Phase 3 Trial Of Vaccine Covaxin Likely To Start In AIIMS Soon

As the race for a COVID-19 vaccine continues around the world, India's coronavirus vaccine candidate 'Covaxin', is set to advance in the trials. According to reports, the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi is likely to submit a proposal to the Institute of Ethics Committee to start Phase 3 clinical trials.

Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech had received approval for Phase 3 trials on October 22. 

"The proposal is being prepared for the Phase 3 trials and within a couple of days we will be submitting it to the institute of ethics committee for approval," Dr Sanjay Rai, professor, department of community medicine, AIIMS Delhi told Hindustan Times.

AIIMS Delhi is one of the 21 hospitals selected for the final-stage trials to be conducted across India. Earlier this week, it was reported that a hospital in Bhubaneswar is also set to start the third phase of the human trial of the indigenous vaccine against COVID-19.

The search for a suitable vaccine for COVID-19 has almost come to the final stage, Dr. E Venkata Rao, Principal Investigator in the Covaxin human trial and Professor in the Department of Community Medicine at the Institute of Medical Sciences and SUM Hospital Bhubaneswar, said on Sunday.

IMS and SUM Hospital is among the 21 medical institutes selected across the country by the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) where the third phase trial would be conducted.

By Bobins Abraham