Nepal's caretaker PM KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday expressed his gratitude for India for providing coronavirus vaccines to Nepal. India has dispatched one million doses of Covishield vaccine within a week of its rollout in India. On Wednesday, Nepal launched its innoculation drive. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the inoculation drive in Kathmandu, Oli thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing vaccine doses to Nepal.

"We got an early chance to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. For this, I extend my gratitude to our neighbour: India, its people and government and especially to Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They sent the vaccine to us within about a week of its roll out in India," Oli said.

The inauguration ceremony was held virtually. Oli said that with the help of vaccines, the inoculation drive in Nepal will be completed within three months.

In the first phase of the vaccination drive, the government is inoculating the `Covishield` vaccine gifted by India to around 450,000 frontline workers, according to the Ministry of Health and Population.Last week, the Government of India gifted a million doses of the `Covishied` vaccine to Nepal.&nbsp;

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-kicks-off-coronavirus-inoculations-with-indian-vaccine-359644">Nepal kicks off coronavirus inoculations with Indian vaccine</a>

The vaccine was jointly developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca -- a British-Swedish pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company. It has been branded as `Covishield` in India, and is produced by the Serum Institute of India.

(With agency inputs)

Nepal's caretaker PM KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday expressed his gratitude for India for providing coronavirus vaccines to Nepal. India has dispatched one million doses of Covishield vaccine within a week of its rollout in India.

Nepal's caretaker PM KP Sharma Oli on Wednesday expressed his gratitude for India for providing coronavirus vaccines to Nepal. India has dispatched one million doses of Covishield vaccine within a week of its rollout in India. On Wednesday, Nepal launched its innoculation drive. Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the inoculation drive in Kathmandu, Oli thanked Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for providing vaccine doses to Nepal. "We got an early chance to administer the COVID-19 vaccine. For this, I extend my gratitude to our neighbour: India, its people and government and especially to Honorable Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They sent the vaccine to us within about a week of its roll out in India," Oli said. The inauguration ceremony was held virtually. Oli said that with the help of vaccines, the inoculation drive in Nepal will be completed within three months. In the first phase of the vaccination drive, the government is inoculating the `Covishield` vaccine gifted by India to around 450,000 frontline workers, according to the Ministry of Health and Population.Last week, the Government of India gifted a million doses of the `Covishied` vaccine to Nepal. Also Read | Nepal kicks off coronavirus inoculations with Indian vaccine The vaccine was jointly developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca -- a British-Swedish pharmaceutical and biopharmaceutical company. It has been branded as `Covishield` in India, and is produced by the Serum Institute of India. (With agency inputs)

Nepal PM thanks India for coronavirus vaccines

Watch Gravitas Plus with Palki Sharma - Dominica sent an SOS letter to India. - U.K, and Belgium want to procure Indian vaccines. - India's Vaccine Maitri is healing its neighbours. - Brazil, Morocco received their first consignment from India. -The World is leaning on India for Wuhan Virus vaccination.

Gravitas Plus: India sets an example with Vaccine Maitri

India has begun the commercial export of the COVID-19 vaccines. A shipment with 2 million Covishield doses has reached Brazil.

India begins commercial export of vaccines; 2 million doses of vaccine reaches Brazil

Seychelles and Myanmar will be getting Made in India vaccines on Friday.&nbsp;

Seychelles will get 50,000 doses of vaccines on Friday at around 1 pm local time. The amount is significant since the population of the country is 97,000. Seychelles will be the second Indian Ocean country to get the gift of Indian vaccines after the Maldives.&nbsp;

Meanwhile, Myanmar will get 1.5 million doses of the vaccine being sent by India.

India has announced that it will gift COVID-19 vaccines manufactured in the country to six nations - Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, and Seychelles. The vaccine being sent is the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India - Covishield.

