Dr Lalit Kant

UNLOCK THE DATA: BRACING FOR COVID-19 THIRD WAVE IN INDIA

July 8, 2021

Like me, most of you would have read the parable of the blind men and an elephant — a story of a group of blind men who have never known an elephant. By touching parts of it, each blind man creates his own version of reality from his limited experience...

EMERGENCY USE AUTHORISATION OF VACCINES: A GLANCE AT FIRST FIVE NATIONS TO GRANT IT

January 9, 2021

Regulatory agencies around the world are under intense pressure to grant approvals for the new Covid-19 vaccine(s). Several developed countries have indicated that if there is a compelling case for the use of a vaccine before it qualifies for full licence, they would be prepared to authorise emergency use approval...

WHAT DOES EMERGENCY USE OF VACCINE MEAN FOR PREGNANT HEALTHCARE WORKERS?

December 26, 2020

Healthcare workers are at the top of the priority list of groups to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Vaccines have been rolled out in some countries, while others like India are giving final touches to their plans. Vaccines that are or would be rolled out are being done after receiving Emergency...

MAKING DEAD VIRUS KILL LIVE ONES: A CASE FOR INACTIVATED COVID-19 VACCINES

December 12, 2020

Among the vaccines against Covid-19 likely to become available in India in early 2021, Covaxin is an indigenous vaccine, being developed by Bharat Biotech International Limited (BBIL), Hyderabad, in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), New Delhi. The candidate is an inactivated whole virion vaccine. Most of...

Work towards dispelling distrust before Covid-19 vaccine arrives

September 26, 2020

Union Minister of Health & Family Welfare Dr Harsh Vardhan has said in a statement that he would take the first shot of the Covid-19 vaccine to address any ‘trust deficit’ over its safety. This statement gives me a feeling of déjà vu. Almost ten years ago, the then Health...