Govt to OK all COVID-19 vaccines WHO, others approved

Union health minister Harsh Vardhan

India said on Tuesday that it will approve the use of all Coronavirus vaccines that have been given an emergency nod by the World Health Organization or regulators in the US, Europe, Britain or Japan.

Union Health Ministry said the decision was aimed at hastening the use of shots made in other countries and expanding the "basket of vaccines" available for domestic use. The country is seeing a crippling surge of cases that has overwhelmed hospitals in hard-hit cities. The only way out of the crisis, experts say, is to vaccinate more people.

The first 100 beneficiaries of such foreign vaccines shall be assessed for seven days for safety outcomes before it is rolled out for further immunisation programme within the country, the ministry said. The decision came following the recommendations of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19. Currently, two vaccines - Covaxin by Bharat Biotech and Covishield by Serum Institute - are being used.

Pharma major Dr Reddy's on Tuesday said it has received Drug Controller General of India's approval for emergency use of Sputnik V, which will be imported from Russia, paving the way for the third vaccine in India. The Russian Direct Investment Fund said over 850 million doses of Sputnik V will be produced annually in India.

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