New Delhi: An Indian government-backed COVID-19 vaccine could be launched in February, months earlier than expected, as late-stage trials begin this month and studies so far have shown it to be safe and effective, a scientist from high level of government.
Bharat Biotech, a private company developing COVAXIN with the government-run Council of Indian Medical Research (ICMR), expected to launch it only in the second quarter of next year.
“The vaccine has shown good efficacy,” Rajni Kant, who is also a member of its COVID-19 working group, said Thursday at the research body’s headquarters in New Delhi.
“It is expected that early next year, February or March, something will be available.”
Bharat Biotech could not be immediately reached.
A February launch would make COVAXIN the first Indian-made vaccine to be launched.
Cases of coronavirus infections in India rose by 50,201 cases Thursday to 8.36 million, second only to the United States. Deaths increased by 704, with a total now of 124,315. The daily rise in infections and deaths has slowed from a peak in mid-September.
Kant, who is the head of the ICMR’s research management, policy, planning and coordination cell, said the Ministry of Health must decide whether COVAXIN injections can be given to people even before the end of the trials of third stage.
“It has been shown to be safe and effective in phase 1 and 2 trials and in animal studies, so it is safe, but you cannot be 100% sure unless phase 3 trials are over,” Kant said.
“There may be some risk, if you are ready to take the risk, you can take the vaccine. If necessary, the government can think about giving the vaccine in an emergency situation.”
Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said in September that the government was considering granting an emergency authorization for a COVID-19 vaccine, particularly for the elderly and people in high-risk workplaces.
Several leading vaccine candidates are already in the final testing phase. An experimental vaccine developed by Britain’s AstraZeneca is among the most advanced, and Britain hopes to launch it in late December or early 2021.
AstraZeneca has signed several supply and manufacturing agreements with companies and governments around the world, including the Serum Institute of India.
Moderna Inc, Pfizer Inc with its partner BioNTech SE and Johnson & Johnson develop other late-stage vaccines.
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