Only 100 register for Phase 3 vaccine trials

Sunit Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Rohtak, November 20

Phase III of clinical human trials of Covaxin, the country’s indigenous Covid vaccine, commenced at the PGIMS here on Friday, though the initial response was lukewarm.

As per official sources, the proposed vaccine was supposed to be administered to nearly 1,000 volunteers at the PGIMS in the third phase of trials, while just 100 volunteers had got themselves registered so far.

“We expect more volunteers to come forward in the coming days as awareness about commencement of the third phase of trials spreads,” said Dr Ramesh Verma, co-investigator of the project at the PGIMS.

Dr Verma appealed to residents to come forward and participate in the trials. Persons interested could contact the PGIMS Covid helpline on 9416447071 to get themselves registered for the trials, he stated.

Healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses and other paramedical staff members, would be included as volunteers in the third phase of the trials, he said, adding that only those above 18 years of age would be involved in this phase, he said.

As per project investigators, clinical trials had been largely successful so far, though a few volunteers had borne mild reactions after administration of the indigenous vaccine in the first two phases.