Prime Minister Modi has congratulated the nation on vaccine approval of Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called the Drugs Controller General of India’s approval of Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech vaccines, a decisive turning point to strengthen a spirited fight against Corona.

“A decisive turning point to strengthen a spirited fight! DCGI granting approval to vaccines of @SerumInstIndia and @BharatBiotech accelerates the road to a healthier and COVID-free nation. Congratulations India. Congratulations to our hardworking scientists and innovators,” Prime Minister Modi said in his tweet.

Emphasising the importance and achievements of Atmanirbhar Bharat, the Prime Minister tweeted “It would make every Indian proud that the two vaccines that have been given emergency use approval are made in India! This shows the eagerness of our scientific community to fulfil the dream of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, at the root of which is care and compassion.”

He further went to acknowledge and thank the resilience of the front line coronavirus warriors and expressed gratitude “We reiterate our gratitude to doctors, medical staff, scientists, police personnel, sanitation workers and all Corona warriors for the outstanding work done, that too in adverse circumstances. We will remain eternally grateful to them for saving many lives.”

VG Somani, DCGI, during a media briefing today said, “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 conduct of the Phase III clinical trial.”

Reacting to the news of DCGI, approving the SSI vaccine, CEO SSI, Adar Poonawalla took to Twitter wishing everyone a happy new year and stated “All the risks SII 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.”

Chairman and managing director of Bharat Biotech Dr. Krishna Ella said “The approval of Covaxin for emergency use is a giant leap for Innovation and novel product development in India. It is a proud moment for the nation and a great milestone in India’s scientific capability, a kick-start to the innovation ecosystem in India.”

Welcoming India’s move of approving the emergency use of vaccine, Poonam Khetarpal Singh, regional director, World Health Organisation, said “This decision taken today by India will help intensify and strengthen the fight against COVID-19 pandemic in the region. The use of vaccines in prioritised populations, along with continued implementation of other public health measures and community participation will be important in reducing the impact of COVID-19.”

In a tweet K. Vijay Raghavan principal scientific advisor, assured of the vaccination process to begin soon and also attributed the success to scientists’ national laboratories, government agencies, regulators, health care workers.

“Vaccination will begin soon. This is a result of focused work by scientists, national laboratories, government agencies, regulators, health care workers, and most importantly, all our people who have waited patiently following all COVID-19 appropriate behaviour,” K Vijay Raghavan said.