Bharat Biotech begins COVID-19 vaccine human trials in Rohtak

• According to Haryana minister Anil Vij, three people have tolerated the vaccine today without any adverse effects.
• Covaxin — developed by the Indian vaccine and bio-therapeutics manufacturer Bharat Biotech — is the first COVID-19 vaccine to get DGCI’s (Drug Controller General of India) nod.
• Other sites where human trials will be conducted are Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Patna, and Vishakhapatnam
• Even though the trials have begun, the founder of Bharat Biotech Dr Krishna Ella believes it is too early to announce a launch date.

The human trial of Bharat Biotech's anti-COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin began at Rohtak's Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences on Friday, Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij tweeted. Human trial with Corona vaccine (COVAXIN) of Bharat Biotech started at PGI Rohtak today, Vij, who is also the Home and Science & Technology minister said.

"Three subjects were enrolled today. All have tolerated the vaccine very well. There were no adverse effects," Vij further said in his tweet.


Apart from Rohtak, other sites where human trials will be conducted are Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Patna, and Vishakhapatnam

Covaxin — developed by the Indian vaccine and bio-therapeutics manufacturer Bharat Biotech — is the first COVID-19 vaccine to get DGCI’s (Drug Controller General of India) nod. The drug regulatory body allowed the pharma company to conduct phase I and phase II clinical trials.


The vaccine is developed in collaboration with the National Institute of Virology, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). The development comes after Bharat Biotech showed the results of pre-clinical studies of the potential vaccine, ensuring safety and immunity response. The company says that they completed pre-clinical studies in two months — after the regulatory approval.


The drug manufacturer said that the vaccine has been developed in a high containment facility in Hyderabad. Even though the trials have begun, the founder of Bharat Biotech Dr Krishna Ella believes it is too early to announce a launch date.

Scientists across the globe are now working towards a vaccine faster than ever. Globally, there are at least 19 vaccines under human trials. Of the total, three of the institutions have managed to reach the final Phase III trials —the University of Oxford and China’s state-owned pharmaceutical Sinopharm and Sinovac.

In India, there are over seven anti-corona vaccines at various stages of development with two of them having received the drug regulator's go-ahead to start the human clinical trials of their vaccines.Earlier this month, Zydus had said it has received approval from authorities to start human trials for its anti-COVID-19 vaccine.

(With inputs from PTI)
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