OdishaPlus Bureau
Adar Poonawalla, CEO, Serum Institute of India has assured that the COVID-19 vaccine is expected to be made available in India by early Oct-Nov. CM Naveen Pattnaik who had a video conference meet yesterday has urged Poonawalla to prioritise Odisha for COVID-19 vaccination once necessary clearance are obtained.
The Pune- based firm in partnership with British-Swedish pharmaceutical firm AstraZeneca has taken the task to produce and supply the COVID-19 vaccine which is developed by Oxford University. Once the firm gets the required approvals, it will start human trials on around 5000 volunteers in the country by August. Talking about the current developments, Poonawalla said, “The first phase of the vaccines developed by the Oxford University has shown great results. By mid- August, the next phase will start in India. And if everything goes as planned, the vaccines will be ready by Oct-Nov.” Briefing on the situation, Poonawalla said the vaccine will undergo III phase trial in India. Only after that the vaccine will be introduced for mass vaccination.
CM Naveen Pattnaik is hopeful about the state being the best platform for testing the vaccine as it has recorded 70.96% recovery rate which is more than the national average. On the national front, India crossed 12 lakh COVID-19 cases, with highest single day spike of 45, 720 new cases. 1129 deaths were reported in last 24 hours.