SINGAPORE - Children from five to 11 years old will be able to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty Covid-19 vaccine from the end of the month. Vaccination for this group will begin once new batches of the vaccine are received, the Ministry of Health (MOH) said in a statement on Friday (Dec 10) night. Those aged between 18 and 29 years who have completed their primary vaccination jabs at least five months ago will also be able to receive their booster shots from Dec 14. The Pfizer vaccine is the first Covid-19 vaccine approved by Singapore for use for children aged five to 11, following a recommendation by the expert committee on Covid-19 vaccination, which the multi-ministry taskforce has accepted. The committee said the benefits of the vaccine outweigh the risks posed to the young children, especially given the ongoing community transmission and emergence of the Omicron variant. It recommended children with moderate to severe chronic medical conditions should be given priority to receive the jabs. The children will be given smaller doses - one-third of that used for those 12 and above - and the jabs will be spaced at least 21 days apart, said the health ministry. MOH will work with the Ministry of Education and Early Childhood Development Agency to roll out vaccinations for the school-going age group. Senior Minister of State for Health Dr Janil Puthucheary said in a Facebook post that the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) had conducted a thorough evaluation of data in consultation with two groups of experts from HSA’s Medicines Advisory Committee and Panel of Infectious Diseases Experts. Based on the data, Dr Puthucheary said the “benefits outweigh the risks for use in the young”. He said: “In an ongoing study of over 2,000 children aged 5 to 11 years, vaccine efficacy was estimated to be 90.7%. In addition, side effects such as injection site pain, fatigue, headache, chills and fever were generally reported less frequently and were milder in severity in the children compared to adolescents... “There were also no cases of anaphylaxis or myocarditis/pericarditis in the study.” In early November, Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said the expert committee would make a recommendation on whether to extend the Pfizer vaccine to children aged five to 11 in the second half of the month. His comments came after the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorised the use of the vaccine for children in that age group. The take up rate in the US has been low, with just 5 million out of 28 million eligible children having received at least one dose, Reuters reported on Dec 9, citing hesitation among parents and adult caregivers to inoculate their children. Other nations such as Canada, Israel and Australia have also green lit the use of the Pfizer vaccine for children aged between five and 11. More on this topic Related Story NUS to run year-long study to determine immunity of children against Covid-19 Related Story Trend of kids in S'pore getting Covid-19, vaccines should be available from January Singapore’s director of medical services Kenneth Mak has said last month that there has been a trend of children below the age of 12 getting infected. Those under the age of 12 accounted for 11.2 per cent of all cases on Nov 19. Comparatively, infections among children made up only 6.7 per cent of all cases four weeks ago in October, he said. “These children remain vulnerable because they are not yet eligible for vaccination to protect them from infection and it’s generally harder to get them to comply with mask-wearing and safe management measures,” said Prof Mak. More on this topic Related Story Young children in Covid-19 isolation: Tips on how to care for them Related Story askST: How does a child develop multi-system inflammatory syndrome from Covid-19? To date, 96 per cent of those who are eligible have received two doses of the vaccine. “While this is encouraging, we need more people to be vaccinated and boosted, especially given the emergence of the Omicron variant, which is likely to established itself all over the world in the coming couple of months,” said MOH. “Vaccinations and boosters are the best protection against an unknown and highly transmissible Covid-19 variant.” More on this topic Related Story Another Changi Airport staff among 3 in S'pore who test preliminarily positive for Omicron Related Story The big questions on Omicron: What we know and what it means for us Related Stories: Related Story HK researchers develop steel that kills 99% of Covid-19 virus within hours Related Story Will I lose fully vaccinated status if I don't get third Sinovac, Sinopharm dose? 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SINGAPORE, Sep 30, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) has developed an Automated Vaccine Inoculation Dispenser (AVID) system, which replaces the manual step of filling injection syringes with vaccine liquid. AVID is customised for the vaccination centres which are set up by the Ministry of Health and operated by private healthcare providers.AVID was designed to address the labour-intensive steps of the vaccination process to reduce the workload of healthcare providers, increase accuracy and productivity, and enhance personal safety as well.AVID was developed by researchers from A*STAR's Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC) and Singapore Institute of Manufacturing Technology (SIMTech), in collaboration with local systems integrator Sysmatic Global. The innovative HealthTech solution is the first of its kind to automate the extraction of vaccines from vials using a combination of robotic parts, smart sensors and digital technologies.AVID currently supports the management of vials used to contain the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, with potential to be customised for the Moderna Vaccine as well.How it works:- After thawing of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, it is diluted in the vial.- Typically, healthcare providers would then have to extract individual doses of the vaccine (0.3 mL for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine) using syringes. One vial of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine contains six doses of vaccine after dilution[1].- AVID automates this step of extraction of the vaccine from the vial into six individual syringes, including the dispersing of bubbles inside the syringes.- AVID also automatically uncaps and recaps the syringes during the transfer of vaccine from vials to syringes.- It is easy to use at just the push of some buttons, only needing simple training without any special qualifications required.Benefits:- Reduces workload of healthcare providers, by freeing them from the manual step of extracting vaccines from vials to syringes.- Allows more focused attention by healthcare providers on interacting and communicating with people receiving the vaccinations.- Increases productivity at vaccination centres via introduction of automated processes that are accurate, consistent, and fast.- Reduces risks of cross-contamination and vaccine wastage via safe handling by the machine.- Improves safety for healthcare providers by reducing the handling of sharp syringes during the extraction step.- The machine's small footprint and low weight (less than 25kg) means it can be easily deployed to any vaccination centre.Development and Deployment:- AVID was developed within six weeks from conceptualisation. It is the result of a collaboration between A*STAR's ARTC and SIMTech, which provided expertise in robotics, automation and Industry 4.0 technologies, and Sysmatic Global which designed, integrated and constructed the machine.- AVID has been deployed to at least seven vaccination centres so far, which administer the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine. Thomson Medical, a vaccination centre operator, also supported A*STAR in the development and trials of the machine.[1] Health Sciences Authority, Singapore - Fact sheet for healthcare providers administering Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine https://bit.ly/3ikKZYtFor media queries and clarifications, please contact:Mr Robin ChanHead, Corporate CommunicationsAgency for Science, Technology and ResearchTel: +65 6826 6281Mobile: +65 9830 2610Email: robin_chan@hq.a-star.edu.sgMr Khoo Kiak NeeDirector, Sysmatic GlobalTel : +65 6246 6859Mobile : +65 9688 2502Email : knkhoo@sysmaticgpl.comAbout the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is Singapore's lead public sector R&D agency. Through open innovation, we collaborate with our partners in both the public and private sectors to benefit the economy and society. As a Science and Technology Organisation, A*STAR bridges the gap between academia and industry. Our research creates economic growth and jobs for Singapore, and enhances lives by improving societal outcomes in healthcare, urban living, and sustainability. A*STAR plays a key role in nurturing scientific talent and leaders for the wider research community and industry. A*STAR's R&D activities span biomedical sciences to physical sciences and engineering, with research entities primarily located in Biopolis and Fusionopolis. For ongoing news, visit www.a-star.edu.sg.Follow us on- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ASTARSG/- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/astarsg/- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astarsg/- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/astartv- Twitter: https://twitter.com/astarsgAbout Sysmatic GlobalSysmatic Global Pte Ltd was established in 2010, as an appointed agent & solution provider for Nitto Seiko, Japan, assembly products. Through the years, we had developed our own design team and evolved to a system integrator providing innovative automation solution improving customer factory productivity and quality. Coupled with In-house Precision Machining & Sheetmetal fabrication facilities, we strike to provide a full turnkey solution to our customers. Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong received his Covid-19 booster jab at the Singapore General Hospital on Friday morning (Sept 17). "Cases are increasing rapidly. A booster jab will strengthen your protection against Covid-19," said PM Lee on Facebook. He added that Singapore's expert committee on Covid-19 vaccines has recommended this additional dose for those aged 60 years and older, residents in aged-care homes and immunocompromised individuals. "If you are offered a booster, please take it. It will reduce your chances of getting seriously ill, or needing ICU (intensive care unit) care," he said. PM Lee's booster jab comes as Singapore's Covid-19 cases are closing in on the 1,000 mark. The Republic reported 910 new cases on Thursday, the highest daily number since May 1, 2020. Of the 803 cases in the community, 244 are seniors above 60 years old. More on this topic Related Story About 3,200 seniors in S'pore receive Covid-19 vaccine booster shots as programme begins Related Story 140,000 seniors being invited to get Covid-19 booster shots, says Ong Ye Kung
SINGAPORE - Singapore has kicked off its national Covid-19 vaccine booster programme on Wednesday (Sept 15), with more than 100 seniors having taken their shot at one of the many centres islandwide. Over the next few days, a total of 140,000 seniors would have received invitations from the Ministry of Health (MOH) to make an appointment to receive their booster dose of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine. Seniors can also receive their third dose at Tanjong Pagar Community Club and some existing vaccination centres, polyclinics and participating Public Health Preparedness Clinics islandwide. Retired NTUC Income chief executive Tan Kin Lian was among the first in line at Teck Ghee Community Club, home to a vaccination centre run by Raffles Medical Group. By noon, more than 100 seniors had taken their third shot at the centre. "I'm in favor of vaccinations. If you're unvaccinated you're five to eight times more likely to suffer serious illness," said Mr Tan, who went after his morning exercise. "People are getting quite frightened as the number of cases rise," said the 73-year-old who took the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Retired clerk Ronnie Lee, 79, also took his booster shot on Wednesday morning as he was concerned about the sudden rise in Covid-19 cases in the community. "I read in the papers that unvaccinated senior citizens face more problems. It's for your own good, to get the vaccine," he said. Singapore kicks off Covid-19 vaccine booster programme Mr Lee, who experienced mild soreness in his arm after the first jab, added that he would not mind going for more booster shots in the future. "I believe it's the same as flu. I get the flu jab every year." Raffles Medical Group, which runs 14 vaccination centres including the one at Teck Ghee CC, told The Straits Times that more than 200 seniors will be receiving their booster shots at Tanjong Pagar CC on Wednesday. ST understands that some seniors had even walked in to Teck Ghee CC and some vaccination centres on Tuesday (Sept 14) to receive their booster shots. Retired NTUC Income chief executive Tan Kin Lian waiting to be discharged after receiving his booster jab at Teck Ghee Community Club on Sept 15, 2021. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM A senior getting her booster shot at Tanjong Pagar CC on Sept 15, 2021. ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN On Tuesday (Sept 14), 755 new cases were reported in the community, the highest in over a year. Among these cases were 231 seniors aged 60 and above. The Ren Ci nursing home in Bukit Batok and All Saints Home in Jurong East have also emerged as Covid-19 clusters with 29 and 10 cases, respectively, as at Tuesday. On Wednesday, the Agency for Integrated Care urged seniors to stay home as much as possible and to get their Covid-19 booster shots if eligible. The Expert Committee on Covid-19 Vaccination had recommended that people aged 60 and above should receive their booster shots six to nine months after having completed two doses. Seniors can choose between the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine for their booster shot, but they will have to make an appointment at the site offering their preferred vaccine, said a Raffles Medical spokesman. "Mixing of the two mRNA brands between the primary vaccination course of two doses and the booster is allowed." More on this topic Related Story Seniors urged to avoid social interactions for 2 weeks amid surge in Covid-19 cases Related Story 140,000 seniors being invited to get Covid-19 booster shots, says Ong Ye Kung
SINGAPORE - Seniors who prefer the Sinopharm vaccine can get free vaccinations at Healthway clinics from Wednesday (Sept 8). The medical group has tied up with real estate company OUE to sponsor full vaccination for 1,000 seniors aged 60 and above. "This initiative is in support of the Government's efforts to boost Covid-19 vaccination take-up rate among seniors who are at higher risk of falling critically ill if they are infected," Healthway Medical Corporation said in a statement on Tuesday. Seniors aged 60 and above can register online for the free vaccination and those who have previously registered their interest with Healthway have been invited to book their appointments. The age cut-off is Sept 1 this year. The Sinopharm vaccine will be rolled out at Healthway GP clinics in the coming weeks, starting with three clinics on Wednesday. The vaccine is administered in two doses given three to four weeks apart. It is approved for use on anyone aged 18 years and above with no history of anaphylaxis and who is not pregnant. Two doses of the vaccine cost $99 at Healthway. Unlike Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty and Moderna which are mRNA vaccines, Sinopharm uses an inactivated virus and it is reported to have a 79 per cent efficacy rate, Healthway said, citing the World Health Organisation (WHO). Singapore allows private healthcare providers to bring in the Sinopharm vaccine as it is on the WHO Emergency Use Listing, Healthway added. "Through this initiative, we hope to contribute to the national effort to get as many people vaccinated as possible, especially our seniors, who are more at risk," said Mr Abram Suhardiman, executive director and deputy chief executive of Healthway. The vaccination rate for seniors aged 60 to 69 is 91 per cent, and that for seniors aged 70 and above is 85 per cent, said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in its daily update on Monday. Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said last Friday that Singapore will start giving its first Covid-19 vaccine booster shots from this month to seniors aged 60 and above, residents of aged-care facilities, and those whose immune systems are compromised. Seniors should receive a booster dose of mRNA vaccine six to nine months after completing their two-dose vaccination regimen, said MOH. This means the first batch of seniors aged 60 and above who completed their vaccination regimen around March this year will be eligible for a third dose later this month. More on this topic Related Story Private healthcare firms see big demand for Sinopharm Covid-19 vaccine Related Story Covid-19 vaccine booster shots for seniors, some immunocompromised people from Sept
SINGAPORE - When Covid-19 booster shots are rolled out in Singapore, some may be given the same vaccine they took earlier while others may be administered a different one. "Both approaches are being considered, with pros and cons to both strategies," Associate Professor Lim Poh Lian, director of the High Level Isolation Unit at the National Centre for Infectious Diseases, told The Straits Times. "We have to look at which is more effective in protecting against the current and future virus strains circulating. We have to look at safety issues and different segments of the population. "What might be good for older adults might have more side-effects in younger persons, so it may not be a one-size-fits-all recommendation. Those kinds of data just take time to be collected, analysed and reported," said Prof Lim, who is also a member of the Expert Committee on Covid-19 vaccination. Those who got inactivated Covid-19 vaccines such as Sinovac may benefit from receiving an mRNA booster jab, some experts said. mRNA vaccines include the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which are part of Singapore's national vaccination drive. Professor Ooi Eng Eong from Duke-NUS Medical School's Programme in Emerging Infectious Diseases explained: "Inactivated vaccines do not generate appreciable levels of killer T-cells. Such individuals thus rely mainly on a single line of defence - their antibodies." Associate Professor Hsu Li Yang, vice-dean of global health and Infectious Diseases Programme leader at Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, pointed out that China is reportedly considering the use of an mRNA vaccine as a booster following the primary vaccination with the Sinovac or Sinopharm vaccine - the