He, however, said no clear data regarding the efficacy of the vaccine is available so far.
The data generated so far demonstrates a strong immune response (both antibody as well as T cell) and in-vitro viral neutralisation.
The ongoing clinical trial is the largest trial on 25,800 subjects, in which already 23,000 volunteers have been enrolled including subjects with comorbid conditions, and the vaccine has demonstrated safety till date, Bhargava said.
Further allaying apprehensions surrounding the Bharat Biotech vaccine, Vardhan said there were no seroconversions in those who were provided vaccines in Phase II as well as Phase I of Covaxin clinical trials.
Hasten Slowly on Covid Vaccine January 3, 2021, 10:55 PM IST
Quick takes, analyses and macro-level views on all contemporary economic, financial and political events.
It is welcome that India is rolling out the Covid vaccine in real earnest. It is also a matter of satisfaction that two vaccines that will be distributed in India will be produced in India as well. That said, there are some concerns that the vaccine announcements raise, and the government must address them, in the interest of public health and the economic salience of India’s vaccine makers and pharma industry in general.
While the AstraZeneca vaccine, developed by Oxford University, is what the Serum Institute of India (SII) will manufacture and distribute in the name Covishield, and the vaccine has been approved in Britain, which has a well-regarded pharmaceutical and healthcare regulatory system, India-specific trials for Covishield are not yet complete.
India tests vaccine delivery system with nationwide onenewspage.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from onenewspage.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
New Delhi, January 2
Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Saturday said that one crore healthcare workers and two crore frontline workers would be given free vaccine in the first phase of the inocu