COVID-19: Scientist at Science & Tech Min opines 'mass use of vaccine unlikely till 2021'

Opining on India's indigeus COVID-19 vaccine in global race, Ministry of Science & Techlogy's scientist Dr. T. V. Venkateshwaran, on Sunday, said that mass us of any COVID-19 vaccine is unlikely to be rey till 2021. Venkateshwaran - scientist at Vigyan Prasar - which comes under Centre, stated that d given to COVAXIN and ZyCov-D Vaccine indicated 'beginning of end'. In an article published by PIB, he stated that two of leing candidates of 140 vaccines in human trial phases - AZD1222 developed by Oxford University and MRNA-1273 vaccine by Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute have inked an agreement with Indian manufacturers.

ICMR bolsters 'mid-August' Covid vaccine effort; ds 12 institutes for Covaxin trial

Centre's scientist opines: Mass use of Vaccine unlikely till 2021

Pointing out that Indian manufacturers account for 60% of vaccine supplies me to UNICEF, he said mass production of any COVID-19 vaccine will be impossible without India. He writes, " Along with two Indian vaccines, COVAXIN and ZyCov-D, world over, 11 out of 140 vaccine candidates have entered human trials. ne of se vaccines is unlikely to be rey for mass use before 2021". Furrmore, he said that six companies are working on a vaccine for COVID-19, presently in India.

Here is PIB article

ICMR assures 'commitment to safety' as scientists question deline for Covaxin launch

ICMR fast-tracks Covaxin trials

On Friday, ICMR fast-tracked BBIL's Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine - Covaxin's clinical trials. In an official statement, ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava stated that ICMR aims to launch indigeus COVID-19 vaccine by August 15. Covaxin was approved by DCGI recently to proceed to clinical trials after it showed promise in its pre-clinical data.

country's apex medical body has selected 12 institutes across country and has vised m to expedite approvals and complete recruiting for trials by 7 July. "Kindly te that n-compliance will be viewed seriously," letter states, ding that institutions must treat this project on highest priority and meet given timelines without any lapse. Apart from Odisha, institutes selected for clinical trial are located in Visakhapatnam, Rohtak (Haryana), New Delhi, Patna, Belgaum (Karnataka), Nagpur (Maharashtra), Gorakhpur, Kanpur (UP), Kattankulathur (Tamil Nu), Hyderab, Arya Nagar and Goa.

ICMR fast-tracks Bharat Biotech's 'Covaxin' Covid vaccine; enviss launch by August 15

Scientists question 'rushed vaccine' deline

Reacting to ICMR letter, several experts h raised fears that its safety and efficacy could be compromised. Moreover, scientists have disapproved strict and 'nearly impossible' timeline set by ICMR with an aim to launch vaccine by August 15. Scientists have also questioned feasibility of mass production of vaccine if desired results are achieved. ICMR has defended its move stating that y are committed to treating public safety as topmost priority and said that process followed by apex medical body is in 'accordance with globally accepted rms to fast-track vaccine development'.

Assam to revise COVID-19 testing pattern after ICMR vice; plasma rapy to start soon