Brazil OKs import of India’s Covaxin with conditions

Hyderabad

Brazil has given clearance to the proposal to import Bharat Biotech’s Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin into the South American country with some conditions. The National Health Surveillance Agency of Brazil — Anvisa — had earlier denied permission to import Covaxin after authorities found that the Indian plant in which the jab was being made did not meet the good manufacturing practice (GMP) requirements.

The Brazilian health regulator also approved another proposal to import Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine into that country. According to Anvisa’s approval, Brazil is expected to receive 4 million doses of Covaxin initially. After using the authorised doses, the agency will analyse the data for monitoring the use of the vaccine in order to assess the next quantities to be imported.

“Anvisa authorised this Friday the exceptional import of the Covaxin vaccine by the Ministry of Health for distribution and use under controlled conditions. The authorisation defined the amount of 4 million doses, which can be used only under specific conditions. The decision was taken at the 9th Extraordinary Public Meeting of the Collegiate Board,” a statement in Portuguese said.

All batches to be destined for Brazil must have been manufactured after the adaptations of the GMP implemented by the manufacturer Bharat Biotech.

VAX ENSURES NO DEATH FROM COVID-19

NEW DELHI: A study released by the AIIMS, Delhi, on its research in April and May has revealed not a single vaccinated person died even after contracting the virus in the 2nd wave. The vaccine does not guarantee protection from infection, but it offers hope the human body can develop antibodies that can fight the virus for long. This is the first genomic sequence study of the breakthrough infections in the country. It covered 63 patients who got infected after the vaccination — 36 of whom had taken both the doses and 27 a single dose. 10 of them had taken Covishield and 53 Covaxin. They were between the 21 and 92 years. —Our Bureau

Genome sequencing labs, paediatric task force in Delhi: CM

New Delhi: Delhi CM Kejriwal on Saturday announced the sett­ing up of a paediatric taskforce and two genome sequencing labs and a plan to ramp up oxygen capacity to prepare for a possible third wave that could peak at 37,000 cases a day. The govt will create a buffer stock of important medicines, Kejriwal said. The labs to identify virus variants attacking the city will come up at the Lok Nayak Jai Prakash Hospital and the Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS), the CM said.