Covid-19 vaccine by early next year: Union Minister Harsh Vardhan
A Covid-19 vaccine is likely to be available by early next year and the government is considering its emergency authorisation
New Delhi: A Covid-19 vaccine is likely to be available by early next year and the government is considering its emergency authorisation for high-risk settings, Union Minister Harsh Vardhan said, asserting he will take the first dosage if there is any concern over its safety.
According to a Health Ministry statement, he said while no date has been fixed for the launch of a vaccine, it may be ready by the first quarter of 2021, and made available first to those who need it the most, irrespective of their paying capacity.
He covered a multitude of queries concerning not only the current Covid-19 situation, but also the government's approach to it, the changes expected in the post Covid world and the steps taken by the Modi dispensation.
Vardhan stated the government is taking full precautions in human trials of vaccines 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 immunize the majority of the population.
“Issues like vaccine security, cost, equity, cold-chain requirements, production timelines etc., are also been discussed intensely," he stated.
To allay any fear regarding the safety aspect of vaccines, he said he would be happy to take the first dosage if people have a trust deficit.
The Department of Biotechnology and the Indian Council of Medical Research have been proactive in responding to the emerging situation, he said.
The minister, however, also noted that a safe and effective vaccine will help in establishing immunity to Covid-19 at a much faster pace as compared to the natural infection, the statement said.
Vardhan highlighted how the pandemic became a turning point for Indian manufacturing.
“From the time when there were no indigenous manufacturers of PPEs with requisite standards, now there are nearly 110 indigenous manufacturers of PPE with requisite standards. The country is in a position to not only meet its own demands but also export to help out fellow nations”, Vardhan said.
Vardhan said the government has directed all states and UTs to fix a reasonable price for Covid-19 treatment in private hospitals for making it affordable for the common man.
Free coverage up to Rs 5 lakhs for Covid-19 patients for those who are eligible under the Ayushman Bharat PMJAY package was announced, the statement said.
He has himself appealed to the private hospitals to refrain from overcharging Covid patients, the statement stated.