Indian vaccine works towards BF.7 sub-variant: Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya

By Express News Service

New Delhi, Jan 11: Indian vaccine works towards Omicron sub-variant BF.7, which is driving the Covid-19 surge in China and different East Asian international locations, mentioned Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday.

“Our vaccine works against BF.7, which has been detected in China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and other places,” mentioned Mandaviya on the sidelines of a guide launch ‘Braving a viral storm – India’s Covid-19 vaccine story.’

The minister, nevertheless, didn’t specify which Covid vaccine works towards the BF.7 sub-variant.

He mentioned India had taken a number of proactive actions, together with conducting Covid testing in any respect the Indian airports.

Till Wednesday, over 15 lakh worldwide passengers travelling in a complete of 8,700 flights have been examined following the well being ministry’s directive to conduct random testing of two per cent of worldwide travellers, he mentioned.

Out of those, over 200 passengers have been discovered to be Covid optimistic. “They were immediately sent to the hospital, isolated, and their samples were sent for genome sequencing. Genome sequencing found the presence of the BF.7 variant, found in China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and other places.”

ALSO READ | No surge in Covid circumstances in India regardless of presence of Omicron variants

He mentioned BF.7 – which had final 12 months pushed the Covid surge within the US and Europe – is already current in India for the earlier three months. 

In future, if there may be any new Covid variant, or if the present one mutates and takes a brand new kind, then we will likely be prepared, and that is why we’re finishing up genome sequencing, he mentioned. 

“We are also alert against any new variant entering India. We are ready because of our Covid management. We are taking all precautions and keeping surveillance.” 

The minister mentioned that India has 200 kinds of Covid variants. “We are glad that no new kind of variant is in India in the meanwhile,” he added.

The ministry mentioned that regardless of all Omicron variants in India, no mortality or rise within the transmission had been reported.

From January 1, passengers arriving from hotspots international locations like China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand are mandatorily required to offer Covid-negative stories. It applies to these travellers who’re transiting by means of these hot-spots international locations.

New Delhi, Jan 11: Indian vaccine works towards Omicron sub-variant BF.7, which is driving the Covid-19 surge in China and different East Asian international locations, mentioned Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Wednesday.

“Our vaccine works against BF.7, which has been detected in China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and other places,” mentioned Mandaviya on the sidelines of a guide launch ‘Braving a viral storm – India’s Covid-19 vaccine story.’

The minister, nevertheless, didn’t specify which Covid vaccine works towards the BF.7 sub-variant.

He mentioned India had taken a number of proactive actions, together with conducting Covid testing in any respect the Indian airports.

Till Wednesday, over 15 lakh worldwide passengers travelling in a complete of 8,700 flights have been examined following the well being ministry’s directive to conduct random testing of two per cent of worldwide travellers, he mentioned.

Out of those, over 200 passengers have been discovered to be Covid optimistic. “They were immediately sent to the hospital, isolated, and their samples were sent for genome sequencing. Genome sequencing found the presence of the BF.7 variant, found in China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and other places.”

ALSO READ | No surge in Covid circumstances in India regardless of presence of Omicron variants

He mentioned BF.7 – which had final 12 months pushed the Covid surge within the US and Europe – is already current in India for the earlier three months. 

In future, if there may be any new Covid variant, or if the present one mutates and takes a brand new kind, then we will likely be prepared, and that is why we’re finishing up genome sequencing, he mentioned. 

“We are also alert against any new variant entering India. We are ready because of our Covid management. We are taking all precautions and keeping surveillance.” 

The minister mentioned that India has 200 kinds of Covid variants. “We are glad that no new kind of variant is in India in the meanwhile,” he added.

The ministry mentioned that regardless of all Omicron variants in India, no mortality or rise within the transmission had been reported.

From January 1, passengers arriving from hotspots international locations like China, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Thailand are mandatorily required to offer Covid-negative stories. It applies to these travellers who’re transiting by means of these hot-spots international locations.