Rhythma Kaul
Rhythma Kaul works as an assistant editor at Hindustan Times. She covers health and related topics, including ministry of health and family welfare, government of India.
Articles by Rhythma Kaul
Covid vaccination-related adverse events in India among lowest in world: Govt
By Rhythma Kaul
PUBLISHED ON JAN 21, 2021 08:46 AM IST
In all, 600 adverse event following immunisation have been reported from across the country; 10 people were hospitalised of which seven have been discharged
Covaxin recipients to be monitored for three months after second dose
By Rhythma Kaul
UPDATED ON JAN 21, 2021 04:38 AM IST
If a serious adverse event is linked to vaccination, then the recipient will be compensated based on the national drug controller’s recommendations after thorough investigation, said the plan.
Covaxin recipients to be monitored for three months after 2nd dose
By Rhythma Kaul
UPDATED ON JAN 21, 2021 12:10 AM IST
New Delhi
Covaxin recipients will be monitored for three months after getting the 2nd dose for any adverse reactions, according to a detailed plan released by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in an attempt to dispel safety concerns about the vaccine whose efficacy data isn’t publicly known
Covid vaccine drive: Health ministry allows on-spot beneficiary registration
By Rhythma Kaul
UPDATED ON JAN 20, 2021 08:44 AM IST
Co-WIN app has been tweaked to allow states to accommodate walk-in; however, priority will still be given to current day beneficiaries
Covaxin recipients under stricter watch, says Centre
By Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
UPDATED ON JAN 20, 2021 03:54 AM IST
Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan said Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin vaccine recipients are being actively followed for any adverse reactions. Officials also drew a distinction between Covishield, which finished late-stage trials abroad, and Covaxin, which is currently in phase 3 trials.
Govt tweaks app to allow walk-ins, experts want wider access to shots
By Rhythma Kaul, Abhishek Dey, New Delhi
PUBLISHED ON JAN 19, 2021 11:37 PM IST
A Union health ministry official confirmed the tweak in the app on Tuesday to allow health care workers not scheduled for jabs on a particular day to get the shots.
Vaccination lagging, govt appeals against hesitancy
By Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
UPDATED ON JAN 20, 2021 01:50 AM IST
The remarks were made at the government’s weekly briefing on Covid-19, which was opened by Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan, who said three regions – Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and Punjab – vaccinated fewer than 40% of their targets.
Covid-19 vaccines: Fact sheets warn against use in immuno-compromised
By Rhythma Kaul
UPDATED ON JAN 19, 2021 12:41 PM IST
The health ministry’s guidance document for states on precautions and contraindications for Covid-19 vaccine was released two days before the launch of Covid-19 vaccination drive on January 16
‘Will provide 200 million doses to India for first phase’: Gavi deputy CEO
By Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
UPDATED ON JAN 19, 2021 04:09 AM IST
"The arrangement is 20% of Gavi’s total support will be provided to India, which comes to about 200 million doses. It will cost Gavi about $1.4 billion. Gavi will also provide $30 million for technical assistance.", says Anuradha Gupta.
580 adverse events reported in three days of vaccination
By Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
PUBLISHED ON JAN 19, 2021 01:52 AM IST
“So far, cumulative 580 AEFI have been reported, of which seven needed hospitalisation,” said Manohar Agnani, additional secretary, Union health ministry.
Covid-19 vaccination drive hit by hesitancy hurdle
PUBLISHED ON JAN 19, 2021 01:39 AM IST
The turnout dipped from 4,319 on Saturday to 3,593 on Monday in the national capital. At AIIMS in Delhi, only eight people were vaccinated on Monday, an official said, while asking not to be named. Officials said concerns over the vaccines’ safety appear to have deterred many people.
Adverse events post Covid-19 immunisation: Here’s all you need to know
By Rhythma Kaul
UPDATED ON JAN 18, 2021 10:07 AM IST
Close to 250,000 healthcare workers were immunised on day one of India’s vaccination drive, of which 447 suffered adverse event following immunisation
India inoculates 220k individuals over two days of Covid-19 vaccination drive
By Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
UPDATED ON JAN 18, 2021 12:48 AM IST
According to officials, among the 207,229 who got doses on the first day, three people — or .0014% — had significant side effects. Of these three, two were hospitalised overnight and discharged the following day while one remained admitted as of late Sunday.
Vaccine drive held smoothly, no serious side effects: Govt
By Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
PUBLISHED ON JAN 17, 2021 02:59 AM IST
As opposed to the target of vaccinating about 300,000 people on the first day, according to the health ministry’s data, 191,181 health care workers were vaccinated at 3,351 centres. There were 16,755 personnel involved in the vaccination programme.
