Centre Seals Deal For Second Made-In-India Vaccine, Buys 30 Crore Doses From Hyderabad's Biological-E

<p><strong>Covid Vaccine Update:</strong> In order to meet a strict vaccination target, the government has reserved 30 crore doses of Hyderabad-based Biological-Covid E's vaccine, which is still in clinical trials. The Health Ministry will make a 1,500-crore advance payment to the company for what will be the country's second made-in-India vaccine, following Bharat Biotech's Covaxin.</p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The doses will be manufactured and stored by Biological-E from August to December and are expected to be available "in the next few months," says the ministry.</span></p> <p><a href="https://ift.tt/3uNFrcD style="color: #e03e2d;"><strong>Also Read|Covishield Producer SII Seeks DCGI Approval To Manufacture Sputnik V Covid Vaccine</strong></span></a></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The move comes amid widespread criticism of the Centre's vaccination policy, which fell short when India was hit by a second wave of Covid in March-April. The government had to halt Covid shot exports under its "Vaccine Maitri" programme and scramble to obtain more doses to address the country's shortage. The slow roll-out has become a major source of concern, with experts predicting the third wave of Covid.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After showing promising results in Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials, Biological-COVID-19 E's vaccine is currently undergoing Phase 3 clinical trials, said the government in a statement.&nbsp;</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The government also stated that the Department of Biotechnology provided 100 crores in financial assistance to Biological-E&rsquo;s shot as well as partnering with the company to conduct various studies.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to the statement, this is part of the government's mission to support five or six new COVID-19 vaccine candidates.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Apart from Covaxin and Serum Institute of India&rsquo;s Covishield, Russia's Sputnik V will soon be used to vaccinate people as the government races to meet a target of one crore vaccinations per day by August. It is also in discussions with foreign manufacturers such as Pfizer and Moderna, who have insisted on an indemnity clause.</span></p> <p><a href="https://ift.tt/3z1JiWD style="color: #e03e2d;"><strong>Also Read|India Witnesses Decline In Covid Deaths; 2887 Fatalities, 1.34 Lakh New Cases Reported</strong></span></a></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The centre said, &ldquo;The arrangement with Biological-E is part of the wider endeavour of Government of India to encourage indigenous vaccine manufacturers by providing them support in Research &amp; Development (R&amp;D) and also financial support&rdquo;.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Biological-E's indigenous was recommended for endorsement by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 or NEGVAC.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>

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