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Corbevax booster gives maximum protection, reveals Hyd hospital study

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 Amidst concerns of a new Covid wave in India following massive surge in China and other countries, research at AIG Hospitals here has revealed that Corbevax booster in individuals vaccinated with Covishield gives maximum protection against Omicron variants.

The scientific study has proved the immunity benefits of indigenous heterologous vaccine booster, Corbevax in combating Omicron variants.

The study titled “Heterologous booster dose with Corbevax following primary vaccination with Covishield enhances protection against SARS-CoV-2” has been published in the high-impact factor journal “Vaccines”.

Announcing the findings of the study, AIG Hospitals Chairman Dr D Nageshwar Reddy told media persons that the study was done on 250 healthcare workers who had received 2 doses of Covishield as the primary vaccine regimen not more than 6 months ago. None of the participants had any adverse events following the administration of Corbevax booster dose.

“We knew from our previous studies that mixed vaccines produce better immune response; therefore, when the government approved Corbevax to be given as a heterologous booster to individuals already vaccinated with Covishield, our aim was to determine how a different vaccine platform (protein-based) will impact the immune response especially in context of the Omicron variant,” he said.

Corbevax is an indigenously developed peptide-based vaccine which is different from the viral vector (Covishield) or the inactivated vaccine (Covaxin). The key difference is that Corbevax uses only a protein subunit of the virus replicated inside a yeast cell while the others are whole virus vaccines. The advantage of peptide-based vaccine is that it considerably reduces the risks of allergic and autoimmune responses making them safe for widespread usage.

Dr Reddy said the results further cemented their belief that mixed vaccines are absolutely safe. “The second aspect of the study was to measure the antibody response as well as the T-cell (memory cell) response at 30 days and then at 90 days to correctly estimate the overall protection against the circulating Omicron variant.

When estimating the effectiveness of a vaccine, both the antibody response and T-cell (Memory cell) response are essential.

“In our study, we compared the immune responses among those individuals who were given the same vaccine, i.e., Covishield (homologous group) as a booster and those who were given Corbevax as a booster (heterologous group). The S1/S2-spike protein IgG antibody levels and T/B Cell response of these groups were compared at 30 days and at 90 days. While the homologous and heterologous groups showed increased S1/S2-spike protein IgG antibody level at 30 days, the heterologous group (Corbevax as a booster) showed higher levels of antibodies at both 30 days and 90 days,” Dr Reddy said.

The study was undertaken when Omicron variants are circulating in India; therefore, it would be appropriate to say that heterologous booster (Corbevax) would be effective in combating any wave that is fueled by sub-variants of the Omicron.

High-risk group people should consider taking the booster dose and continue to take Covid appropriate precautions all the time especially when in public spaces.

Replying to queries, Dr Reddy said if a person has taken Covaxin double dose, he should also take Corbevax as the booster dose. “The booster dose should be from the other company as this gives more protection,” he said.

He noted that only 28 per cent of people in the country have taken booster dose. Corbevax is manufactured by Hyderabad-based Biological E.

Dr Reddy said that the vaccine is easy to manufacture and it is already available in the market at a price of Rs 250.

He suggested that China should also import Corbevax to save lives.

Dr Reddy also made it clear that there is no need for panic as the both the central and state governments are taking necessary measures and adequate stocks of vaccines and Remdesivir are available.

He believes that the number of Covid cases may increase over the next two months but from March next year, the situation will be normal.

He said people should wear masks while going in crowded places. He believes that the impact of the new variant of Omicron will not be severe.

Maharashtra

Digital payment facilities will be made available at Lokmanya Tilak General Hospital, Additional Municipal Commissioner directs

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Mumbai: Lokmanya Tilak General Hospital, run by the Mumbai Municipal Corporation, is witnessing a large influx of patients seeking various medical treatments. Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Verma Longare has directed that both cash and digital payment options be made available for various healthcare services. He also directed that the Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) be implemented effectively within the hospital.

The Lokmanya Tilak General Hospital in Mumbai is currently undergoing a capacity expansion project. Prajakta Verma Longare visited the hospital today (August 8, 2026) to personally inspect the progress of the expansion work. He visited the Emergency Department, various wards, MICU, and CCTV control room, among other areas.

Patients and their families currently have to pay cash for various medical services, such as X-rays, MRI scans, Outpatient Department (OPD) case papers, and medical service fees. Point of Sale (POS) machines should be provided at these locations to facilitate digital payments. Additionally, a dedicated counter for digital payments should be set up inside the hospital to help reduce queues. Ms. Verma-Laungaree noted that digital payment options will provide greater convenience to citizens, patients and their relatives.
Officers and staff including Deputy Commissioner (Public Health) Sharad Oghade, Deputy Commissioner (Zone-2) Prashant Sapkale, Director (Medical Education and Major Hospitals) Dr. Shailesh Mohte and Assistant Commissioner (F-North) Mr. Arun Kasher Sagar were present.

