Mexico approved the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for emergency use Monday, hoping to spur a halting vaccination effort that has only given about 44,000 shots since the third week of December, about 82 per cent of the doses the country has received.

Prior to this, the Pfizer vaccine was the only one approved for use in Mexico.

Mexican regulators approved the AstraZeneca shot.

Assistant Health Secretariat Hugo López-Gatell said he erroneously reported approval for Chinese vaccine maker CanSino, noting it had not yet submitted full study results for safety and efficacy.

Mexico has pinned much of its hopes on the inexpensive, one-shot CanSino vaccine.

"It will makes things a lot easier for us," López-Gatell said.

López-Gatell, who heads up efforts to deal with the pandemic, had to explain why he was spotted at a Pacific coast beach, apparently sitting at sea-side restaurant without a face mask on.

López-Gatell has repeatedly counselled Mexicans to stay at home.

He has also cast doubt on how whether face masks protect people from catching coronavirus.

Mexico approved the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for emergency use Monday, hoping to spur a halting vaccination effort that has only given about 44,000 shots since the third week of December, about 82 per cent of the doses the country has received.

Mexico approved the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine for emergency use Monday, hoping to spur a halting vaccination effort that has only given about 44,000 shots since the third week of December, about 82 per cent of the doses the country has received. Prior to this, the Pfizer vaccine was the only one approved for use in Mexico. Mexican regulators approved the AstraZeneca shot. Assistant Health Secretariat Hugo López-Gatell said he erroneously reported approval for Chinese vaccine maker CanSino, noting it had not yet submitted full study results for safety and efficacy. Mexico has pinned much of its hopes on the inexpensive, one-shot CanSino vaccine. "It will makes things a lot easier for us," López-Gatell said. López-Gatell, who heads up efforts to deal with the pandemic, had to explain why he was spotted at a Pacific coast beach, apparently sitting at sea-side restaurant without a face mask on. López-Gatell has repeatedly counselled Mexicans to stay at home. He has also cast doubt on how whether face masks protect people from catching coronavirus.

After India, UK, now Mexico approves Oxford COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use

Indian government has approved two of its top COVID-19 vaccine contenders Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin for emergency use on Sunday. Meanwhile, the government has conducted two vaccine dry runs to identify the shortcomings of the process and rectify it. As per reports COVID-19 vaccine in the country is likely to be rolled out in January.

Here's all you need to know about the process

Is it mandatory to take the vaccine?

No, taking the vaccine is voluntary.

First recipients of the Covid vaccine

Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Saturday said that free coronavirus vaccines will be provided to 3 crore frontline workers in the first base of the mega vaccination drive in India.

"In first phase of COVID-19 Vaccination, free vaccine shall be provided across the nation to most prioritised beneficiaries that include 1 crore healthcare and 2 crore frontline workers," Vardhan wrote on Twitter.

People over 50 years of age and people with comorbidities will also be part of priority groups.

How do we register for Covid-19 vaccination?

As per reports, the COVID-19 Vaccine Intelligence Network (Co-WIN) system will be used to track the enlisted beneficiaries for vaccination and COVID-19 vaccines on a real-time basis.

Only pre-registered beneficiaries will be vaccinated per the prioritization – there will be no provision for on-the-spot registrations.

The registered mobile number will be used to inform the eligible beneficiaries. 
 
Currently, common people cannot register for the upcoming vaccine for the coronavirus pandemic as only officials have access to it for now.&nbsp; 
 
Once live, the Co-WIN app or website will give three options for registration including self-registration, individual registration, and bulk upload. The logistics of it have not yet been revealed.&nbsp;

What are the required documents for registration?

One of the following document will be required for registration – Driving licence, PAN card, bank passbook, passport, pension document, MGNERGA job card, voter ID, official IDs of MPs/ MLAs/ MLCs, government-issued service ID card and health insurance smartcard issued by Ministry of Labour.

Photo ID is a must for both registration and verification of beneficiary at the session site to ensure that the intended person is vaccinated, the guidelines state.

How will one know if they are eligible for vaccination?

The eligible beneficiaries would be informed through their mobile number.

How many doses of the vaccine would be required?

The government has said that two doses of the vaccine 28 days apart must be administered for a beneficiary.

Will the covid-19 vaccine be given to everyone simultaneously?

No, the vaccination process would take place in phases. The first phase would include high-risk groups as aforementioned.

