Punjab’s three Government Medical Colleges will participate in the Phase III trials of the COVAXIN, being tested by Bharat Biotech Limited in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) against the COVID pandemic. The trials are scheduled to commence from October 15.
The Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh has directed the Medical Education and Research Department to ensure full care and strict adherence to all precautions to be taken during the trials, for which the consent of the participants will be mandatory. He issued stern directions to also ensure that poor persons are not pulled into the trials without consent, knowledge, and understanding of the possible repercussions and dangers.
Bharat Biotech Limited, which had approached the State Government a few days back, has announced Rs 75 lakh insurance cover for the participants in case of any adverse event or effects or death. The possible side effects of the vaccine could include fever, pain at the site of the intramuscular injection, and malaise.
Two doses of the inactivated virus injection would be given to the participants (0 and 28 days) as part of the Phase III human trials.