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Tag: vaccine

  • Pfizer, BioNTech seek EU’s conditional approval for COVID-19 vaccines

    Pfizer, BioNTech seek EU’s conditional approval for COVID-19 vaccines

    Pfizer and BioNTech said they had submitted their COVID-19 vaccine to the European Medicines Agency for conditional approval.

    The companies said this in a statement on Tuesday, aiming to make their drug available in Europe by the end of the year.

    The partners, a U.S. pharma giant and a small German biotechnology firm specialising in nascent mRNA technology said receipt of their application had been confirmed after it was submitted on Monday.

    This puts the companies neck and neck with U.S. firm Moderna, which also applied to the EU regulator for the conditional approval of its COVID-19 vaccine on Monday.

    Pfizer chief executive Albert Bourla hailed the approval request, describing it as another key milestone in its efforts to alleviate the health crisis together with BioNTech.

    Their vaccine has been found to be 95 per cent effective against COVID-19 in clinical tests.

    Like Moderna, Biontech and Pfizer have also applied to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency approval.

  • COVID-19: Mass production of vaccines still far – NCDC

    COVID-19: Mass production of vaccines still far – NCDC

    The Nigeria Centre For Disease Control (NCDC) says in spite of announcements of discovery of vaccines to tackle novel coronavirus pandemic, mass production of the vaccines is still far.

    The centre said that for the reason, Nigerians must continue to observe non-pharmaceutical measures against COVID-19.

    The Director-General of NCDC, Dr Chikwe Ihekweazu, said at a media briefing of the Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 on Monday in Abuja that Christmas carols and other gatherings which could spread the virus should be avoided this Christmas season.

    Ihekweazu said: “As the year rounds off, we can take necessary actions now to make 2021 a hopeful and successful year and bring about a move back to the way of life that we miss so much.

    “Before we get there, we have an intervening period, the month of December with the associated festivities that mark the end of the year.

    “Many of the traditional meetings that we engage in at this time of the year, whether it is Christmas carols or festivals, trips or family gatherings, can end up being super spreader events.

    “We must take this into consideration as we make our choices.”

    He said that although there had been some encouraging news about COVID-19 vaccines, mass production of the vaccines might still take time.

    “We are even very far from having one with a licence; so, we have to tighten our belts and get through this month of December.

    “Everyone should be vigilant, disciplined and abide by the general protocols that we have advised throughout the year.

    “This is the best way that we can keep our loved ones safe and transit safely into 2021.

    “This is particularly important for the elderly in our country who we may want to go and visit as we do by this time of the year,” he said.

    The NCDC boss said that a travel advisory had been issued by the NCDC, noting that it detailed why travels both locally and internationally must be avoided unless absolutely necessary.

    He said : “The NCDC issues this public health advisory for all members of the public to increase awareness about the continued risks relating to the COVID-19 pandemic and the measures that need to be taken to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the upcoming Christmas and New Year periods.

    “Across the world, Christmas is a time for celebration and increase in religious and social gatherings.

    “During Christmas and New Year celebrations, we recognise that people want to travel and be with families and friends.

    “However, this has been a difficult year and the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted our usual way of living; we all have to make adjustments in our lives to the new reality we are faced with.”

    Ihekweazu said that Nigerians must continue to take necessary measures to limit the spread of COVID-19.

    “Since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in Nigeria, over 67,000 COVID-19 cases have been reported with over 1,000 deaths.

    “Most of the confirmed cases and deaths have been in urban/semi-urban cities and towns, and the risk of spread remains.

    “The COVID-19 virus do not spread on its own, it spreads when people move around.

    “This means that by travelling across countries and cities, there is a higher risk of transmission, especially to rural areas where the existing health infrastructure is already weak.

    “It is, therefore, advisable to limit all non-essential domestic and international travel. This is especially important for intending travellers from countries recording a high number of COVID-19 cases.”

    He urged that the vulnerable groups – people aged 60 years and above and people with pre-existing medical conditions – should avoid non-essential outings and visitors.

    According to him, NCDC advisory can be seen on https://covid19.ncdc.gov.ng/media/files/AdvisoryforVulnerableGroupsV2June2020.

  • Africa not prepared for COVID-19 vaccine rollout —WHO

    The World Health Organization has urged African countries to improve their capacity to vaccinate populations against COVID-19, warning the continent was still “far from ready” for mass immunisation.

    With three coronavirus vaccines now showing efficacy rates of 70 percent or more, the UN body called on Africa to “ramp up” preparations for “the continent’s largest-ever immunisation drive”.

    The African region is so far only 33 percent ready to roll out Covid-19 vaccines, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a statement.

    That figure, based on data provided by 40 countries on a series of “readiness criteria”, is well below a desired 80 percent benchmark.

    “Planning and preparation will make or break this unprecedented endeavour,” WHO Africa Director Matshidiso Moeti said during a virtual press briefing.

