Belagavi hospital starts phase 3 trials of Covaxin successfully

Jeevan Rekha hospital received 1,000 doses of the vaccine candidate and for the last ten days, the phase 3 trials are in progress in the hospital. In phase one, this vaccine was administered to 4 volunteers, in the second to 50, and in the third phase, vaccine candidate was administered to 780 volunteers in the hospital. Until now 780 volunteers have been administered this drug and no report of any side effects have surfaced.

Belagavi (Karnataka): Clinical trials of indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine, Bharat biotech's Covaxin is now in its third stage in twelve hospitals across the country including Jeevan Rekha hospital in Karnataka's Belagavi.

Jeevan Rekha hospital received 1,000 doses of the vaccine candidate and for the last ten days, the phase 3 trials are in progress in the hospital.

In phase one, this vaccine was administered to 4 volunteers, in the second to 50, and in the third phase, vaccine candidate was administered to 780 volunteers in the hospital.

Until now 780 volunteers have been administered this drug and no report of any side effects have surfaced. Following this, Phase third trials will conclude in the next 4-5 days.

Every day on an average, 80 volunteers above the age of 18 are administered this vaccine and no one came across any side effects. This has made speculations rife that by 2021, Covaxin will hit the market.

However, amid the trials, rumours have also surfaced regarding the possible vaccine's side effects.

According to Jeevan Rekha hospital chief, Dr Amit Bhate, people should not pay heed to the rumours.

"A few are spreading rumours that someone suffered from side effects from Covaxin trial. It is untrue and no one has suffered any kind of side effects," said Dr Amit Bhate.

"Covaxin trial is being carried out in 12 sites across the country and no side effect has been so far reported from any place. There is no need to doubt this vaccine. We all must believe and anyone can participate as a volunteer in the trials. We all must work together to make this vaccine successful," he added.

Dr Amit also said that they have requested for more Covaxin for which Bharat Biotech responded positively.

The Bharat Biotech company has given 1,000 vaccine candidates each to all the trial sites

For the first and second phase trials, Bharat Biotech selected 12 sites across the country. 350 volunteers were administered this vaccine candidate in the first phase while it was 750 in the second phase.

Following the success of first and second, now, third phase is taken up. This trial stage is being carried out in 25 sites including 12 old sites where phase 1 and II trials carried out.