Dr Randeep Guleria, director of Delhi-based All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), on Wednesday (February 17) received the second dose of coronavirus vaccine. Guleria had on January 16 received the first dose of the vaccine on January 16. The nationwide Covid immunisation drive was launched on January 16. Besides Guleria, NITI Aayog member VK Paul also received the second dose of the drug.
According to Guleria, he didn’t experience any side-effects following the first jab last month. The AIIMS director is also a member of National Task Force on Covid-19.
As per the guidelines of Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), an individual is entitled to receive the second shot after an interval of four to six weeks.
Two Covid-19 Vaccines In India
The DGCI had on January 3 approved two coronavirus vaccines for emergency use in the country. The two vaccines are Covishield and Covaxin.
Covishield is the Indian version of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine. It is being manufactured by Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII). The SII is the world’s largest vaccine manufacturer.
Covaxin is developed by Hyderabad-based biotechnology company Bharat Biotech. According to data available, Covaxin is being administered at the state-run six hospitals which include AIIMS. Guleria has been given doses of Covaxin.
90 Lakh People Inoculated
Meanwhile, the Health Ministry data showed that approximately 9 lakh doses of corona vaccine have been administered in the country since the launch of the inoculation drive.
In another related development, the regulator is expected to approve Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine for emergency use in the country. The vaccine is being manufactured by Dr Reddy’s Labs. Another local pharma major Cadila Healthcare is also expecting nod from the DGCI for its vaccine – ZyCov-D.
In another related development, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan has informed that at least 18-19 potential vaccine candidates are in different stages of clinical trials. While a few are in Phase I and Phase II, some are in the Phase III of the clinical trials.
He also said that the drive to inoculate around 27 crore people in the next priority group will begin from early March. The 27 crore people are those who are above 50 years.