COVAXIN enters Phase-I human trials, dose administered to 2 volunteers at NIMS

Hyderabad: The vaccine being developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, in collaboration with the National Institute of Virology (NIV), Pune, COVAXIN has entered into the crucial phase of human trials with the first dose being administered to two volunteers at the Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences here on Monday.

"In Phase-I trials, we administered the first dose of the vaccine to two volunteers and both of them are healthy. They are under our observation," said Dr Prabhakar, Assistant Director, NIMS.

This is randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial in India. A total of 12 medical centres across the country are involved in Phase-1 clinical trials of the vaccine. Earlier this month, the DCGI has approved the vaccine for human clinical trials.

This is the first vaccine developed in India and which got permission for human trials. Many countries are in the race of developing the vaccine. AstraZeneca, the pharma company developing vaccine for Covid-19 under the supervision of Oxford University, is in the lead in the race as they have already entered the third stage of human trials.

Also, earlier this month, the ICMR said they will release the vaccine for the public on August 15.

The first indigenous vaccine being developed in India and is derived from a strain of SARS CoV-2 isolated by ICMR- National Institute of Virology, Pune. The (ICMR) has partnered with Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International (BBIL) to fast-track clinical trials of the indigenous vaccine (BBV51 vaccine). The ICMR and BBIL are jointly working for the preclinical as well as clinical development of this vaccine.

The Indian Council for Medical Research has also selected the King George Hospital (KGH) in Vizag, the oldest government hospital in Andhra Pradesh, to conduct human clinical trials for potential COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin. KGH is one of the 12 medical institutes in India and the only one from Andhra Pradesh chosen for the clinical trials.