India is hopefully expected to get the first batch of anti-COVID-19 shots in late January and early February. It has already come into the agenda of the govt that frontline healthcare workers will receive the first dose of the vaccine when it is ready for the immunization drive.
During the meeting of Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and the Chief Ministers, it was discussed that top the agenda will be the COVID-19 vaccine. As per the media report, an expert group on vaccine administration is preparing a database for the first priority group. Around 1 crore frontline healthcare workers will receive the first dose of the vaccine during the immunization drive.
This would allow frontline workers like doctors, nurses and municipal staff to get the vaccine. The Indian government plans to give Serum Institute of India emergency approval for the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine candidate immediately after it gets similar approval in the United Kingdom. Serum Institute will have to apply for emergency use which is expected to do so in December. The Centre is finalizing a contract with the manufacturer of the vaccine for procurement of doses, following which bulk purchases would be made. Serum Institute of India is likely to apply to India's top drug regulator next month for emergency approval for limited use of Covishield on frontline workers and elderly, the CEO of the company had said last week.
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