Pages

Share This

Showing posts with label Battling Covid-19. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Battling Covid-19. Show all posts

Monday, June 8, 2020

China's Covid-19 vaccine will be available for all, could be ready for public use early next year

China will make its Covid-19 vaccine a global public good when it is ready for application after successful research and clinical trials, a senior Chinese official said.

Finding a cure: An engineer conducting tests on an experimental vaccine for Covid-19 at a laboratory in Beijing

.


Wang Zhigang, minister of science and technology, said at a press conference in Beijing yesterday that international cooperation should be strengthened in vaccine development, clinical trials and application.

Vaccine development should focus on ensuring safety, effectiveness and accessibility, he added.


To date, four inactivated vaccines and one adenovirus vaccine had been approved for clinical trials, said a white paper titled “Fighting Covid-19: China in Action”, which was released by the State Council Information Office yesterday.

While scientists in China and abroad had kept up with mutual developments, China led the world in the development of certain types of vaccines, the white paper said.

A great deal of international cooperation had been carried out so far in terms of vaccine development, according to Wang.

Highlighting the significant role that vaccines had played in human history, Wang said both Chinese scientists and those in other countries were trying to make contributions to building a global community of health for all.

He, however, noted that the development of vaccines is a rigorous and complex procedure, which faces many uncertainties and may take a long period of time.

Wang also said drug research and development had been a priority in the efforts of fighting the pandemic in China since the very start, with more than 160 research institutes and enterprises taking part in various programmes.

Meanwhile, Ma Xiaowei, minister of the National Health Commission, said at the press conference that China would strengthen the building of public health emergency response system as the Covid-19 pandemic had exposed flaws in the country’s medical and public health system.

The country would improve the investment mechanism on public health system so that it would be in a better situation to handle disease prevention and control, he said.

Different levels of disease prevention and control centres would have a clearer definition of their functions, with the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention making the final decision on scientific research, testing, guidance and pathogenic analysis on epidemic diseases, Ma added.

“Moreover, we will further improve the reporting and warning system of major public health incidents by building public opinion monitoring system, reporting system by medical workers and reporting system on scientific findings,” he said.

There would also be new policies in cultivating more talents in public health and improving their treatment, especially talents in pathogenic detection, epidemiological investigation, laboratory testing and analysis on epidemic situation, he added.

China could have Covid-19 vaccine ‘ready for public use early next year’


Three vaccines developed by Chinese companies and researchers are in their second or third phase of trials. - Reuters
  China may have a vaccine against the  deadly Covid-19 for emergency use by September and for the general public early next year, a top Chinese public health expert has said..

This is the first time a Chinese official has put an estimate on the timescale for development of a coronavirus vaccine, believed to be the key to containing the global pandemic. The US Food and Drug Administration believes a vaccine in the United States could be at least a year away, and the World Health Organisation (WHO) has said that it could take 12 to 18 months..

Gao Fu, head of the Chinese Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, on Thursday told China Global Television Network, the overseas arm of the state broadcaster, that vaccines currently at phase two or three of clinical trials could be available by the time of a potential second wave of outbreaks. Three Chinese vaccines have completed the first phase of trials.

“We are in the frontline for the vaccine development, and we may have a vaccine ready for emergency use by September,” Gao said. “These newly developed vaccines, which are still under phase two or phase three clinical trials, could be used for some special groups of people, for example health care workers.”.

https://youtu.be/WsUFEd1_bws br />
Gao added that “we may have a vaccine for the healthy population early next year”, but stressed that its feasibility would depend on “progress of our development”..

Unlike influenza – whose frequent mutations must be anticipated by vaccine makers preparing for seasonal outbreaks – Sars-Cov-2, the virus that causes the disease Covid-19, is believed not to mutate as often and is unlikely to become a “new norm” such as seasonal flu, according to virologist Shi Yi, of the Institute of Microbiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences..

“Some experts believe the epidemical new coronavirus will become a norm and spread like the influenza virus... but [we believe] such probability would be relatively low,” Shi told reporters at a regular briefing in Beijing on Thursday. “At present, there is no evidence that the new coronavirus has the same variability as influenza virus.”.

https://youtu.be/8oQM48rToSc

Shi also rejected the possibility of Covid-19 becoming a chronic illness, given that the virus multiplies mainly in patients’ respiratory tracts and no continuous virus carrying has been observed. He added that the same was true of the century’s two other known coronavirus-induced diseases, severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers)..

As the coronavirus has swept the globe and infected more than 2.7 million people, causing nearly 200,000 deaths, scientists have raced to develop a vaccine to combat the pandemic. By Thursday, six candidates had entered into clinical trials and 77 others were in preclinical studies, according to the WHO..

https://youtu.be/vfL7DzdNl54

Newly added to the group being trialled was a viral vector vaccine developed by a team of researchers from the University of Oxford, which was injected into its first two volunteers on Thursday and was based on a technology used to develop a vaccine for Mers..

