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People who have blood cancer typically have weakened immune systems, which increases their likelihood of developing severe Covid-19-related illness. Additionally, following Covid-19 immunisation, these people acquire little to no antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 due to a number of cancer therapies. T cells, on the other hand, are what trigger the long-lasting immune response and may be activated by vaccination.

The immune response of blood cancer patients who had received a total of three COVID-19 vaccinations has now been thoroughly described by a team led by doctors Drs. Andrea Keppler-Hafkemeyer and Christine Greil from the Medical Center-University of Freiburg and virologist Prof. Oliver T. Keppler from LMU Munich.

The results allow inferences to be made about the protection that vaccination gives these patients against serious illness from SARS-CoV2. Strong T cell response to Covid-19 vaccination.

The study focused on patients with two kinds of blood cancer: B-cell lymphoma and multiple myeloma. “Our results show that almost all study participants had a strong T cell response to Covid-19 vaccination,” explains Dr. Andrea Keppler-Hafkemeyer. “This could be one reason why breakthrough infections turned out to be mild to moderately severe even in study participants who had been unable to form any specific antibodies after vaccination because of their therapy,” adds Dr. Christine Greil. The co-principal investigators and lead authors regularly look after blood cancer patients in the Department of Medicine I at the Medical Center — University of Freiburg.

The research group led by Prof. Oliver T. Keppler is specialized not only in analyzing the concentration of antibodies after vaccination, but also their quality. This depends particularly on the strength of the bonds between antibodies and the viral spike protein. In addition, the ability of antibodies to neutralize different SARS-CoV-2 variants in cell cultures plays a major role. As the next step, therefore, the scientists compared the quantity and quality of antibodies and T cell responses to the spike protein among blood cancer patients and healthy study participants after two and three Covid-19 vaccinations.

High-quality antibodies against different Covid variants

The study revealed that patients who can form antibodies tend to produce antibodies of particularly high quality. After their second vaccination, they are already able to neutralize and thus deactivate different SARS-CoV-2 variants. This ability is considerably more pronounced in this patient cohort than in vaccinated healthy people.

“Covid-19 vaccination can generate very broad antiviral immunity — including highly potent neutralizing antibodies — in patients with various types of blood cancer. Consequently, multiple vaccine doses can be recommended for patients with B-cell lymphoma or multiple myeloma without interrupting therapy,” summarizes Prof. Oliver T. Keppler.

Read more: Bharat Biotech’s intranasal Covid jab iNCOVACC gets Centre’s nod

Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, announced on Friday evening that the state is on high alert regarding the new Omicron sub-variant BF.7 of Covid-19, which is thought to be responsible for a global spike in cases, including the neighbouring country of China. The meeting was held to assess the state’s pandemic readiness.

Addressing the mediapersons in Bhopal after the meeting, Chouhan said, “Covid-19 is again knocking on our doors. Although our state is safe for the time being, a new Covid strain has been detected in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given certain instructions to stepping up vigil and preparedness after chairing a meeting of chief ministers. Today, I also convened a meeting to take stock of the state’s Covid situation and our preparedness to deal with any contingency.”

“There is no need to panic but one needs to be very careful. We have decided to start administering booster doses to those who have not taken it yet. We have launched an initiative to admnister sufficient doses,” Chouhan said.

“We will start a mock drill from December 27 during which we will check the arrangements in hospitals, including oxygen, medicines and necessary preparations to combat Covid-19,” he added.

“We need to be careful at crowded places. We should start getting used to Covid-appropriate behaviour. I appeal to people to be careful. They must get inoculated with boosters doses. There’s no need to panic as we are keeping a close eye on the situation,” Chouhan added.

Four BF.7 cases were reportedly recorded in India in July, September, and November, with three instances coming from Gujarat and one from Odisha, according to reports.

The nasal Covid vaccine iNCOVACC from Bharat Biotech has been given the green light by the national government for use as a booster dosage for persons above the age of 18 in the nation’s immunisation programme.

The nasal vaccine can be used as a heterologous booster dose for people who have already received Covishield and Covaxin, according to the Union Health Ministry. Starting today, the vaccination will be accessible through the CoWIN app.

The iNCOVACC has been authorised by the Indian government and will be administered to adults over the age of 18 as a heterologous booster dosage.

