A government-appointed panel has accepted requests for approval of the emergency use of 3 vaccines.
New Delhi:
Approval of a Covid vaccine may come soon, the country’s drug control authority said. In a webinar today, Dr VG Somani, Comptroller General of Drugs, said: “We will probably have a happy New Year with something in hand. That’s what I can hint at.” The Comptroller General of Drugs’ assurance came ahead of a crucial meeting of the expert panel on authorization of vaccines for emergency use, which is scheduled for tomorrow.
Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that “preparations are in the last stages of the vaccination program against COVID-19. People will get the vaccine made in India.”
This week, the government-appointed panel has accepted applications for emergency use approval of the vaccines manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech and Pfizer.
Serum Institute is manufacturing ‘Covishield’ developed by the University of Oxford and leading pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca. Bharat Biotech has partnered with the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) for its ‘Covaxin’. Both firms have made presentations to the panel.
Pfizer has sought more time to present its data.
Once approved by the expert panel, the requests will go to the drug controller for approval.
Authorities say the Oxford vaccine could be the first to gain approval in India and be rolled out across the country.
The Serum Institute, which makes the vaccine, has ensured that most of the first 50 million doses will go to India.
“For at least the first month, most of our doses will go to India. We have an agreement with other COVAX countries, but to export we will need approvals and licenses from the World Health Organization. Therefore, India will receive first.” said the head of the company. Adar Poonawalla has said.
.
