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Covid-19: Is an ‘Omicron-specific’ vaccine needed? Experts say it might come too late

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Covid-19: Is an ‘Omicron-specific’ vaccine needed? Experts say it might come too late

As the world frets over the need for an Omicron-specific vaccine against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), several public health professionals and infectious disease experts interviewed by Nature have had mixed views on the matter. According to medics and researchers interviewed by the journal, it is unclear whether the scientific community will need to devote significant time and effort to developing a vaccine specifically against the highly circulating SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain of the coronavirus, as the world’s Cases may flatten out before injections are approved in most places, or the next strain may be completely different from the current one, requiring again a different vaccine composition.

Debate: Why develop an Omicron-specific vaccine?

The earliest Covid-19 vaccines were based on the original SARS-CoV-2 strain first discovered in Wuhan, China. But since then, the coronavirus has undergone multiple mutations; the Omicron strain, which is capable of frequent transmission, contains more than 30 mutations in key regions of its genome, making it quite different from the original strain.

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Given the changes in Omicron’s biology compared to the original virus, and the fact that the new strain is becoming the dominant variant in several countries around the world, the researchers came up with the idea of ​​updating the vaccine’s composition.

Also, the protection provided by the booster is not permanent. While the UK health safety agency says a third dose of the vaccine reduces the risk of hospitalisation by 92% and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says it is 90% effective in preventing hospitalisations, everyone agrees that the protection is driven by boosters The firing also waned quickly. The UK study showed that the effectiveness against hospitalisation dropped from 92% to 83% just 10 weeks after the third dose was administered.

Notably, updated systems for existing vaccines such as influenza viruses already exist. The World Health Organization (WHO) has a team of experts that meets twice a year to recommend ingredients for the next season of vaccines, making it easier for health regulators in countries to follow up. There are also more than 100 laboratories and five WHO collaborating centres around the world conducting year-round surveillance, testing thousands of virus samples and predicting how the next influenza strain will develop.

However, there are some complications with the influenza vaccine model that replicates the coronavirus, especially given the Omicron variant.

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Complete News Source : Hindustan Times

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DTC to start electric buses from 3 Delhi ISBTs to Noida airport by May end

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DTC to start electric buses from 3 Delhi ISBTs to Noida airport by May end

The buses will start and currently serve Greater Noida and Jewar, even though the airport is probably not going to be operational by May By the end of May, the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) plans to begin operating electric buses from the Capital to the soon-to-be Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar, according to officials. The buses will begin at.

Delhi’s three Inter State Bus Terminals (ISBTs) — Maharana Pratap ISBT at Kashmere Gate, Swami Vivekanand ISBT at Anand Vihar, and Veer Hakikat Rai ISBT at Sarai Kale Khan — and currently serve Greater Noida and Jewar, even though the airport is probably not going to meet the May deadline to be operational The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is set to launch.

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Electric bus services connecting Delhi’s Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs) to the upcoming Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar by the end of May 2025. This initiative aims to enhance connectivity between the national capital and the new airport, providing a March 2025, DTC and NIA signed operate thesesustainable and efficient mode transportation for.

Key Features of the Service

  • Routes and Terminals: The electric buses will operate from three major ISBTs in Delhi: Maharana Pratap ISBT at Kashmere Gate, Swami Vivekanand ISBT at Anand Vihar, and Veer Hakikat Rai ISBT at Sarai Kale Khan. Initially, these buses will serve areas in Greater Noida and Jewar, catering to the March 2025, DTC and NIA signed an MoU to operate these demand for public transport in these regions.
  • Memorandum of Understanding (MoU): In March 2025, DTC and NIA signed an MoU to operate these bus services, formalizing the collaboration between the two entities The fleet will consist of air-conditioned, low-floor electric buses equipped with modern amenities, including GPS tracking, CCTV cameras, panic buttons, and broad aisle spaces to accommodate luggage. These features aim to ensure.
  • Commuters passenger safety and comfort during transit While the exact fare amounts are yet to be finalized, discussions are ongoing in consultation with the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (Yeida), which manages the Jewar area. The authorities aim to establish a cost-effective fare structure for commuters The bus services will initially be deployed on a pilot basis. Depending demand.

Additional Considerations

  • Infrastructure Development: A four-kilometer stretch of road that will be part of the bus route is not fully developed yet. DTC has reached out to Yeida to ascertain the usability and development timeline of this segment to ensure seamless operations. and passenger feedback, routes may be adjusted, and the number of buses increased to better serve commuters this, the bus services will begin as scheduled.
  • Airport Operational Timeline: Although the NIA was expected to commence operations by mid-May 2025, it is likely to miss this deadline due to ongoing construction work. Despite this, the bus services will begin as scheduled, providing connectivity to the surrounding areas in the interim providing connectivity to the surrounding areas in the interi This initiative reflects DTC’s commitment to.
  • Enhancing public transportation infrastructure and promoting eco-friendly travel options in the National Capital Region. By introducing electric buses on this route, the corporation aims to offer a reliable and sustainable alternative for commuters traveling between Delhi and the upcoming Noida International The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) is set to commence electric bus services.
  • connecting Delhi’s Inter-State Bus Terminals (ISBTs) to the upcoming Noida International Airport (NIA) in Jewar by the end of May 2025. This initiative aims to provide eco-friendly and convenient transportation options for commuters traveling between Delhi and the new airport NIA was expected to commence.
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