Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine emergency use approval likely next week in India

The Drugs Controller General of India  (DCGI) is considering the Oxford University vaccine 'Covishield' to initiate the vaccination drive in India. Reports state that if the Oxford vaccine gets approval in the United Kingdom (UK) next week, then the government will follow and approve Serum Institute of India (SII) for emergency use authorization in India. The SII last week also had submitted some additional data required by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). The SII has already manufactured 40 million doses of the vaccine. 

Bharat Biotech, Serum Institute of India (SII) and Pfizer had applied to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) seeking emergency use authorisation for their COVID-19 vaccines early this month. Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine 'Covaxin' may take time to get approval as its phase 3 trials are still underway. The Pfizer vaccine that has already been approved by several countries including the UK, the US, and Bahrain,.is yet to make a presentation for India.

The subject expert committee (SEC) on COVID-19 of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) on December 9 had sought additional safety and efficacy data for COVID-19 vaccines of SII and Bharat Biotech after deliberating upon their applications. Serum Institute of India (SII) last week also had submitted some additional data required by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), the sources said.

The application by the Indian arm of US pharmaceutical firm Pfizer was not taken up for deliberation as the company had sought more time for making a presentation before the committee.

The government has issued guidelines about how one can register for the vaccination and what all you are required to have for the same. It also answers all your queries regarding the COVID-19 vaccine, its doses and efficacy. 

 (Read: With approval around the corner, Govt. publishes FAQ on COVID vaccine) 

The Government of India has put around 30 crore people on the priority list. It includes frontline and healthcare workers, defence personnel, sanitation staff, etc. People above 50 years and those who are below 50 yrs but suffering from certain diseases are also on the priority list. There will two doses of vaccine that you need to take in a gap of 28 days for the immunisation. State civic bodies will be starting the online registration facility soon. ID proof like a PAN card, pension card, passport, voter ID, MNREGA job card, or driving license is required to register for the vaccination. The date, place, and time of vaccination will be intimated via SMS. 

More updates are expected soon.