‘AY.4.2 is not of concern at this time’

A health worker collects swab samples of a woman for Covid-19 testing at Sunday market, in Jammu. Pic/PTI

The frequency of AY.4.2, the sub-variant of novel Coronavirus's Delta variant, is too low to be of concern at this time, the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG) has said. Its weekly bulletin said the vaccine effectiveness does not seem to be different for AY.4.2 when compared to other Delta variants.

The INSACOG said that frequency of AY.4.2 sub-variant is less than 0.1 percent of all of all variants of concern (VOC) and variant of interest (VOI) and is too low to be of concern at this time.

"There is currently no biological basis for increased transmissibility of AY.4.2, as judged epidemiologically, and assays are in progress," it said. The INSACOG noted that Delta (B.1.617.2 and AY.x) continues to be the main VOC in India and no new VOI or VOC has been noted in India.

Delta, which was first found in India in October last year, led to the devastating second wave of the pandemic in the country, which was at its peak in April and May.

Meanwhile, India saw a single-day rise of 10,853 Covid-19 infections, which took the country's total tally of cases to 3,43,55,536, while active cases have declined to 1,44,845, according to Union health ministry's data updated on Sunday morning. The death toll has climbed to 4,60,791 with 526 more Covid-19 fatalities.

Govt orders 1cr doses of Zydus Cadila vax

Zydus Cadila's three-dose Covid-19 vaccine, ZyCoV-D, is set to be included in the national anti-Coronavirus inoculation programme this month, with the Centre placing a purchase order with the Ahmedabad-based firm for 1 crore doses, official sources said on Sunday.

The Union health ministry is learnt to have given the go ahead to initiate the preparatory work for the introduction of the indigenously developed world's first DNA-based Covid-19 vaccine, sources in the know of developments said. "The vaccine in all probability will be given to adults initially because of limited production capacity," they said.

ZyCoV-D is the first vaccine cleared by India's drug regulator for inoculation of those aged 12 years and above. Each dose will cost Rs 358, excluding taxes.

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