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, who addressed a scheduled press conference today and broke the news. "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.
