The Central government has given its nod to the emergency use of two more vaccines by called the Corbevax and Covovax vaccines and the anti-viral pill Molnupiravir amidst the rising surge in the COVID-19 cases.
Mansukh Mandaviya, Union Health Minister on Tuesday stated that to further strengthen the nation’s fight against the Coronavirus, Corbevax and Covovax have been approved by the CDSCO ( Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation ). Molnupirvar, the anti-viral drug has also been approved. He congratulated the nation via Twitter when he announced the news.
About the vaccines, Corbevax is India’s first-ever indigenously developed RBD protein Sub-unit vaccine against the Coronavirus which is made by the Hyderabad-based firm called Biological-E, the health minister reported. It is the third vaccine overall that is developed in India. Covovax, the nanoparticle vaccine is expected to be manufactured by a Pune-based firm called Serum Institute of India, the Health Minister stated.
Molnupirvar, the anti-viral drug will be manufactured in the country by thirteen companies but for restricted use in emergency conditions only. It will be administered to adult Covid patients and people who are at high risk for the progression of the disease. The Minister also showered praises on Prime Minister Modi for leading the battle against Corona from the front. He complimented him for approving the vaccines which will strengthen the nation’s fight against the pandemic. He also said that the Pharmaceutical industries of India are an asset to the entire world.
The SEC ( Subject Expert Committee) of the CDSCO has also recommended granting of permission to the manufacturing of Molnupiravir for restricted use in emergency situations to be used in adult patients with SpO2 93 percent and for those who have a very high risk of progression of the disease.
With the approval of these two vaccines on Tuesday, eight vaccines have been approved so far by the government in the wake of the rapid spread of the Coronavirus. The names of these vaccines include Covishield by Serum Institute, Covaxin by Bharat Biotech, ZyCoV-D by Zydus Cadila, Sputnik V by Russia, and Moderna and Johnson and Johnson by the US. These vaccines plus the Corbevax and Covovax have been authorized by the Indian drug regulator DCGI. India will also start the administering of booster shots to the frontline and healthcare workers and to those who are above 60 years of age with comorbidities from January 10. The vaccination drive for children aged between 15-18 years of age would also begin from January 3.
These are expected to help in boosting the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic which has engulfed the world for the third time in two years.
