Covid vaccine approval likely soon : DCGI
New Delhi/IBNS: The coronavirus vaccines awaiting approval can be cleared soon, India's drug control authority said Thursday.
Drugs Controller General Dr VG Somani said today in a webinar that probably there will be "a happy new year with something in hand".
Somani's assurance came a day ahead of the crucial meeting of the expert panel to authorise emergency use of vaccines made by Serum Institute of India, Bharat Biotech and Pfizer, said reports.
The Centre had formed an expert panel to examine the application of emergency vaccine approval by the drug companies.
Serum Institute is manufacturing Covishield developed by Oxford University and Pharma major AstraZeneca while Bharat Biotech is manufacturing Covaxin partnering with Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Reports said both the firms have made the presentations before the panel but Pfizer is yet to present the data.
Once cleared by the expert panel, the applications will go to the DCGI for approval. An NDTV report said that officials have said the Oxford vaccine is likely to get approval first.
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