reason being to broaden coverage against other Covid-19 variants, including the Delta variant. "Neutralising antibody levels appear to drop rapidly six months post-Sinovac vaccination, which is the other reason for considering a booster dose with either an mRNA or the same vaccine," he added. The experts agreed, though, that with different countries taking different approaches, there is a need for more data before a decision is made. Britain, for example, is looking into mixing its vaccines for booster doses, after results from its Com-Cov study launched in February showed that administering one dose of the Pfizer vaccine after a dose of the AstraZeneca jab could help to boost the immune response. But Israel - the first country to administer booster shots of the mRNA vaccines to those aged 60 and older and recently extended the booster shots to those above 30 - has decided not to do this. Prof Lim said that the vaccine committee is also studying several other things, including the incidence rate of adverse reactions from a booster shot in other countries and the steps that can be taken to remove or mitigate the risk. She acknowledged that there are theoretical concerns about the side-effects of a third dose of vaccine, though countries such as Israel and the United States which are already implementing boosters can soon provide real world data on the effectiveness and safety of these approaches. She noted that Moderna has tested different doses for its booster, and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has held discussions with the company on which dose provides the best combination of effectiveness and safety. More on this topic Related Story Booster shots of Covid-19 vaccine being studied; kids under 12 to get jabs next year Related Story Elderly and immunocompromised will be first in line for Covid-19 booster shots if needed The Moderna vaccine contains 100 micrograms of vaccine a dose, while the Pfizer has 30 micrograms a dose. Asked if a booster shot at a lower dose was more favourable in preventing adverse side-effects, Prof Lim said that dosages are not directly comparable between vaccines, or other medications. "Even in the same class of high blood pressure medicines, 5mg of one medicine may have the same therapeutic effect as 50mg of another medicine," she added. On who should get the boosters fist, Associate Professor David Allen, an infectious diseases clinician at the National University of Singapore's Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, said: "If the goal is to decrease hospitalisation, severe disease and death, then give the booster to those people it has been shown to be efficacious for - such as the immunocompromised...and probably the elderly." How do booster jabs work and when should they be given? Prof Hsu said that a vaccine booster is an extra dose of a vaccine that is given to maintain or augment the protection provided by the original dose or doses. "It will augment (or boost) whatever part of the immune system that the original vaccine targets, so in the case of Covid-19 vaccines, it will probably increase the number of memory B- and T-cells in addition to the level of circulating antibodies targeting the Sars-CoV-2 virus," he said. Memory B-cells help to produce antibodies on demand which target the virus and its variants, thus preventing severe lung disease, while T-cells are able to detect and kill infected cells to prevent the Sars-CoV-2 virus from spreading. Prof Ooi noted that some have suggested monitoring antibody levels and giving boosters to those with waning levels of antibodies against the Sars-CoV-2 virus. "However, antibody measurements alone are insufficient to guide such decision-making on booster shots, and doing so would miss out on all the different ways in which the immune system is able to protect us from Covid-19," he said. More on this topic Related Story Booster jab targeting Sars virus may be effective for all Covid-19 variants: S'pore scientists Related Story S'pore's expert committee on Covid-19 vaccines discussing need for booster jabs Prof Hsu pointed out that the experiences of Israel and Britain show that the protection from asymptomatic and mild infection decreases within six months post-vaccination, particularly with the Pfizer vaccine. "However, these same experiences also show that protection against severe Covid-19 disease (cases requiring hospital care, oxygen support) remains excellent, with more than 85 per cent effectiveness when compared with unvaccinated people, even for the elderly," he said. "Will protection against severe disease wane over time? We do not know for sure at this point if and when this will happen, but it will certainly take a far longer period of time compared with protection against infection," Prof Hsu added. He pointed out that different vaccines affect the immune system differently, so current results cannot be extrapolated to other vaccines, such as the Moderna shot. As to how often the Covid-19 jab should be administered, Prof Paul Tambyah, president of the Asia Pacific Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infection, said that it is still too early to tell - though it might be the case that Covid-19 is like hepatitis B or measles, each of which needs three jabs. "It is highly unlikely that we will need annual jabs as the mutation rate is much lower than influenza," he said. Likewise, Prof Ooi added that there is no fixed formula for when booster shots should be administered. More on this topic Related Story Will vaccinated people need Covid-19 booster shots and, if so, when? Related Story Necessary or not, booster shots are probably coming "The immune response does not wane at a fixed rate but varies from vaccine to vaccine and infection to infection. Moreover, how much immune response is needed to prevent infection and disease varies from virus to virus. There is thus no theoretical way to estimate when booster shots are needed," he said. He suggested that a more accurate way of determining when to administer booster shots would be to conduct active surveillance of Covid-19 cases in hospitals to guide decision-making. Once a trend towards an increase in severe Covid-19 cases among the vaccinated is observed, then perhaps there will be sound evidence for the need of booster shots. This approach should also apply to special groups of the population, including people with compromised immune systems, he added. Prof Lim also said that waning immunity may be more of a problem in such people, as well as older adults. Related Stories: Related Story Sars-CoV-2 virus can change its shape to improve survival: S'pore study Related Story New York governor reveals 12,000 more Covid-19 deaths than previously counted Related Story Taiwan reports no new domestic Covid-19 cases for the first time since May 9 Related Story Toronto's hospital network to sack employees unvaccinated at end of October Related Story China reports no new local Covid-19 cases for first time since July Related Story New Zealand's Covid-19 strategy criticised as lockdown extended Related Story Beating back Delta will take extra Covid-19 vaccine shot for privileged few Related Story Finding the true global toll of the Covid-19 pandemic Related Story Asian Insider: The race for home-grown Covid-19 vaccines
ADELAIDE, AUS, Aug 26, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - Agilex Biolabs, the Australian specialist bioanalytical and toxicology laboratory facilities for clinical trials is partnering with Endpoints News to share the latest on "Non-clinical and clinical pathways for rapid vaccine development in Australia", in a webinar hosted by Endpoints News Editor Arsalan Arif.Agilex Biolabs' Director, Immunoassay, Kurt J. Sales (B.Sc; B.Sc (MED) Hons; M.Sc, Ph.D, PGCM) said:"The COVID-19 pandemic has seen the rapid development of a series of novel vaccines targeting SARS-CoV-2. Development of multiple COVID-19 vaccine candidates has been facilitated within Australia by the availability of high-quality contract research organizations such as Agilex Biolabs, and a favorable regulatory environment. This webinar will cover the pathways that biotech companies can take for rapid vaccine development, and why Australia is the ideal location. I am joined by my toxicology expert colleagues Dr Peter Tapley and Dr Drew Brockman for this detailed vaccine development webinar."In this webinar Dr Sales and specialists from Agilex Biolabs' toxicology firm, TetraQ Toxicology will provide an overview of strategies to conduct vaccine development within Australia.It will cover Australian research, and regulatory and clinical infrastructure, which provides a favorable environment for rapid vaccine development. It will also include discussion of a case study for rapid vaccine development based on non-clinical research conducted with a novel COVID-19 protein subunit vaccine.This case study will review key aspects of non-clinical design required to facilitate approval for first-in-human studies.Register Here: https://webinars.endpts.com/non-clinical-and-clinical-pathways-for-rapid-vaccine-development-in-australia/September 7, 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm EDTSpeakers:Dr Kurt Sales: Director, Immunoassay, Agilex BiolabsDr Peter Tapley: Director, TetraQ, an Agilex Biolabs companyDr Drew Brockman: Head of Toxicology, TetraQ, an Agilex Biolabs company.https://webinars.endpts.com/non-clinical-and-clinical-pathways-for-rapid-vaccine-development-in-australia/Agilex Biolabs' world-class laboratories feature state-of-the-art equipment including Gyrolab Xplore, MSD Quickplex 