(With inputs from agencies)

Indian government has approved two of its top COVID-19 vaccine contenders Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin for emergency use on Sunday.

Indian government has approved two of its top COVID-19 vaccine contenders Oxford-AstraZeneca's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin for emergency use on Sunday. Meanwhile, the government has conducted two vaccine dry runs to identify the shortcomings of the process and rectify it. As per reports COVID-19 vaccine in the country is likely to be rolled out in January. Here's all you need to know about the process Is it mandatory to take the vaccine? No, taking the vaccine is voluntary. First recipients of the Covid vaccine Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan on Saturday said that free coronavirus vaccines will be provided to 3 crore frontline workers in the first base of the mega vaccination drive in India. "In first phase of COVID-19 Vaccination, free vaccine shall be provided across the nation to most prioritised beneficiaries that include 1 crore healthcare and 2 crore frontline workers," Vardhan wrote on Twitter. People over 50 years of age and people with comorbidities will also be part of priority groups. How do we register for Covid-19 vaccination? As per reports, the COVID-19 Vaccine Intelligence Network (Co-WIN) system will be used to track the enlisted beneficiaries for vaccination and COVID-19 vaccines on a real-time basis. Only pre-registered beneficiaries will be vaccinated per the prioritization – there will be no provision for on-the-spot registrations. The registered mobile number will be used to inform the eligible beneficiaries. Currently, common people cannot register for the upcoming vaccine for the coronavirus pandemic as only officials have access to it for now. Once live, the Co-WIN app or website will give three options for registration including self-registration, individual registration, and bulk upload. The logistics of it have not yet been revealed. What are the required documents for registration? One of the following document will be required for registration – Driving licence, PAN card, bank passbook, passport, pension document, MGNERGA job card, voter ID, official IDs of MPs/ MLAs/ MLCs, government-issued service ID card and health insurance smartcard issued by Ministry of Labour. Photo ID is a must for both registration and verification of beneficiary at the session site to ensure that the intended person is vaccinated, the guidelines state. How will one know if they are eligible for vaccination? The eligible beneficiaries would be informed through their mobile number. How many doses of the vaccine would be required? The government has said that two doses of the vaccine 28 days apart must be administered for a beneficiary. Will the covid-19 vaccine be given to everyone simultaneously? No, the vaccination process would take place in phases. The first phase would include high-risk groups as aforementioned. (With inputs from agencies)

Covid vaccination drive in India: Registration, process and documents needed

After weeks of administering the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, the UK has become the first country to give the first shot of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine on Monday.

The low cost and easily transportable AstraZeneca and Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine will be available in six hospitals in the UK on Monday.&nbsp;Brian Pinker, an 82-year-old retired maintenance manager, was the first person to receive the jab at Oxford's Churchill Hospital, NHS England said.

"I'm so pleased to be getting the COVID vaccine today and really proud it is one that was invented in Oxford," Pinker said after receiving the shot.&nbsp;

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/britain-set-to-roll-out-astrazenecas-coronavirus-vaccine-starting-today-354319">Britain set to roll out AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine starting today</a>

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'I'm so pleased to be getting the COVID vaccine today and really proud it is one that was invented in Oxford.' 
 
82-year-old Brian Pinker became the first person in the world to receive the new Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine this morning at <a href="https://twitter.com/OUHospitals?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@OUHospitals</a>. 💉 <a href="https://t.co/nhnd3Sx97m">pic.twitter.com/nhnd3Sx97m</a>
— NHS England and NHS Improvement (@NHSEngland) <a href="https://twitter.com/NHSEngland/status/1346003451000532992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 4, 2021</a></blockquote>
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The National Health Service (NHS) became the first service in the world to deliver this shot. "We look forward to vaccinating more patients and health and care staff with the Oxford vaccine in the coming weeks," expressed the Chief Nurse, Sam Foster.

Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is being hailed as one of the cheapest and most accessible vaccines as the shots can be stored at fridge temperature, making the transportation and storage easier than the rest.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/uk-begins-rollout-of-astrazeneca-oxford-covid-19-vaccine-354379">WATCH|</a>

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"This is a pivotal moment in our fight against this awful virus and I hope it provides renewed hope to everybody that the end of this pandemic is in sight," health minister Matt Hancock said in a statement.

