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India reaches a billion COVID-19 vaccination milestone
India reaches a billion COVID-19 vaccination milestone
India’s COVID-19 vaccination drive has achieved a historic milestone of administering 1 billion vaccine doses.
Figures shared on Thursday by the Indian High Commission in Nigeria showed that around 75% of the eligible population (18+) has been given the first dose, while around 30% has been given both doses.
The shared figures showed that India achieved this mark of 1 billion vaccine doses in less than 40 weeks, with the milestone exemplifying India’s prowess in various elements in the vaccination journey – development of new vaccines, production of vaccines, deployment, and technology.
India’s COVID-19 vaccination drive was launched on 16 January 2021, but preparations had begun way back in April 2020 with the establishment of the National Task Force for Focused Research on Corona Vaccine.
The statement from the Indian High Commission said indeed, a hallmark of India’s vaccination drive has been the high-level oversight and coordination, particularly by the Prime Minister himself.
It said India prioritized vaccine development and launched ‘Mission Covid Suraksha’ to provide financial and technical support to indigenous vaccine manufacturers, noting that this Mission is the force behind the world’s first DNA-based COVID vaccine Zycov-D, developed by Zydus Cadila, which will facilitate vaccination of children above 12 years.
It said the Mission also supported the capacity development of Bharat Biotech and provided support for infrastructure and technology development for other public sector manufacturers.
The statement read that: “Today, India is the only country that has developed multiple vaccines across multiple platforms (Bharat Biotech’s COVAXIN uses an inactivated virus platform, Zycov-D is a DNA vaccine, Covishield a viral vector vaccine, Gennova is in the running for being India’s first mRNA vaccine).
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“For vaccine deployment and delivery, a comprehensive system of planning and implementation was put in place. Besides the National Task Force for Focused Research on Corona Vaccine, several expert advisory groups were set up at the highest level, including the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC) in August 2020, the Empowered Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 (EGVAC) in January 2021, and the National Technical Advisory Group for Immunization (NTAGI) Working Group. India’s vaccination drive roll out was backed by recommendations of these expert groups.”
It said the National COVID Vaccination Programme initially targeted the healthcare and frontline workers as well as senior citizens, due to their higher risk perception. Subsequently, the Programme was rolled out to include people above 45 years of age and with co-morbidities and later, all citizens above 45 years were included. In the ongoing phase, all adults above 18 years have been included and vaccination is being provided for free at public vaccination facilities, which implies about 940 million people have to be vaccinated with two doses each.
It further revealed that on the approval of Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), three vaccines have been utilized in the Programme (COVISHIELD developed by Serum Institute of India in collaboration with AstraZeneca of the United Kingdom, COVAXIN of Bharat Biotech International Limited and SPUTNIK V of Russia).
The statement said nearly all of the 1 billion doses administered have been Made-in-India, except for a miniscule proportion of Sputnik V (approximately 0.4 million doses). Moreover, more than 95% of those vaccine doses have been delivered by India’s public health system, a testimony to its reach and robustness. Nevertheless, private healthcare outlets have also been included in the implementation of the vaccination drive.
The statement said by the end of 2021, India is looking at an increased monthly production of COVID-19 vaccines, a larger basket of vaccine options and a larger proportion of her population fully vaccinated.
India reaches a billion COVID-19 vaccination milestone
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Cuba Condemns Reintroduction of Sanction by Trump
Cuba Condemns Reintroduction of Sanction by Trump
…Describes US President Imperialist
By: Michael Mike
Cuban Government has condemned the reintroduction by US President Donald Trump of tough economic warfare measures against Cuba, stating that it “proves the aggressiveness of US imperialism against the sovereignty, peace and welfare of the Cuban people.”
A statement by the Cuban Revolutionary Government read: “US President Donald Trump lashes out against Cuba from day one and without pretext. The decision to reinstate the tough economic warfare measures against Cuba, which his predecessor removed just days before, proves the aggressiveness of US imperialism against the sovereignty, peace and welfare of the Cuban people. These measures comprise the inclusion of our country, once again, in the arbitrary list of States that allegedly sponsor terrorism, a designation that shows an absolute disregard for the truth.
