The Indian government has cleared a fourth vaccine, the US-made Moderna, for emergency use in India. Mumbai-based pharma major Cipla has been permitted to import Moderna's Covid vaccine for restricted emergency use in India. The vaccines, approved to be in use in India, include Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, Serum Institute of India's Covishield and Russia's Sputnik V.

"Cipla Limited is supporting Moderna Inc with the regulatory approval and importation of vaccines to be donated to India. At this stage, there is no definitive agreement on commercial supplies," Cipla said in a statement quoted by IBNS.

Out of all four vaccines approved, Moderna has the highest effectiveness - it is 94 per cent effective compared to Sputnik (91 per cent), Covaxin (77.8 per cent) and Covishield (74 per cent).

"I am pleased to inform that the application received from Moderna through their Indian partner Cipla has been granted. This opens up the possibility of the vaccine being imported in the near future. Other formalities to follow. But important that licensure has been given," said VK Paul, who heads the Covid task force.

Paul said only regulatory clearance had been given to Moderna for now.(SAM)