Afghanistan hails emergency use approval to Covishield

New Delhi [India], January 3 : Tahir Qadiry, Afghan Charge d'Affaires on Sunday hailed India's decision to grant emergency use to Serum Institute of India for their Covid-19 vaccine, named Covishield.
Taking to Twitter, Qadiry called the occasion good news for science and for India.
"Good news for science and for India," he tweeted.
Serum Institute of India Chief Executive Officer Adar Poonawalla on Sunday said that Covishield is safe, effective and ready for roll-out in the coming weeks.
Taking to Twitter, Poonawalla said, "Happy new year, everyone! All the risks @SerumInstIndia took with stockpiling the vaccine have finally paid off. COVISHIELD, India's first COVID-19 vaccine is approved, safe, effective, and ready to roll-out in the coming weeks."
He also thanked the political leadership, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan and Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
He also thanked Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Earlier today, COVID-19 vaccines of Serum Institue of India and Bharat Biotech have been granted permission for restricted use in an emergency situation, informed Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).
"After adequate examination, CDSCO has decided to accept the recommendations of the Expert Committee and accordingly, vaccines of M/s Serum and M/s Bharat Biotech are being approved for restricted use in emergency situation and permission is being granted to M/s Cadila Healthcare for conduct of the Phase III clinical trial," said VG Somani, DCGI, during a media briefing today.