Starting today, the vaccine will be a part of the Covid-19 immunisation campaigns and will be accessible in private hospitals. In this context, the CoWIN platform will also be changed.

The nasal Covid vaccine iNCOVACC from Bharat Biotech has been given the green light by the national government for use as a booster dosage for persons above the age of 18 in the nation’s immunisation programme.

The nasal vaccine can be used as a heterologous booster dose for people who have already received Covishield and Covaxin, according to the Union Health Ministry. Starting today, the vaccination will be accessible through the CoWIN app.

The iNCOVACC has been authorised by the Indian government and will be administered to adults over the age of 18 as a heterologous booster dosage.

Starting today, the vaccine will be a part of the Covid-19 immunisation campaigns and will be accessible in private hospitals. In this context, the CoWIN platform will also be changed.

The recombinant adenoviral vectored construct used in the vaccine was created in collaboration with Washington University in St. Louis, whose effectiveness was tested in preclinical tests.

The COVID Suraksha Program of the Department of Biotechnology of the Government of India helped to partially finance product development and clinical testing.

Top medical professionals in the Union Territory told Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, that there was no reason to fear in light of the current worldwide spike in Covid cases because none had been recorded in the UT so far.

According to a press statement from the Department of Information and Public Relations in Jammu and Kashmir, divisional commissioners, the secretary of health, the director of SKIMS, principals of medical colleges, heads of medicine, and other medical college specialists attended the meeting. All of these medical professionals were urged to take preventative action by Dr. Mehta so that the administration would be properly equipped to handle any eventuality.

He urged them to spread information among the public to prevent unwarranted fear and requested them to activate all of the Covid testing centres so that anyone wishing to test may find a facility close by.

The chief secretary also emphasised the need to reassess all of the facilities to determine their operating preparedness. He instructed them to do a preliminary inventory of the supplies in order to better assist the public should the need arise.

He urged the department to encourage individuals to follow Covid-appropriate conduct for the safety of everybody, as well as to administer booster dosages to vulnerable populations like the elderly.

The chief secretary also let the group know that no beds connected to Covid are presently occupied at UT medical facilities. He said that J&K’s testing capacity had increased significantly and that three new COBAS 6800 machines were also being purchased to improve the facilities even further.

According to the directive from the Union Health Ministry, mock drills would be held at all government hospitals to ensure readiness of health infrastructure to fight Covid-19, said Karnataka’s minister of health, K Sudhakar.

“It will be done to ensure that all infrastructure we had installed during earlier waves of COVID-19 including Oxygen plants and Oxygen generators are ready to use,” Sudhakar said while speaking to the media after participating in the video conference of the health ministers of all the states conducted by the Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya. The minister further said, “The number of active cases in India is 0.03% at present while 5 lakh to 6 lakh new COVID-19 cases are being detected in the world every day and 80% of the new cases are appearing in 10 countries including China, Japan, Taiwan, America, Europe and New Zealand.”

According to the minister, a major reason for the lower number of cases in the country is that the entire population of our country has received two doses of the vaccine.

“Additionally, Indians also have better natural immunity. Due to this, we are in a better position to fight the spread of COVID-19,” he added.

“According to a report by an American organization, around 10 lakh people could potentially die from COVID-19 in China alone in the next year. China’s vaccine, vaccination process, people’s cautiousness level, senior/elderly population and their health problems could be the factors for this,” Minister Sudhakar said.

Sudhakar further requested to people be more vigilant and get their booster doses as soon as possible as COVID-19 is still not completely eliminated.

He said that there is a stock of 8 to 10 lakh vaccines in the state and people are advised to take them voluntarily.

The state government has already taken several precautionary measures in the meeting held under the leadership of Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai on Thursday.

“Positive cases will be sent for compulsory genomic sequencing to track new variants. Booster doses will be given to senior citizens on priority. 2% of international passengers are being randomly tested at airports. We have suggested that the process of international passengers uploading negative RTPCR certificates not older than 72 hours from the date of travel through Air Suvidha should be restarted. People should take all precautionary measures including wearing masks,” K Sudhakar further said.

Shalini Pandit, the state’s health secretary, wrote to the federal government on Friday in response to an increase in Corona cases throughout the world, requesting that the state’s “left out” individuals who are 18 years of age or older resume receiving the COVID-19 preventive dosage immunisation.

