January 04, 2021

Anna Murray 

India approves Emergency Authorization use of 2 vaccines from Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covishield and local Bharat Biotech's Covaxin on January 3. Since the coronavirus outbreak, India has suffered the second-highest number of infections in the world, with more than 10.3 million confirmed cases, and over 150,000 death. Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised the inoculation program was a decisive turning point to fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine is being manufactured locally in more than 50 million doses a month by the Serum Institute of India, the world's largest vaccine manufacturer. Adar Poonawalla, the Serum Institute’s CEO, was proud of the big task but mentioned the vaccines would be forbidden to export until March or April. The Oxford/AstraZeneca branded Covishield in India is administered in two doses between 4 and 12 weeks apart. The jab can be easily stored at temperatures of 2 to 8 Centigrades.

Amid doubts and critics regarding the efficiency of Covaxin developed by the Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, managing director Krishna Ella has stated its Covaxin vaccine is safe and has experienced trials in more than 12 countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan. 

According to India's existing immunization program, its vaccination program is one of the largest in the world, reaching about 55 million people a year. Therefore, India plans and prioritizes about 300 million people including health care workers, emergency services, and clinically vulnerable individuals of age and others to be immunized with COVID vaccines by July 2021.   

Photo:Webshot.