120, Luminex Magpix, BD FACSymphony A3 flow cytometer and soon to be released, digital droplet quantitative real-time RT-PCR.Latest News - new Immunobiology Lab - watch launch video. https://www.agilexbiolabs.com/launch-of-immunobiology-laboratory/Agilex Biolabs CEO Jason Valentine said the new laboratory focusses on new and emerging areas of therapeutic interest, including RNA vaccines, siRNA/miRNA clinical targets and gene therapy studies."This new facility adds digital droplet quantitative RT-PCR analysis for RNA, siRNA and miRNA clinical trials, including vaccines and gene therapy trials," he said."We are also installing an EliSPOT/FluoroSPOT multi-spot reader for vaccine studies to enable extrapolation of recall immune responses, which coupled with our state-of-the-art BD FACSymphony 5 laser, 20 colour flow cytometer, offers unparalleled sensitivity for immunology and vaccine trials."The company offers services for both small molecules and biologics for PK, immunogenicity (PD) and biomarker bioanalysis utilising the two platforms of LC-MS/MS and Immunoassay.Australian clinical trials have remained open for business and Agilex Biolabs is a designated essential service so clients can be assured of study continuity.Agilex Biolabs has more than 130 staff which includes 85 dedicated laboratory staff, and supports client pharma and biotech companies from US, Europe and APAC.Book a confidential briefing with our scientists before you start your next clinical trial. https://calendly.com/agilexbiolabs/30minAbout Agilex Biolabs https://www.agilexbiolabs.com/Agilex Biolabs, the Australian specialist bioanalytical and toxicology laboratory facilities for clinical trials, has more than 24 years' experience in performing regulated bioanalysis, including quality method development, method validation and sample analysis services. It has successfully supported hundreds of preclinical and clinical trials from around the world where customers choose Australia for the streamlined regulatory process and access to the world's most attractive R&D rebate of more than 40% on clinical trial work conducted in Australia.Agilex Biolabs also offers toxicology services through its company TetraQ, an established GLP toxicology facility in Australia.Agilex Biolabs has the leading certifications including OECD GLP Recognition with NATA (Australian Government OECD GLP Compliance monitoring authority) and ISO 17025 Accreditation for global recognition.The company has recently expanded its main labs by more than 30% to accommodate biotech demand from APAC and the USA. In addition it has launched a new Immunobiology lab - watch the video here. https://www.agilexbiolabs.com/launch-of-immunobiology-laboratory/Agilex Biolabs specialises in bioanalysis of small molecules and biologics for PK, immunogenicity, biomarkers and immunological pharmacodynamics assessments utilising LC-MS/MS, immunoassay (Mesoscale, Gyrolab, Luminex) and flow cytometry (BD FACSymphony A3, 20 colour cell analyser).Agilex offers pharmacodynamics services that include immunobiology services using the latest state-of-the-art technology to support immunology, cell biology and mode of action assays, including: - Immunophenotyping- Receptor occupancy- Cytokine release assays (whole blood or PBMC stimulation assays) and cytokine/biomarker profiling- PBMC assays and cellular mechanism of action assays Agilex Biolabs Media Contact:Kate NewtonMedia@AgilexBiolabs.com Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
New York, NY, Aug 23, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - With vaccine passports touted to remain a permanent fixture of international travel, and even domestic mobility for the foreseeable future, this new crypto initiative seems to be riding the wave of recovery with its $COVAC cryptocurrency. The market appears to be loving it as its price has skyrocketed 180x in 2 months since its launch on PancakeSwap, a decentralised exchange running on the Binance Smart Chain (BSC), on 18 June 2021.At the time of writing, the $COVAC token price was $0.000162 with a market cap of $2.46mil on PancakeSwap (as of 23 Aug 2021).See how to buy $COVACSeehowto buy $COVACSo, what exactly is COVAC? COVAC, which stands for COVID Vaccine, is a community-driven, fair launched DeFi token used to track the number of COVID vaccinated people around the world. This token was created as a countdown timer to when we can resume travel and get back to our pre-COVID travel lifestyle.Crypto Launching 2021 | Covac a Covid Vaccination Powered DeFi TokenIt currently has a growing base of holders, and is aiming to launch on Hotbit, a centralised exchange on 26 Aug 2021. The ambitious team behind this first-ever crypto COVID Vaccine token is forecasting price to grow a further 50 to 100 folds once the listing hits centralized exchanges.While still a mystery, the website reveals a team of 7 "doctors" behind COVAC, and our research has shown that they are actually a team with strong backgrounds in the travel tech, ecommerce and gaming industries.They engage their ~20k Twitter and Telegram community quite frequently covering their product roadmap, and marketing efforts, like airdrop and bounty events. With regards to fear of rug-pulling with most of the new crypto meme projects out there, it's not possible with this project, with their Liquidity Pool (LP) locked up for at least 1 year, and healthy organic growth in their market capitalisation.The project has done minimal marketing with at best two KOLs on Twitter and two airdrop events so why are people so interested in this token?COVAC has 2 products, of which the $COVAC token acts as the utility token TokenBlast: A user-friendly multi-transfer tool used to facilitate airdrops, distribute bounties from successful bounty campaigns, token giveaways, and even to distribute coins after an ICO or Security Token Offering. COVACPass+: A digital health pass which enables users to store their vaccination and test results for location check-ins and travel.Users are required to hold a minimum number of $COVAC tokens in order to use the TokenBlast tool for free, and unlock certain features in COVACPass+. This is quite different from other platforms which typically charge a high upfront or subscription fee to use their products. COVAC is disrupting the market with this model as it effectively makes TokenBlast's cost at least 10 times cheaper than the other equivalent multi-transfer tools.$COVAC Crypto Products Teaser | Launching 2021COVACPass+ has not been officially launched yet, but it will eventually use a blockchain oracle to validate the type and authenticity of the vaccine to ensure its validity for the travel route or location check-in points. Once validated with the off-chain database, it executes a smart contract.How does it work?19 billion $COVAC tokens were created to commemorate the year COVID-19 was discovered, i.e. 2019, with 3.8 billion in circulation, 5.7 billion will be burned with the token burn schedule following the global vaccination penetration rate. The founding team holds 0.95 billion in $COVAC, and the rest of the 8.55 billion $COVAC will be used for airdrops, marketing, partnership and community-building events.What's next for COVAC?Post-listing, the COVAC team aims to launch their COVACPass+ product, and begin strategic partnerships with travel platforms, including hotels, flights, tours, and attractions operators, to promote safe travel and expand the use case of their tokens.Looks like an exciting journey for this team, poised with strong products and good potential in riding the COVID recovery.Join the COVAC CommunityWebsite: https://www.covac.io/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/covaccrypto Telegram: http://t.me/CovacCryptoChat YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF0n3StJRbrM1oSeaXBQ4GQ Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
SINGAPORE - Enforcement action will be taken against people who exploit others by selling their Sinovac-CoronaVac Covid-19 vaccination slots. Responding to queries from The Straits Times on Sunday (Aug 22), a spokesman at the Ministry of Health (MOH) said: "Individuals with booking slots should not exploit the situation and take advantage of people who want to be vaccinated." MOH said it will watch out for any such acts of selling vaccination slots and "will proceed to take enforcement action where warranted". Last Wednesday, checks by ST found four bidders on consumer e-marketplace Carousell offering between $50 and $80 to buy the slots. One of the bidders said his family member is unable to receive messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty and Moderna vaccines, under the national vaccination programme due to a medical reason. The Sinovac vaccine is not included in Singapore's national vaccination programme. MOH said it has not received any complaints related to the online posts. It is unclear if any transaction has taken place. Under the Special Access Route framework, the Government has allocated 170,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine to 31 approved private healthcare institutions for a total of 85,000 individuals to receive two vaccine doses free of charge. Administration of the second dose is currently ongoing for those who have taken the first dose. The remaining 30,000 doses of the Government's stock have been reserved for Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders who have allergic reactions to mRNA vaccines, and for other purposes. MOH said it has been providing assistance for private healthcare institutions to import more Sinovac supplies, and estimated