Global leaders hail India for decisive virus fight

New York, January 5

Global leaders have lauded India’s leadership in scientific innovation and decisive action to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, as the country gets set to begin the world’s largest vaccination drive.

The Drug Controller General of India on Sunday approved the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured by the Serum Institute and Covaxin of Bharat Biotech, for restricted emergency use in the country, paving the way for a massive inoculation drive.

“It’s great to see India’s leadership in scientific innovation and vaccine manufacturing capability as the world works to end the Covid-19 pandemic,” Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said in a tweet, tagging the Prime Minister’s Office.

Director-General of the World Health Organisation Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus tweeted that India “continues to take decisive action & demonstrate its resolve to end #Covid-19 pandemic”.

“As the world’s largest vaccine producer, it’s well placed to do so. If we #ACTogether, we can ensure effective & safe vaccines are used to protect the most vulnerable everywhere,” Ghebreyesus said and tagged Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his tweet.

A day after India’s drug regulator approved two vaccines for restricted emergency use, Modi said the world’s biggest inoculation drive against coronavirus was set to begin in the country. Praising the scientists and technicians for the ‘Made in India’ vaccines, he said the country was proud of them. — PTI