SERUM INSTITUTE TO BEGIN PHASE 3 TRIALS OF OXFORD VACCINE IN INDIA; EXPERTS SHARE NEW UPDATES

The Union Health Ministry announced that the Phase 3 clinical trials of the Oxford coronavirus vaccine will begin this week in August. 

During its announcement, the Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII), manufacturer of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine, has also shared the selected sites that would undertake the clinical trials across the country.

As per Hindustan Times report, Phase 3 clinical trials of the Oxford vaccine is likely to begin on August 22. Nearly, hundred people would be vaccinated on the first day. Also, the trials would begin across 20 centres, which are mostly located in Pune, Maharashtra and Ahmedabad. 

Few of the centres that would conduct the Phase 3 trials are; AIIMS Delhi, Seth G. S. Medical College and KEM Hospital in Mumbai, TN Medical College & BYL Nair Hospital in Mumbai, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research in Chandigarh. 

"Some 20 different sites and hospitals across the country have been chosen, covering five different regions that are Covid-19 hotspots. We seek to conduct trials across 11-12 hospitals in partnership with ICMR," said a spokesperson of the Serum Institute of India.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs has been informed that the Oxford vaccine would be administered to 1,600 people in the trials. Also, the Covishield is likely to be the first candidate to be made available in India.

Highlighting the procedure, a written form will have to be filled by the participants and they have to reside in the study area while also complying with the study protocol requirements. The candidates will be excluded if they have any acute illness with or without fever at the time of vaccine administration.