Bhutan and Maldives were the first two countries to get the Indian vaccine gift on Wednesday when the government gave the go-ahead for exports. Bhutan got 150,000 doses while the Maldives got 100,000 doses. It was followed by Nepal (1 million) and Bangladesh (20 lakh doses) getting Indian consignment on Thursday.

Amid the pandemic, India has been able to reaffirm its position as the pharma capital of the world. As part of its neighbourhood first policy, New Delhi had assured that it will give priority to its neighbouring countries. It has got requests for vaccines from ASEAN and Latin American countries. Last year, it sent HCQ, Paracetamol to 150 countries around the world to deal with the pandemic.

Seychelles and Myanmar will be getting Made in India vaccines on Friday. Seychelles will get 50,000 doses of vaccines on Friday at around 1 pm local time. The amount is significant since the population of the country is 97,000.

Seychelles and Myanmar will be getting Made in India vaccines on Friday. Seychelles will get 50,000 doses of vaccines on Friday at around 1 pm local time. The amount is significant since the population of the country is 97,000. Seychelles will be the second Indian Ocean country to get the gift of Indian vaccines after the Maldives. Meanwhile, Myanmar will get 1.5 million doses of the vaccine being sent by India. India has announced that it will gift COVID-19 vaccines manufactured in the country to six nations - Bhutan, Maldives, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, and Seychelles. The vaccine being sent is the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by Serum Institute of India - Covishield. Bhutan and Maldives were the first two countries to get the Indian vaccine gift on Wednesday when the government gave the go-ahead for exports. Bhutan got 150,000 doses while the Maldives got 100,000 doses. It was followed by Nepal (1 million) and Bangladesh (20 lakh doses) getting Indian consignment on Thursday. Amid the pandemic, India has been able to reaffirm its position as the pharma capital of the world. As part of its neighbourhood first policy, New Delhi had assured that it will give priority to its neighbouring countries. It has got requests for vaccines from ASEAN and Latin American countries. Last year, it sent HCQ, Paracetamol to 150 countries around the world to deal with the pandemic.

Myanmar, Seychelles to get Made in India vaccine on Friday

Nepal foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali will be on a 3-day India visit from tomorrow with a focus on procuring COVID vaccines from India. Nepal wants 20% or around 12 million doses of Covid vaccines from India. He will be meeting India's external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar as part of the 6th Nepal-India joint commission meet for which the invite was extended last year.

A release by Nepal foreign ministry, "The Joint Commission Meeting will discuss the whole gamut of Nepal-India bilateral relations, including trade, transit, energy, boundary, COVID-19 cooperation, infrastructure, connectivity, investment, agriculture, tourism, culture, among others."

The joint commission meeting, which alternates between the 2 countries, takes place in New Delhi this year. The Fifth Joint Commission Meeting was held in August 2019 in Kathmandu with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visiting the country. The Nepali delegation will consist of the Nepali envoy to India, Foreign Secretary, Health Secretary, and other senior officials of the Government of Nepal.

Last year saw 3 high-level visits from Delhi to Nepal. These include the visit of India's intelligence chief, followed by the Indian army chief, and then by the visit of the foreign secretary.

This is the first high-level visit from Kathmandu in over a year and comes in the backdrop of India Nepal row over the new map issued by the Oli government. The new Nepali map showed Indian territories of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as Nepali territories drawing the ire of New Delhi which dismissed the "Unjustified Cartographic Assertion'. He will be the first foreign minister to visit Delhi this year.

While the map row did impact the political ties, the focus on people to people relations continued. India has been involved in a number of projects in the country and plans to operationalize Jayanagar-Kurtha cross-border rail line. Earlier both countries inaugurated the Motihari–Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline, the first cross country pipeline in south Asia. The pipeline can carry two million metric tonnes of petroleum products into Nepal and so far has led to a saving of over 800 million Nepali rupees.

Nepal foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali will be on a 3-day India visit from tomorrow with a focus on procuring COVID vaccines from India. Nepal wants 20% or around 12 million doses of Covid vaccines from India.

