India s Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has been nominated by the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance) as a member of its Board. He will be representing the South East Area Regional Office (SEARO) constituency on the GAVI Board. The seat is currently held by Myint Htwe of Myanmar. Harsh Vardhan will be representing India from January 1, 2021 until December 31, 2023. The Board normally meets twice a year in June and November or December and holds an annual retreat, normally in March or April. All these meetings are normally attended in person. The GAVI Board is responsible for strategic direction and policy-making, oversees the operations of the Vaccine Alliance and monitors programme implementation.
Indigenous pneumococcal vaccine hits the market
December 28, 2020
× As parts of the world roll-out the Covid-19 vaccine, India launched an indigenously developed pneumococcal vaccine that would be priced at a fraction of its competitors in the local market.
The pneumococcal vaccine can now be accessible to more children across the country, Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said, unlike earlier when it was dependent on products from international companies. Drug-majors Pfizer and GlaxoSmithKline presently sell the product in India.
The indigenous vaccine from Serum Institute of India would be priced at half that of the existing ones sold in the country, said Adar Poonawalla, Chief Executive of the company. It would be priced at $3 for a dose, and involved three doses, he said. The vaccine development involved a collaboration of over eight years, along with PATH and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, he said, adding that it was tailored to protect against 6A and 19A strains
Pune-based National Institute of Virology is reportedly monitoring the new strains from other countries closely and is said to submit its data to the Indian Council of Medical Research soon.
Preparations are underway at vaccine storage centre in Patna s Nalanda Medical College and Hospital to handle and store COVID-19 vaccines. Around 35 lakh vials can be stored at the centre. This is a large storage centre. The vaccine when arrived will be stored in the walk-in coolers, said Dr Vinod Kr Singh, NMCH Superintendent. Vaccines will be transported to different districts from here. We already have a developed system here and we are further preparing for the storage of COVID-19 vaccine. All systems are operational beforehand, he added. Various other states are also gearing up for the storage of COVID-19 vaccine on its arrival.
Preparations underway at Delhi s Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital to store COVID-19 vaccine By Amit Pandey | Updated: Dec 23, 2020 23:12 IST
New Delhi [India], December 23 (ANI): From installing freezers to cold chain equipment set up, arrangements are being made at the Delhi government s Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital (RGSSH) for storing COVID-19 vaccine.
As of Wednesday, over 100 freezers were brought to the hospital, said Dr. Chhavi Gupta, RGSSH spokesperson. The equipment for vaccine storage is coming to the hospital. We are in the process of installing and keeping them in our hospital building. Over 100 freezers have arrived here. We are operating at 2 to 8 degrees celsius. We are ready to store the COVID-19 vaccine, Dr. Gupta told ANI.