Amid Covid-19 vaccine shortage being reported from several states, top government advisor and NITI Aayog member Dr V.K. Paul said on Thursday that the Central government and Bharat Biotech—which manufactures Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin—are willing to invite other companies which want to produce it. He, however, also stressed that Covaxin can only be produced in the Biosafety level 3 (BSL3) labs.

“People say that Covaxin should be given to other companies for manufacturing. I am happy to say that Covaxin manufacturing company (Bharat Biotech) has welcomed this when we discussed it with them. Under this vaccine, a live virus is inactivated and this is done only in BSL3 labs. Not every company has this. We give an open invitation to companies who want to do this. Companies that want to manufacture Covaxin should do it together. The Centre will assist so that capacity is increased,” Dr Paul said.

The Centre’s decision to invite other players to produce Covaxin comes at a time when several states in the country have said that there is a shortage of Covid-19 vaccine which has caused them to stop ongoing inoculation drive. Worst-affected Maharashtra and Delhi are among these states. BJP-ruled Karnataka too announced on Thursday that it has stopped the vaccination drive.

Talking about the vaccination coverage in his presentation, Dr Paul emphasised that one-third of the population aged 45 years and above are now covered. “We are happy to report that one-third of 45 and above are protected. The age group of 45 and above contribute to 88 per cent of deaths. So you can imagine, how many dents it would have made to reduce the risk of death of this population,” he added.

Highlighting the latest feat achieved by the country, Dr Paul disclosed that nearly 18 crore doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered in India, whereas, in the US, the number stands around 26 crores which state that India stands in the third position in the overall vaccination tally in the world.

Meanwhile, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Thursday approved Phase 2 and 3 clinical trial of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin vaccine in the age group of 2 to 18 years, informed the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

“The National Regulator of the country, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), after careful examination, has accepted the recommendation of Subject Expert Committee (SEC) and accorded permission to conduct the Phase II/III clinical trial of Covaxin (Covid vaccine) in the age group 2 to 18 years, to its manufacturer Bharat Biotech Ltd on May 12, 2021,” the ministry said.

Bharat Biotech will conduct trials in 525 healthy volunteers.

“In the trial, the vaccine will be given by intramuscular route in two doses at day 0 and day 28,” it said.

As a rapid regulatory response, the proposal was deliberated in the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) (Covid-19) on 11 May 2021. The Committee after detailed deliberation recommended for grant of permission to conduct the proposed Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials to certain conditions.

Covaxin is one of the two vaccines being manufactured in India at present and has been developed by Bharat Biotech in association with the Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Institute of Virology. The firm on Tuesday informed that it has been supplying its Covid-19 vaccine directly to 18 states since 1 May.

Due to a spike in Covid-19 cases, the Maharashtra government had ordered a complete halt on shooting of all television shows, films or web series, starting from 15 April till the lockdown in the state, in its effort to contain the spread of the pandemic. As the state has once again gone into lockdown from 16 May to 31 May, the major question that is being asked is: What’s next for shooting in the entertainment industry?

In an attempt to keep the show going, several daily soap shows had moved to Goa from Mumbai for shooting, but due to the lockdown in Goa, too, shooting for these have now been hugely affected. Unable to shoot in Maharashtra and Goa, those in the TV and film industry, including filmmakers, actors and producers, are a worried lot.

TV shows like Balaji Telefilms’ Kumkum Bhagya, Kundali Bhagya, Molkki and Yeh Hai Chahatein have not finalised a new location. They also said that given the risk factor involved in travelling, the team has decided to stay put in Goa till the time a new

location is finalised. While the shoot of Star Plus’ Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyar Meiin and Shaurya Aur Anokhi Ki Kahani will move to Hyderabad, the team of Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha has decided to move to Silvassa. Dance Deewane 3 has also shifted out of Bengaluru to Umergaon.

Two of the most popular shows, Taarak Mehta ka Ooltah Chashmah and Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai, are shooting in Vapi. TV show producers have shifted their cast and crew outside the state to ensure that the show goes on. With multiple production houses picking it for its proximity, as well as infrastructure, Gujarat has benefitted the most from this shift. Other locations include Rajkot where Tera Yaar Hoon Main shooting is going on. In Surat Sab TV show, Hero: Gayab Mode On is shooting and in Valsad, Kaatelal & Sons is being shot. Mere Sai: shraddha Aur Saburi is being shot in Umergaon currently.

While Star Plus shows Imlie and Mehndi Hai Rachne Waali have shifted base to Ramoji Film City in Hyderabad, Pandya Store is working round-the-clock in Bikaner. Zee TV has Teri Meri Ikk Jindari shooting in Rajasthan and Hamariwali Good News in Haryana. 

