Budget 2018-19

  India is, however, not officially banning Covid-19 vaccine exports. “This is a temporary move until the supply situation stabilises in the country,” said a person close to the development India has put a temporary hold on all major exports of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine made by Serum Institute of India (SII), the world’s biggest vaccine-maker, to meet domestic demand as infections rise, multiple sources confirmed. A person close to the development said that in the light of rising demand for Covid-19 vaccines, the health ministry has conveyed to SII that it should prioritise deliveries to the government of India over export commitments. The entire production of 60 million doses in April will be supplied to the government. India is, however, not officially banning  Covid-19 vaccine  exports. “This is a temporary move until the supply situation stabilises in the country,” said the person. Covid vaccine inventories have hit a low at places like Mumbai, and the gover...

  Coronavirus live updates: The US has lost over 500,000 people to coronavirus. India has recorded a steady rise in the Covid-19 active cases over the past few days Coronavirus live updates: India has recorded a steady rise in the Covid-19 active cases over the past few days. On Sunday, the country registered 14,199 fresh Covid-19 cases. Active cases in India have risen to 150,055, while the caseload tally has crossed the 11-million mark. The country continues to be second-most-affected globally, and ranks 14th among worst-hit nations by active cases. Till February 21, a total of 11,116,854 vaccine doses have been administered through 230,888 sessions. Maharashtra, which recorded 6,900 new cases, has announced a state-wide ban on social, political and religious gatherings, besides imposing fresh local lockdowns or curbs in districts like Pune and Amravati. The five most affected states by total cases are Maharashtra (2,093,913), Kerala (1,034,657), Karnataka (948,149), Andhra Prade...

  ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava said that in the case of temporary licensure or emergency use, the regulator had to be satisfied with the risk-benefit ratio. Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International (BBIL) had changed the dosage from 3 micrograms of antigen to 6 micrograms during its Covid-19 vaccine trial, a point that the subject expert committee (SEC) would closely examine when it meets on Wednesday to review its application for an emergency use authorisation (EUA) for Covaxin.The panel would also review the applications of Pfizer-BioNTech and Serum Institute of India (SII) seeking an EUA for their vaccines. While many have raised questions over BBIL applying for an EUA during an ongoing efficacy trial, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the country’s apex health research institute, has defended the move. ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava said that in the case of temporary licensure or emergency use, the regulator had to be satisfied with the risk-ben...