Prashant Bhushan won't accept DCGI nod to Covaxin; wants PM & Bharat Biotech to try first

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Sunday crushed rumours surrounding the COVID-19 vaccines regarding impotency, rubbishing such speculations as "complete nonsense" and also said that they are "110% safe". Soon after, lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan responded to his statement saying "the vaccine (referring to Covaxin) has not gone through phase 3 trials, has not been tested for long term side effects, yet Drug controller says it is 110% safe."

'The Vaccine has not gone through phase 3 trials' 

Taking to Twitter he said that, "Let all of Modi's Cabinet & all personnel of vaccine company & Drug controllers office take it before subjecting our people to it." 

"We will never approve anything if there is even the slightest safety concern. Vaccines are 110 per cent safe. Some side effects like mild fever, pain and allergy are common for every vaccine. It (rumours of impotency) is complete nonsense," VG Somani, Drug Controller General of India said.

Earlier on Saturday, Samajwadi Party chief and former Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Akhilesh Yadav had said, "COVID-19 vaccine might contain something, which can cause harm. Tomorrow, people will say the vaccine was given to kill or decrease the population. You can even become impotent, anything can happen."

India approves 2 vaccines

Earlier in the day, COVID-19 vaccines of Serum Institue of India and Bharat Biotech were granted permission for restricted use in an emergency situation, said Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). "After adequate examination, CDSCO has decided to accept the recommendations of the Expert Committee and accordingly, vaccines of M/s Serum and M/s Bharat Biotech are being approved for restricted use in emergency situation and permission is being granted to M/s Cadila Healthcare for the conduct of the Phase III clinical trial," said VG Somani, DCGI, during a media briefing today.

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PM Modi tweets on vaccine approval 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the country as Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) granted emergency use approval to Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech for their COVID-19 vaccines on Sunday. 

Serum Institute of India's CEO Adar Poonawalla tweeted, "Happy new year, everyone! All the risks Serum Institute of India took with stockpiling the vaccine, have finally paid off. COVISHIELD, India's first COVID-19 vaccine is approved, safe, effective and ready to roll-out in the coming weeks."

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(With agency inputs)