<p>India has approved the Covid-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, paving the way for one of the world's largest immunisation campaigns.</p>.<p>Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters on Saturday the vaccine had been approved on Friday, confirming what sources close to the matter had told Reuters.</p>.<p><strong>ALSO READ:</strong> <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/covid-19-vaccine-will-be-free-across-the-country-union-health-minister-harsh-vardhan-934303.html"><strong>Covid-19 vaccine will be free across the country, says Union Health Minister</strong></a></p>.<p>It is the first Covid-19 vaccine to be approved for emergency use by India, which has the highest number of infections after the United States.</p>.<p>Javadekar said at least three more vaccines were waiting in line to be approved.</p>.<p>"India is perhaps the only country where at least four vaccines are getting ready," he said.</p>.<p>"One was approved yesterday for emergency use, Serum's COVISHIELD." he said, referring to the fact that the shot is being made locally by the Serum Institute of India (SII).</p>.<p>India has reported more than 10 million Covid-19 cases, though its rate of infection has come down significantly from a mid-September peak.</p>.<p>The country hopes to inoculate 300 million of its 1.35 billion people in the first six to eight months of 2021.</p>
<p>India has approved the Covid-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University, paving the way for one of the world's largest immunisation campaigns.</p>.<p>Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar told reporters on Saturday the vaccine had been approved on Friday, confirming what sources close to the matter had told Reuters.</p>.<p><strong>ALSO READ:</strong> <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/covid-19-vaccine-will-be-free-across-the-country-union-health-minister-harsh-vardhan-934303.html"><strong>Covid-19 vaccine will be free across the country, says Union Health Minister</strong></a></p>.<p>It is the first Covid-19 vaccine to be approved for emergency use by India, which has the highest number of infections after the United States.</p>.<p>Javadekar said at least three more vaccines were waiting in line to be approved.</p>.<p>"India is perhaps the only country where at least four vaccines are getting ready," he said.</p>.<p>"One was approved yesterday for emergency use, Serum's COVISHIELD." he said, referring to the fact that the shot is being made locally by the Serum Institute of India (SII).</p>.<p>India has reported more than 10 million Covid-19 cases, though its rate of infection has come down significantly from a mid-September peak.</p>.<p>The country hopes to inoculate 300 million of its 1.35 billion people in the first six to eight months of 2021.</p>