India approves vaccines from Bharat Biotech and Oxford/AstraZeneca.

Drugs Controller General of India approved COVID-19 vaccines developed by Bharat Biotech and Oxford- AstraZeneca for restricted emergency use.

Drugs Controller General of India approved COVID-19 vaccines developed by Bharat Biotech and Oxford- AstraZeneca for restricted emergency use.In a media briefing on Jan. 03, 2021, the Drugs Controller General of India, VG Somani, announced the approval of the two COVID-19 vaccines in India, which are to be used in emergency conditions. Oxford-AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine Covishield (manufactured by Serum Institute of India) and Covaxin developed by Bharat Biotech were the vaccines that received the emergency approval.

The DCGI cleared the vaccines' safety concerns and added that the approved vaccines were 110% safe, and some side effects like mild fever, pain & allergy would occur, which are typical for every vaccine.

The Covaxin was developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). In contrast, the Covishield vaccine was developed by the Serum Institute of India with Oxford- AstraZeneca. It is said that both the vaccines(Covaxin and Covishield) should be stored at 2-8° C, and it will be administered in 2 doses for each person.

Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan took to twitter to explain that the EUA for Covaxin is differently conditional – in clinical trial mode. He further wrote: "EUA for COVAXIN is different from COVISHIELD because its use will be in clinical trial mode. All COVAXIN recipients to be tracked, monitored as if they’re in trial."

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.