Moderna on Tuesday became the fourth COVID-19 vaccine to get approved in India. The Indian government approved; the US-based pharmaceutical company’s mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccine. So far, in India, Covaxin, Covishield, and Sputnik-V; were getting administered. But now another vaccine is added to the list.
Moderna Gets Approved for Emergency Use in India
The Indian government on Tuesday approved the US-based COVID-19 vaccine; Moderna for administration in the country. On Moderna’s behalf, the Indian pharmaceutical company; Cipla Ltd. applied to the country’s drug regulator. The Drugs Controller General of India; approved the US-based vaccine in India. Earlier, Covaxin, Covishield, and Sputnik-V COVID-19 vaccines; were in regular use in India. Covaxin and Covishield are Indian vaccines. On the other hand, Sputnik-V is a Russia-based COVID-19 vaccine. And now, another foreign Covid vaccine; has gained approval in the country.
Cipla to Take Charge of Vaccine Distribution and Authorization in India
Moderna is donating an indefinite number of Covid vaccines to India; through the WHO-led, Covax. The US-based company has granted Cipla; the authorization of its vaccines in India. However, it is not clear exactly; how many doses the pharmaceutical company is donating. Cipla said that it is supporting the US-based company; in this initiative. Moreover, Cipla is given a license; to import the vaccines in general. Under the license, Cipla is allowed to distribute the vaccines in India. Since the vaccines are for emergency use; the vaccine’s retail sale is prohibited.
More Details About the US-based Vaccine
It is rumored that Moderna has donated 7 million COVID-19 vaccines to India. However, it is totally up to the company; how many vaccines it wants to import. Although, the process will begin in the next 5-6 days. Moderna’s CEO thanked the Indian government; for the authorization. He further said that this is a big step; in combating the virus on a global basis. The Indian government issued a registration certificate; for the vaccine’s administration in India. Moreover, the vaccine is coming in a ready-to-use form. Therefore, it needs no manufacturing base in India. Although, the Indian government hopes; that someday they will manufacture the vaccines on Indian soil.
What is the Moderna Vaccine Exactly?
The Moderna COVID-19 is an mRNA-based, two-dose vaccine. Moreover, it needs a temperature between -25 to -15 degrees Celsius; for storage for up to seven months. The vaccine, like other Covid vaccines; provides immunity to an individual’s body. Besides that, it prevents severe COVID-19 infection; and reduces the risk of hospitalization. The vaccine’s efficacy in people above 18 years is 94.1 percent. Moreover, experts in India have appreciated this decision.
