Dr Harsh Vardhan tweeted on the vaccine approval this afternoon.
India's decision to approve two vaccines - Serum Institute's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin - is a "watershed moment" in its fight against COVID-19, Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan tweeted this afternoon, shortly after the drug regulator DCGI made the big announcement. He dedicated the two vaccines to those who have been on the frontline in India's battle against the highly infectious diseases that has affected over 1.3 crore people across India.
"A watershed moment in India's famed battle against #COVID19 under the charismatic leadership of Hon'ble PM Sh @narendramodi Ji ! Our wait for #COVID19vaccine is over with COVISHIELD from @SerumInstIndia & COVAXIN from @BharatBiotech approved for emergency use in India @PMOIndia," Dr Harsh Vardhan tweeted this afternoon.
"These vaccines are a fitting tribute to our corona warriors! My heartfelt gratitude to all healthcare professionals & frontline workers for their exemplary efforts during these unprecedented times. Congratulations to all the scientists & researchers for their untiring efforts," he wrote in another.
In his tweet, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised the healthworkers.
Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech's Covaxin is India's first indigenously developed vaccine. It is in the third phase of trials, which began in November.
Covishield has been developed by the Serum Institute of India in partnership with the Oxford University and European pharma major AstraZeneca.
"We'll never approve anything if there is slightest of safety concern. The vaccines are 100 per cent safe," Drug Controller General of India VG Somani said today.
Yesterday, the Health Minster had said free coronavirus vaccines will be given in the first phase to three crore people who have been on the frontline in the fight against the highly contagious disease."
"There should be no rumours about the vaccine's safety...Everything has been checked in detail. Initially when the polio vaccine was rolled out, even then rumours had floated. But once it went on the floor, all people were assured about the safety," he said, assuring the safety of the vaccine.