New Delhi:
The government hinted on Tuesday that for now, the COVID vaccine recipients will not have the alternative to pick from the two vaccines lately authorized for restricted emergency use in India.
Replying to a query at a press conference, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan stated, “At many places in the world, more than one vaccine are being administered, but presently, in no country, vaccine recipients have the option of choosing the shots.”
India has lately authorized two vaccines for the viral illness for restricted emergency use — Oxford University’s Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.
Mr Bhushan stated there will be a gap of 28 days in between two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine and its effectiveness can be observed only right after 14 days.
“So we urge people to keep following COVID appropriate behaviour,” he stated.
India will launch its COVID-19 vaccination drive from January 16 with priority to be offered to almost 3 crore healthcare and frontline workers.
Mr Bhushan stated 54.72 lakh of the complete stock of COVID-19 vaccine doses ordered so far had been received by the designated national and state-level vaccine retailers till Tuesday afternoon, with the coronavirus inoculation drive set to commence from Saturday.
He stated all the orders — 1.1 crore doses of Covishield from the Serum Institute of India and 55 lakh doses of Covaxin from Bharat Biotech — will be received by January 14.