In her letter written to the Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, Pandit said, “To date, 8.14 Crore doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in the State. Of this, 3.52 Crore (97%) doses have been administered as the first dose and 3.30 Crore (91%) doses as the second dose to beneficiaries aged 12 years and above and 1.31 Crore (41%) doses administered as precautionary doses to citizens aged 18 years and above in the State.” She also apprised the Centre of the ‘non-availability’ of the precaution dose vaccination and demanded for the same.

“It is pertinent to mention here that all COVID-19 vaccines supplied by the Government of India have been completely utilized by 28th November 2022 and presently, there is no vaccine stock in the State. Now, there is demand from citizens for precautionary dose vaccination as there is a surge of COVID-19 cases in countries like Japan, the USA, the Republic of Korea, Brazil and China,” she said.

“Further, out of 3.25 Crore citizens aged 18 years and above eligible for precaution dose, only 1.31 Crore citizens have been vaccinated with precaution dose i.e. still 1.93 Crore (59%) citizens are yet to be vaccinated with precaution dose in the State,” the minister wrote in the letter.

She, earlier in the day, chaired a high-level meeting in view of the central government’s directives regarding COVID-19.
“The testing we have conducting it will continue and whole genome sequencing (WGS) of all the positive cases will be done,” she said.

“At present ILS, BBSR and RMRC, Bhubaneswar are conducting Whole Genome Sequencing for the COVID positive cases as a part of the INSACOG consortium. In the meantime, a WGS facility has been set up in the department of Bio Chemistry of SCB MCH Cuttack. It was also decided that SCB MCH will apply to INSACOG for affiliation of their WGS laboratory with INSACOG,” Pandit further said.

As per an official release by the government of Odisha, the state is recording below fifteen cases per day since November this year.

“Hospitalization at present in the state is nil with an active caseload of 54 as of date. The present testing level of 134 tests per million is much higher than the country level of 109 per million, the positivity rate is only 0.05 per cent in the state and there is no single hospitalisation in the ICU of any hospital of the state,” it said.

At least for the tiny respiratory droplets that are mostly formed in the lungs, children exhale much less potentially infectious particles than adults. The research contributes to our understanding of how illnesses like influenza and COVID-19 can be controlled in their spread.

The University Gottingen Medical Center and the Max Planck Institutes for Dynamics and Self-Organization (MPI-DS) for Chemistry conducted the study, which has this as one of its main findings (UMG).

Using data from 132 individuals of all ages, the researchers examined the amounts of aerosol particles and droplets released with the breath while breathing, speaking, singing, and yelling.

Infectious diseases are often transmitted via particles exhaled from infected persons. Yet, the size of such aerosol particles varies greatly, depending on their origin in the respiratory tract. In the lung, mostly small particles with less than five microns, that is five-thousandths of a millimetre are produced, also known as PM5. In contrast, bigger particles are produced in the upper respiratory tract.

As the measurements showed, children exhale far less smaller particles than adults. “We found that the concentration of small particles below five microns increases with age and is particularly low in children. As a result, adults are much more likely to trigger spreading if the infection is only in the lower respiratory tract,” says Mohsen Bagheri, research group leader and lead author of the study at the MPI-DS. Notably, larger particles that originate in the throat are spread by children and adults to the same extent, according to the study. The researchers did not find a correlation between the concentration of exhaled particles and the person’s gender, weight, fitness or smoking habits.

In this comprehensive study, the researchers recorded data from 132 healthy volunteers. The study also included children and adolescents between 5 and 18 years about which very little data were available. They used various instruments installed in a clean room to measure the full range of particle sizes exhaled: from a tenth of a micrometer to a quarter of a millimeter. The participants performed different vocalization activities such as singing, speaking and shouting for 20 minutes in total. “Vocalization and age are shown to be independent risk factors for particle production,” reports Prof. Simone Scheithauer from the Department of Infection Control and Infectious diseases at the UMG.

Although human drops and aerosols contain mostly small particles, larger particles constitute the major part of the total volume that can contain pathogens. “If the pathogen mainly resides in the upper respiratory tract, the large particles are by far the main transmitter of the disease,” explains Eberhard Bodenschatz, director at the MPI-DS. “It is thus important to consider the localization of the infectious particle in the respiratory tract to decide on appropriate protection,” he continues. “For example, the current Omicron variant of the Coronavirus seems to be localized more to the upper respiratory tract and this is why even simple filtering face masks are a great protection.”

