NEW DELHI: With India's drugs regulator approving the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield and Covaxin of Bharat Biotech, Dr Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, called it a," watershed moment in India’s famed battle against COVID19 under the charismatic leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The news has led to a mixed response from the Opposition parties.

A watershed moment in India’s famed battle against #COVID19 under the charismatic leadership of Hon’ble PM Sh @narendramodi Ji !

Our wait for #COVID19vaccine is over with COVISHIELD from @SerumInstIndia & COVAXIN from @BharatBiotech approved for emergency use in India@PMOIndia pic.twitter.com/sqjsetqHnU
— Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) January 3, 2021

Responding to Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, Dr Harsh Vardhan's tweet, Senior Congress Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said, "The Covaxin has not yet had Phase 3 trials. Approval was premature and could be dangerous."

The Covaxin has not yet had Phase 3 trials. Approval was premature and could be dangerous. @drharshvardhan should please clarify. Its use should be avoided till full trials are over. India can start with the AstraZeneca vaccine in the meantime. https://t.co/H7Gis9UTQb
— Shashi Tharoor (@ShashiTharoor) January 3, 2021

Another senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh also raised concerns and asked Health Minister Harsh Vardhan to clarify why internationally-accepted protocols on phase 3 trials are being modified.

"Bharat Biotech is a first-rate enterprise, but it is puzzling that internationally-accepted protocols relating to phase 3 trials are being modified for Covaxin. Health Minister Harsh Vardhan should clarify," he said on Twitter.

Bharat Biotech is a first-rate enterprise, but it is puzzling that internationally-accepted protocols relating to phase 3 trials are being modified for Covaxin. Health Minister @drharshvardhan should clarify. pic.twitter.com/5HAWZtmW9s
— Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) January 3, 2021

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav on Sunday said the COVID-19 vaccination programme is a "sensitive process", and the government should not treat it as a "cosmetic" event as it is a matter of lives of people. Yadav had on Saturday termed the anti-Covid vaccine to be rolled out in the country as a "vaccine of the BJP" and said he would not take the shot, prompting a sharp reaction not only from the ruling party but also from NC vice-president Omar Abdullah.

Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati on Sunday congratulated the scientists associated with the coronavirus vaccine and urged the Centre to make it available for the poor free of cost.

PM Narendra Modi called the DCGI approval to two COVID-19 vaccines a decisive turning point to strengthen a spirited fight, congratulated the scientists, innovators.

A decisive turning point to strengthen a spirited fight!

DCGI granting approval to vaccines of @SerumInstIndia and @BharatBiotech accelerates the road to a healthier and COVID-free nation.

Congratulations India.

Congratulations to our hardworking scientists and innovators.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 3, 2021

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) granted the approval on the basis of recommendations of a COVID-19 Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO),paving the way for a massive inoculation drive. After adequate examination, CDSCO has decided to accept the recommendations of the Expert Committee and accordingly, vaccines of M/s Serum and M/s Bharat Biotech are being approved for restricted use in emergency situations.