Coronavirus vaccine news highlights: Fever, headache, nausea most-reported adverse effects post vaccination, says Health Ministry

The first Covid-19 vaccine shots in India were given on Saturday to nearly two lakh frontline healthcare and sanitary workers as Prime Minister Narendra Modi rolled out the world’s largest inoculation drive against the pandemic that has caused 1,52,093 deaths and upended millions of lives in the country. As Modi asserted that the two vaccines being deployed will ensure a “decisive victory” for India against the coronavirus, the Union Health Ministry said no case of post-inoculation hospitalisation has been reported so far and the vaccination drive was successful. Sanitation workers were the first to get the jabs in Delhi and some states. Stay tuned for more updates.

Less than 50 per cent beneficiaries show up for COVID-19 vaccination in AP

Less than 50 per cent of the targeted beneficiaries turned up for coronavirus vaccination in Andhra Pradesh on the second day on Sunday, but that was the highest in the country.

According to data released by the Health Department, only 13,041 healthcare workers got the COVID-19 vaccine administered across the state against the targeted 27,233 for the day. Across the country, only over 17,000 people got vaccinated in six states on Sunday.

Health Commissioner Katamaneni Bhaskar said only two adverse events following immunization were reported, one each in Krishna and SPS Nellore districts, but there was nothing serious.

Delhi govt to take measures to raise percentage of health workers turning up for COVID vaccine drive

The Delhi government will take measures like counselling and formal phone calls in the coming days to raise the percentage of healthcare workers turning up for being administered COVID-19 vaccines, officials said.

Under the nationwide mega vaccination drive launched on Saturday, a total of 4,319 (53 per cent) health workers against a target of 8,117 were administered the vaccines at 81 centres across the city.

Will poor and underprivileged get COVID-19 vaccine for free? Congress asks govt

A day after India rolled out the world's largest inoculation drive against COVID-19, the Congress on Sunday asked whether the government plans to provide free vaccines to all Indians, especially the underprivileged and the poor, and when.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said that though the government claims it will cover three crore people in the first round of the vaccination drive, it is yet to clarify if the remaining population of India will get a vaccine and whether they will get it for free.

Covid-19 vaccination drive hits bump due to app glitch

India's Covid-19 vaccination drive was still facing some delays on Sunday after it hit a bump on the first day due to glitches in an app used to coordinate the campaign, according to officials in some states.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched on Saturday what his government has described as the "world's largest vaccination programme". It aims to vaccinate around 300 million people to curb the pandemic in India, which has reported the second highest number of coronavirus cases after the United States.

2,24,301 beneficiaries given Covid-19 vaccine so far; 447 cases of adverse effect reported: Centre

A total of 2,24,301 beneficiaries have been inoculated with Covid-19 vaccine so far, out of which only 447 adverse events following immunisation (AEFI) were reported, the Union Health Ministry said on day two of the nationwide vaccination drive on Sunday.

Read more

Only 6 states conducted coronavirus vaccination drive: Health Ministry

Today being Sunday, only 6 states conducted coronavirus vaccination drive and a total of 17,072 beneficiaries received jabs, said Health Ministry.

A total of 2,24,301 beneficiaries have been administered Covid-19 vaccine since nationwide drive was rolled out on Saturday, the ministry said.

Govt says a total of 447 adverse events following immunisation reported so far, of which only 3 cases required hospitalisation.

COVID vaccine: Govt says a total of 447 adverse events following immunisation reported so far, of which only 3 cases required hospitalisation.

Remaining health workers in UP to get COVID-19 vaccines by Jan 22: Official

The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday said the rest of the health workers in the state will get COVID-19 vaccines by January 22.

Speaking to reporters here, Additional Chief Secretary (Information) Navneet Sehgal said, "The anti-COVID vaccination drive in the state started on January 16, and rest of the health workers will get vaccinated by January 22. There should be no rumours regarding vaccination."

He added that the vaccination drive in the state is being done as per the Centre's guidelines, and there will be no change as far as the vaccine shots are concerned.

(PTI)

People wait in line outside Batchwood Hall, which has been turned into an NHS vaccine centre, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak, in St Albans, Britain, January 15, 2021. Credit: REUTERS

Don't believe what Congress says. When your turn comes, please get the vaccination administered and India will soon become a corona-free country: Union Minister Amit Shah in Bagalkot, Karnataka

Congress leaders raised questions on Covid-19 vaccine. We know you cannot do anything other than protest but at least don't stop the ones making efforts. Both vaccinations developed in India are completely safe: Union Minister Amit Shah in Bagalkot

Covid Tracker - Are you getting a vaccine?

As India kickstarts the world's largest vaccination drive, over one lakh priority recipients were administered the coronavirus vaccine.

The two indigenous vaccines have come under immense scrutiny and many questions regarding their efficacy still need to be answered.

Despite this, the first recipients don't get to choose their vaccine.

Will Indians shun the vaccines or take a leap of faith?

PM Modi should have taken COVID vaccine shot: Cong leader

Senior Congress leader and former UP legislator Pradeep Mathur on Sunday said it would have been better had Prime Minister Narendra Modi taken the coronavirus vaccine shot on the first day of the inoculation drive, thereby injecting confidence among people.

