Minister hopes for Covid vaccine by early 2021
We will provide vaccine to all in Karnataka, says Sudhakar after Astra Zeneca talks
BENGALURU:
There is every possibility of Karnataka getting a Covid-19 vaccine in the beginning of 2021, according to Health and Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar. He was addressing a presser after a meeting with officials of British pharma company Astra Zeneca on Tuesday.
Astra Zeneca has been conducting vaccine trials in India in collaboration with Pune-based Serum Institute of India, and with Oxford University at a global level. The first phase trials were conducted successfully, and the second and third phase trials will be conducted on 1,600 volunteers. “We have asked the company to conduct trials on a greater number of persons. Distribution of the vaccine in the state was also discussed,” Sudhakar said.
Antibodies were produced in 28 days after the first phase trials on healthy volunteers. The subsequent trials will involve vaccinating those who have recovered from Covid. “If the trials are successful, we will distribute the vaccine once the Centre approves it,” Sudhakar said.
‘WHO pat for Karnataka’
Asked if it was a coincidence that the Covid situation has improved ever since he took charge as Health Minister, Sudhakar gave the credit to “our corona warriors under the leadership of the Chief Minister.” The government is neither hiding nor providing wrong Covid data, and WHO itself has appreciated the state government’s transparency in the matter, the minister said.
Astra Zeneca MD Gagandeep Singh and Covid-19 technical advisory committee chairman Dr MK Sudarshan were present at the meeting.
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