ICMR Defends Decision To Fast-Track COVID Vaccine Trial

New Delhi: Facing a backlash for setting an “absurd” deadline of August 15 to produce a COVID-19 vaccine, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has clarified it was acting in accordance with globally accepted norms to fast-track vaccine development for diseases of pandemic potential.

In a statement, ICMR said in the larger public health interest, it was important to expedite the clinical trials with a promising indigenous vaccine “while ensuring the safety, quality, ethics and adherence to all regulatory requirements”.

ICMR and Bharat Biotech have joined hands for the development of potential COVID-19 vaccine called Covaxin. The Drugs Controller General of India has accorded permission to conduct phase-1 and 2 human clinical trials.

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