Five Covid vaccines in advanced stage of development in India

Our Reporter
Dimapur, Nov. 21(EMN): In India, five covid-19 vaccines are in advanced stages of development, out of which 4 are in phase II/III and one in phase I/II; and priority groups for Covid-19 vaccination like health workers, frontline workers and other vulnerable groups are being identified.

As the results of these phase III trials from national and international vaccine arrive, our robust and independent regulators will speedily and rigorously examine these for according authorisation for use, a PIB report stated.

It said that in an effort to administer the vaccine at the first available opportunity, the data base of healthcare and frontline workers, augmentation of cold chains and procurement of syringes, needles, etc. are in the advanced stages of preparation. The vaccination supply chain is being enhanced and non-vaccine supplies are being escalated, it added.

Medical and nursing students and faculty will be involved in training and implementation of the vaccination programme, and “every step is steadily put in place to ensure that vaccines reach every location and person according to the prioritisation principles”, it stated.

It is said that national expert group on vaccine administration for Covid-19 (NEGVAC) in consultation with state governments and stakeholders have accelerated the implementation of vaccination of priority groups in first phase.

In consultation with the state and district level stakeholders, the digital platform for vaccine administration and distribution has been prepared and tests runs underway, it informed.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Friday reviewed the preparedness of Covid-19 vaccine delivery, distribution and administration, and appreciated the efforts of innovators, scientist, academicians and pharma-companies to develop vaccines, the report stated. He also directed that every effort should be made to facilitate the research, development and manufacturing of the vaccine.

He also directed to work in collaboration with all reputed national and international institutions and regulators to ensure the rigour and highest global standards in Indian research and manufacturing, it added. He further reviewed the aspects of emergency use authorisation and for manufacture and procurement of medicine.

The government has provided assistance of INR 900 crore under Covid Suraksha Mission to support research and development of Covid-19 vaccination.

Modi further directed  a time-bound plan be laid out for speedy regulatory clearances and timely procurement for early rollout of the vaccination drive. He appreciated the comprehensive efforts at vaccine development; however emphasised that given the pandemic scenario there is no place for relaxation in preventive measures such as wearing masks, keeping distance and ensuring hygiene.

It was reported that countries such as Bangladesh, Myanmar, Qatar, Bhutan, Switzerland, Bahrain, Austria and South Korea have shown keen interest in partnering for vaccine development of Indian vaccines and use thereof.