‘Indian Covid-19 vaccine has shown least side-effects’

Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, November 18

“India is going to be amongst the pioneering nations of the world with the development of its indigenous Covid vaccine in near future. Indian Covid-19 vaccine is unique as it has shown the minimum side-effects.”

This was stated by Prof (Dr) O.P. Kalra, Vice-Chancellor of Pt Bhagwat Dayal Sharma University of Health Sciences (UHS), Rohtak, while addressing a news conference here today.

Kalra said the third phase of the clinical human trials of India’s indigenous Covid-19 vaccine would begin at Rohtak PGIMS on November 19.

“Phase III trials will be conducted on 25,800 volunteers across the country under supervision of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR),” he said, adding that the volunteers will be tested for Covid-19 antibodies 42 days after the administration of the vaccine.

The Vice-Chancellor stated that if the test reports of the volunteers are found to be up to the mark by February or March 2021, the vaccine would be available in the market.

Professor Kalra said the modular ICU-cum-operation theatre complex would be inaugurated by Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Ashwani Kumar Chaubey, Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij and Rohtak MP Dr Arvind Sharma tomorrow.

“Transplantation of human organs, including liver and kidney, would be facilitated in the state of Haryana with the commissioning of the modular ICU-cum-operation theatre complex,” he added.