In a move aimed at speeding up the quality check and release of Covid-19 vaccines, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has authorised the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad as Central Drug Laboratory (CDL) for testing and lot release of Covid-19 vaccines.

The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) had furnished a draft notification to the Union Health Ministry for notifying NIAB, Hyderabad as a CDL laboratory in response to which the Union Health Ministry has now notified NIAB, Hyderabad as a CDL laboratory.

It is pertinent to mention that NCCS, Pune has already been notified as a CDL laboratory on June 28, 2021, by MoHFW.

The notification of these two laboratories as CDL laboratories will improve vaccine production and will ultimately strengthen the vaccination campaign.