7 more states to give Covaxin from next week

January 23, 2021 20:59

Seven more states will be administering the indigenously-developed Covaxin from next week, the health ministry said on Saturday.

The Drugs Controller General of India had earlier this month approved Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute of India, and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country, paving the way for a massive inoculation drive.

Addressing a media briefing, Additional Secretary in the Union health ministry Manohar Agnani said that as on January 23, a total of 15,37,190 beneficiaries have been vaccinated for COVID-19 in 27,776 sessions.

The inoculation drive was launched on January 16 with over three crore healthcare and frontline workers prioritised to get the jabs initially.

In addition to the 12 states currently using Covaxin, seven new states -- Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Jharkhand, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Punjab and West Bengal -- will be administering the vaccine from next week, Agnani said.

"The orientation of all programme managers of these seven states was conducted today by the Indian Council of Medical Research and the health ministry covering all aspects of implementation protocols," he said.

Giving updates on the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination drive, he said that "1,46,598 beneficiaries were vaccinated till 6 pm today and 123 adverse event following immunisation were reported till 6 pm on the eighth day of the vaccination drive."

-- PTI

« Back to LIVE

TOP STORIES

Jadeja's all-round show sparks T20 WC excitement

Jadeja will be expected to play a key role in the T20 showpiece in the United States and West Indies, where the ball is likely to turn.

Tennis power couple Badosa, Tsitsipas split

Tsitsidosa era ends as Badosa announces split with Tsitsipas

T20 WC: Babar confirms Pakistan's plan to stop Kohli

'He (Kohli) is one of the best players, and we will plan against him as well'

Finch hails Jadeja as 'absolute class' for CSK

Jadeja scored 40-odd runs and took three wickets in Chennai Super Kings' victory over Punjab Kings on Sunday.

DC's Fraser-McGurk, Pant brace for battle vs on-fire RR

The Capitals have been inconsistent so far, winning five and losing six of their last 11 games.