Amid the increasing positive cases, the Indian government in a significant step has decided to fast-track the approvals for foreign-produced Covid-19 vaccines that have been granted emergency use authorisation in other countries.
Releasing their statement today, the government noted, “The National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for covid-19, after comprehensive deliberation, recommended that vaccines, which have been developed & are being manufactured in foreign countries and which have been granted emergency approval for restricted use by USFDA, EMA, UK MHRA, PMDA Japan or which are listed in WHO(Emergency Use Listing) may be granted emergency use approval in India”
Further, the statement also mentioned that the first 100 beneficiaries of such foreign vaccines shall be assessed for seven days for safety outcomes before it is rolled out for further immunization programmes within the country.
Calling vaccination as one of the critical pillars of covid-19 control and management, the government said that fast-tracking of approvals will facilitate easier access to foreign covid vaccines.
The move will also increase the pace and coverage of ongoing vaccination drive.
The statement comes hours after the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on Monday approved the use of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine against the covid-19 virus.
India reported 1,61,736 fresh coronavirus infections in a day, pushing India’s tally of cases to 1,36,89,453- the second most hit nation after the United States.
