Coronavirus: US drug regulator rejects emergency use approval for Bharat Biotech’s vaccine
For the fourth straight day, India reported less than 1 lakh cases on Friday morning.
India on Friday reported 91,702 new coronavirus cases over the last 24 hours, taking its overall caseload to 2,92,74,823 since the pandemic broke out in January 2020. For the fourth consecutive day, the country recorded less than 1 lakh cases. Deaths rose by 3,403 to 3,63,079.
The United States Food and Drug Administration has rejected Bharat Biotech’s proposal for emergency use authorisation of its coronavirus vaccine in the country. Ocugen Inc, the company co-developing Covaxin for the US market, says it would now aim to file for a full approval of the shot.
Globally, the coronavirus disease has infected over 17.40 crore people and killed more than 37.49 lakh since the pandemic broke out in December 2019, according to Johns Hopkins University.
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Live updates
10.42 am: The Pedn Olva hotel in St Ives in England says it has closed the hotel after members of staff tested positive for Covid-19, reports Reuters. The hotel was being used by members of Germany’s delegation to a Group of Seven summit in England.
10.34 am: United States President Joe Biden says his country has contributed more than any other to COVAX, a collective global effort that is delivering Covid-19 vaccines across the world, reports ANI. “We’ve supported [vaccine] manufacturing efforts abroad through our partnerships with Japan, India & Australia – known as Quad,” he adds.
10.31 am: The West Bengal government directs officials to follow Covid-19 vaccination guidelines issued by the Centre with regard to students going abroad for study and sportspersons participating in the Tokyo Summer Olympics, reported The Indian Express.
10.25 am: People from rural areas of Katihar in Bihar express reluctance to take Covid-19 vaccine jabs due to lack of awareness, reports ANI.
“There is hesitancy among people regarding the vaccine,” said a local resident in Budhel area of the district. “We have heard that some people died after taking jabs.”
9.20 am: India reports 91,702 new coronavirus cases and 3,403 deaths over the last 24 hours. With this, the country’s tally rises to 2,92,74,823 since the pandemic broke out in January 2020. For the fourth consecutive day, India records less than 1 lakh cases. The toll rises to 3,63,079.
9.19 am: Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro says the country’s health minister is preparing a measure to allow those who have been vaccinated against the coronavirus or previously infected to not wear face masks, reports Reuters.
9.15 am: The Group of Seven nations or G7 leaders are expected to commit to sharing at least 1 billion coronavirus vaccines with the world, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced, reports AP. Half of the doses will be coming from the United States and 100 million from the United Kingdom.
9.10 am: The United States Food and Drug Administration has rejected Bharat Biotech’s proposal for emergency use authorisation of its coronavirus vaccine in the country, Covaxin, reports The Mint.
Ocugen Inc, the company co-developing Covaxin for the US market, says it would now aim to file for a full approval of the shot. The company also says that the drug regulator requested more information and data for the full approval, according to Reuters.
“While this will extend our timelines, we are committed to bringing Covaxin to the US,” says Ocugen Chief Executive Officer Dr Shankar Musunuri.
A quick look at the developments from Thursday: