---
title: "Covishield: Indian Oxford-AstraZeneca Vaccine"
description: "Covishield is the Indian version of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, crucial for India's COVID-19 immunisation efforts since January 2021."
url: "https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/glossary/covishield"
---

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Model Diplomat Research Team · Last reviewed June 22, 2026

TL;DR

- Covishield is the Indian-manufactured version of the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, produced by the Serum Institute of India and central to India's pandemic immunisation programme.
- How does Covishield differ from Covaxin?
- What is the technical platform of Covishield?
- What is TTS, and why did it make Covishield controversial in 2024?
- How is Covishield linked to vaccine diplomacy?

[Civil Service & Diplomatic Exams](https://modeldiplomat.com/learn/civil-services/glossary)Updated June 22, 2026

Go beyond the definition

## Research Covishield like a delegate

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## Timeline

1. 3 January 2021

   India's Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), on the recommendation of the Subject Expert Committee, granted Covishield Emergency Use Authoris…

2. 16 January 2021

   Mass administration began on , the launch date of India's nationwide COVID-19 vaccination drive.

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Example

The Serum Institute of India's Covishield received Emergency Use Authorisation from India's CDSCO on 3 January 2021, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched its nationwide rollout on 16 January 2021.

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## Take Covishield beyond the glossary

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