Centre Fast-Tracks Emergency Approvals For Foreign Vaccines

Delhi records 13,500 new virus cases; Kejriwal urges Centre to cancel CBSE board exams; 7 deaths in Maharashtra hospital spark anger, oxygen shortage blamed

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NEW DELHI

The central government on Tuesday fast-tracked approvals for foreign-produced COVID-19 vaccines that have been granted emergency use authorisation in other countries.

This has been done to expedite the pace and coverage of the ongoing vaccination drive in the country.

Calling vaccination as one of the critical pillars of virus control and management, the government said that fast-tracking of approvals will facilitate easier access to foreign vaccines approved by credible foreign regulators.

The decision will pave the way for imports, fill and finish as well as production in India of those vaccines which have already been received such authorisation in other countries, the Centre said.

A fresh surge of 13,500 cases - the highest single-day spike so far - has taken Delhi’s caseload to 7,36,788 total infections, Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal said on Tuesday as he urged the central government to cancel CBSE board exams.

This is the third consecutive day that the national capital witnessed a record spike in Covid infections.

“In the last 24 hours, the city saw a surge of 13,500 fresh Covid cases.