New Delhi: As per a letter written as internal communication by ICMR to Bharat Biotech asking for fast-tracking of the indigenous vaccine, COVAXIN, ICMR aims to launch it by August 15.
New Delhi: As per a letter written as internal communication by ICMR to Bharat Biotech asking for fast-tracking of the indigenous vaccine, COVAXIN, ICMR aims to launch it by August 15.
"It is envisaged to launch the vaccine for public health use latest by 15th August 2020 after completion of all clinical trials. BBIL is working expeditiously to meet the target, however, final outcome will depend on the cooperation of all clinical trial sites involved in this project," the letter says.
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) have come together to step up efforts for a possible vaccine for the novel coronavirus.
Developed by one of the leading Indian vaccine makers, Bharat Biotech, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research and the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Covaxin is India’s first indigenous vaccine against the novel coronavirus.
After preclinical studies demonstrated safety and effective immune response, the drug has got approval from Drug Controller General of India to conduct phase 1 and 2 clinical trials of its COVID-19 vaccine. Phase one of the clinical trials are set to begin on July 7. The ICMR Director Balram Bhargava has asked the BBIL to expedite the trial process. If the clinical trials succeed then the vaccination can be made available for public use before August 15, he noted.
Phase one of the clinical trials are set to begin on July 7. The ICMR Director Balram Bhargava has asked the BBIL to expedite the trial process. If the clinical trials succeed then the vaccination can be made available for public use before August 15, he noted.
The country’s apex medical body has selected 12 institutes for the clinical trial of the country’s first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine. In view of the public health emergency due to COVID-19 pandemic and urgency to launch the vaccine, the selected institutes have been strictly advised to fast track all approvals related to the initiation of the clinical trial and ensure that the subject enrolment is initiated during the first week of July.
India has over 6.2 lakh reported cases of coronavirus with over 17,000 deaths until July 2, 2020. This vaccine, seen as a ray of hope, has created a lot of expectation amid the public and the doctors.