A panel of experts have cleared the Oxford-Astra Zeneca Coronavirus Vaccine today, to be used across India. This vaccine will be circulated by the Serum Institute of India (SII), which struck a deal with Astra Zeneca several months ago, about the circulation of the Coronavirus vaccine, in India, and across several other moderate to low income countries.
There have been several speculations about the circulation of the vaccine in the country, and the time of its circulation. As of now, there’s no clarity over when the vaccine will start circulation in the country, but it is expected to be given out to patients by the end of this month, after the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) clears it one last time.
In the meantime, talking to the media today, Union Health Minister Dr, Harsh Vardhan said that the Coronavirus vaccine will be free across the entire country, and not just in the National Capital, Delhi.
American pharma giant Pfizer has also come up with a Coronavirus vaccine, and the SII has partnered with them as well, with respect to the circulation of their vaccine. However, Pfizer is taking some more time to come out with its vaccine, in India at least.