On Monday, the World Health Organisation (WHO) vaccine adviser suggested people with weaker immune systems should be offered an additional dose of all authorized COVID-19 vaccines. The UN health agency’s Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunisation (SAGE) also suggested that people over 60 who received full vaccination with China’s Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines should also e offered an additional third COVID-19 dose of the vaccine. However, the experts cleared that they are not suggesting any so-called booster shots/doses for the population at large. Pfizer-BioNTech, Janssen
Singapore is all set to open up its border for more countries for quarantine free travel as the city-state seeks to rebuild its status as an international aviation hub. The country is preparing itself to reach a “new normal” to live with COVID-19. The island will open up its border from October 19 to fully vaccinated people from eight countries including Britain, France, Spain, and the United States. According to the government, travelers for these nations will not have to quarantine themselves if they pass their COVID-19 tests. The nation took this major step to resume its internation
Defending against all known variants of Covid-19, including the Delta variant, the Republic has inked a supply and purchase agreement for an antiviral pill to treat Covid-19. Molnupiravir would be the first oral antiviral medication for COVID-19 which is designed to introduce errors into the genetic code of the virus. The drug was developed by Merck, which is a pharmaceutical firm in the United States and Canada along with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics in Miami. For the pill, Merck is awaiting a green signal from the United States Food and Drugs Administration. However, regarding the confirmat
India has recorded its sharpest weekly case fall since mid-June due to a huge plunge in COVID-19 infection in Kerala. It led to a 22% drip with the nation reporting less than 2 lakh cases in the seven-day period for the first time in almost seven months. The nation has recorded less than 1,56,000 new cases between September 27-October 3. This was the lowest percentage since March 8-14, where nearly 1.56 lakh were recorded amid the second wave of the pandemic spread in the nation. Between June 12-20, 29.5% was previously recorded as the sharpest fall in the cases, 15 weeks ago. Kerala pl
A statement was issued by the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), ‘The Swachh Bharat Mission- Urban (SBM-U) 2.0 visualize targets to convert all cities garbage-free by ensuring grey and black water management in all cities. The plan is expected to be covered under AMRUT. On Friday, the Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi has launched the Swachh Bharat Mission- Urban (SBM-U) 2.0 and the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 mission. The two flagship schemes of the Central Government aimed to make the entire country’s cities ‘garbage free’ and ‘water s
On Friday, Australian Prime Minister Mr. Scott Morrison issued a statement regarding fully vaccinated Australians who can enter and leave the country freely from November. According to him, some states will have their own timetable. He further added, “In line with the national plan, our government is balancing the need to minimize the risk that the spread of COVID-19 present, with the need to live with the virus”. Australia’s international borders were closed in March 2020 by the government in response to the pandemic. It allowed entry exclusively to its citizens and permanent reside
Taiwan aims to make it easier for people to stay in the country fleeing from Hong Kong. Those fleeing the Asian financial hub are being supported by the international community. According to the draft amendments, People from Hong Kong and Macau, who are studying and working in Taiwan have been allowed by the officials to extend their residence permits for up to one year while job seeking. On Tuesday, the Ministry of the Interior said that the new rules will make it easier for students to gain permanent residency after completing advanced degrees in Taiwan. The rules will be implemented
On Monday (Sept 27), Singapore and the United States renewed their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on the Third Country Training Programme (TCTP), including a new focus on climate change and environmental sustainability in the partnership. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Singapore's minister for foreign affairs Vivian Balakrishnan signed a memorandum of understanding in Washington. During his brief remarks at the ceremony, Mr. Blinken expressed his satisfaction with both the meeting's content and its outcome. At the State Department, the ceremony took place in a pastel-colored room
On Monday, Indian Prime Minister Mr. Narendra Modi launched the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission that will provide digital health ID to people that will have their health records. The announcement regarding the mission came from the ramparts of the Red Fort on August 15, 2020. The Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission is in its trial phase in six union territories of the country. Its celebration coincides with the third anniversary of the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana. Ayushnan Bharat Digital's goals are based on the JAM trinity of Jan Dhan, Aadhar, and Mobile (JDAM) and govern
President Joe Biden announced on Wednesday that the US is doubling its purchase of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine shots to deliver 1 billion doses to the world. The president is embracing the goal of vaccinating 70% of the global population within the next year. At the U.N. General Assembly, Biden convened virtually and encouraged well-off nations to do their bit to bring down the coronavirus infection. The World Health Organisation is being vocal about the slow pace of vaccination distribution and inequality between the wealthier and poorer nations. The total US vaccination commitment plans