Traders in Uttar Pradesh's Sambhal district have demanded that they be given COVID-19 vaccine shots on a priority basis.

The demand was raised at a meeting of the Federation of All India Vyapar Mandal yesterday. Traders' body said they risked their lives during the pandemic while making essential commodities available to the public.

They have expressed their gratitude to the scientists who developed the vaccine.

India's drugs regulator yesterday approved Oxford COVID-19 vaccine Covishield, manufactured 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.