that the new stock will arrive by the end of September. MOH added that private healthcare institutions that have been approved to offer the Sinovac vaccine have to screen and ensure that each individual is clinically assessed to be suitable for the jab. This has to be done in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations and the Health Sciences Authority’s Special Access Route requirements. More on this topic Related Story Vaxxed or vexed: What will life for the unvaccinated be like in Singapore? Related Story New stock of Sinovac's Covid-19 vaccine to arrive in 4 to 6 weeks Related Stories: Related Story New Zealand's Ardern says it has solved Covid-19 outbreak 'puzzle' Related Story Indian states preparing for next Covid-19 wave with focus on children Related Story Emergency widened as Covid-19 runs rampant in Japan Related Story US to begin offering vaccine booster shots in September to 'get ahead' of Covid-19 Related Story Thailand turns to traditional herb to ease Covid-19 pressure on healthcare system Related Story China mahjong dens were Covid-19 superspreader sites, spurring crackdown Related Story As Covid-19 infections rise in South Korea, concerns emerge over collapse of medical system Related Story Sydney lockdown fines raised as Australia faces ‘worst’ Covid-19 situation Related Story Not just coughing and sneezing - talking and singing can also spread Covid-19: NUS study Related Story The world may never reach herd immunity against Covid-19
SINGAPORE - Singapore has contributed 100,000 doses of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine to Brunei, as part of bilateral efforts to tackle the pandemic. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday (Aug 21) in a statement that Singapore High Commissioner to Brunei Heng Aik Yeow handed over the vaccines to Brunei Health Minister Mohd Isham Jaafar on Thursday. "This contribution is part of both governments' intent to deepen cooperation and extend mutual support to combat this pandemic together," said the ministry. Singapore has met its target to have 70 per cent of the population fully vaccinated by National Day on Aug 9. As at Friday, 77 per cent of the nation's population have received both doses. Around 27 per cent of Brunei's population of around 433,000 people have been vaccinated as at Aug 17, according to statistics from Reuters. More on this topic Related Story Changi Foundation, airport partners donate 1,380 oxygen concentrators to Indonesia to fight Covid-19
SINGAPORE - Three different Covid-19 messenger RNA vaccines which may have reduced side effects when administered are being developed with Singapore's involvement in their clinical trials. Developed by United States-firm Arcturus Therapeutics, the three vaccine candidates can be given at a much lower dose than the mRNA vaccines now available - such as those by Pfizer and Moderna - because of the "self-amplifying" mRNA technology they use. Each dose of the Arcturus vaccine contains five micrograms of vaccine, compared to 30 mcg in the Pfizer vaccine and 100 mcg in the Moderna vaccine. The first vaccine, known as ARCT-021, targets the wildtype, or original Sars-CoV-2 virus, and was developed together with the Duke-NUS Medical School in Singapore. Local phase two trials, administered by SingHealth's Investigational Medicine Unit, are still ongoing. The two newer vaccines - ARCT-154 and ARCT-165 - target the four variants of concern, Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta. The local clinical trials will evaluate the vaccines' safety and immune response against the variants, and as possible booster shots for people who have received the Pfizer vaccines, said Associate Professor Jenny Low, the unit's deputy clinical and scientific director. Arcturus' chief executive Joseph Payne told The Straits Times that while both vaccines have shown effectiveness against the variants when tested on primates, the ARCT-154 showed a stronger response to the Delta variant, while the ARCT-165 had a bias for the Beta variant. The ARCT-154 vaccine is also undergoing clinical trials in Vietnam, in parallel with the trials conducted here. The trials here will also evaluate the vaccine as a booster jab. The data for both trials will be pooled in November, he added. While conventional mRNA vaccines "teach" the cells to produce the Sars-CoV-2 viral spike protein to trigger an immune response in the body, the self-amplifying mRNA vaccine produces the protein at a lower level for a longer period of time - usually a couple of weeks, said Mr Payne. The longer duration will generate the same neutralising antibody response in the body as well as help it develop a more robust T-cell response. T-cells are thought to confer long-lasting immunity to the virus and its variants. In addition, having a lower dose also means that each dose carries fewer lipid nanoparticles that deliver the mRNA and an ingredient known as polyethylene glycol (PEG), which could sometimes trigger a rare allergic reaction known as anaphylaxis. This could potentially improve the vaccine's safety profile, he added. Asked if the lower vaccine dose would mean a lower chance or incidence rate of myocarditis (heart inflammation), Mr Payne said this was a possibility. But while myocarditis has not been seen in trials for Arcturus' vaccines so far, more robust data is needed, he said. More on this topic Related Story Asian Insider: The race for home-grown Covid-19 vaccines Related Story Booster jab targeting Sars virus may be effective for all Covid-19 variants: S'pore scientists Related Stories: Related Story New Zealand's Ardern says it has solved Covid-19 outbreak 'puzzle' Related Story Indian states preparing for next Covid-19 wave with focus on children Related Story Emergency widened as Covid-19 runs rampant in Japan Related Story US to begin offering vaccine booster shots in September to 'get ahead' of Covid-19 Related Story Thailand turns to traditional herb to ease Covid-19 pressure on healthcare system Related Story China mahjong dens were Covid-19 superspreader sites, spurring crackdown Related Story As Covid-19 infections rise in South Korea, concerns emerge over collapse of medical system Related Story Sydney lockdown fines raised as Australia faces ‘worst’ Covid-19 situation Related Story Not just coughing and sneezing - talking and singing can also spread Covid-19: NUS study Related Story The world may never reach herd immunity against Covid-19
SINGAPORE - News that the Government's stock of 200,000 doses of Sinovac Covid-19 vaccines here is running low has prompted offers to buy vaccination slots on consumer marketplace Carousell. A check by The Straits Times on Wednesday (Aug 18) showed four bidders dangling between $50 and $80 to buy the slots. They were posted from Thursday last week. It is unclear if any transaction has taken place. ST has reached out to the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Health Sciences Authority on the legality of such deals. MOH has allowed 31 private healthcare institutions to offer the vaccine under the Special Access Route. Those interested have to call the clinics or visit the healthcare institutions' websites to book an appointment. Walk-in patients are turned away. MOH had on Aug 10 announced that Sinovac stocks here were being depleted, but added it was facilitating private healthcare institutions to order more supplies. Stocks are expected to arrive in the next four to six weeks. The Sinovac vaccine is not included in Singapore's national vaccination programme. One of the bidders on Carousell said his family member is unable to receive messenger ribonucleuc acid (mRNA) vaccines, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty and Moderna vaccines, under the national vaccination programme due to a medical reason. A check by The Straits Times showed bidders dangling between $50 and $80 to buy the slots, and a seller asking for $60. PHOTO: SCREENSHOT FROM CAROUSELL In the Aug 10 statement, MOH said that the 31 approved private healthcare institutions had 170,000 doses of the Sinovac vaccine for 85,000 individuals. "After ringfencing sufficient doses for individuals coming for second doses of the Sinovac vaccine, the stock for the 31 approved private healthcare institutions will be depleted," it said. It added that the remaining 30,000 doses of the Government's stock were reserved for Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders who had allergic reactions to the mRNA vaccines, and for other purposes. More on this topic Related Story New stock of Sinovac's Covid-19 vaccine to arrive in 4 to 6 weeks Related Story Those who opt for Sinovac and jabs under WHO emergency use listing to be considered fully vaccinated Related Stories: Related Story Not just coughing and sneezing - talking and singing can also spread Covid-19: NUS study Related Story Xi signals that China's zero-tolerance approach to Covid-19 will not change Related Story Uncontrollable Covid-19 spiral in Japan akin to a natural disaster: Experts Related Story Signs of a third Covid-19 wave in at least 10 Indian states Related Story Suspected saline switch sparks Covid-19 vaccine stir in Germany Related Story Thai volunteers provide lifeline to elderly, sick cut off by Covid-19 pandemic Related Story How Spain took the lead on vaccinations against Covid-19 Related Story US CDC recommends Covid-19 vaccination for pregnant women Related Story Moderna vaccine may be superior to Pfizer vaccine against Covid-19 Delta variant: Reports Related Story Covid-19 fight: Is the future just a spike protein stamping on a human face, forever?
