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

The Indian Council of Medical Research is expected to launch the first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine for public use by August 15, 2020.

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 which are monitored by the government. It envisaged launching the vaccine by August 15 after completion of all the clinical trials. Further, it said that hospitals have to fast track the approval status of clinical trials.