UK becomes First Nation to approve Covid-19 vaccine for Omicron variant

Britain has become the first nation to approve a so-called bivalent Covid vaccine that targets both the original strain of Covid-19 and the Omicron variant, the UK health authorities announced on Monday.

 

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said it had given the green light to the Moderna vaccine as a sharpened tool against the novel coronavirus after it was found to meet its standards of safety, quality and effectiveness.

In each dose of the booster vaccine, Spikevax bivalent Original/Omicron’, half of the vaccine (25 micrograms) targets the original virus strain from 2020 and the other half (25 micrograms) targets Omicron, the regulator said.

I am pleased to announce the approval of the Moderna bivalent booster vaccine, which was found in the clinical trial to provide a strong immune response against the Omicron BA.1 variant as well as the original 2020 strain, said MHRA Chief Executive Dr June Raine.

The first generation of COVID-19 vaccines being used in the UK continue to provide important protection against the disease and save lives. What this bivalent vaccine gives us is a sharpened tool in our armoury to help protect us against this disease as the virus continues to evolve, she said.

The MHRA said its decision to grant approval for this booster vaccine in the UK was endorsed by the government’s independent expert scientific advisory body, the Commission on Human Medicines, after carefully reviewing the evidence.

(With inputs from The Hindu)

What should I do to protect myself from Coronavirus?

As we know, the new version of Coronavirus known as Covid-19 has made several outbreaks in the world and now it has spread its legs to India. This virus is an infectious disease that causes respiratory infections that range from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). It was unknown to the world before it made an outbreak in Wuhan, China, in December 2019.

The symptoms of Covid-19 are Fever, Dry Cough, Cold, Body ache, Tiredness. But in some persons, the symptom varies and they may have Runny nose, Sore throat, or Diarrhea.

Covid-19 disease transmits from person to person through droplets from cough or sneeze. When one infected person coughs or sneezes, the small droplets spread from the infected person to the other person in front of him. However, in some cases, it is found that the disease also spreads with the touch of substances. The non-infected person touches the same object/substance that is already touched by the infected person within 5-10 minutes (time frame differs according to the substances).

What are the tips for Coronavirus prevention?

1.   Wash your hands with warm water and soap frequently & carefully.
2.   Use hand sanitizer in case you can’t wash your hands properly.
3.   Avoid touching your face including your nose, mouth, and eyes unnecessarily.
4.   Wear a face mask to protect yourself from viruses entering your body through the nose and mouth.
5.   Avoid sharing personal items like mobile phones, comb, makeup, and clothes.
6.   Stop shaking hands and hugging people.
7.   Clean and sanitize the surfaces or objects you regularly use.
8.   Wash all groceries with fresh running water before preparing or consuming.
9.   Avoid unnecessary traveling.
10.     Practice Physical (Social) distancing in public.
11.     Avoid eating outside like in restaurants, bars, coffee shops, and other eateries.
12.     Quarantine yourself if you are not well, and showing symptoms of Covid-19.

Coronavirus (Covid-19): Introduction, Symptoms & Preventions

What is Coronavirus?

The Coronavirus is a type of virus that infects the person through the nose, sinuses, and upper throat. It is a common virus that generally is not dangerous.

But in early 2020, a new variant of this virus identified as SARS-CoV-2 spread in China, and significantly has taken a form of a pandemic by quickly spreading all around the world.

SARS-CoV-2 causes a disease termed COVID-19, which can trigger respiratory tract infection. It affects the upper body, specifically sinuses, nose, and throat, or lower body by affecting the windpipe and lungs. While affecting the lungs, the cough is stored in the lungs and becomes a hurdle in oxygen intake.

Moreover, It spreads the same way other coronaviruses do, especially through the contact of person-to-person. The Infections arising out from this virus range from mild to deadly.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The major symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) includes:

• High Fever, (The body temperature goes down for a short period if medicines are swallowed to get rid off of the fever, but again the body temperature rises when the medicine effect decreases).
• Cough (Coughing at a very short period, and continues at least for 2-3 times at an interval of 5-7 minutes.)
• Breathing Problem. (The coronavirus affects Lungs and becomes a hurdle in oxygen intake.)
• Short breathing.
• Lack of Energy, or Tiredness (But it is not drowsy or sleepy feelings).
• Feeling Cold, sometimes with Shivering.
• Body Pain.
• Headache.
• Sore Throat.
• Congestion or runny nose.
• Loss of Smell or Taste. (No taste or smell).
• Nausea.
• Diarrhea.

Additionally, The virus can also lead to pneumonia, respiratory failure, heart problems, liver problems, and death.

The symptom of Corona changes from person to person, and these are visible in an infected person within 2 – 14 days.

Difference between a Covid-19, a Flu, & a Cold?

The symptoms of Covid 19 are some times similar to normal flu and cold

So, To assist you more to be clear about Covid-19, we have suggested a sheet that contains the Symptoms and their severity for more understanding If you have Covid-19, or a Flu, or a bad Cold. Just go through the sheet and match your symptoms to check if you have Covid-19, a cold, or a Flu.

How does the Coronavirus spread?

Before moving further on this blog, it is very essential to have proper knowledge of coronavirus transmission.

It transmits through person-to-person contact. Mostly, it is transmitted when a sick person coughs or sneezes. Because while coughing or sneezing, the droplets of cough or sneeze are sprayed as far as 6 feet away. And, if you breathe them in or swallow them, the virus can get into your body.

Some people who have the virus don’t have symptoms, but they can still spread the virus.

The virus can live for several hours untouched on the surface they land on. So, you can be infected by the virus if you have touched any surface on which the virus was active, and then touched your mouth, eyes, or nose.

How to prevent Coronavirus (Covid-19)?

As we all know that “Prevention is better than cure”. So, To prevent Coronavirus, we have suggested the below-mentioned tips that can help to protect us and reduce the chances of spreading Coronavirus among society.

1.   Wash your hands frequently with soap and Luke warm water.
2.   Wear a mask or cover your face from any substance to protect yourself from droplets of cough or sneeze.
3.   Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
4.   Clean & disinfect the surface that you often touch like Cell phone, desk, door handle.
5.   Avoid handshake and hug.
6.   Maintain a physical distance.
7.   Avoid public gatherings.
8.   Avoid eating & drinking in public places.
9.   Stay at home and avoid going outside unnecessarily.

If you find that you are affected by Coronavirus, Call your doctor and tell him that you have such symptoms. Avoid sitting, sleeping, or eating with your family even if you live in the same home, and keep yourself isolated from others until you recover.