Preparations on for second phase of human clinical trial of 'Covaxin' vaccine

Preparations are underway at a hospital here for commencement of second phase of human clinical trial of 'Covaxin', India's indigeus COVID-19 vaccine, officials said.

" Phase I of trial is still continuing as we are planning for start of Phase II trial shortly," Dr E Venkata Rao, Principal Investigator of trial at Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital, faculty of medical sciences, said.

blood samples collected from volunteers who received vaccine were to ascertain how effective vaccine was in terms of level of antibodies developed, Dr Rao said, ding that re h been ' side effects' in first phase trial of vaccine.

IMS and SUM Hospital is one of 12 medical centres in country chosen by Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) for conducting human trial of vaccine developed by Hyderab-based Bharat Biotech.

"Two doses of vaccine were ministered to each volunteer after y were selected through a screening process conducted over a period of three to seven days prior to vaccination. first dose was ministered on Day Zero while blood sample was collected. second dose was given on Day 14 and blood sample was also collected," Dr Rao said.

Blood samples of volunteers will also be collected on different days (28, 42, 104, 194 days) for estimating duration of protection subsequently, he ded.

Dr Rao said re was a lot of enthusiasm among people to be part of second phase of human trial.

Those who wish to be part of this trial could contact centre at http://ptctu.soa.ac.in, he said.