Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan Sunday welcomed the emergency use approval for Oxford-AstraZeneca’s and Bharat Biotech‘s vaccines against coronavirus and termed it a “watershed moment” in India’s battle against Covid-19.

India’s drugs regulator Sunday approved Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covishield, manufactured in India by the Serum Institute, and indigenously developed Covaxin of Bharat Biotech for restricted emergency use in the country, paving the way for a massive inoculation drive.

Vardhan said the country’s wait for a Covid-19 vaccine is over with these approvals.

“A watershed moment in India’s famed battle against #Covid19 under the charismatic leadership of Hon’ble PM @narendramodi Ji ! Our wait for #Covid19 vaccine is over with COVISHIELD from @SerumInstIndia and COVAXIN from @BharatBiotech approved for emergency use in India,” Vardhan tweeted.

Calling these vaccines a fitting tribute to corona warriors, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to healthcare professionals and frontline workers for their efforts during these unprecedented