Mrs. Verma-Laungaree inspected the ongoing works in the main building (Phase 2A), Oncology building and other areas of the hospital, while also reviewing the status of the project. He directed that recreational areas be created for the citizens as well as the resident doctors and staff within the newly developed hospital. He directed the hospital administration to ensure the availability of barrier-free walkways for the citizens at the entrance of the hospital and within the premises. He also directed that staff should be regularly deployed in the control room. The staff working in the hospital should be monitored through the CCTV control room so that the employees leave the premises before their scheduled time. Notably, the human resources department at the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) headquarters is already monitoring the attendance of the staff using artificial intelligence. He further directed that steps be taken to implement a public address system operated from the control room.

Giving priority to cleanliness in the hospital, he directed that specific uniforms be provided to the staff. Steps should also be taken to keep the hospital free from the nuisance of rats and stray dogs. Additional Municipal Commissioner (City) Prajakta Verma-Laungare directed that the Hospital Management Information System (HMIS) be implemented in the hospital.

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Maharashtra

Jamiat Ulema Maharashtra (Arshad Madani) appeals for assistance to Assam flood victims, asking well-wishers and helpers to cooperate as much as possible

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Mumbai: An important consultative meeting of the executive members of Jamiat Ulema Maharashtra, special invitees and dignitaries of the city was held at the State Office, Imambara Compound, Mumbai under the chairmanship of President Jamiat Ulema Maharashtra Hazrat Maulana Haleemullah Qasmi, in which the executive members, special invitees and eminent personalities of the city participated. It may be noted that the executive members of Jamiat Ulema Maharashtra and special invitees were invited to attend the meeting of the Emirate of Sharia at Sabo Siddique Guest House in Mumbai, taking advantage of this opportunity, this meeting was held at the state office of Jamiat Ulema Maharashtra.

The meeting reviewed the flood disasters in Assam and the serious situation arising as a result of it. The participants were also informed about the ongoing relief and relief activities for the flood victims by Jamiat Ulema Assam on the instructions of the President of Jamiat Ulema Hind, Honorable Maulana Syed Arshad Madani.

On this occasion, stressing the need for immediate and effective assistance to the victims of Assam, Mufti Muhammad Yousuf Qasmi, General Secretary of Jamiat Ulema Maharashtra, appealed to the executive members, special invitees, district presidents and nazmas and philanthropists to actively participate in relief activities in the spirit of humanitarian sympathy and offer cooperation according to their capacity. He said that receipts have been set aside in the office for the relief of the flood victims, you should also take the receipt book with you. The imams of the mosques are also requested to announce this in their mosques and attract the donors towards it. It was also explained in the meeting that a large number of brothers of the country are in the flood-affected areas, however, in times of trouble and disaster, it is the moral and human responsibility of all of us to help the victims on the basis of humanity, transcending religion and nationality. In this regard, instead of Zakat, seeking support from donations, Allah and interest, while observing the principles of Sharia, so that timely assistance can be provided to the needy and affected families.

The participants of the meeting expressed their full solidarity with the flood victims of Assam and reiterated their resolve that Jamiat Ulema Maharashtra will continue to provide all possible support in relief activities to the best of its ability.

The State Executive Council, special invitees and dignitaries of the city attended the meeting in large numbers.

Jamiat Ulema Maharashtra

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Maharashtra

Juhu: Conspiracy to kill businessman’s family and loot exposed after security guard’s murder, entire plan of accused foiled, accused arrested

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Mumbai: Police have claimed to have unearthed a robbery conspiracy while solving the mystery of the murder of a security guard in Mumbai. An incident took place between 4 am on August 2, 2026 (Juhu Police Station CR No. 1236/2026; Sections 103(1), 310(3) of BNS 238), where the accused reached a residential building with the intention of robbing a businessman. The robbers attacked the building’s security guard Manoj Kumar Ayodhya Yadav (38), strangled him to death with a cloth rope, and threw his body into the building’s water tank. Soon after the crime, various police teams were formed under the supervision of the Deputy Commissioner of Police (West Zone-2) and started the investigation. During the investigation, information came to light about the involvement of the domestic helper (cook) through the businessman’s family and his friend. On the arrest of the cook, Jogeshwar Udhan Malik (alias Kishan) and his accomplice Vijay Gonzari, it was revealed that Malik, along with the businessman’s wife and daughter, had hatched a conspiracy to kill the businessman’s relative and loot cash and jewellery from the house. It was learnt that the conspiracy had been in the planning stages for the past two years. As the mastermind behind the conspiracy, Jogeshwar Udhan Malik (alias Kishan) took the help of Vijay Gonzari and appointed three additional accomplices Sharad Yarodkar (41), his brother Mahadev Yarodkar (35) and Aniket Bornak (30) to execute the plan. During the investigation, the main accused Jogeshwar Malik introduced his accomplices to the deceased security guard Manoj Kumar Yadav. On the night of August 2, the accused gathered near the building and sat down to drink alcohol with the security guard. They strangled the guard, tied his hands and threw his body into a water tank. Thereafter, at around 4:00 AM, the accused went to the 6th floor and tried to enter the flat of a businessman using a duplicate key. However, after failing to open the door, they gave up the attempt and fled the spot. After being arrested, the accused confessed to the crime. The investigation was conducted under the guidance of Additional Commissioner of Police (West Region) Abhinav Deshmukh and Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 2, West) Mr. Mohit Kumar Garg.

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