Daman is now home to the contestants and judges of Super Dancer and Indian Idol, while Silvassa is where the highest-rated show Anupamaa is being shot, along with Wagle Ki Duniya—Nayi Peedhi Naye Kissey, Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai and Mann Ki Awaaz Pratigya 2.

Choti Sarrdaarni is shooting in Delhi, while Sasural Simar Ka and Shakti are being shot in Agra, as is Saath Nibhaana Saathiya 2. Goa, where more than 10 TV shows were shot, imposed a strict curfew until 23 May, cancelling shooting permissions at the last minute after recording the highest positivity rate in the country. It meant the return of hundreds of actors and workers—of shows like Ghum Hai Kisikey Pyaar Meiin, Aapki Nazron Ne Samjha, Shaurya Aur Anokhi Ki Kahani, Yeh Hai Chahatein, Molkki, Kumkum Bhagya, Kundali Bhagya, Apna Time Bhi Aayega,Tujhse Hai Raabta, Bawara Dil and Qurbaan Hua—to Mumbai. The hunt for an alternative location is on. There are shows which have remained unaffected by the Maharashtra lockdown, like Colors’ Udaariyaan, which is being shot in Chandigarh.

The Union Health Ministry on Thursday accepted the recommendation of the Covid working group to extend the gap between the first and second doses of Covishield vaccine from 6-8 weeks to 12-16 weeks.

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan took to Twitter regarding the decision made by the ministry. “Gap between 2 doses of #CovishieldVaccine has been increased to 12-16 weeks from 6-8 weeks currently. Decision has been taken based on recommendations given by Covid working group after analysing emerging evidence,” he tweeted.

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, based on the available real-life evidence, particularly from the United Kingdom, the Covid-19 Working Group agreed for increasing the dosing interval to 12-16 weeks between two doses of Covishield vaccine.

However, no such changes were recommended for the interval of Covaxin vaccine doses.

“The recommendation of the Covid Working Group was accepted by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC), headed by Dr V.K. Paul, Member (Health) Niti Aayog, in its meeting on May 12,” the Ministry said.

“The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also accepted this recommendation of the Covid Working Group for extension of the gap between the first and second doses of Covishield vaccine to 12-16 weeks,” it said.

India started the world’s largest vaccination drive on 16 January this year in a phased manner with healthcare workers getting inoculated first. The vaccination of frontline workers started on 2 February. The next phase of Covid-19 vaccination commenced from 1 March for those over 60 years of age and for people aged 45 and above with specified co-morbid conditions. India launched vaccination for all people aged more than 45 from 1 April. Phase 3 of the vaccination drive commenced on 1 May for the beneficiaries belonging to the age group 18-44.

Several vaccination centres where Covaxin is being administered in the national capital on Thursday remained closed for the age group of 18-44 years due to its non-availability. The vaccination drive began for the age group of 18-44 years in Delhi from 3 May but due to shortage of the vaccine, the drive has been put on hold.

ANI visited a vaccination centre at Atal Adarsh Vidyalaya, Moti Bagh where Covaxin jabs were to be given but found it deserted except two staff of the school. A few people did turn up for vaccination but had to return as the centre was closed.

Vijendra, a staff of Atal Adarsh Vidyalaya Vijendra told ANI, “This vaccination center is closed due to non-availability of vaccines. It has been closed since yesterday and once vaccines arrive then again vaccination is likely to start.”

Another school staff, Indra said that there is no vaccine available at the centre and so the vaccination drive cannot continue. Meanwhile, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Raghav Chadha blamed the Modi government’s vaccination policy as being the reason behind several vaccination centers being closed in Delhi for the age group of 18-44 years.

“The Modi government, sitting at the centre did not pay any attention to the vaccine policy from day one and did not discuss anything. It is very sad to say that our central government does not have any policy regarding vaccines. You are seeing that the vaccination centers have been closed in Delhi because there is no vaccine because of a shortage of vaccine production,” said the AAP MLA.

Chadha further said, “When the production of the vaccine was good in the month of January-February in country that time, the central government exported 6.50 crore doses vaccine to other countries like Uganda, Nigeria rather than inoculating its own citizens.”

Recently, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also informed the media that due to the non-availability of Covaxin it was closing vaccination centres and urged the Central government to provide vaccines urgently to continue the vaccination drive for the age group of 18-44. ANI

More than 200 crore doses of coronavirus vaccines will likely be available in India between August to December this year, a top government advisor said on Thursday, raising hopes that the country may be able to overcome setbacks from its inoculation strategy.

