DCGI approves emergency use of ‘desi’ vaccine Covaxin

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New Delhi, 11 March: The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has approved the emergency use of Bharat Biotech’s indigenous vaccine Covaxin after a successful Phase III trial.

The Subject Expert Committee of an independent panel of experts constituted by the Drug Control General of India approved the emergency use of Covaxin of Bharat Biotech. Now, like Covishield vaccine, it can also be used during emergency.

In a press conference organized by the Union Health Ministry on Thursday, Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that like Covishield, now Bharat Biotechโ€™s Covaxin has also successfully completed the Phase III trial. Interim data for the last phase of the trials have been accepted.

โ€œIt is a matter of great pleasure for the country that the indigenous vaccine has also come under the category of covishield and other vaccines. Till date 19 lakh doses of Covaxin have been given in the country,โ€ added Rajesh Bhushan.

It is noteworthy that in the country, currently, Covishield of Serum Institute of India (SII) and Covaxin of Bharat Biotech were approved for emergency use from the month of January.

However, questions were also being raised by the opposition on the emergency use of Covaxin as to how is being used without completion of Phase III trial. After which the results of the third phase of the trial were announced in which the indigenous vaccine has been found to be effective in preventing corona up to 81 percent. Now it has been approved for its regular use.