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COVID-19 vaccines

India Approves Covishield and Covaxin Vaccines for Emergency Use

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Indian government has granted final approval to Covishield and Covaxin, two COVID-19 vaccines manufactured by Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech Ltd, respectively, for "emergency use" against the coronavirus. The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) formally announced the approval, which follows a recommendation by the Subject Expert Committee under the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). This decision paves the way for a nationwide vaccination drive, with an initial focus on frontline workers, healthcare professionals, and individuals above 50 years of age.

Key Takeaways:

  • The DCGI has approved Covishield and Covaxin for emergency use to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Both vaccines require two doses and must be stored at a temperature of 2-8°C.
  • The Subject Expert Committee consists of domain knowledge experts from pulmonology, immunology, microbiology, pharmacology, pediatrics, and internal medicine.
  • Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the scientific community for fulfilling the dream of an "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" (Self-reliant India).
  • The government plans to vaccinate 30 crore people in India against Coronavirus over the next six to eight months.
  • The initial vaccination drive will focus on around one crore healthcare workers, two crore frontline workers, and people above 50 years of age.
  • The two crore frontline workers included state and central police department, armed forces, home guard, disaster management and civil defense organisation, prison staff, municipal workers, and revenue officials engaged in COVID-19 containment and surveillance.
  • VG Somani, Drug Controller General of India, stated that the vaccines are "110 percent safe" despite some side effects like mild fever, pain, and allergy.

Statistics:

  • The Indian government plans to vaccinate 30 crore people over the next six to eight months.
  • The initial vaccination drive will focus on 1 crore healthcare workers, 2 crore frontline workers, and people above 50 years of age.
  • The two crore frontline workers include staff from various departments such as police, armed forces, home guard, disaster management, civil defense, prison, and municipal services.
  • The vaccines require two doses and must be stored at a temperature of 2-8°C.

Sources:

  • The official news Agency of Bangladesh (BSS)
  • Government of India's Union Health Ministry

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