    The main concerns are a lack of adequate funding plans, monitoring tools and community outreach.

    “There are key logistical and financing gaps where international solidarity will be imperative,” Moeti said.

    The WHO estimates that rolling out a Covid-19 vaccine to just priority populations in Africa will cost around $5.7 billion (4.8 billion euros).

    African countries will be partially subsidised by the COVAX global Covid-19 distribution scheme.

    The World Bank has also set aside $12 billion (10.1 billion euros) to help developing countries finance their immunisation programs.

    Moeti said the aim was to vaccinate three percent of Africa’s population by March 2021, and 20 percent by the end of the year.

  • Twitter accounts of founders of BioNTech vaccine coy fake

    Twitter accounts of founders of BioNTech vaccine coy fake

    Twitter accounts purported to be those of Ugur Sahin and Ozlem Tureci, the founders of the German firm BioNTech, which raised hopes of a vaccine for the novel coronavirus last week are fake, BioNTech said on Monday.

    It made the announcement through its own Twitter account.

    The company said it had asked Twitter to delete all personal accounts linked to Sahin and Tureci, the married couple who are both on the executive board of the company.

    BioNTech made global headlines with the announcement a week ago that together with its partner, U.S. giant Pfizer, it became the first pharmaceutical to develop a vaccine that was 90 per cent effective against the coronavirus.

    The companies are reported to be ready to apply to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration this month for emergency approval for their vaccine.

  • COVID-19: Vaccine alone will not end pandemic – WHO

    COVID-19: Vaccine alone will not end pandemic – WHO

    The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that vaccines alone will not guarantee an end to the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Director-General (DG) of the WHO, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made this known on Monday.

    “Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, we knew that a vaccine would be essential for bringing the pandemic under control. But it’s important to emphasise that a vaccine will complement the other tools we have, not replace them.

    “Initial supply of COVID-19 vaccines will be limited, so health workers, older people and other at-risk populations will be prioritised. That will hopefully reduce the number of deaths and enable health systems to cope, but the virus will still have a lot room to move.

    “A vaccine on its own will not end the COVID619 pandemic. We will still need to continue surveillance; testing, isolating anr caring for cases; tracing and quarantining contacts; engaging communities and encouraging individuals to be careful,” the WHO DG stated.

    TNG reports Tedros is making these statements as another U.S. firm announced a new COVID-19 vaccine with 94.5% effectiveness.

    American biotechnology company, Moderna, announced on Monday that its COVID-19 vaccine could be up to 94.5 per cent effective.

    The news came a week after U.S. drug maker, Pfizer, announced the development of a vaccine with 90 per cent effectiveness.

    In a statement, Moderna said that after its Phase 3 trial, the vaccine met statistical criteria with an efficacy rate of 94.5 per cent.

    However, experts are warning that the numbers are not conclusive, as both estimates could increase or decrease as trials continue.

    The company requires the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to roll out the vaccine for mass immunisation.

    Moderna said it would ask the FDA for emergency use authorisation (EUA) on a small group of higher-risk individuals.

    It stated that the application, to be made in the coming weeks, would include at least two months of safety data after the last injection in half the volunteers.

    The company added that the FDA application would include the “final analysis” of 151 cases of COVID-19 in its trial, rather than just the initial 95 cases.

    This puts it on track along with Pfizer for possible limited authorisation by the FDA as soon as December.

    Moderna is expected to have 20 million doses to go along with Pfizer’s 50 million for global distribution before more can be made in 2021, according to ABC News.

  • Another U.S. firm announces COVID-19 vaccine with 94.5% effectiveness

    Another U.S. firm announces COVID-19 vaccine with 94.5% effectiveness

    American biotechnology company, Moderna, announced on Monday that its COVID-19 vaccine could be up to 94.5 per cent effective.

    The news came a week after another U.S. drug maker, Pfizer, announced the development of a vaccine with 90 per cent effectiveness.

    In a statement, Moderna said that after its Phase 3 trial, the vaccine met statistical criteria with an efficacy rate of 94.5 per cent.

    However, experts are warning that the numbers are not conclusive, as both estimates could increase or decrease as trials continue.

    The company requires the approval of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to roll out the vaccine for mass immunisation.

    Moderna said it would ask the FDA for emergency use authorisation (EUA) on a small group of higher-risk individuals.

    It stated that the application, to be made in the coming weeks, would include at least two months of safety data after the last injection in half the volunteers.

    The company added that the FDA application would include the “final analysis” of 151 cases of COVID-19 in its trial, rather than just the initial 95 cases.

    This puts it on track along with Pfizer for possible limited authorisation by the FDA as soon as December.

    Moderna is expected to have 20 million doses to go along with Pfizer’s 50 million for global distribution before more can be made in 2021, according to ABC News.