Nepal foreign minister Pradeep Kumar Gyawali will be on a 3-day India visit from tomorrow with a focus on procuring COVID vaccines from India. Nepal wants 20% or around 12 million doses of Covid vaccines from India. He will be meeting India's external affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar as part of the 6th Nepal-India joint commission meet for which the invite was extended last year. A release by Nepal foreign ministry, "The Joint Commission Meeting will discuss the whole gamut of Nepal-India bilateral relations, including trade, transit, energy, boundary, COVID-19 cooperation, infrastructure, connectivity, investment, agriculture, tourism, culture, among others." The joint commission meeting, which alternates between the 2 countries, takes place in New Delhi this year. The Fifth Joint Commission Meeting was held in August 2019 in Kathmandu with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar visiting the country. The Nepali delegation will consist of the Nepali envoy to India, Foreign Secretary, Health Secretary, and other senior officials of the Government of Nepal. Last year saw 3 high-level visits from Delhi to Nepal. These include the visit of India's intelligence chief, followed by the Indian army chief, and then by the visit of the foreign secretary. This is the first high-level visit from Kathmandu in over a year and comes in the backdrop of India Nepal row over the new map issued by the Oli government. The new Nepali map showed Indian territories of Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura as Nepali territories drawing the ire of New Delhi which dismissed the "Unjustified Cartographic Assertion'. He will be the first foreign minister to visit Delhi this year. While the map row did impact the political ties, the focus on people to people relations continued. India has been involved in a number of projects in the country and plans to operationalize Jayanagar-Kurtha cross-border rail line. Earlier both countries inaugurated the Motihari–Amlekhgunj petroleum pipeline, the first cross country pipeline in south Asia. The pipeline can carry two million metric tonnes of petroleum products into Nepal and so far has led to a saving of over 800 million Nepali rupees.

With procurement of Covid vaccine in focus, Nepal FM to visit Delhi from tomorrow

As India gets set to begin its <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/oxford-astrazeneca-vaccine-to-cost-rs200-a-vial-in-india-purchase-order-placed-with-sii-reports-356029">vaccination</a> drive against coronavirus on January 16, three trucks carrying "Covishield" vaccine reached Pune airport from Serum Institute of India&nbsp;on&nbsp;Tuesday morning to be transported to various parts of the country.

Watch:

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The first flight carrying the coronavirus vaccine "Covishield"&nbsp;departed from Pune International Airport to Delhi on Tuesday.

Serum Institute of India's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-vaccines-more-affordable-than-any-other-on-the-globe-pm-modi-356039">vaccine</a> "Covishield" will be shipped to different locations in the country from Pune airport.

Reports said at least eight flights will transport the "Covishield" vaccine from thirteen different locations today. The authorities have undertaken elaborate measures in order to ensure the safe passage of the vaccines, police said.

Ajay Singh, Managing Director, SpiceJet said: "SpiceJet has carried India’s first consignment of COVID-19 vaccine today. The first consignment of "Covishield" consisting of 34 boxes and weighing 1,088 kg was carried from Pune to Delhi."

PM Modi during his interaction with CMs of various states on Monday had said that "our vaccines are more affordable than any other vaccine on the globe. If India needed vaccine from other countries, it would've been a big challenge."

"India's vaccination experience will help during COVID-19 vaccination programme," PM Modi added. Indian authorities have given top priority to healthcare workers and frontline workers in the first phase of vaccination drive.

India has been hit hard due to the virus with over 10.4 million coronavirus cases and 151,160 deaths.&nbsp;

With ANI inputs

As India gets set to begin its vaccination drive against coronavirus on January 16, three trucks carrying "Covishield" vaccine reached Pune airport from Serum Institute of India on Tuesday morning to be transported to various parts of the country.

