Covaxin Phase-3 trials begin in K’taka, Bengal

Phase-3 clinical trials of Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin began in Karnataka and West Bengal on Wednesday.

Karnataka health and medical education minister K Sudhakar said on Wednesday that Karnataka is fully prepared for the distribution of Covid-19 vaccine, as the clinical trial of “Covaxin” being developed by Bharat Biotech began in the state.

The minister said it was a matter of pride for the state with clinical trials taking place at 25 centres of 12 states across the country. He said 26,000 people were being administered the vaccine with 1,600-1,800 people being vaccinated on a trial bais in Karnataka.

People should be wary of rumours and misinformation during this trial period, he was quoted as saying by his office at the launch of the 3rd phase clinical trials of Covaxin at Vydehi Institute of Medical Science and Research Centre.

Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa participated in the event.

Clintrac International Pvt Ltd and Vydehi Hospital have partnered to initiate the third phase of the trial, and the vaccine will be given to the volunteers in two doses, the first on Wednesday.

The second dose will be administered on December 30, officials said.

In West Bengal, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar inaugurated the launch of Phase-3 regulatory trial of Covaxin at ICMR-NICED here, lauding the country’s leadership for “effectively tackling” the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dhankhar said NICED has been chosen as one among two dozen centres in the country for the third phase trial of the indigenously developed coronavirus vaccine, and expressed confidence that the procedure would be conducted smoothly.