  • Israel to begin trials of COVID-19 vaccine with 100 volunteers in October

    Israel to begin trials of COVID-19 vaccine with 100 volunteers in October

    Israel will hold first trials of a COVID-19 vaccine with 100 volunteers, Sheba Medical Centre in central Israel said on Thursday.

    The trials are scheduled to begin in October at Sheba hospital and Hadassah Medical Centre in Jerusalem, both selected for the task because they have large centres for clinical trials.

    The vaccine, developed by Israel’s governmental Institute for Biological Research (IIBR), is based on another virus that is not harmful to humans.

    One component of this virus has been replaced by a component of the novel coronavirus, which is responsible for its binding to human cells.

    The body’s immune system is supposed to identify the binding site and develop antibodies against it, preventing the coronavirus from binding to the cell.

    In June, the IIBR announced success in the vaccine trials on hamsters, as it was that the vaccinated hamsters’ blood did not contain residues of coronavirus, and they also developed antibodies against the virus.

    In the first stage the safety of the vaccine will be tested, after the volunteers will receive the vaccine at one dose, through a muscle, hand or buttocks.

    If it is proven that the vaccine has no significant side effects, the trials will be expanded to hundreds of volunteers, and then its effectiveness will also be tested.

    Zeev Rotstein, Director-General of Hadassah, told the Hebrew news website “Ynet” that the hospital staff is ready, including special facilities needed for the first phase of the complex trials.

    “We will have to do it according to the rules and in a perfect way that will be good, efficient and without additional risks,” he added.

  • JUST IN: Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine lands in Nigeria, FG expresses interest

    JUST IN: Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine lands in Nigeria, FG expresses interest

    The Nigeria’s government has expressed interest in the Coronavirus vaccine produced by Russia in the battle against the pandemic.

    Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire received samples of the vaccine from the Russian Ambassador to Nigeria, Alexey L. Shebarshin in Abuja on Friday.

    Details of the meeting could be found on the twitter handle of the Federal Ministry of Health.

    Ehanire expressed Nigeria’s interest for the Russia’s COVID-19 vaccine, saying “We are exploring all knowledge in terms of therapeutics and vaccines.

    “We are expressing our interest for the COVID-19 vaccine so that we will have the opportunity to work elaborately.”

    Executive Director, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Dr. Faisal Shuaib, in his remark stated that this opportunity would help to strengthen the collaboration between Russian and Nigeria.

    “We are at a point where we have a joint venture with the private sector,” he said.

    Dr Adepimpe Adebiyi, Director, Hospital Services Department stated that this was an opportunity to expand the nation’s vaccine production.

    “The technical officers will inter-phase with the Russian team in order to strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and Russia,” he said.

  • Pope warns against vaccine priority for rich

    Pope warns against vaccine priority for rich

    Pope Francis on Wednesday warned against any prospect that rich people would get priority for a coronavirus vaccine.

    In remarks during his weekly public audience, Francis said:”the pandemic is a crisis. You don’t come out of it the same — either better or worse.″

    He added that “we must come out better.”

    The pontiff said that after the COVID-19 pandemic, the world can’t return to normality if normal means social injustice and degradation of the natural environment.

    Pope Francis, on Wednesday said the coronavirus pandemic should serve as an opportunity to build a fairer and greener society, warning against a return to the old normal.

    “We are all worried for the social consequences of the pandemic, all of us. Many want to go back to normal and resume economic activities.

    “Sure, but this normal should not include social injustices and damage to the environment. Today we have an opportunity to build something different,” Francis said.

    Francis said charity efforts were not enough to help the poor, and called for a fairer economic development model that would address the root causes of inequality.

    He said public subsidies doled out by governments as part of post-coronavirus recovery aid should not benefit companies with a poor record on the environment, social and labour rights.

  • Coronavirus vaccine undergoes final testing phase in Russia

    Coronavirus vaccine undergoes final testing phase in Russia

    Russian Deputy Health Minister, Oleg Grinev, says a state laboratory
    vaccine for the novel coronavirus is undergoing final testing phase, expected to be registered next week.

    According to him, the vaccine is currently in its final testing phase, which is extremely important.

    “We need to understand that the vaccine will be safe,” he said in comments carried by the Russian news agency — Interfax.

    Another senior health official had said in July that the vaccine was expected to be mass produced in September.

    Russia recorded the world’s fourth largest coronavirus caseload, with more than 875,000 cases.

    The vaccine was developed by the Russian state’s Gamaleya Research Institute for Epidemiology and Microbiology,
    which was announced two months ago that the vaccine had produced immunity in all test subjects without negative side effects.

    The vaccine was initially tested on volunteers from the institute and then soldiers from the Russian military.

    “There were no side effects or abnormalities detected among the volunteer soldiers”, Russia’s Defence Ministry said in a statement.

    “The research results clearly showed that all volunteers had a clear immune response resulting from the vaccination,’’ the Defence Ministry said.