BHUBANESWAR -- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was inoculated with the first dose of a home-grown coronavirus vaccine on Monday, kicking off an expansion of the country’s immunisation campaign as infections rise in some big states. People above 60, and those who are 45 or more and suffering from certain medical conditions, are now eligible for the vaccinations. But some inoculation centres reported issues with the government’s Co-Win portal used to coordinate the drive, which could slow its progress. India, which has reported the highest number of COVID-19 cases after the United States, has so far vaccinated 12 million health and front-line workers since starting its immunisation programme in mid-January. It wants to cover 300 million of its 1.35 billion people by August. “I appeal to all those who are eligible to take the vaccine,” 70-year-old Modi said on Twitter, posting a picture of him getting the shot at a government hospital in New Delhi. “Together, let us make India … [Read more...] about Modi takes home-grown vaccine as India widens immunisation drive
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Hanoi people advised to stay at home to avoid corona infection
The Hanoitimes - Hanoi is entering a more intense phase of the fight against the coronavirus and it challenges the city's efforts if secondary transmission is not well managed. Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung of the Hanoi People’s Committee has repeated the call on local residents to stay at home “as much as possible” to avoid contagion of the new coronavirus which is sweeping every part of the world. Chairman Nguyen Duc Chung of the Hanoi People’s Committee. Photo: Thanh Nien Locals should stay limit outdoor activities from now until April 5, and when out people need to wear facial masks, practice social distancing of at least two meters, and move in one way direction at supermarkets, the mayor said at a meeting late on March 23. The reason is that Hanoi is at high risk of pandemic contagion in the next two weeks that is the incubation period (the time between exposure to the virus and the appearance of the first symptoms). Vietnam has applied mandatory 14-day … [Read more...] about Hanoi people advised to stay at home to avoid corona infection
VND20 billion offered for home-grown COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial study
>>> First 35 volunteers receive injections of home-grown COVID-19 vaccine in second-stage trial The award ceremony was held at the Ministry of Health’s headquarters in Hanoi on the morning of February 27. The COVIVAC vaccine research and production project was launched by IVAC (under the Ministry of Health) in May 2020, on the basis of cooperation with the relevant universities, research institutes and international organisations. IVAC Director Dr. Duong Huu Thai said that COVIVAC is a liquid vaccine with or without adjuvants, without preservatives, and the production technology using the Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vaccine vector with the S gene of the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine attached to produce vaccines in chicken eggs containing embryos. This technology is also used to produce vaccines to prevent seasonal flus circulating in Vietnam. The results of pre-clinical studies in India, the USA and Vietnam have shown both safety and efficacy. After seven months of study … [Read more...] about VND20 billion offered for home-grown COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial study
Vietnam to commence human trials on second home-grown COVID-19 vaccine in early March
>>> VND20 billion offered for home-grown COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial study >>> Nearly 300 volunteers in Long An engage in second-stage trials of Nano Covax Protecting against new SARS-CoV-2 variants from the UK and South Africa IVAC's COVIVAC vaccine research project started from May 2020 on the basis of cooperation with the relevant universities, research institutes and international organisations. IVAC Director Dr. Duong Huu Thai shared that the vaccine phase 1 and phase 2 clinical research protocols have been approved by the National Ethical Council in Biomedical Research and the Ethical Councils at grassroots level. IVAC is scheduled to kickstart the clinical trials at National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology (NIHE) and Hanoi Medical University in early March and will conclude by this October. According to Dr. Thai, volunteers participating in the study include 120 healthy persons, aged 18-59, both male and female. They will receive … [Read more...] about Vietnam to commence human trials on second home-grown COVID-19 vaccine in early March
Vietnamese soprano to pay tribute to Italy in debut concert
Ambassador of Italy to Vietnam Antonio Alessandro (L) seen together with soprano Hien Nguyen at the press conference (Photo courtesy of the singer) Hanoi (VNS/VNA) – Despite facing many difficulties caused by COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnamese soprano Hien Nguyen will have her debut concert in Hanoi next month. Entitle Yeu (Love), the concert will mark her 15-year professional singing career after she became a student of the Vocal Faculty at the National Academy of Music . "Love is not only about affection between man and woman, it’s about a positive attitude for every single moment of the life that you are living. I just want all people to know how to appreciate all the small joy and happiness that they have,” the singer explained about the title of her concert during a press conference at the Casa Italia restaurant in Hanoi recently. The singer, who spent three years working in Italy, said many of her friends and family were worried about her decision to hold a concert … [Read more...] about Vietnamese soprano to pay tribute to Italy in debut concert