Serum Institute's vaccine candidate 'Covishield' gets SEC's green signal, awaits DCGI nod

In a massive breakthrough, Serm Institute of India's (SII) COVID-19 vaccine candidate - Covishield - has been recommended by Subject Expert Committee (SEC) which met today to examine emergency-use authorisation (EUA) application sought by pharmaceutical firm. With SEC giving a green signal to SII COVID vaccine candidate, firm remains only a step away from making Covishield India's first approved COVID vaccine. SII w awaits confirmation from Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) w. 

vaccine by SII is being developed in partnership with Oxford-AstraZeneca. tably, United Kingdom government h authorized use of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine couple of days ago, pushing its approval case inches ahe in India. In SEC meeting today, SII submitted ditional data to experts, after which committee recommended Covishield to DCGI. Besides SII, Bharat Biotech and Pfizer have also applied to DCGI seeking emergency use authorisation for ir COVID-19 vaccines early this month.

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Pertinently, Serum Institute of India has alrey produced around 50 million doss of Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine 'Covishield' and plans to scale it up to 100 million by March next year even as it awaits approval for emergency use authorisation, SII CEO ar Poonawalla said on Monday. 

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Vaccine dry run across states on Jan 2

Centre will conduct a dry run of COVID-19 vaccination drive in all states across country on January 2. Along with it, government has placed orders for procurement of nearly 83 crore syringes. ditionally, bids have also been invited for nearly 35 crore syringes. "se will be used for COVID-19 vaccination and also for Universal Immunization Programme," government said.

dry run has been conducted in Andhra Presh, Assam, Punjab, and Gujarat, which included a comprehensive set-up right from arrival of beneficiary at vaccination centre to ministration of shot and furr check-ups for any possible versities. A detailed report of dry run was also submitted to Union Health Ministry by states to apprise Centre of event. 

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