Indian COVID 19 vaccines are in the global race to end the coronavirus pandemic. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) had written to 12 Medical Institutes in the country to start the first phase of Human Clinical Trials by registering volunteers. Our Correspondent has reported that a maximum number of these Institutes have begun the subject enrolment process which was slated to be initiated today. ICMR has partnered with Bharat Biotech International Limited to develop COVAXIN, whereas Zydus Cadila is working on ZyCov-D Vaccine.

Drug Controller General of India recently gave nod to the human trial for both COVAXIN and ZyCov-D vaccines marking the beginning of an end to the global pandemic. Indian manufacturers account for 60 percent of vaccine supplies made to UNICEF. Across the world, more than 140 candidate vaccines are under various stages of development. Indian institutions have also engaged in Research and Development for the development of vaccines in India. With the beginning of enrollment of volunteers today, the two Indian vaccine candidates will now be tested on 1,125 healthy volunteers in the two phases of trials. The vaccines will be evaluated for its safety, reactogenicity, tolerability and immunogenicity. Volunteers will be administered two intramuscular shots. The proposed age groups for the trials are 18-55 years for Phase I and 12-65 years for Phase II. Anand Chaturvedi, AIR News, Delhi.

Dr. Rakesh Mishra, Director of Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad has urged people not to lower their guards amidst the scientific progress on vaccine development. Speaking exclusively to AIR News, Dr. Misha lauded the preemptive and timely approach of the government which he said, provided the required impetus for the scientific development in the country.