A top consultant doctor warned patients with comorbidities on Thursday, urging them to exercise caution in the coming days in light of the recent global spike in COVID-19 cases.

Cautioning the patients, senior consultant physician Dr Rajeev Bansal in a conversation with ANI said, “Patients with comorbidities need to be very careful in the coming days as there is a surge in COVID”. Further advising the comorbidity patients he stated, “Regularly check your glucose levels and blood pressure and follow COVID protocol using masks, hand sanitisers and social distancing”.

Notably, four instances of the BF.7 Omicron sub-variant, which is responsible for the current outbreak of illnesses in China, were reported from India in the past six months. According to sources, there are presently 10 distinct Covid-19 types in the nation, with BF.7 being the newest.

A high-level conference was presided over by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday to assess the current Covid-19 situation in the nation and the public health system’s readiness for surveillance, containment, and control of the pandemic.

He advised individuals to adopt Covid-appropriate behaviour and receive the Covid-19 vaccine. He emphasised that the epidemic is still ongoing and urged officials to prepare for any challenges and increase surveillance.

“Amid a surge in Covid-19 cases globally, the central government has briefed all states to conduct genome sequencing of samples”, the additional chief secretary of Health Manoj Agarwal informed on Wednesday.

Covid instances have increased dramatically in China, Japan, South Korea, France, and the US. The novel Omicron sub-variant BF.7, which has also been found in four Indian states, is being held responsible for the increase.

The latest Covid-19 fatality occurred in Beijing, where hundreds of Covid positive cases were reported prior to the cancellation of the Zero Covid policy, on November 23. After that, China ceased reporting individuals who had no symptoms, which made up a sizable portion of the Covid total.

The nation also abandoned the once popular Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) testing equipment in favour of fast antigen kits, which are acknowledged to be somewhat incorrect. This indicated that the data had been changed or was irrelevant, according to The Straits Times.

Arvind Kejriwal, the chief minister of Delhi, stated on Thursday that there is no reason for concern since there are no known cases of the COVID-19 Omicron sub-variant BF.7 in the nation’s capital. Covid instances have increased dramatically in China, Japan, South Korea, France, and the US. The novel Omicron sub-variant BF.7, which has also been found in four Indian states, is being held responsible for the increase.

Addressing the media after the COVID-19 review meeting, the Chief Minister said, “COVID-19 cases are rising in China and several other countries. It has BF.7 variant. We don’t have a single case of that variant in Delhi. So there’s no need to worry.”

He continued by saying that the city’s health department is sequencing the genomes of every positive case that has been reported. Kejriwal said that cases of the XBB strain are being detected in Delhi, nevertheless.

“BR.7 variant was not detected even in sewage samples collected and tested from seven different places in Delhi. 92 per cent of the cases being reported in Delhi are related to the XBB variant or its sub-variants,” he said.

According to the Chief Minister, the Delhi government is completely ready for the newest COVID-19 wave.

“Currently, 2,500 tests are being done every day. Now we have the capacity to conduct over one lakh tests per day and that too can be increased. We have 8,000 beds for Covid in Delhi. Now, we aim to prepare 36,000 beds for Covid.”

The Chief Minister stressed on the shortage of oxygen which was witnessed in 2021 and said that now the city has enough storage capacity as well. “Last time we had an issue with storing oxygen. Now, we have a capacity of storing 928 MT oxygen. We have 6,000 oxygen cylinders in reserve if needed. In 2021, we did not have tankers to procure oxygen from other states. Now, we have 15 tankers to procure oxygen,” he added.

“We have 380 ambulances, we have given orders for procuring more ambulances,” the Chief Minister said.  Kejriwal urged people to take the precautionary dosages since, as of now, just 24% of them had done so.

“First and second doses have been provided to almost 100 per cent of beneficiaries. Only 24 per cent people have taken precaution dose. We request the people to take the precaution dose. During the meeting we discussed another door-to-door campaign to give precaution doses to the people,” said Kejriwal.

On being asked about the face mask, he said, “We are waiting on the guidelines of the Central government. As and when it gives orders we will implement,” said the Delhi CM.

Thursday’s high-level discussion on the state and preparation of the public health response to COVID-19 was presided over by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He emphasised the necessity for heightened monitoring with a focus on genome sequencing and expanded testing.

