When will we get a vaccine to fight the COVID-19 pandemic?
The novel vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca is in its final leg of testing. After achieving safe and promising results in early-stage results, vaccine makers are moving forward to outsource phase III, one of the biggest and the most crucial testing stages in different countries.
Oxford-AstraZeneca to conduct testing in India
AstraZeneca, which has tied up with private vaccine maker Serum Institute of India (SII) to produce doses will also be conducting experimental testing in India. Serum Institute of India sought regulatory licensing from the authorities for the same and now, reports suggest that five sites are being readied for the same. Here's all you need to know:
Oxford vaccine is in phase III of testing
Oxford, one of the leading contenders in the global vaccine race has made ambitious promises to deliver a big percentage of doses for India and other developing countries.
Study results published last week (July 20) found that the vaccine, named, AZD1222 is safe, well-tolerated, and immunogenic. Studies say that the vaccine was also able to produce a dual response in volunteers aged between 18-55. While there are a lot of takeaways, both good and bad from the vaccine study, Oxford vaccine might be one of the first to be launched globally.
Vaccine found "safe" to use in early trials
Authorities have said that enough testing needs to be done for it to be declared 'safe' for use. Department of Biotechnology is helping set up sites for the same.
"This is an essential step because it is necessary to have data within the country before the vaccine is administered to Indians", said Ms Renu Swarup, Secretary of Department of Biotechnology (DBT) was quoted speaking to an agency recently.
Selecting sites for testing is an essential step
The Department of Biotechnology, India oversees different phases of development of vaccines- from funding, research facilities, accelerating trials or clearing regulatory licenses if need be. Hence, such an announcement by the DBT paves way for hopes of a vaccine being made available for Indians sooner than before.
Large-scale testing to take place in the coming months
SII has also sought permission from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for conducting Phase 2 and 3 of human clinical trials of the potential vaccine.
While Adar Poonawalla headed Pune firm is the sole manufacturer of the experimental vaccine right now, DBT is hopeful that going forward, in a few weeks, they will have more manufacturers taking part in the trial. The vaccine maker, one of the biggest globally detailed on their plans to conduct trials before commercially launching it. The vaccine will be administered to 4000 to 5000 people in the selected trial centres across Pune and Mumbai, as of right now to determine whether it delivers the right immune response or carries potential side-effects.
"We are talking about a month or month and a half maximum ...maybe even sooner."
Serum Institute of India to produce millions of doses domestically
The trials are expected to commence in the first weeks of August and wrap up around December. Serum Institute of India has also ramped up production plans so as to have millions of doses available as and when the vaccine gets approved for usage.
What about the pricing?
Even as philanthropists and governing health bodies debate around equal access to a ready vaccine, SII has guaranteed to not only reserve doses for the Indian population, but also price the drug in an affordable program. There are also reports which suggest that the vaccine could be made available for the masses through a government inoculation drive.
Poonawalla also said that the vaccine may be capped under Rs. 1000 as they don't want to make "profit" out of the pandemic.