With inputs from Dr Monica Vasudev

New BF.7 and BA.5.1.7 Omicron sublineages detected in China 

Two new sublineages of the omicron variant have been detected in China. BF.7 and BA.5.1.7 are highly contagious in nature, which makes them highly transmissible. The BF.7 is a subvariant of the BA.5.2.1…(Source: ETHealthworld, Oct. 13, 2022).

XBB: A new recombinant variant of SARS-CoV-2

A new recombinant variant “XBB” has emerged as a significantly more immunoevasive strain of SARS-CoV-2. It is a combination of BJ.1 and BA.2.75, which are sublineages of the Omicron variant. In a bioRxiv preprint study, it has shown the strongest resistance to monoclonal antibodies. It was first isolated in Singapore and has been detected in Bangladesh, Denmark, Japan, Australia and the US. Almost half of the new cases are due to this new recombinant variant. So far, 71 cases have been detected in India from Maharashtra, Odisha, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu…(Source: First Post, Oct. 14, 2022).

Drug interactions between Paxlovid and drugs for heart disease

A review paper published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology has cautioned about potential drug-drug interactions between nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) and other commonly used cardiovascular drugs such as antiarrhythmics, antiplatelets and anticoagulants, statins like simvastatin or lovastatin, ranolazine and immunosuppressive agents…(Source: ACC, Oct. 12, 2022).

US FDA grants EUA to bivalent booster vaccines for use in young children

The US FDA has granted EUA to Moderna and Pfizer bivalent booster vaccines to be administered as a single dose in young children. Moderna’s bivalent vaccine has been approved for use in children aged 6 years and older, while the updated Pfizer vaccine can now be given to children aged 5 years and older…(Source: US FDA, Oct. 12 2022).

IndoVac: Indonesia’s first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine

Indonesia will soon start manufacturing its first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine “IndoVac”. The vaccine is being developed in collaboration with Baylor College of Medicine in Texas, USA. Less than 75% of the eligible population has completed their two-dose primary vaccination; 27% have taken one booster dose, while less than 1% have taken the second booster dose…(Source: Medscape, Oct. 13, 2022).

Covid-19 rearing up again in Europe 

Europe may be looking at a new wave of Covid-19 as cases across Europe region are showing a rising trend, according to the World Health Organization and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). In the Week ending 2nd October, only the European Region recorded an increase of 8% in new weekly cases, according to WHO’s weekly Epidemiological Update dated 5th October. “With the arrival of autumn and winter, the resurgence of influenza can also be expected”, according to a press release. The uptake of vaccine has not been very optimistic in Europe…(Source: WHO, Oct. 12, 2022).