NEW DELHI, Sep 28: Even as India raced up to second place in the world after the United States in registering more than six million COVID-19 positive cases, the union health ministry has re-assured the people in the country that the first Corona vaccine is expected in India in the next three to four months.
“The first vaccine in India will most likely be available by early 2021.” the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said on Monday as the world races to develop a potential vaccine against Coronavirus.
The health ministry said the research to develop a Covid-19 vaccine was being “done expeditiously”.
During a media briefing, Union health minister Harsh Vardhan said, “Research to develop a vaccine is being done expeditiously. There are at least three viable such vaccine candidates that are in the phase of clinical trials right now in the country. We’re hopeful that within 1st quarter of 2021 it will be available.”
With a spike of 82,170 new coronavirus cases in last 24 hours, India’s Covid-19 tally crossed the 60-lakh mark on Monday, according to the data provided by health ministry.
The health ministry on Monday also released the 100-year timeline history of the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) .
“Today’s a historic day for ICMR. It’s an honour for me to release the 100-year timeline of the history of ICMR within its premises today. The contribution of scientists associated with it is commemorated and serves as an inspiration to upcoming scientists,” Vardhan told media.
(Manas Dasgupta)