The Phase II clinical trial of the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine, being manufactured by the city-based Serum Institute of India (SII)

Pune: The Phase II clinical trial of the Oxford Covid-19 vaccine, being manufactured by the city-based Serum Institute of India (SII), began at a medical college and hospital here on Wednesday.

Two male volunteers were administered the vaccine at Bharti Vidyapeeth's Medical College and Hospital, a senior office-bearer of the hospital said.

Covid-19 vaccine"Doctors at the hospital administered the first shot of the 'Covishield' vaccine to a 32-year-old man after his reports of Covid-19 and antibodies tests came out negative," Medical Director of College, Dr Sanjay Lalwani, said.

Another 48-year-old male volunteer was also given the vaccine, he added.

Covid-19 vaccine"Before administering the vaccine, doctors checked their temperature, blood pressure and heart beats," he said.

SII, the world's largest vaccine maker, has signed an agreement to manufacture the potential vaccine developed by the Jenner Institute of Oxford University in collaboration with British-Swedish pharma company AstraZeneca.