BLOOD SAMPLES OF INDIA’S ‘COVAXIN VOLUNTEERS’ COLLECTED : DOCTORS REVEAL ‘EFFECTIVENESS OF VACCINE’ – FRESH DETAILS!

The second phase of human clinical trials of Covaxin, India’s first indigenous coronavirus vaccine, is likely to begin shortly at the Institute of Medical sciences (IMS) and SUM Hospital. Stating the same, the senior faculty from the institute have released the progress made in developing antibodies by the volunteers and the side effects.

The IMS and SUM Hospital is among the 12 sites which were chosen to administer and conduct the human trials of the vaccine, by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR). Dr E Venakata Rao, Principal investigator of the trials at the hospital said, “The phase I of the trial is still continuing as we are planning for the start of phase II trials shortly.” However, before progressing, blood samples of the volunteers who were administered with Covaxin vaccine have been collected by the hospital. Dr Rao explained that this is to ascertain the effectiveness of the vaccine in terms of developing antibodies to kill the new SARS-CoV-2.

"Two doses of the vaccine were administered to each volunteer after they were selected through a screening process conducted over a period of three to seven days prior to vaccination. The first dose was administered on Day Zero while the blood sample was collected. The second dose was given on Day 14 and the blood sample was also collected," Dr Rao said.

None of the volunteers have shown any side-effects according to Dr Rao and there has been significant antibody development.

Following this, blood samples will be collected on day 28, 42, 104, and 194. This way the effectiveness of the sample will be completely studied.