Covid-19 Vaccine: Key Things To Know About Oxford-Astrazeneca Vaccine, Covishield

Serum Institute of India (SII) has got the nod from the subject expert committee (SEC) for emergency use of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine on Friday. Here's all about the vaccine.

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New Delhi: Covishield, a vaccine that has been developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca got the seal of approval for emergency use. The vaccine is being manufactured by the Pune-based Serum Institute of India. UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) gave emergency-use approval to the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine earlier. What is Covishield vaccine? The vaccine is made of a weakened and modified version of adenovirus (a common cold virus) that causes infections in chimpanzees and contains the genetic material of the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein. After vaccination, the surface spike protein is produced, priming the immune system to attack the SARS-CoV-2 virus if it later infects the body.Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO) given Covishield an emergency use approval, but authorization from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) is expected soon. Efficacy of the vaccine The vaccine has shown, an average efficacy of 70.4%, with no hospitalisations or severe disease. Serum Institute has stockpiled around 50 million doses of the Covishield vaccine. Price and storage of the vaccine The AstraZeneca-Oxford Covid-19 vaccine can be stored, transported, and handled at normal refrigerated conditions (2°C to 8°C) for at least six months. According to media reports, Covidshield will be priced in India at Rs 500-600. The Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan has said that in the first phase of Covid-19 vaccination, free vaccine shall be provided across the nation to the most prioritised beneficiaries.  This includes 1 crore healthcare and 2 crore frontline workers. He said in a tweet, 'Details of how further 27 crore priority beneficiaries are to be vaccinated until July are being finalised'. WATCH HERE: