India Corona Vaccine: PM Modi Hails DCGI's Vaccine Approval , Calls It 'A Road Towards Covid Free Nation'

DCGI approved the emergency use authorisation of vaccines by Bharat Biotech and Oxford- Serum Insitute. PM Modi hailed the decision by the drug controller and said it will strengthen the spirit of India's fight against Covid

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India received emergency approval of  two vaccines for coronavirus, Pune-based Serum Institute's Covishield and Bharat Biotech's Covaxin from the country's drug regulator today. The Drug Controller General of India VG Somani said both firms submitted data on their trial runs and both have been granted permission for "restricted use". Corona Vaccine LIVE Updates

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter to congratulate the citizens of the country and said it would make every Indian proud that the two Covid-19 vaccines that have been given approval by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) are 'made in India'.

"It would make every Indian proud that the two vaccines that have been given emergency use approval are made in India! This shows the eagerness of our scientific community to fulfil the dream of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat, at the root of which is care and compassion," said PM Modi. PM Modi also praised the efforts of the frontline warriors for their outstanding work  "We reiterate our gratitude to doctors, medical staff, scientists, police personnel, sanitation workers and all Corona warriors for the outstanding work done, that too in adverse circumstances. We will remain eternally grateful to them for saving many lives," PM Modi said in another tweet. PM Modi called the development a ;decisive turning point', 'accelerating the road' to a healthier and Covid-free nation.

A decisive turning point to strengthen a spirited fight!

DCGI granting approval to vaccines of @SerumInstIndia and @BharatBiotech accelerates the road to a healthier and COVID-free nation. Congratulations India. Congratulations to our hardworking scientists and innovators. — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 3, 2021

DCGI refutes claims by Akhilesh Yadav's MLC of people becoming impotent by Covid vaccine

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav has sparked controversy after announcing that he will not take the vaccine authorized by BJP. SP MLC supported Akhilesh Yadav's decision and said that he would suggest people not to take the vaccine as it might make people impotent. VG Somani, Drug Controller General of India refuted the claims made by the SP chief and called it absurd. Somani said, "We'll never approve anything if there's the slightest safety concern. Vaccines are 110 % safe. Some side effects like mild fever, pain & allergy are common for every vaccine. It (that people may get impotent) is absolute rubbish."

WHO Welcomes First Emergency Vaccine

The World Health Organisation has welcomed the move by DCGI for approving the emergency authroization of the two vaccines and said that this will strengthen the world's fight against the virus. - Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director WHO South-East Asia Region said, “WHO welcomes the first emergency use authorization given to COVID-19 vaccine in the WHO South-East Asia Region. This decision taken today by India will help intensify and strengthen the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic in the Region. The use of vaccine in prioritized populations, along with the continued implementation of other public health measures and community participation will be important in reducing the impact of COVID-19." Also Watch| 'Congratulations India', PM Modi tweets after DCGI's vaccine approval