India Approves AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 Vaccine, Local Vaccine

India’s drug regulator on Sunday announced that it had approved two COVID-19 vaccines, one developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca.

A health official and a volunteer (R) take part in dry run or a mock drill for COVID-19 vaccine delivery at a health center in New Delhi on Jan. 2, 2021. Prakash Singh via Getty Images

India’s drug regulator on Sunday announced that it had approved two COVID-19 vaccines for emergency use, one developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, and another developed locally.

Dr. V.G. Somani, the drugs controller general of India, said at a press briefing in New Delhi that the decision to approve both vaccines came after “careful examination” by Central Drugs Standard Control Organization, India’s pharmaceutical regulator.