Health Minister of India Harsh Vardhan promised that in a month or two, the third phase of the trials of the local vaccine-candidate against coronavirus COVAXIN would be finished as Reuters reported.
“We are in the process of developing our indigenous vaccines, in the process of completing our third-phase trials in the next one or two months,” Harsh Vardhan said.
The state Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and private Bharat Biotech Company has begun the third stage of trials of COVAXIN this month and involved 26,000 volunteers. It is the most progressive Indian candidate vaccine.
ICMR scientist reported in November that the vaccine might be launched in February or March. However, Bharat Biotech stated on Friday that the results of the latest trials are expected in March-April. However, Vardhan stated in September that the government might approve the urgent authorization of the vaccine, especially for old people and people working at the high-risk places.
The government plans to vaccinate from 200 up to 250 million Indians until July.
The Indian officials stated that they count on COVAXIN and four other vaccine candidates tested at the local level as they do not expect early access to the vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna.
As we reported, US drug company Moderna announced that its vaccine shows 94.5% efficiency. Pfizer’s vaccine showed 94% efficacy. Besides, Oxford University vaccine confirmed its safety and efficiency for old people. However, the WHO stated that the vaccine against coronavirus would not stop the pandemic if people do not follow the quarantine restrictions.
#Covid latest update (November 23, 10 am, Kyiv time) pic.twitter.com/PlXezJVVq2
— 112 News (@112NewsFeed) November 23, 2020
