INTRODUCTION

Since its emergence in Wuhan in December 2019, COVID-19 has swiftly evolved into a global pandemic, declared by the WHO on March 11, 2020. Highlighting the broader family of coronaviruses, including MERS and SARS, this crisis underscores ongoing challenges posed by mutations, such as heightened transmissibility and resistance to antibodies, complicating efforts to control and mitigate COVID-19's impact.

New Variant

• JN.1 

• The JN.1 variant, stemming from BA.2.86, has gained enhanced transmissibility through one or two additional mutations while retaining immune evasion traits from its predecessor. 

• Symptoms of JN.1 infection closely resemble those of earlier Omicron variants, with no observed increase in disease severity.

• PIROLA/BA.2.86 

•  BA.2.86 was classified as a "variant under monitoring" by the World Health Organization in August due to its extensive mutation profile, surpassing other iterations of the Omicron strain. 

• FLiRT 

• FLiRT, as a subvariant of Omicron, is marked by mutations at positions 456 and 346 and  is swiftly spreading and raises concerns about potential immune evasion.

• They derive their names from the technical mutations they possess, with one containing "F" and "L" and the other containing "R" and "T".

• The World Health Organization (WHO) has reclassified it as a 'variant of interest' and recommended careful monitoring.

New Infections

• INDIA:In Maharashtra, 91 cases of the new COVID-19 Omicron subvariant KP.2 have been confirmed, all documented in January of this year. The emergence of this variant, initially identified globally in January, now demonstrates a significant presence in these areas of Maharashtra.

• USA, UK & SOUTH KOREA:  A rapidly spreading family of COVID-19 variants, FLiRT, is gaining ground in the United States. These new variants, stemming from the Omicron JN.1 lineage, include the KP.2 and KP 1.1 mutations, which are deemed to be more contagious than earlier Omicron variants.

New Initiatives

• CoViNet

• A new initiative by the WHO, is a global network of laboratories launched in 2024. It tracks coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2 and MERS-CoV, with a keen eye on emerging threats. 

• By monitoring human, animal, and environmental aspects, it offers a comprehensive view. This data strengthens global surveillance and informs WHO's response strategies.

•  RECOVER Initiative by USA

•  The US NIH's RECOVER Initiative tackles the lingering effects of COVID-19, aiming to understand and treat Long COVID. 

• They analyse large datasets to identify those most at risk and study biological samples to see how the virus might cause long-term issues. This knowledge paves the way for clinical trials of potential treatments, offering hope for millions suffering from Long COVID.

Covishield related news.

• Controversy: The recent revelation originated from AstraZeneca's submission in a British court, revealing a rare side effect linked to its COVID vaccine sparking widespread attention and debate on vaccine safety and transparency.

• Indian Context

• AstraZeneca acknowledged that its AZD1222 vaccine, produced in India as Covishield, could cause low platelet counts and blood clots in "very rare" cases. 

• Licensed to Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), over 175 crore doses of Covishield have been administered in India.

• Rare Side Effects 

• AstraZeneca has acknowledged a rare side effect called Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (TTS) linked to its COVID-19 vaccine

• TTS, associated with adenovirus vector vaccines like AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson's Janssen vaccine, involves blood clots and low platelet levels, potentially causing serious complications such as cerebral venous sinus thrombosis or abdominal clotting. 

• Symptoms may include severe headaches, blurred vision, shortness of breath, chest pain, leg swelling, abdominal discomfort, and easy bruising or small blood spots beyond the injection site.

• Vaccine Withdrawal 

• AstraZeneca has withdrawn its Covid-19 vaccine, Vaxzevria/Covishield, globally, citing newer vaccine alternatives as the primary reason. 

• Stand of WHO

• In March 2021, several European countries temporarily paused the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine after reports of blood clotting cases. 

• WHO stated that the risk of TTS with Vaxzevria and Covishield vaccines appeared to be very low. 

• According to data, the risk was approximately four cases per million adults in the UK and about one per 100,000 in the European Union (EU).

• Involvement Of Civil Societies

• A coalition of doctors urges the government to reevaluate the scientific basis and commercialization of all COVID vaccines. They stress the need for robust surveillance to promptly identify adverse events linked to the vaccines.

• The Awaken India Movement criticises the Union Government for COVID-19 vaccination-related fatalities and injuries, advocating for greater emphasis on natural healing systems like Ayurveda and Homeopathy, as well as natural immunity.

• Lawsuit

• A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking formation of a panel of medical experts from AIIMS, Delhi to study the Covishield vaccine and examine its side-effects, risk factors.

  
  

  
  

  Short Takes

  Variant of Interest: WHO states that for a variant to be classified as variant of interest, it must exhibit genetic changes impacting crucial aspects like transmission and vaccine effectiveness. Additionally, it must pose an emerging risk to global public health due to a noticeable increase in strain.

  Variant Under Monitoring: A Variant Under Monitoring (VUM) denotes a SARS-CoV-2 variant requiring heightened surveillance by public health authorities. This classification aims to assess whether the variant presents an elevated risk to global public health compared to other circulating variants.
  Awaken India Movement:The Awaken India Movement unites individuals to educate, empower, and advocate for self-responsibility while addressing health, finance, and environmental concerns. They debunk false narratives and raise awareness about emerging global agendas, starting with uncovering truths about "Covid-19: The Great Reset."
  

CONCLUSION

As the pandemic continues to reshape economies and societies worldwide, governments are faced with critical policy choices that will shape the trajectory toward a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient future. This presents an opportunity to enact pol

Tags:
Polity

Keywords:
COVID-19 Health