Mask Is Like A Fabric Vaccine, It’s Here To Stay: ICMR Chief Bhargava

New Delhi: Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) director general Balram Bhargava has said that wearing masks will be essential even after a COVID-19 vaccine is available.

“Mask is like a fabric vaccine. We cannot ignore the contribution made by masks in stopping the spread of COVID-19,” Dr Bhargava said during a webinar titled ‘Changing paradigms in COVID-19 management’, hosted by Lucknow’s King George’s Medical University.

“We are working on vaccines, five candidates are undergoing trial in India. Out of these, two are being developed by India. But vaccines won’t be enough to end COVID-19. We will have to keep following health and safety protocols,” Dr Bhargava added.

“We have a target to provide vaccine to 30 crore people by July next year. The future course of action will be decided after that. India will develop a vaccine, not just for itself but for 60 per cent of the developing nations. Twenty four manufacturing units and 19 firms will be engaged in developing a Covid-19 vaccine,” Hindustan quoted Dr Bhargava as saying.