COVID-19 vaccine could be available by early next year: Parliamentary panel told

A vaccine for COVID-19 is expected only by early next year, a parliamentary panel was informed on Friday. Presentations were given by Department of Science and Techlogy, Department of Biotechlogy, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and principal scientific viser to government before Parliamentary Standing Committee on Science and Techlogy, Environment and Climate on Centre''s COVID-19 preparedness.

panel is chaired by senior Congress leer Jairam Ramesh, who, along with six or members, attended meeting. Sources said it was conveyed to panel that a vaccine for COVID-19 could be available only by early next year. This was first meeting of panel since nationwide lockdown was imposed on March 25.

Rajya Sabha Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu said delay in resumption of parliamentary committee meetings was forced by circumstances beyond control.

"I am gl that Department Related Parliamentary Standing Committees have resumed functioning, three and half months since last sitting of Parliament on March 23rd," he wrote on Twitter.

Naidu said everyone was keen on resumption of work by se committees, "but delay was forced by circumstances beyond our control".

"Corona pandemic did cast a show on working of se committees, which function on behalf of Parliament," vice president said.

Naidu said all possible measures were taken to enable committee meetings by complying with rms of social distancing, wearing of masks etc.

"I am hopeful se committees would w go about examining important issues concerning respective domains," he said.

Urging Naidu for holding of virtual meetings, Ramesh, in a tweet, said, "I would still request you Sir to allow virtual meetings given that Parliament is unlikely to meet for next month at least."

sources said or members present at meet also sought virtual deliberations.

A detailed discussion was held at meeting over government''s preparedness and handling of COVID-19.

"Our Parliamentary Standing Committee is having a most informative and useful meeting with @DBTIndia @IndiST @CSIR_IND & @PrinScivGoI on issue of Science & Techlogy & COVID-19. Too b we are t allowed to have virtual meetings so that more MPs could have participated," Ramesh wrote on Twitter.

Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs is scheduled to meet on July 15. While members of panels are demanding virtual meetings, presiding officers of both Houses of Parliament have said this requires a change of rules and endorsement by Rules Committee of Parliament as also a d from Parliament.