Freedom from COVID-19! Things look bright as ICMR hopeful of vaccine by August 15

Bengaluru: This Independence Day, we all may have some good news! 

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Thursday said that it has partnered with Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) to fast-track clinical trials of the indigenous COVID-19 vaccine (BBV152 COVID Vaccine), as reported by Republic TV. 

In an official statement, the website adds, ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava has stated that ICMR aims to launch the indigenous COVID-19 vaccine by August 15. Bharat Biotech recently got a nod for clinical trial of its vaccine - Covaxin.

 

The statement reads: "This is the first indigenous vaccine being developed by India and is one of the top priority projects which is being monitored at the topmost level of the Government. The vaccine is derived from a strain of SARS-CoV-2 isolated by ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Pune. ICMR and BBIL are jointly working for the preclinical as well as clinical development of this vaccine.” 

"It is envisaged to launch the vaccine for public health use latest by 15th August 2020 after completion of all 1st 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 statement added.

A note on trials: 
The website further states that the country's apex medical body has selected 12 institutes, including one from Odisha, 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 are 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. 
 

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