Now, Bharat Biotech seeks emergency use approval for COVAXIN
What's the story
After US-based Pfizer and Pune's Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech has sought an emergency use approval for its coronavirus vaccine, named COVAXIN. The vaccine is being developed indigenously by the Hyderabad-based company and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the top government body leading the fight against coronavirus. The vaccine is currently in phase three trials. Here's more.
Details
Countries are giving approvals considering the unprecedented situation
As per reports, an application regarding the same has been sent to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). If granted permission, doses of the vaccine will be given to a select group of people. Such approvals are rare in nature, but countries have been going ahead with it considering the intensity of the pandemic. Till now, 1,550,263 have died worldwide.
Quote
Bharat Biotech submitted its application on Monday
"This (Bharat Biotech's) is an application (under the category of) issue of permission to either import, manufacture a drug or for grant of clinical trial NOC (no-objection certificate)," a person privy to developments told Indian Express.
Process
Expert panel will review the submissions of three companies tomorrow
As three companies have sought emergency use authorization, the government has also framed the next steps. As per reports, an expert panel will review their submissions tomorrow. After thoroughly assessing the requests, the panel will share its findings with DCGI, which will then take a call. The approval will only be granted once authorities are confident that the vaccine is safe and effective.
Looking back
Earlier, minister, who was given COVAXIN, tested positive for coronavirus
Notably, last week, Haryana's minister Anil Vij, who was administered a dose of COVAXIN in November, tested positive for COVID-19. Later, officials conducting trials refused to link Vij's infection with the vaccine, saying he was only given the first of the two doses needed. They argued that antibodies to protect someone from the disease are generated after the second dose, reports Indian Express.
India's tally
Meanwhile, India's coronavirus tally is nearing the one crore mark
Disturbingly, India is the second worst-hit nation and is inching close to the one crore mark, as far as infections are concerned. At 9,703,908 total cases, the country has lost 140,994 to the contagious disease. This means citizens are desperately waiting for a vaccine. Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi assured India won't have to wait for long.