Russian Sputnik vaccine gets phase 3 trials approval in India
By Rhythma Kaul
PUBLISHED ON JAN 16, 2021 12:11 PM IST
In its report, the Board concluded that no safety concerns were identified and the study met the primary endpoints of safety.
Covid-19: Nationwide vaccination drive to start today
By Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
UPDATED ON JAN 16, 2021 08:41 AM IST
Each centre will deploy vaccines from a single manufacturer to avoid mixing of doses in recipients, which is not permitted, said officials involved in the delivery programme that will be launched at 10.30am.
India Covid-19 vaccination: FAQs on schedule, precautions, side effects
By Rhythma Kaul
UPDATED ON JAN 15, 2021 11:36 AM IST
The priority groups for vaccination comprise country’s health care workers and frontline workers; people over the age of 50 years; and people under 50 with comorbidities
Experts slam ‘irresponsible’ remarks on Covid vaccines
By Rhythma Kaul
PUBLISHED ON JAN 15, 2021 06:35 AM IST
Issuing a statement in this regard, the group slammed the “irresponsible statements by vested interests” for “defaming Indian scientific community”.
Polio immunisation programme rescheduled to January 31 amid Covid-19 inoculation drive
By Rhythma Kaul
UPDATED ON JAN 14, 2021 01:05 PM IST
President Ramnath Kovind will launch the polio immunisation programme by administering polio drops to children at the Rashtrapati Bhawan
Capital’s 8,100 warriors will take jabs on V-Day
UPDATED ON JAN 15, 2021 07:02 AM IST
The vaccination drive will start with 81 vaccination centres where 8,100 healthcare workers will be given the first batch of shots; it will be conducted four days a week
Delhi international airport to get first of its kind genome sequencing lab today
By Rhythma Kaul
UPDATED ON JAN 14, 2021 09:34 AM IST
The laboratory is being launched at the New Delhi international airport for testing samples of all travellers arriving into the country who test positive for Covid-19
Debate over vaccine approval intensifies, Paul says have faith in regulator
By Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
UPDATED ON JAN 14, 2021 05:27 AM IST
Covaxin is one of two manufactured-in-India coronavirus vaccines cleared by regulators for emergency use on January 3.
Stage set for vaccine roll-out as Covaxin adds to supplies
By Rhythma Kaul
UPDATED ON JAN 14, 2021 12:15 AM IST
Bharat Biotech announced in a statement on Wednesday that the company had shipped Covaxin to 11 cities: Ganavaram, Guwahati, Patna, Delhi, Kurukshetra, Bengaluru, Pune, Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, Chennai and Lucknow.
Covaxin shipped to 11 cities across country: Bharat Biotech
By Rhythma Kaul
UPDATED ON JAN 13, 2021 02:53 PM IST
The 11 cities where vaccines have been sent are Ganavaram, Guwahati, Patna, Delhi, Kurukshetra, Bangalore, Pune, Bhubaneswar, Jaipur, Chennai and Lucknow
Govt defers national polio immunisation programme
By Rhythma Kaul
PUBLISHED ON JAN 13, 2021 12:34 PM IST
The Union health ministry’s immunisation division, the states were asked to postpone the polio drive for now
Covid-19 vaccination drive could take a year or more: Health ministry
By Rhythma Kaul
UPDATED ON JAN 13, 2021 09:29 AM IST
There will be a sequential roll-out of Covid-19 vaccine, depending on the availability of the vaccine, said Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan
People won’t be given vaccine choice: Govt
By Rhythma Kaul
UPDATED ON JAN 13, 2021 01:38 AM IST
Both vaccine candidates have won approval from the Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) although Covaxin is still in Phase 3 trials.
Serum Institute’s Covishield supplies begin moving from Pune unit for distribution across nation
By Rhythma Kaul
PUBLISHED ON JAN 12, 2021 08:20 AM IST
The Government of India formally sent a purchase order to the company on Monday evening for 11 million doses of Covishield, at a special price of Rs200 per dose for the first million doses
Sputnik V vaccine found safe in Phase 2 clinical trials: Dr Reddy’s
By Rhythma Kaul
PUBLISHED ON JAN 12, 2021 06:18 AM IST
The phase 2 study of Sputnik V was conducted on 100 subjects as part of the randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study in India.
Govt inks deal for 11 million Covishield doses with Serum Institute
By Rhythma Kaul, New Delhi
UPDATED ON JAN 12, 2021 03:19 AM IST
With that, the movement of vaccine shipments is likely to begin either by late Monday evening or early Tuesday morning to different states