Celebrating the power of vaccines: How India’s immunisation drive is transforming public health

March 17, 2026 5:13 PM

Celebrating the power of vaccines: How India’s immunisation drive is transforming public health

India’s vaccination journey stands as one of the most significant public health success stories, with the country not only eradicating deadly diseases but also steadily expanding its immunisation coverage to protect millions each year. Marking National Vaccination Day, observed annually on March 16, the focus this year remains on the transformative impact of vaccines in saving lives and strengthening the nation’s healthcare system. A legacy of disease eradication India has successfully el...

Shingles vaccine reduces risk of death from dementia, study finds

December 6, 2025 5:40 PM

Shingles vaccine reduces risk of death from dementia, study finds

People with dementia who received a shingles vaccine were significantly less likely to die from dementia than those who didn’t get the shot, according to findings of a large study, suggesting the vaccine could slow progression of the disease. Overall, nearly half of the more than 14,000 seniors in Wales who had dementia at the start of the vaccination program died from dementia during nine years of follow-up. But receipt of Merck's MRK.N Zostavax vaccine lowered the risk of death from deme...

India shared 300 million vaccines globally during COVID-19: Piyush Goyal

April 28, 2025 10:21 AM

India shared 300 million vaccines globally during COVID-19: Piyush Goyal

India provided nearly 300 million vaccine doses to less developed and vulnerable countries through the Vaccine Maitri initiative during the COVID-19 pandemic — many of them free of cost — ensuring that no nation was left behind during the global health crisis, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said on Sunday. Speaking at the World Health Summit (WHS) Regional Meeting Asia 2025 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, Goyal emphasized that, unlike several countries that imposed ex...

“Exciting to see effective innovation done in a clever way”: Bill Gates praises India’s growth story

March 20, 2025 10:30 PM

“Exciting to see effective innovation done in a clever way”: Bill Gates praises India’s growth story

Microsoft co-founder and philanthropist Bill Gates has praised India's role in global innovation, highlighting the country's advancements in vaccines, artificial intelligence (AI), and digital infrastructure. In an interview with Times Now, Gates emphasized the far-reaching impact of India's digital public infrastructure (DPI) and its growing global influence. Reflecting on his long association with India, he said that the country has always been a hub of talent, something he recognized even du...

Supreme Court rejects plea alleging side effects of COVID-19 vaccines

October 14, 2024 4:57 PM

Supreme Court rejects plea alleging side effects of COVID-19 vaccines

The Supreme Court of India on Monday dismissed a petition alleging that COVID-19 vaccines caused severe side effects, including blood clotting, calling the plea as an attempt to create unnecessary alarm. A bench led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud, along with Justices JB Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, declined to entertain the petition, stating that it lacked merit. "We don’t want to rake this up. This is just to create a sensation," remarked the bench, questioning the usefulness of the petition....

Pfizer, BioNTech win bid to invalidate CureVac’s UK COVID vaccine patents

October 8, 2024 3:38 PM

Pfizer, BioNTech win bid to invalidate CureVac’s UK COVID vaccine patents

Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech on Tuesday won their attempt to invalidate two of rival CureVac's patents at London's High Court. Pfizer and BioNTech had filed their lawsuit in September 2022 over patents relating to messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, which underpins Pfizer and BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine. Tuesday's ruling relates to the London leg of Pfizer, BioNTech and CureVac's global legal battle, which also involves litigation in the United States and Germany. Pfizer and BioNTech a...

Quad Cancer Moonshot: PM Modi announces USD 7.5 million grant and 40 million vaccine doses to combat cervical cancer

September 22, 2024 7:19 AM

Quad Cancer Moonshot: PM Modi announces USD 7.5 million grant and 40 million vaccine doses to combat cervical cancer

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced a $7.5 million support package for sampling kits, detection kits and vaccines to assist nations in combating cervical cancer. This announcement was made during the Quad Cancer Moonshot event, hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden, on the sidelines of the Quad Leaders’ Summit in Wilmington, Delaware. "India is ready to share its experience and expertise. Today, many experts from India working in cancer care have joined us at this event. Our visio...