India is likely to approve Oxford/AstraZeneca’s coronavirus vaccine for emergency use by next week after its local manufacturer submitted additional data sought by authorities, two sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Tuesday.
This could be the first country to give the regulatory green light for the British drugmaker’s vaccine as the British medicine regulator continues to examine data from the trials.
India, the world’s biggest vaccine-making country, wants to start inoculating its citizens next month and is also considering emergency use authorisation applications for vaccines made by Pfizer Inc and local company Bharat Biotech.
Getting vaccines to the world’s second-most populous country with one of the highest infection rates will also be a big step in the battle against the pandemic.
The AstraZeneca-Oxford shot is considered vital for lower-income countries and those in hot climates because it is cheaper, easier to transport and can be stored for long periods at normal fridge temperatures.
The Indian regulator is only considering the two full-dose regimen of the shot despite it showing a lower success rate, the sources said.
“Serum is ready,” said one of the sources. “Initially, we may get around 50 million to 60 million doses.”
The sources declined to be named as deliberations were ongoing and the timeline could change.
CDSCO chief V.G. Somani did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Bharat Biotech and Pfizer declined to comment, while SII did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
India has not yet signed a vaccine supply deal with any company, but SII has already stockpiled more than 50 million doses of the AstraZeneca shot and plans to make a total of 400 million doses by July.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.