‘Approval was premature’: Political leaders react over emergency use approval to COVID-19 vaccines

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January 3, 2021

KEY STORY

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Sunday granted emergency use approval to Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech for their COVID-19 vaccines. Covishield by SII and Covaxin by Bharat Biotech got the DCGI nod for ‘restricted use’.

Congratulating the country over the same, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “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.”

“A watershed moment in India’s famed battle against COVID-19 under the leadership of PM Modi. Our wait for the vaccine is over with Covishield from Serum Institue of India and Covaxin from Bharat Biotech approved for emergency use in India,” Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan said.
Home Minister Amit Shah also said that “visionary leadership can make a huge difference. Time and again, we have seen a New India eager to innovate and help the humanity during crisis. The approval to Made in India vaccines will prove to be a game changer in boosting PM Narendra Modi’s vision of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat.”
Union minister Smriti Irani also called the emergency use approval of the indigenous vaccine a watershed moment. She tweeted: “Approval to indigenously made vaccines is a watershed moment in our fight against COVID-19 virus & a defining chapter in our journey towards building an #AatmaNirbharBharat. Heartiest congratulations & gratitude to our scientists for their dedication & determination.”
Welcoming the move, Mayawati, national president of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), requested the Centre for a free vaccine for the healthworkers and the very poor of the society.

“Many welcome to the indigenous vaccine (vaccine) with the very deadly coronavirus epidemic and many congratulations to the scientists. At the same time, there is a special request from the Central Government that free arrangements for this vaccine be made to all the health workers in the country as well as to the very poor of the society,” she tweeted in Hindi.