Budget 2018-19

  India has a robust mechanism to evaluate data, says Union Health Minister Discussions are underway whether India should revert to four or eight weeks interval for Covishield vaccine and the emerging evidence regarding efficacy of partial versus full immunisation is also being considered, Chairman of India’s COVID-19 Working Group of NTAGI, Dr N K, Arora said. He stressed that the decision to increase the gap between two doses of  Covishield  from 4-6 weeks to 12-16 weeks was based on scientific decision and there was no dissenting voice among the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) members. “COVID-19 and the vaccination are very dynamic. Tomorrow, if the vaccine platform tells us that a narrower interval is better for our people, even if the benefit is 5%-10%, the Committee will take the decision on the basis of merit and its wisdom.On the other hand, if it turns out that the current decision is fine, we will continue with it,” Arora said. Meanwhil...

  Covid vaccine doses will be administered on a priority basis to all those going abroad for studies and jobs Covid vaccine doses will be administered on a priority basis to all those going abroad for studies and jobs from Karnataka, Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayana said on Monday. “The National Health Mission (NHM) has added students and persons going abroad for higher studies and jobs in the revised list of preferential groups for vaccination from June 1,” Narayan told reporters here. The vaccination campaign for students and workers going to foreign countries will be launched at the Bengaluru City University from Tuesday. “The NHM has also included workers of milk cooperative societies and cable operators in the priority list for vaccination,” Narayan said. Those going overseas will have to show their visa, admission receipt, job order and relevant documents to get inoculated on a priority basis. District commissioners across the state have been instructed to issue el...