New Delhi Apr 27 PTI India recorded 2927 fresh infections in a day which pushed the case tally to 43065496 while the active caseload increased to 16279 according to Union Health Ministry data on WednesdayThedeath toll has climbed to 523654 with 32 more fatalities the data updated at 8 am statedWhile active cases increased by 643 in a day and comprised 004 per cent of the total infections the national COVID-19 recovery rate was recorded at 9875 per cent the ministry saidThe daily positivity rate was recorded at058per cent and the weekly positivity rate was 059 per cent the government saidWhile 42525563 people have recuperated from the disease so far the case fatality rate was recorded at122 per centIndia has so far administered over 18819 crore doses of Covid vaccinesThe countrys COVID-19 case tally had crossed the 20-lakh mark on August 7 2020 30 lakh on August 23 40 lakh on September 5 and 50 lakh on September 16It went past 60 lakh on September 28 70 lakh on October 11 crossed 80 lakh on October 29 90 lakh on November 20 and surpassed the one-crore mark on December 19India crossed the grim milestone of two crore on May 4 last year and three crore on June 23 PTI PLB NSD NSD

New Delhi Apr 26 PTI Indias drug regulator has granted emergency use authorisation for Biological Es COVID-19 vaccine Corbevax for those aged five to 12 years and Bharat Biotechs Covaxin for children in the age group of six to 12 years official sources said on TuesdayThe approval by the Drugs Controller General of India DCGI comes following recommendations by the Subject Expert Committee SEC on COVID-19 of the Central Drugs Standard Control OrganisationCDSCOThe SEC had last week reviewed the application of both the companies seeking emergency use authorisation for Corbevax and Covaxin for use in children of five to 12 years andsix to 12 years age group respectivelyBiological Es Corbevax is being used to inoculate children against COVID-19 in the age group of 12 to 14 years Covaxin has been granted Emergency Use Listing EUL by the DCGI for the age group of 12 to 18 years on December 24 2021India began inoculating children aged 12-14 on March 16 The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 last year with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase Vaccination of frontline workers started from February 2 last yearThe next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced on March 1 last year for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditionsIndia launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 years from April 1 last year The government then decided to expand its vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 years of age to be inoculated against the viral disease from May 1 last yearThe next phase of vaccination commenced on January 3 for adolescents in the age group of 15-18 yearsIndia began administering precaution doses of vaccines to healthcare and frontline workers and those aged 60 and above with comorbidities from January 10 Precaution doses of COVID-19 vaccines to all aged above 18 years were allowed at private vaccination centres from April 10 PTI PLB NSD NSD

New Delhi Mar 26 PTI The cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 183 crore on Saturday the Union Health Ministry saidOver 26 lakh vaccine doses have been being administered on Saturday till 7 pm The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports by late in the nightMore than 120 crore vaccine doses have been administered in the 12-14 years age group so far the ministry saidAlso over 225 crore precaution doses have been administered to healthcare and frontline workers and those aged above 60 yearsThe countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 last year with the healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase The vaccination of frontline workers started from February 2 last yearThe next phase of Covid vaccination commenced on March 1 last year for people above 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditionsThe country launched vaccination for all people aged above 45 years from April 1 last yearThe Centre then decided to expand the vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 years of age to be inoculated against the viral disease from May 1 last yearThe next phase of Covid vaccination commenced from January 3 this year for adolescents in the age group of 15-18 yearsThe country began administering precaution doses of the vaccines to the healthcare and frontline workers and those aged 60 years and above with comorbidities from January 10The inoculation of children aged 12-14 years started from March 16 PTI PLB NSD NSD

New Delhi Feb 28 PTI The cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in India has crossed 17767 crore on Monday the Union Health Ministry said More than 15 lakh vaccine doses have been administered till on Monday 7 pmOver 2 crore precaution doses have been given to healthcare and frontline workers and comorbid people aged 60 and aboveThe daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late night The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase Inoculation of frontline workers started from February 2The next phase of COVID-19vaccinationcommenced from March 1 for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditionsThe country launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 years from April 1 The government then decided to expand its vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 to be vaccinated from May 1 The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from January 3 for adolescents in the age group of 15-18 yearsIndia began administering precaution dose of COVID-19vaccineto healthcare and frontline workers and those aged 60 and above with comorbidities from January 10 PTI PLB NSD NSD

New Delhi Feb 24 PTI The cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 17676 crore on Thursday the Union Health Ministry saidOver 28 lakh vaccine doses have been administered on Thursday till 7 pmMore than 197 crore precaution doses have been administered to healthcare and frontline workers and comorbid people aged 60 and aboveThe daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late night PTI PLB NSD NSD

