Here is how India is likely to proceed with Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine.
The pandemic still looms and vaccines are ready to be rolled out now as UK and Bahrain are ready to administer doses to their citizens. The UK may also become the first country to use Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine as they plan to distribute the doses to hospitals and clinics.
With guidance from NHS, the vaccine is expected to be given out on Tuesday in the UK, priority being the frontline workers and people over 80s.
Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has received a request for approval from pharma giant Pfizer for authorization of their vaccine in India. The drug regulator is yet to decide as it would depend on the results observed in other countries where the vaccine is being rolled out.
Emergency approval may be given by India if the results of the drugs seem satisfactory. The decision about the sales of the vaccine in India is still in process as there are certain logistic issues to be tackled before the sales can be finalized.
The vaccine is also to be sold in India through government contracts initially. The price will depend on the doses ordered by India. Favipiravir, Itolizumab, and Remdesivir have been approved in India for restricted emergency use and the government is weighing on the challenges that will be faced while distributing the drug in rural areas of the country.
The vaccine received by the UK will be quality checked before being given out.
