In the latest development to fight against the Covid-19, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has permitted the use of Covishield by Serum Institute of India and Covaxin by the home based Bharat Biotech. As of now, the governing authority has granted the vaccines for restricted use for an emergency.
Responding to the good news Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted,
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
We reiterate our gratitude to doctors, medical staff, scientists, police personnel, sanitation workers and all Corona warriors for the outstanding work done, that too in adverse circumstances. We will remain eternally grateful to them for saving many lives.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 3, 2021
Regional Director WHO South-East Asia Region, Poonam Khetrapal Singh said, “WHO welcomes the first emergency use authorization given to COVID-19 vaccine in the WHO South-East Asia Region. This decision taken today by India will help intensify and strengthen the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in the region. The use of the vaccine in prioritized populations, along with the continued implementation of other public health measures and community participation will be important in reducing the impact of COVID-19”.
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of Serum Institute of India tweeted,
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
Applauding the news, AIIMS Delhi director, Dr. Randeep Guleria said,” It’s a great day for our country and it’s a very good way to start the new year. Both vaccines are made in India. They are cost-effective & easy to administer. We should, in a very short period, start rolling out the vaccine. It’s important to understand that when we consider any vaccine, safety is paramount & therefore vaccine goes through various stages to make sure it’s safe, then only we come to human trials. All data is critically looked at by experts after which the vaccine is approved”. He also tweeted,
Approval clearly says 'emergency situation' keeping in mind the circulating variant strains & at the same time, they have to continue the trial & get the data in. Once that data comes in, we'll be more confident as far as safety and efficacy is concerned: Dr. Randeep Guleria https://t.co/1CuAFW0Cqi
— ANI (@ANI) January 3, 2021