ICMR plans to launch the first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine by August 15, 2020.

The ICMR is expected to launch the first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine by August 15, however there is confirmation if it will be ready by then.

The ICMR is expected to launch the first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine by August 15, however there is confirmation if it will be ready by then. The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has partnered with Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL) for clinical trials of the BBV152 COVID vaccine for the COVID-19 infection. BBIL is using the SARS-Cov-2 strain isolated at the National Institute of Virology in Pune to develop the vaccine. On July 2, 2020, ICMR wrote a letter to 12 institutes, where clinical trials of this vaccine would be held. It said that this is the first indigenous vaccine for COVID-19 developed by India and one of the top priority projects monitored by the government. It envisaged launching the vaccine by August 15 after completion of all the clinical trials.

However, experts have questioned how all three phases can be concluded within a month and a half. A vaccine usually goes through three stages of human trials. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation has given approvals for phase I and II trials so far. According to details, BBIL in its application estimated phase I and II trials to take a year and three months. Emergency-use approval can be given if data from the first two trial phases is compelling enough. This would allow the launch without the third phase being conducted, but this approval would likely be given with riders to submit additional data and adverse event reports.

The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to a lot of potentially dangerous misinformation. For reliable advice on COVID-19 including symptoms, prevention and available treatment, please refer to the World Health Organisation or your national healthcare authority.