Mumbai: The Centre has given its nod to the city-based Haffkin Institute to manufacture Covaxin, an anti-coronavirus vaccine of Bharat Biotech. Notably, Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had earlier requested the Union government to allow the Haffkine Institute to produce Covaxin.

“The Dept of Science & Technology, Government of India, has granted approval to Haffkine Institute to produce Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin vaccine on a transfer of technology basis. CM Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray has thanked PM Modi for approving this request”, a statement issued by the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) quoted him as saying. 

Notably, the Centre has given permission for one year for the production of vaccines. As per the reports of the New Indian Express, Thackeray asked the chief secretary to ensure the appointment of a senior govt officer for monitoring and production of vaccines on schedule.

With over 26.02 lakh COVID-19 vaccine doses administered till 8 pm on Thursday, the cumulative doses against the coronavirus administered in the country have crossed 11.74 crores.

Maharashtra continued to report grim COVID-19 figures on Thursday with 61,695 new C

OVID-19 cases and 349 deaths in the last 24 hours.

As per the state health department, the total number of positive cases in the state now stands at 36,39,855, including 29,59,056 recoveries and 59,153 deaths.

There are currently 6,20,060 active cases in the states, the highest in any state.

(With agency inputs)