Corona Vaccine: AIIMS Director Says India Can Use Bharat Biotech’s COVAXIN As Backup
New Delhi, January 3, 2021: The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) today granted approval for emergency use of two Corona vaccines. Soon, a vaccination campaign will also be started in the country to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) director Randeep Guleria said it is a good day for the country and also a good way to start the New Year.
He also said that one of the two vaccines approved indigenous COVAXIN can be used as a backup. He said that both the vaccines are made in India which makes them cost-effective and easily available. Guleria said that we should start vaccinating as soon as possible. He also stated that vaccines go through various stages to ensure that they are safe.
The AIIMS director further stated that all data is examined with utmost seriousness and tested by experts only after which vaccines are approved.
Guleria said that Bharat Biotech Vaccine can be used as a backup. In case of emergency, we may need to be vaccinated when there is a sudden increase in corona cases, then Bharat Biotech vaccine can be used. He also stated that Bharat Biotech vaccine may be used until we ascertain how effective the Serum Institue of India (SII) vaccine CoviShield proves to be.
The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) today granted permission for limited emergency use of Covishield, which has been developed by Oxford University-AstraZeneca and being produced by the Serum Institute of India (SII), as well as Bharat Biotech’s indigenously produced COVAXIN. The approval has been given by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on the basis of the recommendation of Covid-19’s Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).
DCGI Dr V.G. Somani while speaking to the media said that CDSCO has decided to agree with the recommendations of the Expert committee after extensive study and accordingly gave approval for limited use of SII and Bharat Biotech’s Vaccines in emergencies.