"It would have been better had Prime Minister Narendra Modi presented an example like that of Joe Biden, the president-elect of the US, by getting himself vaccinated. By taking the COVID-19 vaccine shot, he would have injected confidence among people of the country. People are still feeling hesitant in getting themselves vaccinated," Mathur said here on Sunday.

Sharpening his attack on the Centre over the farmers' protest, Mathur said, "Even Lord Ram will not be able to save them. They have incurred the curse of farmers.”

(PTI)

Lebanon inks final deal for 2.1 mln doses of Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine

Lebanon's caretaker health minister signed a final deal on Sunday to secure 2.1 million doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine as the country battles a steep rise in infections.

The vaccines are expected to arrive in batches starting February, the ministry said in a statement.

The ministry is also cooperating with the private sector to secure 2 million vaccine doses from Astrazenca and Sinopharm, it added.

Lebanon is under a three-week lockdown that ends on Feb. 1 and a strict 24-hour curfew until Jan. 25 after lax measures over the Christmas and New Year's holiday period led to a spike in cases.

In addition to these deals, Lebanon has also signed up for 2.7 million doses to be delivered through COVAX, the global scheme backed by the World Health Organization to provide vaccines to poorer countries.

(Reuters)

When will the poor get free Covid-19 vaccination and what is the rollout plan, asks Congress

“If Modi ji or his chief ministers do not wish to get the vaccine themselves, it is their view,” he said. Congress also questioned the Modi government’s vaccine acquisition strategy and demanded to know why it was paying more for Covaxin, which is yet to complete Phase III trials as against the fully tested Covishield.

Read more

https://www.deccanherald.com/national/north-and-central/some-didn-t-turn-up-for-covid-19-vaccination-at-the-last-moment-in-delhi-satyendar-jain-940102.html

In Delhi, a total of 4,319 healthcare workers -- 53.3 per cent of those registered -- got the vaccine shots on the first day of the Covid-19 vaccination drive on Saturday, the minister said.

Read more

Tamil Nadu Health Secretary gets Covaxin shot

Radhakrishnan got a shot of Covaxin at the Mahatma Gandhi Government Medical College Hospital in Tiruchirapalli, 345 km from Chennai, under the healthcare administrator category. The development comes amid concerns from healthcare workers over receiving a shot of Covaxin, whose third phase trials are still underway.

Read more

Rear Admiral Sheila Mathai, VSM, Commanding Officer, inaugurates the COVID-19 vaccination drive at INHS Asvini, in Mumbai, Saturday, Jan. 16, 2021. Credit: Indian Navy/PTI

10 new mass vaccination centres to open up across UK

Ten new large-scale centres, including a rugby ground, racecourse, food court and a cathedral, will open up next week across Britain to join the seven already delivering vaccines to immunise against COVID-19, the UK's National Health Service (NHS) said on Sunday.

It comes as a further 324,233 vaccine doses were administered across the UK to take the total above 3.5 million, a milestone hailed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as a "fantastic national effort".

The state-funded health service leading the UK's "biggest" vaccination programme in history also confirmed more than 1 million people aged 80 or over have been invited to book a coronavirus jab at a Vaccination Centre.

There are now 1,000 general practice (GP) led services and more than 250 hospitals offering coronavirus vaccinations, with dozens of new high street pharmacies stores also jabbing people by the end of next week.

(PTI)

Kolkata nurse stable, experts trying to ascertain cause behind illness post Covid-19 jab

"She is is stable. We have formed a board of experts to take care of the treatment procedure. Let's see how quickly we can analyse the reason behind her illness and come up with a solution. As of now, she is responding well to the treatment," the official told PTI.

Read more

Karnataka Health Minister inaugurates Covid-19 vaccination drive at Manipal Hospitals

Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister, K Sudhakar inaugurated Covid-19 vaccination drive on January 17 for the healthcare workers.

He inaugurated the drive at Manipal Hospitals in Bengaluru today.

Billed as the world's largest vaccination programme, covering the entire length and breadth of the country, the drive aims to first inoculate millions of its healthcare and frontline workers and reach an estimated 3 crore people by the end of its first phase. The mega Covid-19 vaccination drive began in India on January 16.

Speaking to ANI, K Sudhakar said, “Doctors expect around 70-80% turn out today. Whatever issues we faced yesterday (January 16) in the CoWIN app, will be sorted out by Monday.”

Kolkata nurse stable, experts trying to ascertain cause behind illness post COVID jab

The health condition of a 35- year-old nurse, who fell ill here following the administration of COVID-19 vaccine, is currently stable, and a medical board of experts has been formed to find out why she fainted after taking the shot, a senior official said on Sunday.

The health department official, who is also a prominent doctor, said the experts are examining her condition as of now, and the analysis might take some time.

"She is is stable. We have formed a board of experts to take care of the treatment procedure. Let's see how quickly we can analyse the reason behind her illness and come up with a solution. As of now, she is responding well to the treatment," the official told PTI.