SINGAPORE - Two patients suffering from serious side effects related to the Covid-19 vaccine have each received the highest payout of $225,000 in government financial aid so far, said the Ministry of Health (MOH). One of them is a 16-year-old boy who suffered a cardiac arrest after his first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. The boy is currently undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. "The Tier 1 payout of $225,000 has been extended to a total of two applicants so far, including this case," an MOH spokesman told The Straits Times late at night on Monday (Aug 16). The spokesman did not provide details of the second case and whether it was related to the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine. Under the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme (VIFAP) rolled out earlier this year, a one-time payout will be given to those who experienced medically significant serious side effects. This is to give a greater peace of mind for those taking Covid-19 vaccination. MOH added that a total of of $782,000 has been paid out, or is in the process of being paid out, to 144 applicants who have been assessed to have met the qualifying criteria for VIFAP. MOH said on Monday (Aug 16) that the 16-year-old boy would likely be discharged in the coming weeks. He is currently undergoing inpatient rehabilitation and can perform his activities of daily living without assistance. The 16-year-old had collapsed at home following a gym weightlifting session on July 3, six days after receiving his first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccine. He had developed acute severe myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, which led to the cardiac arrest. On Monday (Aug 16), MOH added that the myocarditis was likely a serious adverse event caused by the vaccine, which may have been aggravated by the youth's strenuous lifting of weights and high consumption of caffeine through energy drinks and supplements. On its website, MOH said that the amount of financial assistance provided through VIFAP is fixed and dependent on the severity of the serious side effect. These side effects are classified into three categories. Those with the first type, which results in death or permanent severe disability, can receive a one-time payout of $225,000. The second category, which applies to cases that require admission to high dependency or intensive care wards, with subsequent recovery, can get $10,000. More on this topic Related Story S'pore teen who suffered cardiac arrest after Covid-19 jab gets $225k in aid Related Story 0.12% of over 7.5 million Covid-19 vaccine jabs linked to suspected adverse events: HSA The last one, which applies to patients who need inpatient hospitalisation and medical intervention, with subsequent recovery, can get $2,000. In a written parliamentary reply last month (July), Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said that as at June 25, the authorities had approved $451,000 worth of financial aid under VIFAP to 102 applicants who had suffered serious side effects from the Covid-19 vaccine. A month before in Parliament, then-Minister for Health Gan Kim Yong said that the Government had approved 30 applicants to receive payouts under VIFAP. Out of 104 applications, 45 had been rejected. Of the 30 successful applicants, there were 21 cases of hypersensitivity allergic reactions, four related to neurology, three to cardiology, one to haematology and one dermatology-related case. More on this topic Related Story Heart inflammation after Covid-19 jabs: What does it mean for you? Related Story No evidence that vaccines can directly cause heart attacks and strokes: HSA
Singapore to start clinical trials for two Covid-19 vaccines that target Delta, among other variants
SINGAPORE - Local clinical trials will soon commence for two Covid-19 vaccines, developed by a United States-based company to target four variants of concern, including the Delta. The early-stage clinical trial, which has just received approval from the Health Sciences Authority, will evaluate the vaccines' safety and immune response against the Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta variants, and as possible booster shots for vaccinated people. The vaccines were developed by pharmaceutical firm Arcturus Therapeutics. The trial is looking to recruit healthy volunteers, both male and female, who are between 21 and 65 years old. It will be administered by SingHealth's Investigational Medicine Unit, which is led by Associate Professor Jenny Low. Prof Low, the unit's deputy clinical and scientific director, told The Straits Times: "The two new vaccines, ARCT-154 and ARCT-165 will be tested together with the original ARCT-021 vaccine, where we will compare all three vaccines against one another for their safety and antibody protection." The ARCT-021 vaccine, which was previously known as the Lunar-Cov19 vaccine, is still undergoing phase two of its clinical trials, which began earlier this year. It was co-developed by Duke-NUS and Arcturus Therapeutics, and targets the original or wild-type Sars-CoV-2 virus. The ARCT-154 vaccine targets the D614G spike protein mutation that has become dominant globally, whereas the ARCT-165 vaccine targets a wider range of viral mutations, Prof Low noted. A new variant can result from mutations at more than one part of the virus, although the majority of current circulating variants have the D614G mutation. Some current messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines have lower effectiveness in protecting against symptomatic disease when it comes to targeting certain variants. Prof Low said a booster jab may be needed for these vaccines in future as the virus will continue to circulate. The trial is known here as the phase one/two trial. The phase one trial tests for the vaccines' safety, to ensure that there are no severe side effects. The immune response of the participants will also be measured, said Prof Low. A total of 72 participants will be recruited - 36 who have yet to be vaccinated, and another 36 who have received the second dose of their Pfizer jab at least six months ago. Participants will be given any of the three vaccines, which will be administered in two doses, one month apart. Those who have been vaccinated will receive one dose of either vaccine, said Prof Low. Once the safety of the vaccines have been ascertained, the trial will then move on to phase two, which will involve a larger cohort of volunteers - usually a few hundred - with a focus on the participants' immune response. This involves measuring the number of neutralising antibodies and T-cells, to ensure that the vaccine can confer long-lasting immunity to the virus and its variants. More on this topic Related Story Scientists hunt for a coronavirus super shot Related Story T cells induced by Covid-19 infection respond to new virus variants: US study Phase three of the trial - which would involve thousands of volunteers - can then conclusively determine the vaccines' efficacy against the four variants, she added. Arcturus Therapeutics said in a statement last Tuesday (Aug 3) that pre-clinical data have demonstrated that the ARCT-154 and ARCT-165 vaccines are able to induce strong neutralising immunogenicity, or immune response, in non-human primates to the four variants. All three phases of the clinical trial for the ARCT-154 vaccine have also been approved in Vietnam. More on this topic Related Story Covid-19 mixed-vaccine regimen requires studies to assess efficacy, safety: Experts Related Story Covid-19 vaccine in a tablet - the next leap in the battle against deadly virus Screening of volunteers for phase one of the trial has already commenced. Those with chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, must have their conditions stable and well-controlled. In addition, the volunteers must not have any history of anaphylaxis (a serious form of allergic reactions) to the vaccines, and should have no known history of Covid-19. They must not have participated in any previous Mers-CoV, Sars-CoV and Sars-CoV-2 trials. Those interested to participate in the trial can contact the SingHealth Investigational Medicine Unit at imu@singhealth.com.sg or call 6323-7544/8318-0685. More on this topic Related Story Covid-19 vaccine: How many doses have been administered in S'pore and around the world Related Story Interactive: Tracking the Covid-19 vaccine race