The team’s leader, Dr Sarah Gilbert, reportedly expressed hope that 1 million doses would be ready for use by September.

Trump adviser claims China may be keeping data to win virus vaccine race


US biotech start-up Moderna started the world’s first coronavirus clinical trial in March, on its mRNA vaccine. Another US company, Inovio Pharmaceuticals, kicked off its first human trial of a DNA vaccine last month..

Three vaccines developed by Chinese companies and researchers have passed their first phase of trials for safety and earlier this month started the second phase, involving hundreds to more than 1,000 volunteers testing their effectiveness and researchers assessing vaccination doses..

https://youtu.be/UEzZ6sZegso

The trio included the Adenovirus-vector vaccine, by Tianjin-based Cansino Biological I and Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, and two inactivated vaccines developed by the Wuhan Institute of Biological Products and Sinovac Research & Development in Beijing..

China has experienced an easing of the Covid-19 epidemic after nearly five months of the outbreak, which was first reported in the central city of Wuhan. It reported only four locally transmitted and two imported cases on Thursday, while the number of patients still under treatment has fallen to below 1,700..

Existing drugs ‘may prove effective on coronavirus before vaccine comes’

But vaccines under development will require an effective patient population for the third phase of trials, to allow their effectiveness to be tested in an environment where the virus is still prevalent..

Researchers must overcome difficulties such as “vaccine enhancement”, in which a disease is exacerbated in a vaccinated person infected with the actual virus..

Sign up now now and get a 10% discount (original price US$400) off the China AI Report 2020 by SCMP Research. Learn about the AI ambitions of Alibaba, Baidu & JD.com through our in-depth case studies, and explore new applications of AI across industries. The report also includes exclusive access to webinars to interact with C-level executives from leading China AI companies (via live Q&A sessions). Offer valid until 31 May 2020..

Source link

More from South China Morning Post:

 

Researchers hit new milestone | The Star


Researchers hit new milestone


China Focus: China to make COVID-19 vaccine global public ...

 

China's coronavirus vaccine facility ready to make millions of ...


Covid-19: China offers US$2bil aid and promises to share ...

 

China pledges to make its coronavirus vaccine a 'public good ...


For the latest news from the South China Morning Post download our mobile app. Copyright 2020.


Related Posts:
 

China leads in coronavirus vaccine clinicals to combat Covid-19

Saturday, April 11, 2020

Specific non-essential industries allowed to operate during extended MCO

Touch the graph to Enlarge
The Federal Government will allow some industries to operate during the extended movement control order (MCO), but the health and safety of the workers remain a top priority, says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali (pic). He said these industries, which include non-essential and professional services, must apply online from 9am on Monday (April 13) on the International Trade and Industry Ministry’s (Miti) website www.miti.gov.my for permission to operate during the MCO period.

The MCO was extended yesterday for the second time to April 28, as announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in a bid to curb the spread of Covid-19, which has severely impacted economic activities.

The list from Miti includes industries such as automotive, machinery and equipment, aerospace, construction projects, social health services including traditional and complementary medicine practitioners, hardware and electrical shops, opticians as well as full-service laundrettes and hair salons/barber shops (haircuts only).

Azmin, who is also International Trade and Industry Minister, warned that permission given to these industries will be revoked immediately if the business did not comply with the stated standard operating procedures.

“The decision was made after we realised the need to open up more economic sectors as the Covid-19 pandemic is not only affecting the health of the people but is also affecting the economy, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

“We found that the level of compliance from the government’s decision to allow several critical manufacturing and services sectors to operate during the first phase of the MCO had been good.

“Nevertheless, the government continues to monitor the compliance of the conditions as stipulated by the Health Ministry and also to ensure that health screening and preventive measures are implemented for the safety of employees and customers.

“This step is necessary to ensure the sustainability of the country’s economy post-Covid-19, to prevent the loss of jobs among Malaysians and to ensure that the rakyat continue to have access to basic needs and critical products throughout the MCO period, ” he said.Azmin is also co-chair of a Special Cabinet Committee to Mitigate the Impact of Covid-19 on the Economy and Labour Market, which later made proposals to the Cabinet.

He said among the considerations the Cabinet took into account before deciding on which industries could operate were the stability of export activities, survival of SMEs, and the size of the workforce.

Muhyiddin stressed that the decision was not a case of easing the MCO, but one where the approved businesses must follow strict procedures.

“I must emphasise that while we allow some sectors to re-open, this does not mean that we are relaxing the MCO. The order is still being enforced and orders issued by authorities must be followed, ” he said.On another matter, he said there was a possibility that schools would remain closed for a while until the authorities were convinced that the Covid-19 situation was completely under control.
Click to Enlarge

The Education Ministry has been asked to implement home-based learning initiatives to be implemented during the MCO period and possibly until school re-opens, the Prime Minister added.