As India gets set to begin its vaccination drive against coronavirus on January 16, three trucks carrying "Covishield" vaccine reached Pune airport from Serum Institute of India on Tuesday morning to be transported to various parts of the country. Watch: The first flight carrying the coronavirus vaccine "Covishield" departed from Pune International Airport to Delhi on Tuesday. Serum Institute of India's vaccine "Covishield" will be shipped to different locations in the country from Pune airport. Reports said at least eight flights will transport the "Covishield" vaccine from thirteen different locations today. The authorities have undertaken elaborate measures in order to ensure the safe passage of the vaccines, police said. Ajay Singh, Managing Director, SpiceJet said: "SpiceJet has carried India’s first consignment of COVID-19 vaccine today. The first consignment of "Covishield" consisting of 34 boxes and weighing 1,088 kg was carried from Pune to Delhi." PM Modi during his interaction with CMs of various states on Monday had said that "our vaccines are more affordable than any other vaccine on the globe. If India needed vaccine from other countries, it would've been a big challenge." "India's vaccination experience will help during COVID-19 vaccination programme," PM Modi added. Indian authorities have given top priority to healthcare workers and frontline workers in the first phase of vaccination drive. India has been hit hard due to the virus with over 10.4 million coronavirus cases and 151,160 deaths. With ANI inputs

First flight of coronavirus vaccine Covishield flown to Delhi

There will be a gap of 28 days between two doses of COVID-19 vaccine and its effectiveness will begin 14 days after the second dose, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press briefing, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said vaccine effectiveness will be seen only after 14 days.

"So we urge people to keep following COVID appropriate behavior," he said.

Bhushan said there will be a gap of 28 days between two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

India will launch its COVID-19 vaccination drive from January 16 with priority to be given to nearly three crore healthcare and frontline workers. India had recently granted emergency use authorisation to two vaccines, Oxford's Covishield being manufactured by Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin.

Both vaccines, the statement from the Health Ministry said, have established safety and immunogenicity.

Dr V K Paul member, NITI Aayog member, said these two vaccines have been tested in thousands of people, they are the safest and there is no risk of any significance.

"We should have no doubt that the two vaccines approved are the safest of the vaccines. Both the vaccines have been tested on thousands of people and side-effects are negligible. There is no risk of any significance," he said.

Bhushan said that as said earlier, there will be a sequential rollout of COVID-19 vaccination.

"Healthcare workers (approximately one crore) will be on the top priority, followed by frontline workers (approximately 2 crore) and prioritized age groups (approximately 27 crore). The cost of healthcare workers and frontline workers will be borne by the central government," Bhushan said.

There will be a gap of 28 days between two doses of COVID-19 vaccine and its effectiveness will begin 14 days after the second dose, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

There will be a gap of 28 days between two doses of COVID-19 vaccine and its effectiveness will begin 14 days after the second dose, the Health Ministry said on Tuesday. Addressing a press briefing, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said vaccine effectiveness will be seen only after 14 days. "So we urge people to keep following COVID appropriate behavior," he said. Bhushan said there will be a gap of 28 days between two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. India will launch its COVID-19 vaccination drive from January 16 with priority to be given to nearly three crore healthcare and frontline workers. India had recently granted emergency use authorisation to two vaccines, Oxford's Covishield being manufactured by Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin. Both vaccines, the statement from the Health Ministry said, have established safety and immunogenicity. Dr V K Paul member, NITI Aayog member, said these two vaccines have been tested in thousands of people, they are the safest and there is no risk of any significance. "We should have no doubt that the two vaccines approved are the safest of the vaccines. Both the vaccines have been tested on thousands of people and side-effects are negligible. There is no risk of any significance," he said. Bhushan said that as said earlier, there will be a sequential rollout of COVID-19 vaccination. "Healthcare workers (approximately one crore) will be on the top priority, followed by frontline workers (approximately 2 crore) and prioritized age groups (approximately 27 crore). The cost of healthcare workers and frontline workers will be borne by the central government," Bhushan said.