SINGAPORE - The Sinopharm vaccine could soon be made available in Singapore, with several private healthcare groups already taking steps to secure doses of the jab. This will likely see it becoming the fourth vaccine available in the country, as it ramps up nationwide vaccination rates in order to ease restrictions on social gatherings and restart the economy. IHH Healthcare Singapore told The Straits Times that the Health Sciences Authority has given approval for it to import the Sinopharm vaccine via the special access route (SAR). "This will give people in Singapore access to another alternative vaccine option," said Dr Noel Yeo, the group's chief operating officer. "Details are still being worked out at the moment. We will make a formal announcement when more information becomes available." Raffles Medical Group has also put up a Facebook post asking people to register their interest for the Chinese vaccine, which uses an inactivated virus to elicit protection against Covid-19. The Straits Times has also approached the group for comment. The SAR framework allows private healthcare groups to bring in Covid-19 vaccines that have been put on the World Health Organisation's emergency-use listing. These include China's Sinovac and Sinopharm vaccines, as well as those made by Johnson & Johnson and Oxford-AstraZeneca. The authorities have also signed advance purchase agreements with American biotechnology company Novavax to secure its protein-based Covid-19 vaccine, with supplies possibly arriving before the end of the year. If approved, it will be part of the national vaccine programme. Unlike vaccines administered under the pandemic special access route - such as the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna jabs given to the majority of people here - SAR vaccines are not subsidised by the Government. They are also not covered under the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme, which supports people who suffer adverse effects from their Covid-19 jabs. Singapore has vaccinated 4.3 million people under the national vaccination programme to date. Roughly three-quarters have completed the full vaccination regimen. As of Monday, it had also administered 89,047 doses of the Sinovac vaccine. The Sinopharm vaccine is administered in two doses given three to four weeks apart. It is approved for use in those aged 18 and above. According to the World Health Organisation, a large, multi-country phase three trial showed that the vaccine is 79 per cent effective against symptomatic disease, two weeks after the second dose. It was also reported to be 79 per cent effective against hospitalisation. More on this topic Related Story Sinopharm's Covid-19 vaccine offers weaker protection among elderly: Study Related Story Interactive: Is Singapore on track to meet its Aug 9 vaccination target? Related Stories: Related Story 'Photos of bodies stacked at hospitals are real': Malaysia undertakers struggle as Covid-19 deaths soar Related Story S'pore to review Covid-19 rules in early August, may ease measures for vaccinated people Related Story Antibodies from Sinovac's Covid-19 shot fade after 6 months, booster helps: Chinese study Related Story How the Delta variant upends assumptions about Covid-19 Related Story Olympic host Tokyo asks for more hospital beds as Covid-19 infections rise Related Story No longer 'hidden victims', children are dying as Covid-19 surges in Indonesia Related Story An unusually fatal Covid-19 outbreak in Taiwan driven by complacency Related Story Amid disparate efforts to curb Covid-19 pandemic, Yangon residents hang yellow flags to call for aid Related Story Five pandemic truths that defy intuition Related Story As Americans navigate conflicting Covid-19 mask advice, 'everyone is confused'
SINGAPORE - The recent death of a 16-year-old boy was not linked to vaccination, the Ministry of Health clarified in a Facebook post on Wednesday (July 14). It added that it was aware of "speculation in Facebook, Telegram and WhatsApp chat groups" featuring an obituary that led to the conjecture that the teenager had died from a "vaccine-related severe adverse event". That is why there was a need to clarify that the boy's demise referenced in these posts and messages were not vaccine-related, MOH added. MOH had said on July 7 that it is investigating the possible causes behind a 16-year-old boy suffering cardiac arrest after a strenuous session of weightlifting, with the Covid-19 vaccine being a possible factor. The Straits Times has contacted MOH to clarify if these are separate incidents. "We urge the public not to spread unsubstantiated information which may add to the family's grief or cause public alarm unnecessarily," MOH added. More on this topic Related Story Swimming, cycling, lifting heavy weights should be avoided after Covid-19 jabs: MOH Related Story 4 young men in S'pore had heart inflammation after Covid-19 jabs Related Stories: Related Story Dine in for 5 resumes, S'poreans welcome chance to eat with friends, family at same table Related Story 'I'm old and dying, so what's the point of getting vaccinated?': Seniors yet to get the Covid-19 jab Related Story S'pore's Covid-19 rules from July 12: 9 things you need to know Related Story Covid-19 curbs in Seoul may be raised to highest level as new cases surge Related Story Indonesia expands nationwide Covid-19 curbs Related Story Made-in-Malaysia Covid-19 vaccine expected to be ready in 2024 Related Story Israel sees decline in Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine efficacy rate due to Delta variant Related Story Moving from Covid-19 pandemic to endemic: Singapore's strategy and how it can unfold
ADELAIDE, AUS, Jul 9, 2021 - (ACN Newswire via SEAPRWire.com) - The largest Australian full-service CRO for international biotechs and Frost & Sullivan Asia-Pacific CRO Market Leadership Award winner Avance Clinical today congratulated client Tetherex Pharmaceuticals on first patient dosing for its Phase 1 vaccine clinical trial.Tetherex Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a privately held, clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on development of selectin inhibitor therapeutics for the treatment of a broad range of inflammatory diseases and single-cycle adenovirus vaccines for multiple infectious diseases and cancer indications.Avance Clinical Chief Scientific Officer Dr Gabriel Kremmidiotis said:"The exciting aspect of the Tetherex product is the potential to vaccinate using a nasal spray. Administering the vaccine via the same route that the virus uses to get into our bodies, may result in more effective protection compared to the first generation Covid-19 vaccine products currently being administered as injectables. Commencement of dosing with the Tetherex Covid-19 vaccine product constitutes a major achievement for the Avance Clinical team who played a key role in supporting Tetherex in gaining regulatory approval to conduct the First-in-Human trial with their exciting vaccine candidate."According to Tetherex Pharmaceutical's announcement:Tetherex Pharmaceuticals has executed an exclusive worldwide license with Mayo Clinic for the development and commercialization of a novel single-cycle adenovirus vaccine platform. The platform will be used to target multiple infectious diseases, beginning with a Phase 1 clinical study investigating a vaccine for COVID-19. Dosing of the initial cohort of the Phase 1 study is underway in Australia."Current adenovirus vaccines under investigation for COVID-19 and other infectious diseases are highly restricted in the amount of vaccine antigen they can deliver to cells," said Dr. Russell Rother, President and Chief Operating Officer of Tetherex. "The single-cycle adenovirus platform allows one round of robust vaccine antigen expression to occur without the generation of infectious virus particles which, in preclinical models, translates to a marked improvement in the ensuing immune response."About the Single Cycle Adenovirus Vaccine PlatformThe single-cycle adenovirus platform was developed to enhance the expression of target antigens, amplifying immune responses to infectious disease targets. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that the single-cycle adenovirus can increase target antigen expression up to 100-fold over currently utilized replication defective adenovirus vaccines. Intranasal administration of single-cycle vaccine elicits both systemic and mucosal immune responses. A mucosal response allows the immune system to encounter respiratory viruses like SARS-CoV-2 at the site of entry while the viral titers are lower. The platform also provides a robust manufacturing and supply chain paradigm relative to other vaccine platforms, such as mRNA.Tetherex's Phase 1 open label study, designed to assess safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of the single-cycle adenovirus vaccine, is expected to recruit a total of approximately 80 healthy volunteers and includes both a single ascending dose group and a multiple dose group. Subjects will receive the vaccine via either intramuscular or intranasal administration.The study site is Nucleus Network in Brisbane, and Dr Paul Griffin Nucleus Network's Principal Investigator said:"The covid 19 global pandemic continues to impact lives around the world. We are very fortunate to have developed a number of vaccines for Covid-19 already that are safe and highly effective. These vaccines are beginning to give us the capacity to start to reduce the impact of this viral infection, however it's clear there are certain properties of these vaccines that we would ideally like to improve upon such as having a vaccine that could be given via a route other than needle and syringe and perhaps a vaccine that could further reduce the ability for a vaccinated individual to become infected in the first place, a so called transmission blocking vaccine. A vaccine given intranasally has the potential to achieve some of these objects hence I am very excited to be the principal Investigator on the Tetherex clinical trial.""The addition of this novel vaccine platform to the Tetherex portfolio significantly expands our ability to leverage our scientific and clinical development expertise and broadens our overall technology base. This reduces risk to our investors while providing the potential of significant upside," said Dr. Scott Rollins, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Tetherex. "The platform will be utilized to target multiple infectious diseases which allows Tetherex to seek partnerships and alliances for the ever-expanding infectious disease marketplace."About Avance ClinicalAvance Clinical is the largest full-service Australian CRO focussed on delivering quality clinical trials in Australia and New Zealand for international biotechs. Avance Clinical has been delivering CRO services in the region for the past 24 years. Avance is accredited by the office of the gene technology regulator (OGTR) and has experience with the level of complexity involved in the granting of licenses from OGTR. This accreditation allows Avance to take responsibility, on behalf of clients, for the execution of trials which involve genetically modified organism products.The company's clients are international biotechs in their early phases of drug development that need fast, agile, and adaptive solution-oriented clinical research services. Avance Clinical delivers customised solutions designed around specific client needs rather than a one size fits all approach. As a company Avance Clinical has focused on state-of-the-art technology and systems across all functional areas to provide clients with the most effective processes.Medidata, Oracle, and Medrio are just some of our technology partners. The collective pool of knowledge and experience at Avance Clinical continually grows through the careful selection of candidates who demonstrate passion and expertise in their chosen field. Visit http://www.avancecro.com for more information.Recent Awards:Excellence in Business Award 2021Frost & Sullivan Asia-Pacific CRO Market Leadership Award 2020Media Contact: media@avancecro.com Copyright 2021 ACN Newswire. All rights reserved. (via SEAPRWire)
