After hoarding them, developed countries will now waste 241 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines

Redistribution of surplus vaccines could avert 1 million deaths by mid-2022, mostly in developing and poor countries  

COVID-19 has suppressed influenza for now, but it will return with greater severity: Study

COVID-19 appropriate behaviour will delay competition among existing influenza lineages which will eventually expand, compete and once again …

COVID-19: Scientists race to find treatment

Test which would check for the presence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 were okayed by the Indian government on April 4, 2020

There’s a ‘weak spot’ in all major novel coronavirus variants — and scientists have found it

The weakness can be targeted by neutralising antibodies, paving the way for universally effective treatments  

Government to introduce four new vaccines as part of UIP

These include those against rotavirus, rubella and polio (injectable) along with Japanese encephalitis; is it a move to favour private companies?

Low public funding in health exacerbates poverty, says Nigerian health minister

Nigeria's Minister of Health Isaac Adewole talks to Bennett Oghifo about the country's commitment to provide universal health coverage by 2030

COVID-19: Trials for cure at a glance

Scientists across the globe are working to develop vaccines for the novel coronavirus disease while exploring whether existing drugs can be …

WHO announces council to speed up TB vaccine development

Director-General Tedros Ghebreyesus announces plan to save millions of lives at World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland

World immunisation week: mobile app to remind parents of vaccine schedule

WHO focus on delivering health information directly to people’s mobile phones and social media accounts to curb vaccine preventable deaths

WTO decision on access to COVID-19 drugs without strings delayed

Proposal will be formally discussed in March next year, sources say

Lateral Thoughts: Waiting for bad news

Adverse reactions are part and parcel of vaccination. We can know about safety of COVID-19 vaccines being used in India only after people receive …

Global pandemic treaty: Soumya Swaminathan promises draft in 18 months

WHO chief scientist says most countries on board for pact to ensure fair sharing of vaccines, data during future pandemics  

Immunisation coverage reaches 84% globally, Africa and South-East Asia worst performers

Estimates short of goal of 90 per cent coverage for all vaccines by 2020

Polio eradication: ‘Need to invest in polio vaccines now to prevent resurgence’

Oral vaccine key defence against polio but also behind detection of vaccine-derived poliovirus in wastewater samples

WHO report flags spike in cases of vaccine-derived poliovirus

At least 149 immunodeficiency vaccine-derived poliovirus cases were reported to WHO between 1961 and 2019

WHO nod to first emergency use vaccine can tackle rising vaccine-derived poliovirus cases

Circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus occurs if a population is poorly vaccinated and there are enough susceptible children for excreted …

Cost of vaccination has risen 68 times in a decade, says report

Crisis looms as donor withdraws support to African countries; MSF urges GSK, Pfizer to slash vaccine price

Will there be a middle path for affordable COVID-19 vaccines?

It is expected for COVID-19 vaccines to be classified as 'global public goods', given their development is being substantially funded by …

COVID-19: Here’s the difference between vaccines, antibodies

Vaccines are chemicals that help the body develop antibodies while antibodies are developed by the body’s immune system to fight pathogens

Smoke and mirrors on COVID-19 drugs?

In a brutal fight to corner the successful outcome of research, governments are openly using money power to grab the first rights to promising …

As told to Parliament (December 21, 2022): 42.1 million hospital admissions under PMJAY

The admissions were worth Rs 49,468.6 crore and helped reduce out-of-pocket health expenditure 

Five-in-one vaccine now available for free in Delhi healthcare facilities

Activists concerned about deaths caused by pentavalent vaccine

Developing countries outshine G7 nations in health aid

Study shows aid by BRICS 10 times higher than by developed countries

How ‘vaccine nationalism’ could block vulnerable populations’ access to COVID-19 vaccines

Vaccine nationalism also runs against the fundamental principles of vaccine development and global public health

FAQ on COVID-19 subvariant XBB.1.5: Why is it nicknamed ‘Kraken’?

Answers to questions like what is it, where is it prevalent and how does it differ from Omicron