
Covid-19 vaccine tracker: Bharat Biotech’s new strategy, Russia’s nod to 2nd vaccine. All you need to know
Johnson & Johnson’s sudden pause in the ongoing trial of Covid-19 has dashed the world’s hope for an early Covid-19 vaccine a little bit. The company has not revealed much details about the unexplained illness that one of the participant showed after receiving the shot. While it is examining what went wrong, here are other Covid-19 vaccine developments across the globe.
Bharat Biotech’s new strategy
India’s Bharat Biotech, which is producing an indigenous vaccine in collaboration with ICMR, is reportedly speeding up its trial. It has halved the size of the phase 2 clinical trial, reports said. Instead of 750 participants, it will now test the vaccine on 380 volunteers so that it can speedily move to phase 3.
Oxford vaccine phase 3 trial results by December
The results of phase three of Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine could be available by November-end or early December.
Dr Reddy’s applies again for Sputnik’s trial in India
Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has reapplied to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), which struck down its earlier proposal, seeking permission to conduct combined phases 2 and 3 human clinical trials of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V in India.
Russia approves second vaccine
Russia has granted regulatory approval to a second Covid-19 vaccine, President Vladimir Putin said at a government meeting broadcast on state television on Wednesday. This comes at a time when Russia is reeling under a second wave, despite being the first country to have announced a vaccine.
China plans to inoculate students
Reports said China National Biotec Group Co, which is a subsidiary of state-owned Sinopharm Group Co, is in talks with the Chinese government about giving experimental vaccines to students who will be going to foreign countries for studies.
UK mulling challenge studies
Several support groups in the United Kingdom are pushing for challenge studies where people would be infected with Covid-19 virus to help researchers find out a vaccine. Though no major pharma company has shown interests to carry out such studies, several volunteers are up for it.

Govt extends restrictions on flights between India and UK till Feb 14

Cong sharpens attack on Centre for violence in Delhi. Amit Shah is the target
- The Congress said the violence during the tractor parade in Delhi was a concerted conspiracy, aided and abetted by the government to malign the entire farmers’ movement against the three farm laws

Congress, Rahul Gandhi instigated farmers protest, claims Prakash Javadekar

Congress to field mix of youth and experience for Kerala polls: Rahul Gandhi
- On a two day visit to his constituency, he will kick-start the party’s election campaign in Kerala and meet many local leaders.

Odisha govt fails to file charges, IFS officer, son get bail in corruption case
- The Odisha Vigiance Department which had accused teh IFS officer of amassing disproportionate assets worth ₹9.35 crore had claimed that it was the biggest case of disproportionate assets in its history.

Kerala student wins praise for flawlessly translating Rahul Gandhi's speech

Ministry asks states to implement plan for regulating online health aggregators

News updates from HT: India extends 'Vaccine Maitri' initiative to Sri Lanka
- Here are today’s top news, analysis, and opinion. Know all about the latest news and other news updates from Hindustan Times.

‘Never said doors for dialogue are closed’: Prakash Javadekar
- "We have never said that the doors for dialogue are closed. Have you heard? Whenever talks are held, we will let you know," Prakash Javadekar said. The government has so far held 11 rounds of talks with the farmers who have been protesting since November 26 last year.

No one will be spared, says Delhi Police commissioner on R-Day violence

Uttarakhand man bludgeons 9-year-old cousin to death with cricket bat
- Police said the accused had an altercation with the victim earlier in the day and then barged into his room in the evening and thrashed him with a cricket bat.

Day after violence, farm leaders postpone February 1 march to Parliament

India to send 5 lakh Covid-19 vaccines to Sri Lanka as part of ‘Vaccine Maitri’
- The delivery of vaccines made by the Serum Institute of India will fulfil Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s commitment to his Sri Lankan counterpart Mahinda Rajapaksa during their virtual summit last September for all possible support to minimise the health and economic impacts of the pandemic.

Chhattisgarh: Maoists kill 2 villagers in Rajnandgaon

UPSCWB to seek clearance of Ayodhya development authority for Dhannipur complex
- The Dhannipur project includes a mosque, hospital, museum, library, community kitchen, Indo-Islamic Cultural Research Centre and a publication house.