India-made COVID-19 vaccine could be launched as early as February: Government scientist

As last-stage trials start this month, an Indian government-backed COVID-19 vaccine could be released as early as February-months earlier than anticipated-and tests have so far shown that it is safe and efficient, a senior government scientist told Reuters.

Bharat Biotech, a private company that develops COVAXIN with the Indian Medical Research Council (ICMR), had previously hoped to release it only in the second quarter of next year.

"The vaccine has shown good efficacy," said senior ICMR scientist, Mr. Rajni Kant, who is also a member of its task force COVID-19, at the New Delhi headquarters of the research body on Thursday.

"It is anticipated that something will be accessible by the beginning of next year, in February or March."

Bharat Biotech could not be contacted straight away.

A February launch will make COVAXIN the first vaccine produced in India to be rolled out.

India's coronavirus infection cases increased by 50,201 cases to 8.36 million on Thursday, second only to the United States. Deaths have increased by 704, with the number now being 124,315. Since a peak in mid-September, the daily increase in infections and deaths has decreased.

Mr. Kant, head of the Research Management , Strategy, Planning and Coordination Cell of ICMR, said, “it was up to the Ministry of Health to determine if COVAXIN shots could be given to individuals even before the third-stage trials are over.”

"There might be some danger that you may take the vaccine if you are able to take the risk. If necessary, in an emergency, the government can think about giving the vaccine."

In September, Minister of Health, Mr. Harsh Vardhan said, “the government was considering granting an emergency permit for the COVID-19 vaccine, especially for the elderly and people in high-risk professions.”

There are already many leading vaccine candidates in final-stage research. One of the most innovative is a new vaccine developed by Britain's AstraZeneca, and Britain plans to carry it out in late December or early 2021.

AstraZeneca has signed many supply and production agreements, including with the Serum Institute of India, with companies and governments around the world.

Moderna Inc, Pfizer Inc, in partnership with BioNTech SE, and Johnson & Johnson are designing other late-stage vaccines.

Disclaimer: This information has been collected through secondary research and IBEF is not responsible for any errors in the same.