(Image source from: in.reuters.com)

Expert Panel Clears Oxford Vaccine In India:- The Expert Panel in the country made the vaccine for coronavirus available for the public and it issued an emergency use authorization for the vaccine that is developed by Oxford-AstraZeneca. The Subject Expert Committee of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) paved paths for the mass immunization and the vaccination will begin in the next few days. The Indian government will administer the vaccine very soon. The recommendation on Covishield is forwarded to the Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) and the final call will be taken soon.

As per the reports, 5 crore does of AstraZeneca is ready by the local manufacturer Serum Institute of India (SII). The transportation of AstraZeneca vaccine from the cold storage will start to the states of the country from today. The country will start the dry run o the vaccination from today. As per the initial reports, around 30 crore will be vaccinated in the next six months. AstraZeneca vaccine is also affordable for the Indians and the purchase agreement is yet to be signed by the Indian government. SII already made sure that AstraZeneca vaccine would first be used in the home market.

Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla told that the vaccine Covishield will cost 3 USD per dose and two doses of the vaccine is needed per person. It would cost Rs 440 per person and in the private market, it will be available for Rs 700-800. Bharat Biotech's vaccine Covaxin is expected to complete its clinical trial. AstraZeneca vaccine does not require deep freezing and can be kept in a standard refrigerator for almost six months. SII had applied to the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for EUA on December 6th.