Those doses would include 75 crore of AstraZeneca’s, vaccine, produced in India by the Serum Institute of India, as well as 55 crore doses of Covaxin, made by Bharat Biotech, government advisor V.K. Paul told reporters at a news conference on Thursday.

“Two billion doses (216 crore) will be made in the country in five months for India and for people of India. The vaccine will be available for all as we move forward,” the NITI Aayog member said, adding by the first quarter of the next year, the number is likely to be 300 crore.

Despite being the global hub of vaccine manufacturing, India has been able to fully vaccinate less than 3 per cent of its population so far as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has faced accusations of dropping the ball on acquiring enough vaccines on time.

Dr Paul also told reporters that a consignment of Russia’s Sputnik vaccine has arrived in India, and “hopefully” it will be available in the market from next week.

“Sputnik vaccine has arrived in India. I’m happy to say that we’re hopeful that it’ll be available in the market next week. We’re hopeful that the sale of the limited supply that has come from there (Russia) will begin next week,” said Dr Paul while addressing media. He said the production of Sputnik is scheduled to begin in India by July. “Further supply will also follow. Its production will begin in July and it is estimated that 15.6 crore doses will be manufactured in that period,” Dr Paul said.

Notably, Sputnik V is the third vaccine India has given go-ahead to after Covishield, developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, and Covaxin, the indigenous vaccine manufactured by Bharat Biotech. Covishield is manufactured by the Serum Institute of India.

Talking about the Central government’s move to increase the availability of Covid-19 vaccines, the NITI Aayog member said that overall, 216 crore doses of vaccines will be manufactured in India between August and December—“for India and for Indians”.

“There should be no doubt that vaccine will be available for all as we move forward… Any vaccine that is approved by FDA, WHO can come to India. Import license will be granted within 1-2 days. No import license is pending,” he added.

He further informed that the Department of Biotechnology, along with other concerned departments and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has been in touch with Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson and Johnson from the initial days of vaccine production.

“They were officially asked if they would like to send doses to or manufacture in India. We will find partners and assist. They had said that they are working in their own way and they would talk of vaccine availability in the third quarter in 2021. We are connected to them. I’m hopeful that they will step forward to increase availability in India. We invite them to manufacture here along with our companies. Johnson and Johnson did a good job. They accepted this offer under Quad,” Dr Paul said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold two meetings with the District Magistrate (DMs) of districts of 19 states with a high caseload to review the Covid-19 situation and measures taken to deal with it, official sources said on Thursday.

“Prime Minister Modi to hold two meetings with DMs of districts with a high caseload. The meeting will be held on May 18th and 20th, with DMs of 46 districts across 9 states and 54 districts across 10 states respectively,” sources told ANI. They added that the Chief Minister of these states will also be present in these meetings.

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry on Thursday informed that as many as 187 districts have shown a continuous decline in cases in the last two weeks.

Addressing a press conference, Joint Secretary of Union Health Ministry Lav Agarwal said: “There are 12 states/UTs in the country with more than one lakh Covid-19 active cases, while there are 8 states/UTs with active cases between 50,000 to one lakh and 16 states/UTs with less than 50,000 active Covid-19 cases.”

“Bihar has seen a decline in the Covid-19 active cases, while Jammu and Kashmir witnessed an increase,” he pointed out.

Agarwal also mentioned that there are 24 states/UTs with more than 15 per cent positivity rate. “As many as 187 districts have shown a continued decline in cases in last 2 weeks. These districts include Nashik, Jalgaon, Thane, Nagpur and Chandrapur in Maharashtra, Lucknow, Gorakhpur and Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh, Ahmedabad and Surat in Gujarat, Gwalior, Bhopal and Indore in Madhya Pradesh and Alwar in Rajasthan,” he added.

On Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi chaired a high-level meeting to review the availability and supply of oxygen and medicines in the wake of the surge of Covid-19 cases in the country, where he was briefed how the government is actively monitoring the supply of drugs being used in the management of Covid-19 as well Mucormycosis.

Active Covid-19 cases had seen a drop for two consecutive days on 11 and 12 May after a gap of 61 days. The trend, however, did not continue on Thursday.

With 362,727 fresh cases in the last 24 hours, India on Thursday reported a slight rise in Covid-19 cases, about 15,000 more than the previous day. As per the Union Health Ministry, as many as 348,421 new cases were reported on Wednesday. There were 352,181 discharges and 4,120 deaths reported in India in the last 24 hours, the Union Health Ministry informed on Thursday.

The total positive cases in the country so far stand at 2,37,03,665. This includes 1,97,34,823 recoveries and 258,317 reported deaths. There are currently 37,10,525 active cases in the country. A total of 17,72,14,256 doses of Covid-19 vaccine have been administered so far.

WITH AGENCY INPUTS