Covaxin Phase-3 trials begin in Karnataka
Karnataka is fully prepared forthe distribution of COVID-19 vaccine, Health and MedicalEducation Minister K Sudhakar said on Wednesday, as phase-IIIclinical trial of “Covaxin” being developed by Bharat Biotechbegan in the state.
The minister said it was a matter of pride for thestate with clinical trials taking place at 25 centres of 12states across the country.
He said 26,000 people were being administered thevaccine with 1,600-1,800 people being vaccinated on a trialbais in Karnataka.
People should be wary of rumours and misinformationduring this trial period, he was quoted as saying by hisoffice at the launch of the 3rd phase clinical trials ofCovaxin at Vydehi Institute of Medical Science and ResearchCentre.
Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa participated in theevent.
Clintrac International Pvt Ltd and Vydehi Hospitalhave partnered to initiate the third phase of the trial, andthe vaccine will be given to the volunteers in two doses, thefirst on Wednesday.
The second dose will be administered on December30, officials said.
Sudhakar said there may be side effects ofvaccination and experts will be observing it carefully andthere was no need for panic at this stage.
Pointing out that the Narendra Modi government atthe centre has reserved Rs 900 crore for vaccine research, hesaid the Yediyurappa government in Karnataka has released Rs300 crore for providing COVID treatment free of cost.
The minister said 1.25 lakh tests are conducted perday in the state and 1.2 crore free Covid tests have beenconducted so far.
Karnataka was fully prepared for vaccinedistribution and 29,451 vaccine distribution centres have beenidentified with 10,008 trained staff ready for the task onhand, he noted.
He also pointed out that 2,855 cold storage centreswere available for storage of vaccines.
Regional centres are being set up in Bengaluru,Shivamogga and Ballari, he said, adding that Healthcareworkers will be given vaccination in the first phase followedby frontline warriors, people aged above 50 and those withcomorbidities.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by The Federal staff and is auto-published from a syndicated feed.)