Covishield, Covaxin granted regular market approval: what it means

India's drug regulator has granted regular market approval for Covid-19 vaccines Covishield and Covaxin for use in the adult population subject to certain conditions, Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Thursday.

The two vaccines so far had restricted emergency use authorisation.

"The regulator has upgraded the permission for Covaxin and Covishield from restricted use in emergency situations to normal new drug permission in the adult population with certain conditions," Mandaviya said.

According to news agency PTI, Covaxin and Covishield will soon be available at hospitals and clinics for people to buy against prescription.

However, the vaccine will not be available for purchase at local chemists with or without prescriptions for now.

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The health minister also clarified that govt's free vaccination drive will continue even after the vaccines are made available in the regular market.