“This is no surprise. The statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of January 14 already warned: “that the government of that country could reverse in the future the measures adopted today, as has happened on other occasions and as a sign of the lack of legitimacy, ethics, consistency and reason in its conduct against Cuba”. It also affirmed that “U.S. politicians do not usually stop to find honest justification…” That is how they run their government in that country.”
The statement added that: “Trump has construed his coming to power as the coronation of an emperor. His ambition comprises, just to begin with, the conquest of Canada, the usurpation of Greenland, the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico and stripping the Panamanians of their canal. The hegemonic Monroe Doctrine and Manifest Destiny, which were enforced with blood and fire in Latin America and the Caribbean, are the driving force of the new government team.
“Those groups and politicians, who have made aggression against Cuba a way of life, profited for decades from the anti-Cuban business and today share the heady intoxication of the new president, are associated with him. They all bear a heavy responsibility in the difficult economic situation of the country and in the increase of the migratory flow from Cuba to the United States.
“This new act of aggression by the US government against the Cuban people shows, once again, the true, cruel and merciless purpose of these and so many other measures of siege and asphyxiation against Cuba for sake of dominating it. It constitutes a reaction of impotence given their inability to bend our will and the respect, sympathy and support that the Revolution commands among the peoples of the world.”
The statement lamented that: “The tightening of the economic blockade and the new aggressive measures will continue to weigh, with very harmful effects, on our economy, the standard of living, the potential for development and the legitimate dreams of justice and well-being of the Cuban people, as has been the case in recent years.”
The statement however assured that: “They will not deflect us from the Socialist course, from our determination to recover the economy, promote the widest possible solidarity, creativity, talent, spirit of work, and defend freedom, independence, sovereignty and the privilege of building a future without foreign interference as an ironclad stronghold.”
“The Cuban people appreciate the numerous expressions of support and solidarity received from all over the world, from governments, Cubans living abroad, parliaments, political, religious and social organisations, and political leaders from the United States and other countries.
No one should be mistaken. The Cuban people expressed itself with clear determination and force during the December 20 march. The conviction that CUBA WILL OVERCOME is what prevails here,” the statement further added.
Cuba Condemns Reintroduction of Sanction by Trump
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Ceasefire Announced: Gaza Emerges Triumphant Over The Zionist Regime
Ceasefire Announced: Gaza Emerges Triumphant Over The Zionist Regime
By: Husaini Mohammed Isa
The unbreakable spirit of Palestinian resistance has compelled Israel into a humiliating ceasefire after failing to achieve any of its war aims.
After 15 months of Israel’s brutal genocide in Gaza, Israel has exposed to the world its true nature of barbarism, racial supremacy and oppression.
In stark contrast, the Palestinian people have displayed breathtaking heroism, dignity and resilience in the face of the US-backed Zionist onslaught, and are now beginning to see the fruits of their struggle.
As we celebrate this moment of triumph and jubilation with the Palestinians, we also acknowledge that their fight for liberation continues and we will continue to support them with prayers for them to succeed.
It is our duty in Nigeria to stand firmly with them and support their noble cause until full victory over the Zionist enemy is achieved.
Ceasefire Announced: Gaza Emerges Triumphant Over The Zionist Regime
News
Chinese Foreign Minister Arrives Nigeria
Chinese Foreign Minister Arrives Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
The Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi will arrive in Abuja, Nigeria, on Wednesday for an official visit.
According to a press statement on Tuesday by the spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the visiting Foreign Minister who is also a Member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China will be received on arrival by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Dunoma Ahmed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport.
Ebienfa said: “During his visit, H.E. Mr. Wang Yi will meet with the Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar OON, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Abuja on Thursday 9th January 2025 for bilateral talks that will focus on strengthening relations between the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the People’s Republic of China.
“The visiting foreign minister will also pay a courtesy call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to deliver a special message from the Chinese President at the Presidential Villa.”
Chinese Foreign Minister Arrives Nigeria
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