With the country eagerly awaiting a breakthrough as far as the discovery of the coronavirus vaccine is concerned, Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has come up with positive news on Sunday. He said that “a coronavirus vaccine could be ready by the first quarter of 2021.”
In an online interaction under the programme “Sunday Samvad”, Dr Harsh Vardhan said that he would volunteer for receiving the Covid-19 vaccine if people have a “trust deficit” on the drug. He further said, “While no date has been fixed for the vaccine launch, it may be ready by the first quarter of 2021.”
The Health Minister said that frontline health workers, senior citizens and those with co-morbidities should be given the vaccine first whenever it becomes available. “Issues like vaccine security, cost, equity, cold-chain requirements and production timelines are being discussed intensely,” Harsh Vardhan said, adding the vaccine will be given first to those who need it the most, irrespective of their paying capacity.
He said that the government is considering “emergency authorisation” of a vaccine against coronavirus, especially in the case of senior citizens and people working in high-risk settings. “This shall be done after a consensus is reached,” he added.
Elaborating on the vaccine candidates and their development in India, Dr Harsh Vardhan said that the Department of Bio Technology (DBT) as well as the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have been proactive in responding to the emerging situation to support advancement of vaccine candidates.
India is actively partnering with the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) and trials at different phases are underway with respect to several vaccines in Indian laboratories (private or public) and hospitals. He also emphasised on why herd immunity or natural immunity is not something that will be achieved soon or safely, adding that a vaccine is a better way to establish immunity.
Harsh Vardhan said that the government is taking full precautions in conducting human trials and the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19 under the chairmanship of Dr V.K. Paul, Member (Health), NITI Aayog is drawing up a detailed strategy on how to immunise a majority of the population.