Govt Considering Emergency Authorisation Of COVID-19 Vaccine For High-Risk People, Says Dr Harsh Vardhan

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) Dr Harsh Vardhan yesterday (13 September) announced that a COVID-19 vaccine is likely to be available by early next year, reports Indian Express.

Dr Vardhan said that while no date has been fixed for the launch of a vaccine, it may be ready for use by the first quarter of 2021. He also added that the vaccine will be first made available to those who need it the most, irrespective of an individual's paying capacity.

Dr Vardhan also shared that the Government was considering emergency authorisation of the COVID-19 vaccine for high-risk people while also asserting that he will himself take the first shot of the vaccine to address any "trust deficit" over its safety.

Dr Vardhan also informed that the Government is taking all precautions in the human trials of vaccines and that National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 is drawing up a detailed strategy on how to immunise the majority of the population. He added that issues like vaccine security, cost, equity, cold-chain requirements and production timelines et cetera have been discussed intensely.