Covid-19 vaccines Serum Institute, Bharat Biotech get DCGI approval for emergency use of Covid-19 vaccines
New Delhi/IBNS: Two Covid-19 vaccine candidates-Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and the Serum Institute of India's Covishield-on Sunday received the approval of the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for emergency use in India.
Drug Controller General of India VG Somani said both firms submitted data based on their trial runs and both have been granted permission for "restricted use".
"We'll never approve anything if there is slightest of safety concern. The vaccines are 100 per cent safe," Somani said at a media briefing.
Sharing the news, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted: "It would make every Indian proud that the two vaccines that have been given emergency use approval are made in India! This shows the eagerness of our scientific community to fulfil the dream of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, at the root of which is care and compassion."
A decisive turning point to strengthen a spirited fight!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 3, 2021
DCGI granting approval to vaccines of @SerumInstIndia and @BharatBiotech accelerates the road to a healthier and COVID-free nation.
Congratulations India.
Congratulations to our hardworking scientists and innovators.
It would make every Indian proud that the two vaccines that have been given emergency use approval are made in India! This shows the eagerness of our scientific community to fulfil the dream of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, at the root of which is care and compassion.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 3, 2021
Reacting to the approval, Adar Poonawalla, the chief executive of the Pune-based vaccine manufacturer, said the risks taken with stockpiling the vaccine, have finally paid off.
Happy new year, everyone! All the risks @SerumInstIndia took with stockpiling the vaccine, have finally paid off. COVISHIELD, India's first COVID-19 vaccine is approved, safe, effective and ready to roll-out in the coming weeks. pic.twitter.com/TcKh4bZIKK
— Adar Poonawalla (@adarpoonawalla) January 3, 2021
The vaccines received the approval after they were cleared by a government-appointed panel on Jan 1 and 2.
The Serum Institute of India (SII) has made the vaccine Covishield developed by Oxford University and pharma major AstraZeneca, while Bharat Biotech has partnered with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) for its indigenous Covaxin.
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