As India eagerly awaits the regulatory approval for the coronavirus vaccine, a senior government official on Tuesday said that the country is at a point where the silver bullet can be expected in a "few days".

Addressing a press conference, Dr V.K. Paul, Member (Health), Niti Aayog said: "We are that point where we can expect vaccine in a few days. We have to move forward with optimism. We expect that coming days will be better."

India currently has eight Covid-19 vaccine candidates, including three indigenous vaccines, under different stages of clinical trials which could be ready for authorisation in near future.

Serum Institute-Oxford's Covishield, Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Pfizer vaccine are in the fray for emergency use authorisation.

The Modi government plans to vaccinate nearly 30 crore/300 million people in the first phase of the drive. It will be offered to one crore/10 million healthcare workers, along with 2 crore/20 million frontline and essential workers and 27 crore/270 million elderly, mostly above the age of 50 years with co-morbidities.

On Monday, Pune-based Serum Institute of India had also alluded to the possibility of Covid-19 vaccine - Covishield - receiving the regulatory approval in a "few days".

(IANS)