This high-level review discussion will take place against the backdrop of an increase in COVID-19 instances in various nations, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. PM Modi evaluated the COVID-19 situation in the nation, the readiness of the health infrastructure and logistics, the state of the national vaccination campaign, the appearance of new COVID-19 variations, and their public health consequences for the nation at the high-level meeting.

Four instances of the BF.7 Omicron sub-variant, which is causing the current outbreak of illnesses in China, were reported from India in the past six months. According to sources, there are presently 10 distinct Covid-19 types in the nation, with BF.7 being the newest.

In order to examine the COVID-19 situation in the nation, the readiness of the healthcare system, the appearance of variations, and their consequences for public health, Prime Minister Narendra Modi presided over a high-level meeting on Thursday. He also issued a warning against complacency. He urged personnel to maintain rigorous vigilance and reminded them that COVID is still active, particularly at international airports. The increase of COVID-19 cases in various nations served as the setting for this high-level review conference.

The prime minister evaluated the nation’s immunisation campaign’s progress in addition to assessing the readiness of the health system’s infrastructure and logistics.

The Secretary of Health and a Member of NITI Aayog gave a thorough presentation on the worldwide COVID-19 situation, including the increase in cases in various nations.

The average daily cases in India have decreased steadily, to 153, and the weekly positive rate has decreased to 0.14 percent in the week ending December 22, 2022, according to information provided to the Prime Minister.

However, during the past six weeks, 5.9 lakh cases on average every day have been reported worldwide.

“PM cautioned against complacency and advised strict vigil. He reiterated that COVID is not over yet and directed officials to strengthen the ongoing surveillance measures, especially at international airports,” a PMO release said.

The Prime Minister emphasised the need of maintaining the COVID infrastructure at all levels at a high level of readiness in terms of tools, procedures, and personnel.

In order to verify the operational preparedness of hospital infrastructure, such as oxygen cylinders, PSA plants, ventilators, and human resources, he suggested states to evaluate COVID-specific facilities.

PM Modi gave instructions to authorities to step up testing and genome sequencing initiatives. The designated INSACOG Genome Sequencing Laboratories (lGSLs), which do daily genome sequencing, have requested that states share more samples with them.

According to the statement, this will help in the prompt discovery of any novel varieties that may be present in the nation and ease the implementation of necessary public health measures.

The Prime Minister asked everyone to always act in a COVID-appropriate manner, including using masks in busy public areas, especially in light of the impending holiday season.

The preventive dose may be recommended, especially for disadvantaged and elderly individuals, PM Modi further advised.
The availability of medications, vaccinations, and hospital beds is sufficient, the prime minister was assured.

He suggested continuous monitoring of the availability and costs of necessary medications.
The Prime Minister commended the highly regarded work of the front-line healthcare staff and urged them to go on in the same selfless and devoted way.

The Prime Minister asked everyone to always act in a COVID-appropriate manner, including using masks in busy public areas, especially in light of the impending holiday season.

The preventive dose may be recommended, especially for disadvantaged and elderly individuals, PM Modi further advised.
The availability of medications, vaccinations, and hospital beds is sufficient, the prime minister was assured.

He suggested continuous monitoring of the availability and costs of necessary medications. The Prime Minister commended the highly regarded work of the front-line healthcare staff and urged them to go on in the same selfless and devoted way.

Amit Shah, the Union Home Minister, Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Health Minister, Jyotiraditya Scindia, the Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, the Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, and Minister of State for Health, Bharati Pravin Pawar all attended the meeting.

Senior government officials who attended the meeting included Principal Secretary to the PM PK Mishra, NITI Aayog CEO Parameswaran Iyer, Member (Health) NITI Aayog Dr. VK Paul, Cabinet Secretary Rajiv Gauba, PMO Advisor Amit Khare, Home Secretary AK Bhalla, Secretary (HFW) Rajesh Bhushan, and Secretary (DHR) Dr. Rajiv Bahl.

In light of the recent surge in COVID-19 cases in several nations, Union Health Minister Manuskh Mandaviya presided over a high-level meeting on Wednesday to examine the COVID-19 situation in India and the public health system’s readiness for surveillance, containment, and management of COVID-19.

Some nations, including China, Japan, South Korea, France, and the United States, have seen a spike in COVID-19 instances.
Four instances of the BF.7 Omicron sub-variant, which is causing the current outbreak of illnesses in China, have been recorded from India in the past six months.