The Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of India's drug regulator Central Drugs Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) has recommended an upgrade for the use of Covishield and Covaxin from restricted use to regular market use for adult population.
"DCGI will evaluate the recommendations and give its decision," it added in a post from its official Twitter handle.
The development comes after vaccine-makers Serum Institute of India (SII) and Bharat Biotech had applied for market approval for their respective Covid-19 vaccines.
More data requested
It was reported that SEC had met last week and had asked both the vaccine makers to submit more data before grating market approval.
Currently, both the vaccines are currently authorised for emergency use only.
The market authorisation would allow companies to sell the vaccines commercially for use without reservation and conditions.
Both the COVID-19 vaccines are administered in two doses, with storage conditions at a temperature betwen 2-8 degrees celsius.
Both the vaccines are being used for public vaccination programmes Under the Government-run Largest Vaccination drive for COVID-19 mass inoculations.
Out of the total 1,59,71,20,155 doses administered till January 20, 2022, Covishield forms the majority share with 1,37,40,16,744 doses, while total Covaxin doses administered so far stand at 21,77,23,906.
Notably, Covaxin is being used for the adolescent vaccinations, whereas both the vaccines are being used for the precaution doses being administered for frontline /healthcare workers, as well as senior citizens.