Gap of 28 days between two Covid vaccine doses, effectiveness to begin after 14 days: Government

After Delhi, the first consignment of India's Serum Insitute's coronavirus <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/centre-to-bear-vaccination-cost-of-3-crore-health-frontline-workers-pm-modi-356105">vaccine</a> arrived in Hyderabad airport.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/first-flight-of-coronavirus-vaccine-covishield-flown-to-delhi-356150">Also Read:&nbsp;First flight of coronavirus vaccine Covishield flown to Delhi</a>

"The first consignment of the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/centre-to-bear-vaccination-cost-of-3-crore-health-frontline-workers-pm-modi-356105">vaccine</a> will be going to 11 destinations outside the state by this evening," Hyderbad airport CEO Pradeep Panicker said.

Chennai also received the first batch of coronavirus vaccine&nbsp;"Covishield".

Tamil Nadu health secretary J Radhakrishnan said that 5.56 lakh vaccine doses have been dispatched from Pune.

Radhakrishnan said that the vaccine will be distributed to regional centres and 51 walk-in coolers at the district level by Tuesday evening and later it will go to the actual vaccination site in cold boxes.

"The dispatch details of remaining 20,000 doses of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/oxford-astrazeneca-vaccine-to-cost-rs200-a-vial-in-india-purchase-order-placed-with-sii-reports-356029">Covaxin</a> are yet to be received," the Tamil Nadu health secretary said.

The first consignment of 2.76 lakh doses of the COVID-19 vaccine is also due to arrive in Ahmedabad today with the vaccine being distributed to Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Bhavnagar zones.

As the vaccines are being transported to various centres across the country, India on Tuesday reported 12,584 new COVID-19 case with 167 fatalities in the last 24 hours.

The total number of coronavirus cases in the country has now shot up to 1,04,79,179 with 1,51,327 deaths. There are 2,16,558 active cases nationwide, according to India's health ministry.

After Delhi, the first consignment of India's Serum Insitute's coronavirus vaccine arrived in Hyderabad airport. Also Read: First flight of coronavirus vaccine Covishield flown to Delhi "The first consignment of the vaccine will be going to 11 destinations outside the state by this evening," Hyderbad airport CEO Pradeep Panicker said.

After Delhi, the first consignment of India's Serum Insitute's coronavirus vaccine arrived in Hyderabad airport. Also Read: First flight of coronavirus vaccine Covishield flown to Delhi "The first consignment of the vaccine will be going to 11 destinations outside the state by this evening," Hyderbad airport CEO Pradeep Panicker said. Chennai also received the first batch of coronavirus vaccine "Covishield". Tamil Nadu health secretary J Radhakrishnan said that 5.56 lakh vaccine doses have been dispatched from Pune. Radhakrishnan said that the vaccine will be distributed to regional centres and 51 walk-in coolers at the district level by Tuesday evening and later it will go to the actual vaccination site in cold boxes. "The dispatch details of remaining 20,000 doses of Covaxin are yet to be received," the Tamil Nadu health secretary said. The first consignment of 2.76 lakh doses of the COVID-19 vaccine is also due to arrive in Ahmedabad today with the vaccine being distributed to Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar and Bhavnagar zones. As the vaccines are being transported to various centres across the country, India on Tuesday reported 12,584 new COVID-19 case with 167 fatalities in the last 24 hours. The total number of coronavirus cases in the country has now shot up to 1,04,79,179 with 1,51,327 deaths. There are 2,16,558 active cases nationwide, according to India's health ministry.

Coronavirus vaccine arrives in Hyderabad; Gujarat, Tamil Nadu set to receive consignment

India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) expert panel on Saturday recommended approving restricted emergency use of Bharat Biotech's indigenous COVID vaccine Covaxin in India, said officials. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-government-okays-emergency-use-of-astrazeneca-covid-vaccine-354050">Also read | Indian government okays emergency use of AstraZeneca COVID vaccine</a>

Covaxin has been indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

This is the second Covid-19 vaccine which has been recommended for emergency use approval to DCGI after Serum's locally produced Oxford Covid-19 vaccine 'Covishield'

The Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on COVID-19 of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on Saturday again deliberated on the emergency use authorisation (EUA) application of the Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical firm after it submitted additional data, facts and analysis subsequent to Friday’s review meeting, a source said.

