Government ready to roll out vaccine within 10 days of approval date: Health ministry – Times of India

NEW DELHI: The Union health ministry on Tuesday said that the government is ready to roll out a Covid-19 vaccine within 10 days from the date of approval. The announcement means that the vaccination process in India could begin no later than next week.
On January 3, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) gave the final approval to the Serum Institute of India’s Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin. The approval came after the subject expert committee of the drug regulator recommended both the vaccines for emergency use authorisation.
“Based on feedback of dry-run, the government has said it is ready to introduce Covid-19 vaccine within 10 days from date of emergency use authorisation,” Union health secretary Rajesh Bhushan told reporters during a media briefing.
Giving details about the vaccine storage, Bhushan said that are four primary vaccine stores called GMSD which are located in Karnal, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata.
“There are 37 vaccine stores in the country. They store vaccines in bulk and distributes further,” Bhushan said.
Earlier today, vaccine makers Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech jointly pledged for the smooth roll out of Covid-19 vaccines in the country and the world.
In a joint statement posted on their respective Twitter accounts, the companies said Serum Institute chief executive officer Adar Poonawalla and Bharat Biotech chairman Krishna Ella communicated their combined intent to develop, manufacture and supply the Covid-19 vaccines.
“We are fully aware of the importance of vaccines for the people and countries alike, we hear by communicate our joint pledge to provide global access for our Covid-19 vaccines,” they said in the statement.
(With inputs from agencies)