The count of daily Covid-19 infections has dipped as Pakistan posted 40 more cases and no fatality during the last 24 hours (Thursday), showed the figures released by the National Institute of Health (NIH) on Friday morning, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The death toll in the country stayed the same at 30,626 whereas the number of total infections now rose to 1,574,280 after adding the fresh 40 cases.

During the last 24 hours (Thursday), 11,693 tests were conducted throughout Pakistan whereas the positivity ratio plunged to 0.34 from previous day’s 0.52 percent. The number of patients in critical care was recorded at 61.

https://twitter.com/NIH_Pakistan/status/1588343629495443456

Pfizer-BioNTech to test combined Covid and flu vaccine

Pfizer-BioNTech said Thursday they will test a combined coronavirus and influenza vaccine, which could potentially pave the way for better inoculation uptake for both illnesses.

The companies said in a statement the mRNA-based combination vaccine candidate was set to progress to a phase one trial in the United States with 180 volunteers.

The inoculation "could simplify immunisation practices against these two respiratory pathogens, potentially leading to better vaccine uptake for both diseases," said Annaliesa Anderson, head of vaccine research and development at US drugmaker Pfizer.

"Even with existing seasonal influenza vaccines, the burden of this virus is severe across the world, causing thousands of deaths and hospitalisations every year."

Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech developed one of the most widely used vaccines to combat Covid-19.

Rival vaccine makers Moderna and Novavax have also been testing combined inoculations against Covid and flu.

With inputs from AFP.