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Dr Nivedita Gupta

Govt. backs ICMR's fast tracking of vaccine trials

 Rohit Shishodia       

The Indian Health Ministry has defended the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)’s directions for fast tracking clinical trials of Bharat Biotech International Limited Covid vaccine.


The ministry has said that the intent of ICMR’s letter to scientists of clinical sites was only fast tracking of the trials so that people could get the vaccine at the earliest.

“Today there are 100 vaccine candidates which are at different stages of trials. It is satisfactory for India that we have two vaccine candidates which are only entirely vaccine candidates. These are Bharat Biotech International Limited and Cadila Healthcare,” said Mr Rajesh Bhushan, OSD, Union Health Ministry.

“These two vaccine candidates are developing vaccines. Both vaccines completed animal toxicity studies after approval. DCGI has permitted these two vaccines to go in for phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials. Trials are yet to begin,” he added.

“We want the availability of this vaccine at the earliest. The intent of DG-ICMR’s letter was to fast track the trials. Vaccine is needed today and if we go to the conventional method of developing vaccine and develops it after two years, it is then of no use. So, the restlessness in ICMR and government was to fast track the vaccine and to make it available at the earliest,” said Dr Nivedita Gupta, Senior Scientist, ICMR.


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