
Clinical trials indicate India's Covid-19 vaccines will be effective against new variants, says ICMR
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Thursday said interim results of the ongoing clinical trials indicated that the indigenous Covid-19 vaccines would be effective against the mutated virus strains reported from the United Kingdom, South Africa and Brazil.
Addressing an international webinar "Kerala Health: Making the SDG A Reality," organised by the Department of Health and Family Welfare, Government of Kerala, Dr Balram Bhargava, Director General of ICMR said a paper on Covaxin's neutralisation potential against the UK strain has been accepted for publication.
In the case of the variants from South Africa and Brazil, efforts were on to isolate the mutated virus strains from the samples collected from travellers from these two countries, he said.
The third clinical trial of Covaxin BB152 had been completed as all the 25,800 volunteers involved in the exercise had been administered both doses. "The interim analysis report should be out in a week."
Dr Bhargava pointed out that India was the fifth country in the world to isolate the Covid-19 virus as part of the efforts to develop a vaccine for the pandemic.
"India had from the outset resisted the temptation of going for herd immunity unlike many European countries, including the UK and Italy, and its decision had been vindicated from what happened in the western nations that allowed the pandemic to spread," he said.

Tripura Christians seek change in TTAADC poll date as it clashes with Easter day
- The TTAADC has 30 seats, of which 28 are elected and two are nominated.

Ajit Pawar removes doctor who allegedly tried to molest patient

Delhi HC dismisses plea claiming unsolicited emails sent by central govt depts
- A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jasmeet Singh said the simple mechanism available with the petitioner is to unsubscribe to those emails.

'Just an employee of Amazon, not a producer': Aparna Purohit says in SC

Delhi HC seeks details on capacity to manufacture Covid-19 vaccines

India proposes inclusion of Chabahar port in international north-south corridor

J-K LG Manoj Sinha gets 1st Covid-19 vaccine dose, urges people to follow suit

Some OTT platforms showing pornographic content, observes SC

Supreme Court rejects plea requesting extension of GST amnesty scheme

Similipal Sanctuary fire: Odisha CM asks officials to take preventive measures

After enhancing ties with Brazil, ISRO eyes new opportunities with Italy

Plea in Supreme Court seeks appointment of regular CBI director

Bengaluru, Shimla best cities to live: See top 10 in Ease of Living Index 2020
- The Ease of Living Index was first launched in 2018 and is based on indicators across 15 evaluation criteria.

3 Jharkhand Jaguar force jawans killed in Maoist landmine blast

New hope to unite Geeta with family, 5 years after repatriation from Pakistan
- Geeta went missing 20 years ago and reached Lahore, where she was found sitting alone in Samjhauta express in the year 2000.