(With inputs from agencies)

India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) expert panel on Saturday recommended approving restricted emergency use of Bharat Biotech's indigenous COVID vaccine Covaxin in India, said officials.

India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) expert panel on Saturday recommended approving restricted emergency use of Bharat Biotech's indigenous COVID vaccine Covaxin in India, said officials. Also read | Indian government okays emergency use of AstraZeneca COVID vaccine Covaxin has been indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). This is the second Covid-19 vaccine which has been recommended for emergency use approval to DCGI after Serum's locally produced Oxford Covid-19 vaccine 'Covishield' The Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on COVID-19 of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on Saturday again deliberated on the emergency use authorisation (EUA) application of the Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical firm after it submitted additional data, facts and analysis subsequent to Friday’s review meeting, a source said. (With inputs from agencies)

Expert panel recommends India's indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin for restricted emergency use

VG Somani, the Drug Controller General of India said on Monday that Covishield and&nbsp;Covaxin are ''safe and provide a robust immune response.''

India's drugs regulator has given final emergency-use approval for two coronavirus vaccines, Serum Institute of India's Covishield, developed by Oxford University and pharma major AstraZeneca, and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-approves-sii-and-bharat-biotechs-covid-19-vaccines-for-restricted-emergency-use-354141" hreflang="en">India approves SII and Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccines for restricted emergency use</a>

During an interview, Somani said&nbsp;"We'll never approve anything if there is slightest of safety concern. The vaccines are 110 per cent safe."&nbsp;

The country&nbsp;is now expected to start a massive immunisation programme within weeks.

Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) chief VG Somani said both firms submitted data on their trial runs and both have been granted permission for "restricted use".

"Safety immunogenicity data submitted by SII found efficacy was 70.42 per cent. Restricted use in emergency conditions allowed. The clinical trials will continue. Covaxin has been developed in collaboration with ICMR and NIV," he said in a press briefing on Sunday.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the approval a decisive turning point to strengthen a spirited fight and congratulated&nbsp;scientists and&nbsp;innovators.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
A decisive turning point to strengthen a spirited fight! 
 
DCGI granting approval to vaccines of <a href="https://twitter.com/SerumInstIndia?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@SerumInstIndia</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/BharatBiotech?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@BharatBiotech</a> accelerates the road to a healthier and COVID-free nation. 
 
Congratulations India. 
 
Congratulations to our hardworking scientists and innovators.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi/status/1345607618191007747?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 3, 2021</a></blockquote>
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He said, "The DCGI granting approval to vaccines of Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech accelerates the road to COVID-free nation."

VG Somani, the Drug Controller General of India said on Monday that Covishield and Covaxin are ''safe and provide a robust immune response.'' India's drugs regulator has given final emergency-use approval for two coronavirus vaccines, Serum Institute of India's Covishield, developed by Oxford University and pharma major AstraZeneca, and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin.

VG Somani, the Drug Controller General of India said on Monday that Covishield and Covaxin are ''safe and provide a robust immune response.'' India's drugs regulator has given final emergency-use approval for two coronavirus vaccines, Serum Institute of India's Covishield, developed by Oxford University and pharma major AstraZeneca, and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin. Also read: India approves SII and Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccines for restricted emergency use During an interview, Somani said "We'll never approve anything if there is slightest of safety concern. The vaccines are 110 per cent safe." The country is now expected to start a massive immunisation programme within weeks. Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) chief VG Somani said both firms submitted data on their trial runs and both have been granted permission for "restricted use". "Safety immunogenicity data submitted by SII found efficacy was 70.42 per cent. Restricted use in emergency conditions allowed. The clinical trials will continue. Covaxin has been developed in collaboration with ICMR and NIV," he said in a press briefing on Sunday. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the approval a decisive turning point to strengthen a spirited fight and congratulated scientists and innovators. A decisive turning point to strengthen a spirited fight! 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. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 3, 2021 × He said, "The DCGI granting approval to vaccines of Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech accelerates the road to COVID-free nation."

