India records first ‘Omicron death’

'We should not be complacent' over COVID-19 rise on the continent, WHO Europe chief says

Many European countries are experiencing a surge in new COVID-19 infections, with the more transmissible Omicron subvariant BA.5 spreading across the continent.

FDA Calls for Fall COVID Boosters To Target Omicron Subvariants

FDA Calls for Fall COVID Boosters , To Target Omicron Subvariants. NBC News reports that on June 30, the Food and Drug Administration asked vaccine makers to modify upcoming booster shots to target subvariants of Omicron. The Omicron subvariants the agency wishes to target are BA.4 and BA.5. Officials have called on vaccine makers Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna to produce bivalent vaccines, . which are intended to target the original strain of COVID-19 as well as its subvariants. As we move into the fall and winter, it is critical that we have safe and effective vaccine boosters that can provide protection... , Dr. Peter Marks, FDA, via NBC News. ... against circulating and emerging variants to prevent the most severe consequences of COVID-19. , Dr. Peter Marks, FDA, via NBC News. As of the week ending June 25, Omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5 were responsible for 52% of all new cases of COVID-19. Per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, BA.1, the first variant of Omicron, caused 0% of new cases. Pfizer and Moderna have thus far altered vaccines to target the original strain of COVID-19 and BA.1. which increased the immune response to earlier iterations, though both have waned in their efficacy against BA.4 and BA.5

Moderna Says New Booster Shows 'Superior' Omicron Response

Moderna Says New Booster , Shows 'Superior' Omicron Response. NPR reports Moderna claims its most recent vaccine candidate has shown a "superior neutralizing antibody response" when compared to its first vaccine. It is "bivalent," engineered to target two different antigens. Per NPR, Moderna intends to make its newest booster available in fall 2022. We are submitting our preliminary data and analysis to regulators with the hope that the Omicron-containing bivalent booster will be available in the late summer. , Stéphane Bancel, Moderna CEO, via statement. Due to a higher antibody response, Moderna believes its newest vaccine will offer protection that is "more durable over time" against Omicron. Due to a higher antibody response, Moderna believes its newest vaccine will offer protection that is "more durable over time" against Omicron. Moderna officials think their new vaccine could potentially offer protection for one year. As new variants continuously arise, Moderna officials hope the new bivalent vaccine can counter the more contagious strains taking hold in the United States. As new variants continuously arise, Moderna officials hope the new bivalent vaccine can counter the more contagious strains taking hold in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), two new subvariants of Omicron, BA.4 and BA.5, are spreading quickly across the country. Experts say another wave of coronavirus is bound to occur next winter as cold weather drives citizens back indoors

Maharashtra speaker elections to take place on July 3rd | Thackeray vs Shinde | Oneindia News *News

The voting for selecting the new speaker for Maharashtra speaker will take place on July 3rd. #Maharashtra #UddhavThackeray #EknathShinde