New pill, shots lined up for war...

A man receives a vaccine dose, in New Delhi on Tuesday. Pic/PTI

Expanding India's vaccine basket, the Central Drug Authority has approved the Serum Institute of India's Covid-19 vaccine Covovax, Biological E's jab Corbevax and anti-Covid pill Molnupiravir for restricted use in emergency situation.

The announcement by Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday came a day after the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on Covid-19 of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) recommended granting emergency use authorisation to Covovax and Corbevax with certain conditions. It also had recommended granting restricted emergency use approval to the drug Molnupiravir for treatment of adult patients with Covid-19 and who have high risk of progression of the disease.

In a tweet, the minister said, "Congratulations India. Further strengthening the fight against Covid-19, CDSCO, @MoHFW_INDIA has given 3 approvals in a single day for: - CORBEVAX vaccine - COVOVAX vaccine - Anti-viral drug Molnupiravir For restricted use in emergency situation".

India now has eight vaccines that have received emergency use authorisation. Six vaccines - Serum Institute's Covishield, Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, Zydus Cadila's ZyCoV-D, Russia's Sputnik V and the US-made Moderna and Johnson and Johnson - had already received the nod earlier.

Rules eased for 3rd dose for seniors

People aged 60 years and above with comorbidity will not be required to produce or submit any certificate from a doctor at the time of administration of precaution dose of Covid-19 vaccine, the Centre told states and union territories on Tuesday. Such persons are expected to obtain the advice of their doctor before deciding to avail of the precaution dose or third dose. The government was earlier considering the option of a doctor's prescription or certificate but that would have complicated the process for the elderly in terms of mobility and expense.

Schools, cinemas, shut in Delhi

Amid a rise in cases, authorities on Tuesday ordered closure of schools, colleges, cinemas and gyms in New Delhi with immediate effect and put various restrictions on the functioning of shops and public transport as a yellow alert was sounded. As per the curbs, non-essential goods shops will open based on an odd-even formula.

3,47,99,691
Total no. of Coronavirus cases in India so far

4,80,290
Total no. of deaths due to the virus in India so far

75,456
Total no. of active cases in India

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