Covishield, Covaxin are safe and provide robust immune response, says Drug Controller General of India VG Somani

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approved the Serum Institute's coronavirus vaccine 'Covishield' and Bharat Biotech's 'Covaxin', making them India's first vaccines against the pandemic.

India: DCGI approves Serum & Bharat Biotech vaccines for emergency use

The Oxford Vaccine is one step away from a rollout in India. Sources tell WION that an expert panel has cleared the shot. Palki Sharma tells you more.

Gravitas: Oxford Vaccine, One step away from approval in India

Expert panel at&nbsp;Central Drugs Standard Control Organization&nbsp;has recommended emergency use of Covishield (AstraZeneca) vaccine for coronavirus vaccination in India. The panel has recommended AstraZeneca vaccine with certain conditions. The vaccine is being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. Serum Institute of India (SII) will manufacture the vaccine.

A decision on coronavirus vaccine made by Bharat Biotech is also likely.

As per reports, Serum Institute of India has already stored more than 50 million&nbsp;doses of Astrazeneca vaccine. SII had said several months ago that half of the vaccines it manufactures will be for vaccination purpose in India.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-oxford-vaccine-one-step-away-from-approval-in-india-353934">WATCH|</a>

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Indian&nbsp;government said on Wednesday that Pfizer Inc had sought more time to present data for emergency authorisation of a vaccine it has developed with Germany's BioNTech.

AstraZeneca/ Oxford University coronavirus vaccine has already got approval in Britain and Argentina for urgent public use. USA, which has approved Pfizer vaccine is likely to approve use of Astrazeneca vaccine in April. as per reports received on Thursday.

Moncef Slaoui, the chief advisor to Operation Warp Speed, the military-led US effort for vaccines, told reporters that US trials and assessments would be complete for approval "sometime in early April."

"Several tens of millions of doses will have been manufactured... and therefore will be available for use if the data supports its approval," he said.

(With agency inputs)

Expert panel at Central Drugs Standard Control Organization has recommended emergency use of Covishield (AstraZeneca) vaccine for coronavirus vaccination in India.

Expert panel at Central Drugs Standard Control Organization has recommended emergency use of Covishield (AstraZeneca) vaccine for coronavirus vaccination in India. The panel has recommended AstraZeneca vaccine with certain conditions. The vaccine is being developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. Serum Institute of India (SII) will manufacture the vaccine. A decision on coronavirus vaccine made by Bharat Biotech is also likely. As per reports, Serum Institute of India has already stored more than 50 million doses of Astrazeneca vaccine. SII had said several months ago that half of the vaccines it manufactures will be for vaccination purpose in India. WATCH| × Indian government said on Wednesday that Pfizer Inc had sought more time to present data for emergency authorisation of a vaccine it has developed with Germany's BioNTech. AstraZeneca/ Oxford University coronavirus vaccine has already got approval in Britain and Argentina for urgent public use. USA, which has approved Pfizer vaccine is likely to approve use of Astrazeneca vaccine in April. as per reports received on Thursday. Moncef Slaoui, the chief advisor to Operation Warp Speed, the military-led US effort for vaccines, told reporters that US trials and assessments would be complete for approval "sometime in early April." "Several tens of millions of doses will have been manufactured... and therefore will be available for use if the data supports its approval," he said. (With agency inputs)

Indian panel recommends emergency use of AstraZeneca COVID vaccine with conditions

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

Indian Pharmaceuticals firm Bharat Biotech is seeking emergency authorisation of its Coronavirus vaccine 'Covaxin'. This comes after Pfizer & Serum institute producing AstraZeneca vaccine have applied for the emergency use authorisation from DGCI.