The health department is also consulting vaccine expert Dr Shantunu Tripathy, who was earlier associated with School of Tropical Medicine, he said.

(PTI)

Brazil health regulator sends back Sputnik V vaccine emergency use request

Brazilian health regulator Anvisa said on Saturday it sent back documents submitted by pharmaceutical company Uniao Quimica seeking approval for emergency use of the Russian Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine because they did not meet the minimum criteria required.

In a statement on the Health Ministry website, Anvisa said the firm's request failed to provide adequate assurances on its Phase III clinical trials and issues related to the manufacture of the vaccine.

Anvisa officials had said previously that the Sputnik V vaccine would have to be submitted to Phase III clinical trials in Brazil before its use can be authorized.

(Reuters)

Vaccine skepticism hurts East European anti-virus efforts

Vaccines from the West, Russia or China? Or none at all? That dilemma faces nations in southeastern Europe, where coronavirus vaccination campaigns are off to a slow start — overshadowed by heated political debates and conspiracy theories.

In countries like the Czech Republic, Serbia, Bosnia, Romania and Bulgaria, vaccine skeptics have included former presidents and even some doctors.

Serbian tennis champion Novak Djokovic was among those who said he did not want to be forced to get inoculated.

(AP)

"Our Vaccine: Our passion"

A picture shows seats fitted with coloured sheets to depict a syringe and the Covid-19 coronavirus and a banner reading "Our Vaccine: Our passion" in the empty tribunes during the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Nimes Olympique (NO) at the Velodrome Stadium in Marseille, southeastern France, on January 16, 2021.

Credit: AFP Photo

Highest number of Covid-19 vaccines administered in Uttar Pradesh on first day of inoculation

Of the 1.91 lakh beneficiaries administered Covid-19 vaccine shots on the first day of the countrywide vaccination drive, the highest number of inoculations were carried out in Uttar Pradesh with 21,291 people taking the jab.

Read More

What does the Covaxin consent form say?

As India kicked off the world's largest vaccination drive on Saturday, healthcare and frontline workers due to receive Bharat Biotech's Covaxin antiviral shot were made to sign a consent form.

Read More

79.39% vaccination in Thane, 64.25% in Palghar on Day 1

A total of 1,829 people out of 2,300 registered beneficiaries have got the Covid-19 vaccine doses on the first day of the inoculation drive in Thane, as per revised figures issued by the district administration.

Read More

4,317 health workers received Covid-19 vaccine shots at 81 centres in Delhi yesterday: Satyendra Jain

4,317 health workers received Covid-19 vaccine shots at 81 centres in Delhi yesterday. 51 minor and one serious adverse events were reported. The number of vaccination sites will be increased to 175 and then to 1,000: Delhi Health Minister Satyendra Jain

Karnataka Health Minister K Sudhakar inspects vaccination process on second day

'An important landmark': PM Modi responds after Sri Lanka Prez congratulates him on vaccine rollout

Healthcare workers compelled to take Covaxin

On the first day of vaccination in India, a homegrown Covid-19 vaccine that lacks efficacy data, was administered to a smaller section of healthcare workers at government hospitals all over the country overlooking the concerns shared by many doctors.

Read More

Security guard administered Covid-19 vaccine admitted at AIIMS after developing allergic reaction

A security guard who was administered a shot of Covaxin at AIIMS on Saturday was admitted at the hospital after he developed an allergic reaction as part of "severe" adverse events following immunisation.

Read More

Delhi sees one severe adverse event, 51 mild ones on day 1 of Covid-19 vaccination drive

The first day of the Covid-19 vaccination drive saw one case of a severe adverse event in Delhi necessitating medical treatment at a dedicated centre at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Delhi.

Read More

Covid-19 vaccine: 23 senior citizens die after taking Pfizer shot

Norwegian officials said 23 people had died in the country a short time after receiving their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Of those deaths, 13 have been autopsied, with the results suggesting that common side effects may have contributed to severe reactions in frail, elderly people, according to the Norwegian Medicines Agency.

Read More

Covid-19 vaccination suspended till January 18 in Mumbai

The Covid-19 vaccination drive in India's business capital of Mumbai and elsewhere in Maharashtra has been suspended for two days overtechnical issues related to the Co-WIN app.

Read More

74% of beneficiaries get Covid-19 vaccine shots on first day in Rajasthan

Nearly 74 per cent of beneficiaries registered in Rajasthan for the first day of the Covid-19 vaccination campaign have received their shots on Saturday, official data showed.

Read More

India takes a shot at winning the vaccination race

As India rolls out what will be the world’s largest vaccination drive to contain the Sars-Cov-2 pandemic, it is instructive to look back to another time and another disease that was sought to be tamed with an equally large rollout.

Read More

Covid survivor from LNJP, thrilled to be third one to get jab

A clerical staff of LNJP Hospital, who had contracted Covid-19 infection a few months ago along with his entire family, was on Saturday elated to be on the third spot in the line of the healthcare workers who received thevaccineshots at the facility.

Naveen Kumar, 27, was all smiles after getting his first dose of Oxford Covid-19vaccineCovishield, and said it felt nice to get a rose from thevaccinatingstaff right after getting the jab.