ICMR aims to launch COVID-19 vaccine by August 15

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on July 2^nd, 2020 said that it aims to launch the COVID-19 vaccine being developed in partnership with Hydereabad-based Bharat Biotech for public health use by August 15^th, 2020.

This is as per a letter written by ICMR to Bharat Biotech asking for fast-tracking of the indigenous vaccine with an aim to launch by August 15.

"It is envisaged to launch the vaccine for public health use latest by 15th August 2020 after completion of all clinical trials. BBIL is working expeditiously to meet the target, however, final outcome will depend on the cooperation of all clinical trial sites involved in this project," the letter states.

Also read: Assam: Guwahati detects 238 more COVID-19 cases

The indigenous vaccine being developed in India is one of the top-priority projects which is being monitored at the top-most level of the government, the statement further read.

"You have been chosen as a clinical trial site of the BBV152 COVID Vaccine. In view of the public health emergency due to COVID-19 pandemic and urgency to launch the vaccine, you are strictly advised to fast track all approvals related to the initiation of the clinical trial and ensure that the subject enrollment is initiated no later than 7th July 2020,” ICMR’s statement read.

After Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, another COVID vaccine being developed by Zydus Cadilla has been given the green signal for human trials.

On Friday, India reported 20,903 new coronavirus cases taking the total to 6.25 lakh while the death toll has crossed 18,000. India is now ranked below Russia, UK and US with the fourth-highest number of coronavirus cases in the world.

Among the states, Maharashtra is the first state to cross 6 thousand deaths. It has recorded 186626 corona cases with 101172 cured, 8187 deaths, and 77276 active cases. The western state is followed by Delhi and Tamil Nadu. Delhi has corona 92175 cases with 63007 cured, 2864 deaths, and 26304 active cases. Tamil Nadu has 98392 positive cases with 26021 cured, 1321 deaths 41050 active cases. Gujarat with 33913 COVID-19 cases, so far, has 24593 have been cured, 1886 deaths, and 7434 active cases.

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