In a crucial development, vaccines of Serum Institue of India and Bharat Biotech were granted permission for restricted use in emergency situations. India was waiting for the approval of the Drug Controller General of India V.G. Somani. "A decisive turning point to strengthen a spirited fight. DCGI granting approval to vaccines of Serum Institue of India and Bharat Biotech accelerates the road to healthier and COVID-free nation. Congratulations India. Congratulations to our hardworking scientists and innovators," said PM Modi.
Earlier, an expert panel of India's central drug authority had recommended granting permission for restricted use of Bharat Biotech-developed indigenous COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin in emergency situation, especially in the context of infection by mutant strains. The recommendation for Bharat Biotech's vaccine came a day after the panel cleared the Serum Institute of India's emergency use athorisation application for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine Covishield.
Said Somani, reported news agency ANI: "We will never approve anything if there is slightest of safety concern. The vaccines are 100 per cent safe. Some side effects like mild fever, pain and allergy are common for every vaccine."
SII CEO Adar Poonawalla said that vaccines will be rolled out in the coming weeks. "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," he said.
