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New Delhi: Amid the unprecedented surge in cases in the second wave of the pandemic, Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is likely to approve five more vaccines for protection against Covid-19 by October in its bid to ensure vaccination for all and in tune with the same Russia’s Sputnik V is likely to get approval within ten days.
This comes as several states, including Maharashtra – the worst affected by Covid-19, complained about shortage of vaccines.
India, currently manufacturing Covishield and Covaxin, is likely to get vaccines from five additional manufacturers by end of the third quarter of this year, top government sources told ANI.
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“India currently has 2 Covid-19 vaccines being manufactured locally: Covishield and Covaxin, and we can expect five more vaccines by Q3 2021. These vaccines are Sputnik V vaccine (in collaboration with Dr. Reddy’s), Johnson & Johnson vaccine (in collaboration with Biological E), Novavax vaccine (in collaboration with Serum India), Zydus Cadila’s vaccine, and Bharat Biotech’s Intranasal Vaccine. Safety and efficacy are the Union government’s primary concerns while granting emergency use authorisation (EUA) to any Covid-19 vaccine in the country,” a high-level government source shared while throwing light on the new strategy to manufacture additional vaccine doses.
“Sputnik is expected to be available latest by June, if all goes well Johnson and Johnson ( Bio E) will be available by August, Cadilla Zydus will also be available by August, Novavex (Serum) by September and Nasal Vaccine (Bharat) by October,” he added when asked when will the vaccines be available for use.
Asserting the Centre is making all efforts to accelerate the progress without cutting any corners in research, development and clinical trial stages, sources said: “The Government of India is determined to ensure India remains the pharmacy of the world and Indians have equitable access to the highest quality vaccines in the world.”
“We encourage all Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers to come to India, as the Central Government is ready to provide manufacturing assistance, financial support, and partnership in running and designing clinical trials,” sources added.
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Sources further said the government is taking all steps to augment vaccine production and availability in India, adding a decision has been taken at the highest level to ensure all steps are taken to help domestic manufacturers to scale up vaccine production manifold.
Meanwhile, the cumulative number of Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country crossed 10 crore today.
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