The&nbsp;UK has administered the first shot a day after the Indian government and drug regulator approved the same vaccine for restricted and emergency use in India, along with one other vaccine being developed by an Indian pharmaceutical company.

After weeks of administering the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, the UK has become the first country to give the first shot of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine on Monday.

After weeks of administering the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine, the UK has become the first country to give the first shot of the AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine on Monday. The low cost and easily transportable AstraZeneca and Oxford University COVID-19 vaccine will be available in six hospitals in the UK on Monday. Brian Pinker, an 82-year-old retired maintenance manager, was the first person to receive the jab at Oxford's Churchill Hospital, NHS England said. "I'm so pleased to be getting the COVID vaccine today and really proud it is one that was invented in Oxford," Pinker said after receiving the shot. Also read| Britain set to roll out AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine starting today 'I'm so pleased to be getting the COVID vaccine today and really proud it is one that was invented in Oxford.' 82-year-old Brian Pinker became the first person in the world to receive the new Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine this morning at @OUHospitals. 💉 pic.twitter.com/nhnd3Sx97m — NHS England and NHS Improvement (@NHSEngland) January 4, 2021 × The National Health Service (NHS) became the first service in the world to deliver this shot. "We look forward to vaccinating more patients and health and care staff with the Oxford vaccine in the coming weeks," expressed the Chief Nurse, Sam Foster. Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is being hailed as one of the cheapest and most accessible vaccines as the shots can be stored at fridge temperature, making the transportation and storage easier than the rest. WATCH| × "This is a pivotal moment in our fight against this awful virus and I hope it provides renewed hope to everybody that the end of this pandemic is in sight," health minister Matt Hancock said in a statement. The UK has administered the first shot a day after the Indian government and drug regulator approved the same vaccine for restricted and emergency use in India, along with one other vaccine being developed by an Indian pharmaceutical company.

UK administers first shot of AstraZeneca-Oxford vaccine

India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation's Subject Expert Committee(SEC) is set to hold a meeting today to decide on approving the Covishield vaccine developed by Serum Institute of India (SII) and AstraZeneca-Oxford University.

Watch:

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The SEC will decide on whether to allow Covishield vaccine emergency use authorisation to combat COVID-19.

The SII had earlier submitted additional data to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI).

Pfizer-BioNTech, Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India had earlier applied to the DCGI for the emergency use vaccine. 
&nbsp;&nbsp; 
SII chief Adar Poonawalla had earlier claimed that his company has already produced 40 million doses of the Oxford vaccine and was aiming to ramp up production to at least 100 million doses a month by March.

"We have 40-50 million doses of Covishield stockpiled. Once we get regulatory approvals in a few days, it'll be down to the government to decide how much they can take and how fast," Poonawalla said.&nbsp;

"All data on Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID19 vaccine submitted in India and UK. There are no concerns, regulators are closely reviewing documents and data," the SII chief executive added.

Poonawala said that although there could be a shortage of vaccine in the first half of the year, there could be an easing off later in 2021 around August September as other vaccine makers will be able to supply it.

India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation's Subject Expert Committee(SEC) is set to hold a meeting today to decide on approving the Covishield vaccine developed by Serum Institute of India (SII) and AstraZeneca-Oxford University.

India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation's Subject Expert Committee(SEC) is set to hold a meeting today to decide on approving the Covishield vaccine developed by Serum Institute of India (SII) and AstraZeneca-Oxford University. Watch: The SEC will decide on whether to allow Covishield vaccine emergency use authorisation to combat COVID-19. The SII had earlier submitted additional data to the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). Pfizer-BioNTech, Bharat Biotech and Serum Institute of India had earlier applied to the DCGI for the emergency use vaccine. SII chief Adar Poonawalla had earlier claimed that his company has already produced 40 million doses of the Oxford vaccine and was aiming to ramp up production to at least 100 million doses a month by March. "We have 40-50 million doses of Covishield stockpiled. Once we get regulatory approvals in a few days, it'll be down to the government to decide how much they can take and how fast," Poonawalla said. "All data on Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID19 vaccine submitted in India and UK. There are no concerns, regulators are closely reviewing documents and data," the SII chief executive added. Poonawala said that although there could be a shortage of vaccine in the first half of the year, there could be an easing off later in 2021 around August September as other vaccine makers will be able to supply it.

India's SEC to decide on approving Serum Institute of India's Covishield vaccine for emergency use authorisation