SINGAPORE - Individuals who have received the Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine are not included in Singapore's national vaccination numbers. "The national vaccination numbers reflect only those vaccinated under the national vaccination programme," the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Tuesday (July 6). "Currently, this only includes those vaccinated with the Moderna Covid-19 and Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccines." However, MOH said those who have received the vaccine will have the record reflected in the National Immunisation Registry. It is working on showing the information in the HealthHub mobile app as well. The Sinovac vaccine has shown variable protection across multiple studies carried out internationally, with the most complete analysis showing an efficacy of 51 per cent. In contrast, the Moderna Covid-19 and Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty vaccines have shown an efficacy rate of around 90 per cent. As of July 3, one dose of the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine has been given to 17,296 people. The 31 private clinics selected to administer the Sinovac vaccine can access the National Immunisation Registry, MOH added. "Individuals who were vaccinated with either one or two doses of the mRNA vaccine under the national vaccination programme would not be eligible to receive the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine from the Government's stock, unless they were allergic to the first dose of an mRNA vaccine," said MOH. Those who had allergic reactions to the first dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty or Moderna vaccines can opt to get vaccinated, but only at a public hospital clinic. This is considering "their previous allergic reaction and a lack of data on the safety profile of receiving Sinovac-CoronaVac following one dose of an mRNA vaccine", MOH said. Clinics administering the Sinovac vaccine are required to report adverse events or reactions to the ministry and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). The figures for these incidents will be reported publicly "from time to time", MOH said. The first batch of Sinovac vaccines arrived in Singapore on Feb 23, but the vaccine has not yet been approved for use in the national vaccination programme. The Chinese drugmaker has not submitted data which the HSA needs to complete its evaluation of the vaccine's safety and efficacy. The vaccine is currently being administered in Singapore under the Special Access Route in order to enhance overall vaccination coverage. This allows the supply of Covid-19 vaccines that have been approved by the World Health Organisation to be on its emergency-use list. Singapore’s director of medical services Kenneth Mak had said last month that the Sinovac vaccine carries some risk of a person being infected despite taking the jabs, based on evidence from other countries. For instance, there has been a recent report of healthcare workers in Indonesia being infected even after receiving the Sinovac vaccine, and in other countries, the authorities are starting to think about booster doses just six months after the original vaccination, Associate Professor Mak added. More on this topic Related Story Over 17,000 in S'pore received Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine Related Story Govt offering Sinovac Covid-19 vaccine to some of those allergic to mRNA jabs as part of study Related Stories: Related Story Larger groups of five diners expected to be allowed from July 12 Related Story Additional $1.2b Covid-19 govt support measures: How will S'pore firms and workers benefit? Related Story Made-in-Malaysia Covid-19 vaccine expected to be ready in 2024 Related Story Israel sees decline in Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine efficacy rate due to Delta variant Related Story Moving from Covid-19 pandemic to endemic: Singapore's strategy and how it can unfold Related Story Covid-19 cases climb in Thailand as it opens up less-affected Phuket to tourists Related Story Pfizer, Moderna vaccines likely to produce long-lasting immunity: Study Related Story MOH to stop giving details of Covid-19 community cases Related Story Australia will cut international arrivals by 50% to stop Covid-19 surge
SINGAPORE - Thousands of people here who have had allergic reactions to the Covid-19 vaccines used in Singapore's national inoculation programme will be offered Sinovac jabs by the Government, as part of a study to understand the immunity offered by different vaccines. About 3,600 people who were allergic to the first dose of the mRNA vaccines have been contacted, and more than 1,400 have indicated interest in the programme, The Straits Times has learnt. A spokesman for the Ministry of Health (MOH) said on Thursday (July 1): "To better understand the immunity conferred by the use of different vaccines, we will work with the National Centre for Infectious Diseases to follow up with a sub-group of these persons who have received the mRNA vaccine, followed by the Sinovac-CoronaVac vaccine, under a research study on Covid-19 vaccine immune response." MOH has been in touch with the people who have indicated interest in this programme to keep them updated with details on how they can receive the Sinovac vaccine, the spokesman added. The Sinovac vaccine is not part of Singapore's national vaccination regime, which currently uses the Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty and Moderna vaccines. Both these vaccines use mRNA technology and have been authorised by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). Sinovac's jab remains unregistered and is not authorised by the HSA, and is to be provided here only under the Special Access Route framework. Vaccines under this framework are not covered under the Vaccine Injury Financial Assistance Programme, which supports people who suffer adverse effects from their Covid-19 jabs. MOH said on Thursday that if people who have had allergic reactions to mRNA vaccines wish to receive the Sinovac vaccine, it has established a dedicated programme for them to be vaccinated at a public hospital clinic for closer monitoring of any side effects. This programme will take into account their previous allergic reaction and a lack of data on the safety profile of receiving Sinovac following one dose of an mRNA vaccine, said MOH's spokesman. The ministry also said that those who have received one dose of an mRNA Covid-19 vaccine but are unable to receive the second dose due to allergic reactions may choose to wait for the non-mRNA vaccines that MOH plans to bring in for use in the national vaccination programme. Such vaccines will have to first be assessed for quality, safety and effectiveness under HSA's Pandemic Special Access Route. On Wednesday, ST reported that people who have received the Sinovac vaccine will not be exempted from pre-event testing. MOH said vaccines not included in Singapore's national vaccination programme may lack sufficient documentation of how effective they are at protecting people against Covid-19 infection and, in particular, against the Delta variant of the virus currently circulating. The Delta strain is a new mutation of the coronavirus that is more infectious. More on this topic Related Story No pre-event testing exemption for Sinovac vaccine upsets some Related Story Interactive: Is Singapore on track to meet its Aug 9 vaccination target? The authorities gave approval last month to 24 private healthcare clinics to draw on the Government's existing stock of the Sinovac vaccine. Over the past two weeks, many of these clinics have been inundated with calls and requests from residents wanting the Sinovac jab, as many rushed to register their interest in getting the China-made vaccine. This is despite the authorities saying that the Sinovac vaccine is not entirely effective in preventing infection, based on evidence from other countries. Related Stories: Related Story MOH to stop giving details of Covid-19 community cases Related Story Almost 80% of S'poreans aged 12 to 39 have booked vaccine slots or taken first dose Related Story Indonesia expected to impose stricter Covid-19 restrictions by Saturday Related Story Almost half of Aussie population under lockdown Related Story S'pore may ease Covid-19 rules for those vaccinated: How you would be affected Related Story Delta Plus, a potentially deadlier Covid-19 variant, causing concern in India Related Story Hong Kong dangles more relaxed dining rules to encourage vaccinations Related Story Just give us the Covid-19 vaccines, WHO pleads, as poor countries go wanting Related Story With over 1 billion Covid-19 vaccine doses administered, reopening still not on the cards for China Related Story Philippines' Duterte threatens those who refuse Covid-19 vaccine with jail