New Delhi: Even as the emergence of a new Delta variant of Covid-19 (AY.1) has generated much concern for scientists and health care experts, the Central government on Tuesday expressed optimism on a Novavax vaccine that could accelerate India’s fight against the pandemic.
Dr VK Paul, chairman of India’s national task force on Covid-19 said that the vaccine has a high accuracy. “We will start producing the vaccine soon in our country following necessary regulatory approval,” said Dr Paul.
He said that Indian companies are in talks with the manufacturer of the Novavax vaccines. “Trial for pediatric treatment using Novavax vaccine will start soon,” said Dr Paul who is also a Niti Aayog member.
The Novavax vaccine uses a protein of SARS-CoV-2, a different technology from the Covid-19 vaccines authorized so far, and delivered 90.4 percent overall efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 infections, and 100 percent protection against moderate and severe disease.
Against eight viral variants of interest and concern, its efficacy was 93.2 percent. And the vaccine appeared safe and well-tolerated.
Talking about the new Delta+ variant also known as AY.1, Dr Paul said that the government is worried about this new variant. “AY.1 is an expanded form of the previous Delta variant (B.1.617.2) which created havoc in the second wave. However, this has been notified as a variant of interest. Our genomic sequencing consortium is keeping a close watch on the development,” said Dr Paul while addressing a press conference in New Delhi.
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“We have to look at how this variant progresses in other countries,” he said.
Referring to the death of a person following the Covid-19 vaccination, Dr Paul termed the incident as unfortunate.
“Both our Indian vaccines and the upcoming vaccines fulfill the required criteria. One Adverse Event Following Immunisation (AEFI) may come while keeping in mind a large public health,” said Dr Paul.
A national panel on the AEFI confirmed the first death due to side effects, following Covid vaccination.
The study involved the causality assessment of 31 reported Serious Adverse Events Following Immunisation. According to a report by the National AEFI Committee, a 68-year-old man died due to anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) after being vaccinated on March 8.
Dr Paul said all vaccines might have reactions while referring to the fact that as many as 26.05 crore Covid-19 doses have been immunized in India.
Meanwhile, Lav Agarwal, joint secretary in the health ministry said that Covid cases in India have been witnessing a continuous decreasing trend.
“India has witnessed almost 85 percent decline in cases since the highest reported peak in daily new cases reported on May 7 (414,188),” he said.
He said that the country has been witnessing a consistent decline in average daily new cases since the week of 5-11 May. There is progressive increase in the rate of decline of average daily new cases as well.
“Only 165 districts in India have been reporting more than 100 daily cases. Active cases come down below 10 lakh after 65 days. There is a consistent decline in active cases – presently 9.13 lakh active cases, a decrease in active cases by more than 28.3 lakhs. A decline by 75.6 percent from the peak of active cases across the country,” said Agarwal.
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Agarwal also ruled out speculations that the second wave of the pandemic affected the children on a large scale. Giving statistics, Agarwal said that in the first wave from July to December 2020, 3.28 percent children in the age group of 1-10 and 8.03 percent children in the age group of 11-20 were affected.
“The percentage is almost similar in the second wave from March to May. 3.05 percent children in the age group of 1-10 and 8.57 percent children in the age group of 11-20 were affected,” Agarwal said.
He also admitted that people in the age group of 21-60 were largely affected in both the waves of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Referring to death cases due to Covid-19, Agarwal said that timely audit of death is very much required to avoid future deaths.
When asked about the report where a private agency engaged by the Uttarakhand government to conduct Covid-19 tests during the Kumbh Mela issued at least 1 lakh fake reports, Agarwal said that the State government has initiated a probe “and strong action will be taken against the culprit.”
