DGCI approves market authorisation of Serum Institute’s Covovax as booster dose

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved the market authorisation of Serum Institute of India’s (SII) COVID-19 vaccine Covovax as a heterologous booster dose. This vaccine can be taken as a booster dose by people who have already taken two doses of Covishield or Covaxin. Earlier, the DCGI approved Covovax for […]

Researchers identify immune cell that helps kill bladder cancer tumors

Mount Sinai researchers have made two important discoveries about the mechanism by which bladder cancer cells foil attacks from the immune system. The research, published in Cancer Cell in September, could lead to a new therapeutic option for patients with these types of tumors. Advanced bladder cancer is aggressive and patients generally have poor […]

WHO asks China to share specific, real-time data on Covid situation

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus met with Chinese officials and again asked for specific and real-time data on the epidemiological situation in China, according to the statement released by the WHO website. In the high-level meeting, WHO asked for more genetic sequencing data, data on disease impact including […]

WHO looking to rename monkeypox to ‘MPOX’: Report

The World Health Organization (WHO) is looking to rename monkeypox to “MPOX” to destigmatize the virus, according to a US newspaper report. The decision follows growing pressure from Biden officials, who privately asked WHO to change the name, The Politico reported. The report said this decision could be announced on Wednesday. Citing people with knowledge of […]

WHO to identify pathogens that could cause future outbreaks, pandemics

The World Health Organization (WHO) is launching a global scientific process to update the list of priority pathogens–agents that can cause outbreaks or pandemics–to guide global investment, research and development (R&D), especially in vaccines, tests and treatments. In a statement, the WHO on Monday said that starting with a meeting held last Friday, November 18, WHO is convening over 300 scientists who will consider […]

Metabolism may offer more insight into risk of some diseases: Research

 In an analysis of the metabolic profiles of healthy American babies, researchers found surprising differences among ethnic groups which may help make screening for inherited metabolic disorders, cystic fibrosis, or hypothyroidism much more accurate than traditional genetic disease screens. “We don’t want to miss a baby who is potentially sick, and we don’t want […]

China detects new Omicron sub-variants in fresh Covid flareup

New Omicron sub-variants BF.7 and BA.5.1.7, which are highly infectious with greater transmissibility have been detected in China, in the latest COVID flare-up, which comes just ahead of the 20th Party Congress. BF.7 subvariant spread to more Chinese provinces on Monday. The highly infectious virus was firstly detected in northwest China. On the […]

Covid-19 mRNA vaccines increase risk of cardiac-related death: Florida Surgeon General

Florida Surgeon General Dr Joseph A Ladapo on Saturday (local time) recommended against receiving mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, especially to males aged 18 to 39 as it increases the risk of cardiac-related death. “Today, we released an analysis on COVID-19 mRNA vaccines the public needs to be aware of. This analysis showed […]

WHO launches new initiative to stop spread of invasive malaria vector in Africa

A new World Health Organization (WHO) initiative has been launched that aims to stop the further spread of this invasive mosquito species in the region. The WHO had identified the spread of Anopheles stephensi as a significant threat to malaria control and elimination in 2019 – particularly in Africa, where the disease hits hardest. Originally native […]