“I have read comments from parents on Facebook and many want the school closure to be extended. Parents are worried about their children’s safety.

“I, too, have school-going grandchildren and like you, I worry for them. Who doesn’t love their children, more so grandchildren?” he said.

Muhyiddin has also directed the authorities to enhance surveillance and checks along the country’s borders to prevent illegal entries.

“Along our borders there are many illegal routes that can be used to enter the country.

“If we don’t beef up the control and surveillance along our borders, illegal immigrants can bring Covid-19 into the country.

“That is why I have ordered the authorities to ensure there are stricter border controls, ” he added.

Muhyiddin also expressed his gratitude to all frontliners, including medical workers, police, army, enforcement personnel and delivery personnel, on duty during the MCO period, describing them as “great people”.

Govt allows more businesses, like hair salon, optometry, to open during MCO


The government will allow an additional list of businesses to operate during the movement control order (MCO), but the health and safety of workers remains a top priority, says Senior Minister Datuk Seri Azmin Ali.

The list includes traditional and complementary medicine, hardware and electrical shops, optometry, manned laundrettes and hair salons (restricted to haircuts) will be allowed to operate.

Azmin, who is the International Trade and Industry Minister, said these businesses were in addition to industries such as automotive, machineries and equipment, aerospace and construction projects.

He added that the industries, which include non-essential services and products, must apply online from 9am on Monday (April 13) to the International Trade and Industry Ministry's (Miti) website www.miti.gov.my for permission to operate during the MCO.

The MCO was extended on Friday (April 10) for the third time to April 28, as announced by Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.

Azmin warned that permission would be revoked immediately if the businesses did not comply with the stated standard operating procedures.

"The decision was made after realising the need to open up more economic sectors as the Covid-19 pandemic is not only affecting the health of the people but also affecting the economy, especially the small and medium enterprises (SMEs)," he said in a statement.

He said the level of compliance by several critical manufacturing and services sectors to operate during the first phase of the MCO had been good.

"Nevertheless, the government continues to monitor the compliance as stipulated by the Health Ministry and also to ensure that health screening and preventive measures are implemented for the safety of employees and customers.

"This step is necessary in order to ensure the sustainability of the country’s economy post Covid-19, to prevent the loss of jobs among Malaysians and to ensure that the rakyat continue to have access to the basic needs and critical products throughout the MCO period," he said.

Azmin is also co-chair of a special cabinet committee to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 on the economy and labour Market, which later made proposals to the Cabinet.

He said in considering which industries could operate, the government looked at the stability of the export activities, survival of SMEs and size of workforce.

Here is the full list:

1. Automotive industry (limited to exports of CBU, parts and components, plus after-sale services)

2. Machinery and equipment industry

3. Aerospace industry

4. Construction projects and services related to construction works:

- Projects whereby the main contractors are G1–G2

- Projects that have achieved physical progress of 90% and above

- Tunnelling works

- Maintenance works

- Sloping works

- Emergency works that are consequent to contractual obligations

- Maintenance, cleaning and drying of stagnant water, spraying of pesticides at construction sites which prevent the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes and other pests

- Other works that if left incomplete may result in danger

- Building projects with 70 IBS score and above

- Construction projects with accommodation facilities for workers, such as centralised quarters for workers or workers’ camp

- Professional services related to the construction industry including architects, engineers, town-planners, land surveyors, quantity surveyors, project managers, facility managers as well as other relevant services

5. Science, professional and technical services, including R&D (services incidental to legal practice, services incidental to oil and gas, R&D activities related to Covid-19, and testing labs for the sectors allowed to operate)

6. Social health services including registered traditional and complementary medicine (TCM) practitioners

7. Hardware shops, electrical and electronic (E&E) shops and optometrists in the wholesale and retail industry

8. Laundry services (only those offering full-service and does not include self-service laundrettes)

9. Barber shops and hair salons (offering haircuts only)

 Source link


 
Related stories:

MCO extended until April 28, PM announces (updated)
MCO: Companies Commission raises debt threshold of companies
Health DG: We're on right track in Covid-19 fight with MCO extension



List of essential services expanded to 15 for third phase of MCO 

 


Golf: Regional authority: Not all are suffering 

 


Penang mulls not allowing barber shops to operate during MCO

Related posts:

  Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has announced that the movement control order (MCO) will be extended for another two weeks..

https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/04/07/rm10bil-a-boon-for-smes-and-workers?jwsource=cl https://youtu.be/wGzVdeA3b0g ...
https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2020/03/28/no-one-left-behind-says-pm?jwsource=cl BANTUAN PRIHATIN NASIONAL (BPN) Check your...