India approves coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University

New Delhi: India approved coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University on Saturday, reported Reuters.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters on Saturday the vaccine had been approved.

It is the first COVID-19 vaccine to be approved for emergency use by India.

Javadekar said at least three more vaccines were waiting in line to be approved.

“India is perhaps the only country where at least four vaccines are getting ready,” he said.

India is perhaps the only country where four vaccines are getting ready. Serum’s Covishield was yesterday approved for emergency use: Union Minister Prakash Javadekar. pic.twitter.com/IelEQP6VZK

— ANI (@ANI) January 2, 2021

“One was approved yesterday for emergency use, Serum’s COVISHIELD.” he said, referring to the fact that the shot is being made locally by the Serum Institute of India (SII).

#LIVE: Press Conference by Prakash Javadekar at BJP HQ, New Delhi. https://t.co/t7gSGVoLBc

— Newsroom Post (@NewsroomPostCom) January 2, 2021

Earlier on Friday, the Subject Expert Committee of Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has recommended granting permission for Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) with certain conditions to COVID-19 vaccine being manufactured by Serum Institute of India.

“In the meeting, an expert panel has recommended to DCGI to grant its approval to Serum Institute of India’s COVID-19 vaccine for EUA in India with certain conditions,” a government source said.

Meanwhile, the SEC has issued several regulatory conditions to the Serum Institute of India that it should submit safety, efficacy and immunogenicity data from the ongoing clinical trials in India and in other countries.