe these death figures are being severely underreported.   A Twitter thread in early May by Dr Ashish K. Jha, Dean of the Brown University School of Public Health, suggests that the fact that crematoriums …

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Targeting NCDs to prevent pandemics

Following millions of deaths worldwide as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, countries have been left to scramble to find ways to combat, and even prevent, future pandemics. Targeting noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) may seem counterintuitive when discussing infectious diseases, but the rationale for this approach may be the key to addressing the issue.   In …

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The third wave: COVID-19’s next act

When India’s second COVID-19 wave hit, it sent the nation reeling. Hospitals were overwhelmed. Vaccine exports were halted to accommodate those at home. People took to social media to beg for supplies of vital medical equipment such as medical oxygen amidst shortages. To consider the prospect of a third wave right now may seem to …

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Black fungus cases a continured scourge

As its second COVID-19 wave continues, India remains embattled by mucormycosis or ‘black fungus’ cases. Black fungus is a fungal infection which has exacerbated the bitter toll of the country’s COVID-19 crisis. The Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS) in Bihar state capital Patna is a case in point. The Institute currently houses 101 …

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Free vaccines from the Centre; A federalised policy a welcome shift

Vaccines will be offered free of charge to those aged eighteen and over, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced. The Prime Minister announced the free vaccines policy during an address to the nation yesterday, in which he stated “the Government of India itself will buy 75 percent of the total vaccine production from vaccine manufacturers …

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Reinfection with COVID-19 unlikely to cause deaths

A study has found that those reinfected by COVID-19 often present with severe symptoms, but are unlikely to be fatal. The study, conducted by the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi analysed “breakthrough infections” — or the small number of vaccinated individuals who are still reinfected by a disease. Conducted over the …

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COVAX gets boon from multi-billion dollar commitment – but India’s absence leaves a hole

The COVAX facility designed to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines received a boost earlier this week to the tune of US$2.4 billion, following a summit where countries and private donors made the mammoth commitment. Nonetheless, the facility still reels from India’s step back understandable though it may be. COVAX is jointly led by the …

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