World Health Organization: News

20 Mar 2022

Coronavirus

COVID-19: Cases surge in Asia, Europe; WHO issues warning

The COVID-19 pandemic is far from over as cases are rising significantly in many southeast Asian and European countries.

18 Mar 2022

COVID-19

India records less than 3,000 COVID-19 cases for fifth day

India on Friday reported less than 3,000 daily COVID-19 cases for the fifth straight day at a time when several other countries are seeing a fresh surge in infections.

16 Mar 2022

Vaccine

National Vaccination Day 2022: Know theme, history, significance

National Vaccination Day, also known as National Immunization Day, is celebrated every year on March 16 to raise awareness about vaccination and its importance while commemorating India's victory over the polio disease.

23 Feb 2022

Coronavirus

BA.2 strain not more severe than original Omicron: WHO

The BA.2 sub-variant of the Omicron variant of coronavirus is not more severe than the original strain, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.

15 Feb 2022

England

UK reports death from Lassa fever. What is it?

While the world continues to battle COVID-19, a person in Bedfordshire, England died from a confirmed case of Lassa fever last week.

11 Feb 2022

Soumya Swaminathan

Pandemic not over, new variant can arise anywhere: WHO scientist

The World Health Organization's Chief Scientist Dr. Soumya Swaminathan has said the COVID-19 pandemic is not over, as some people suggest.

09 Feb 2022

Coronavirus

India gets first nasal spray for COVID-19 treatment

Glenmark Pharmaceuticals has launched a nasal spray in India for the treatment of COVID-19 in adult patients.

02 Feb 2022

Coronavirus

New Omicron subvariant found in 57 countries, WHO says

A subvariant of the highly-infectious Omicron variant of coronavirus has been detected in 57 countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.

01 Feb 2022

India

New Omicron subvariant spreads faster than original strain: Report

The newest version of the extremely infectious omicron variant is spreading much faster than the original, and moderate instances of the original may not provide any protection against subsequent infections, according to a study.

24 Jan 2022

Vaccine

COVID-19 pandemic might end in Europe after Omicron's takeover: WHO

The COVID-19 pandemic has entered a new phase in Europe, with the Omicron variant potentially putting an end to it, said Hans Kluge, the regional director at the World Health Organization (WHO).

24 Jan 2022

COVID-19

Will everyone get Omicron? Here's what WHO says

The Omicron variant of coronavirus is overtaking the Delta variant in terms of circulation, the World Health Organization's (WHO) technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove said.

22 Jan 2022

United Kingdom

Omicron sub-variant BA.2: What do we know so far?

A new sub-variant of the highly-infectious Omicron variant of coronavirus has emerged in dozens of countries, sparking fears.

No evidence to suggest healthy children need booster doses: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday said there is "no evidence" that healthy children and adolescents need booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

Only faster COVID-19 vaccinations can end pandemic: Adar Poonawalla

Billions need to be vaccinated at a faster rate to reach the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India (SII), which manufactures the COVID-19 vaccine Covishield.

13 Jan 2022

COVID-19

Explained: Why COVID-19 precautions are required if Omicron is 'mild'

Claims that the Omicron variant causes a milder COVID-19 than earlier strains of the coronavirus have sparked a debate around the associated risk.

12 Jan 2022

COVID-19

Omicron quickly overtaking Delta, efficacy of vaccines reduced: WHO

The Omicron variant of coronavirus is rapidly displacing the Delta variant and reaching global dominance, said a senior official from the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday.

WHO issues warning on claims Omicron causes 'mild' COVID-19

Suggesting that the Omicron variant of coronavirus causes a "mild" COVID-19 is dangerous, said a top World Health Organization (WHO) expert.

16 Dec 2021

Coronavirus

Early stage of a variant is always mild, expert warns

The early phase of a variant is always mild, a top scientist warned, amid fears over the new Omicron strain of coronavirus.

15 Dec 2021

Coronavirus

Omicron spreading at unprecedented rate, probably in most countries: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday issued a grim warning saying Omicron is spreading at an unprecedented rate.

12 Dec 2021

COVID-19

COVID-19 third wave: WHO official issues warning on Omicron impact

Although COVID-19 cases are declining worldwide, the risk remains high in view of the emergence of the new coronavirus variant called Omicron, said World Health Organization's (WHO) South-Asia Regional Director Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh.

