As race for vaccine nears last lap, Modi reviews India’s strategy
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday held a review of India’s vaccination strategy amid indications that the fast-developing Oxford-AstraZeneca shot may be eligible for emergency use authorization in India as early as next month.
“Important issues related to progress of vaccine development, regulatory approvals and procurement were discussed,” the PM tweeted.
The PM reviewed the aspects of emergency use authorisation and manufacture and procurement of medicine. As the results of Phase 3 trials arrive, regulators will speedily examine these for according authorization for use. Adar Poonawala of Serum Institute, which is manufacturing the vaccine in India, has indicated that it can approach the Indian regulator soon after the UK partner reveals the phase 3 trial results. This means the first shots may be available for priority health worker recipients in India by January.
A press release said the vaccine supply chain was being enhanced and non-vaccine supplies were being escalated. Medical and nursing students and faculty will be involved in training and implementation of the programme. The government has provided aid of Rs 900 crore to support research and development of vaccines.