New Delhi Feb 24 PTI Asserting that research and innovation propel a country towards development Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday said it was time for India to demonstrate its mettle through entrepreneurship and innovation in the health sector He said that under the leadership and guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi India has taken several notable steps towards self-reliance especially in vaccine development during the pandemicMandaviya and his deputy Bharti Pravin Pawar launched the ICMRDHR Policy on Biomedical Innovation and Entrepreneurship for Medical Professionals Scientists and Technologists at Medical Dental Para-Medical Institutes CollegesI am very hopeful that this policy of DHR-ICMR will motivate incentivise and give a fillip to all stakeholdersIt will ensure multi-disciplinary collaboration promote start-up culture and develop an innovation-led ecosystem at the medical institutes across the country Mandaviya saidHe said it was time that India also demonstrates its strength and mettle through research entrepreneurship and innovative initiatives in the health sector including medical devicesOur medical workforce comprising doctors paramedical staff technicians have a wealth of knowledge They also have ideas for innovationsTill now these could not get a policy framework and platform for further growth This ICMRDHR policy will connect the industry technical institutions and promote commercial translation of these ideas and innovations in the health sector he saidPawar appreciated the initiative and congratulated DHR and ICMR for bringing out the policy document and said that doctors and medical professionals are ideally positioned to be at the forefront of innovation and researchAccording to the policy medical professionals will be encouraged to pursue entrepreneurial ventures by forming startups taking an adjunct position in company non-executive director or scientific advisor the health ministry saidThe medical professionals will also be permitted to take up sabbatical for translational and commercialisation of their innovation through their start-up company set up following the institutes permission PTI PLB NSD NSD

New Delhi Feb 22 PTI The cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 176 crore on Tuesday the Union Health Ministry saidOver 30 lakh vaccine doses were administered on Tuesday till 7 pm The daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late in the nightMore than 193 crore precaution doses have been administered to healthcare and frontline workers and comorbid people aged 60 and above the ministry said PTI PLB NSD NSD

New Delhi Feb 21 PTI Serum Institute of India has sought emergency use authorisation from Indias drug regulator for its COVID-19 vaccine Covovax for the 12 to 17 year age group official sources said on MondayThe government has not yet decided on vaccinating those aged below 15 The Health Ministry had recently said the additional need for vaccination and inclusion of population for inoculation is examined constantlyIn the application for emergency use authorisation EUA for the 12-17 year age group Prakash Kumar Singh Director Government and Regulatory Affairs at SII is learnt to have stated that data from two studies on about 2707 individuals aged 12 to 17 years show Covovax is highly efficacious immunogenic safe and well-tolerated in this age groupWe are submitting our application along with documents for grant of permission for restricted use in emergency situation for Covovax vaccine in children aged 12 to 17 years in addition to approved age of individuals 18 years and older an official source quoted Singh as having said in the applicationThis approval will not only be beneficial for the country but will also benefit the world fulfilling Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of Making in India for the World Singh is learnt to have saidIn line with the philosophy of our CEO Dr Adar C Poonawalla we are sure that Covovax will play an important role in protecting the children of our country and the world against COVID-19 and will keep our national flag flying high globally Singh statedThe Drugs Controller General Of India has already approved Covovax for restricted use in emergency situations in adults on December 28Covovaxis manufactured by technology transfer from Novavax and is approved by the European Medicines Agency for conditional marketing authorisationIt has been granted emergency use listing by the World Health Organisation on December 17 2021India has been using Bharat Biotechs Covaxin to vaccinate adolescents between 15 and 18 years PTI PLB NSD NSD

New Delhi Feb 18 PTI The cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the countrycrossed17499 crore on Friday the Union Health Ministry saidOver 32 lakh 3292516 vaccine doses have been administered on Friday till 7 pmMore than186 crore precaution doses have been administered to healthcare and frontline workers and those aged 60 and above with comorbiditiesThe daily vaccination tally is expected to increase with the compilation of the final reports for the day by late in the nightThe countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase The vaccination of frontline workers started from February 2The next phase of COVID-19vaccinationcommenced on March 1 for people over 60 years and those aged 45 and above with specified comorbid conditionsThe country launched vaccination for people aged over 45 years on April 1 The government then decided to expand its vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 to be vaccinated from May 1 The next phase of COVID-19vaccinationhas commenced from January 3 for adolescents in the age group of 15-18 years India began administering precaution dose of COVID-19vaccineto healthcare and frontline workers and those aged 60 and above with comorbidities on January 10 PTI PLB NSD NSD

New Delhi Nov 21 PTI Weekly or monthly lucky draw programmes for those fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are among the strategies planned by the government to encourage people yet to take the first dose and those overdue for the second jab to get inoculated sources said on SundayThe Union Health Ministry has planned other initiatives also such as organising workplace vaccination and providing badges to fully vaccinated employeesStates and Union Territories may soon be suggested to undertake these initiativesThe strategies also include involving influential figures in districts or villages who themselves are vaccinated to motivate their peer groups in getting the anti-Covid shotsSuch people may be appointed as ambassadors and oriented about the governments Har Ghar Dastak initiative They can in turn provide sound advice to people on the importance of taking both the doses of vaccine and completing the vaccination schedule The government has launched the month-long Har Ghar Dastak campaign for house-to-house COVID-19 vaccination of those who are yet to take a dose and those whose second jab is overdueWorkplace vaccination can be organised targeting people who are due for their doses Employees both at private and government offices and other workplaces may be given badges having vaccination messages such as I am fully vaccinated are you fully vaccinated too to encourage their colleagues to get the doses a source saidAlso weekly or monthly lucky draw programmes may be organized for the fully vaccinated Household items like kitchen appliances ration kit travel passes cash prizes can be given to the winners of the lucky draw to motivate the fence-sitters to go for vaccination Ideas or initiatives at the local level may further help in motivating people and mobilizing the left-out or dropped-out beneficiaries and help in ensuring that all adults are protected against Covid infection the source saidAccording to officials around82percentof the eligible population in India have received the first dose of the vaccine while around 43 per cent have been fully inoculated Over 12 crore beneficiaries are overdue for their second dose of COVID-19 vaccine after the expiry of the prescribed interval between the two doses PTI PLB NSD NSD