09 Dec 2021

Pfizer

'Cautious optimism' after initial Omicron studies; here's what we know

Early studies on the Omicron variant of coronavirus reportedly present a less grim picture than previously imagined.

30 Nov 2021

COVID-19

No conclusive evidence to suggest Omicron more transmissible: Top virologist

There is no conclusive evidence to suggest that the Omicron variant of coronavirus is more transmissible or dangerous, said India's top virologist Dr. Anurag Agrawal.

29 Nov 2021

Coronavirus

Omicron variant detected in 15 countries; here's a list

The Omicron variant of coronavirus has been detected in more than a dozen countries as more and more people around the world test positive for the strain.

29 Nov 2021

COVID-19

Is Omicron variant more dangerous? Here's what WHO says

The World Health Organization (WHO) Sunday released its preliminary findings on the new B.1.1.529 coronavirus variant, dubbed Omicron.

27 Nov 2021

Narendra Modi

New coronavirus variant named Omicron; PM Modi to chair meet

The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the new B.1.1.529 strain of the coronavirus as a Variant of Concern (VOC).

09 Nov 2021

COVID-19

UK to add COVAXIN to approved vaccines from November 22

The government of United Kingdom has said that India's coronavirus vaccine COVAXIN will be added to its list of approved vaccines for international travelers.

03 Nov 2021

Bharat Biotech

COVAXIN gets WHO approval for emergency use listing

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday granted Emergency Use Listing (EUL) to COVAXIN.

01 Nov 2021

India

Australia accepts COVAXIN as 'recognized' vaccine for incoming travelers

Australia on Monday accepted India's indigenous vaccine, COVAXIN, as a "recognized" vaccine for the purpose of travel to the country.

26 Oct 2021

COVID-19

COVAXIN under review; may get WHO recommendation in 24 hours

A technical advisory group of the World Health Organization (WHO) is reviewing data on COVAXIN and may recommend emergency use approval for the vaccine within 24 hours, an official said.

When will the COVID-19 pandemic end? WHO chief says this

World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Sunday said the coronavirus pandemic is far from over.

19 Oct 2021

India

Cannot cut corners, thorough evaluation needed for COVAXIN EUL: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) Monday clarified the reason behind the delay in COVAXIN's emergency use listing (EUL), stating that it is expecting more information from Bharat Biotech on its COVID-19 vaccine.

05 Oct 2021

Union Health Ministry

Coronavirus: India reports 18K+ new cases, lowest in 209 days

India on Tuesday reported over 18,000 new COVID-19 cases, the lowest spike in 209 days.

05 Oct 2021

Coronavirus

WHO expert panel to discuss COVAXIN approval in meet today

COVAXIN, India's indigenous vaccine against the coronavirus, will likely receive the much-awaited approval from the World Health Organization (WHO) this month.

03 Oct 2021

COVID-19

COVAXIN trial data for children aged 2-18 submitted to DCGI

Bharat Biotech has reportedly submitted trial data of its COVID-19 vaccine, COVAXIN, for children aged under 18 years to the Drugs and Comptroller General of India (DCGI).

Global COVID-19 deaths hit 50 lakh amid Delta variant surge

Deaths linked to the coronavirus disease around the world have surpassed 50 lakh, according to a tally by Reuters, as the highly-contagious Delta variant continues to claim lives.

30 Sep 2021

Bharat Biotech

Decision on EUL of COVAXIN in October, says WHO

A decision on Bharat Biotech's submission seeking emergency use listing (EUL) for its COVID-19 vaccine COVAXIN will be made in October, the World Health Organization has said.

29 Sep 2021

COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccine booster: Are they really required? Expert answers

With the emergence of new coronavirus variants and talk of waning immunity of COVID-19 vaccines, discussions have been on about whether booster doses are required for the general public.

29 Sep 2021

COVID-19

Serum gets nod for Novavax trial in 7-11 age group

The Serum Institute of India (SII) has received the approval to conduct trials of the Novavax COVID-19 vaccine in children aged between seven and 11 years.

23 Sep 2021

COVID-19

Delta becomes globally dominant COVID-19 variant, out-competing other strains: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday said that the Delta variant of the coronavirus is now the globally dominant strain.

WHO lauds India's decision to resume COVID-19 vaccine exports

World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has hailed India's decision to resume COVID-19 vaccine exports as an important development in support of the goal to reach 40% vaccination in all countries by end of the year.