India: Bharat Biotech latest to seek emergency use authorisation

The Serum Institute of India (SII) on Sunday became the first indigenous company to apply to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking emergency use authorisation for the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine 'Covishield' in the country,

News Alert: Serum institute seeks emergency use nod for 'Covishield' vaccine in India

Several foreign envoys will be visiting Pune on December 4 to see India's covid vaccine development programme. The visit, organized by India's Ministry of External Affairs will be a one-day visit. The envoys will visit 2 institutes--Serum institute of India and Gennova Biopharmaceuticals.

The visit was one of the key outcomes of Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla's meet with the envoys earlier this month in Delhi. On 6th November, India's Foreign Secretary along with Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Prof K Vijay Raghavan, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary of Department of Biotechnology, Dr. Renu Swarup and Secretary of Department of Science &amp; Technology Ashutosh Sharma briefed More than 190 heads of diplomatic missions on India's action on COVID-19 pandemic.

Serum Institute is involved in the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine against COVID while Gennova is working on mRNA based vaccine.

Indian PM Narendra Modi during his virtual meet with Chief Minister earlier this week said, "Work on vaccine research is almost at the last stage both in the country as well as in the world" and the "Indian government is keeping a close eye on each and every development and we are in touch with everybody", pointing out, "it is not yet decided whether there will be one, two or three doses of vaccine or what will be its price."

India is expected to be a major centre of the global covid vaccine manufacturing and supply. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, India has emerged as the pharma capital of the world supplying medicines such as HCQ, Paracetamol to more than 150 countries.&nbsp;

On vaccine development programme, New Delhi has organized training programmes on clinical trials for neighbouring countries in which nearly 90 experts from 8 countries participated.&nbsp;

It has sent aid, in terms of food and medicines to 5 Indian ocean countries--Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles and 4 African countries--Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea.

Several foreign envoys will be visiting Pune on December 4 to see India's covid vaccine development programme. The visit, organized by India's Ministry of External Affairs will be a one-day visit.

Several foreign envoys will be visiting Pune on December 4 to see India's covid vaccine development programme. The visit, organized by India's Ministry of External Affairs will be a one-day visit. The envoys will visit 2 institutes--Serum institute of India and Gennova Biopharmaceuticals. The visit was one of the key outcomes of Foreign Secretary Harsh Shringla's meet with the envoys earlier this month in Delhi. On 6th November, India's Foreign Secretary along with Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Prof K Vijay Raghavan, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan, Secretary of Department of Biotechnology, Dr. Renu Swarup and Secretary of Department of Science & Technology Ashutosh Sharma briefed More than 190 heads of diplomatic missions on India's action on COVID-19 pandemic. Serum Institute is involved in the AstraZeneca/Oxford vaccine against COVID while Gennova is working on mRNA based vaccine. Indian PM Narendra Modi during his virtual meet with Chief Minister earlier this week said, "Work on vaccine research is almost at the last stage both in the country as well as in the world" and the "Indian government is keeping a close eye on each and every development and we are in touch with everybody", pointing out, "it is not yet decided whether there will be one, two or three doses of vaccine or what will be its price." India is expected to be a major centre of the global covid vaccine manufacturing and supply. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, India has emerged as the pharma capital of the world supplying medicines such as HCQ, Paracetamol to more than 150 countries. On vaccine development programme, New Delhi has organized training programmes on clinical trials for neighbouring countries in which nearly 90 experts from 8 countries participated. It has sent aid, in terms of food and medicines to 5 Indian ocean countries--Maldives, Mauritius, Madagascar, Comoros and Seychelles and 4 African countries--Sudan, South Sudan, Djibouti and Eritrea.

Foreign envoys to visit Pune on Dec 4 to see India's COVID-19 vaccine programme

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