This Is What ICMR Said About Emergency Authorisation For Covid-19 Vaccine And Testing From Gargled Water

While making his point, ICMR informed a Parliamentary panel that phase-two clinical trial of two indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine candidates have almost been completed.

(Representative Image/ AFP)

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on Wednesday made some clarifications over the emergency authorisation of Covid-19 vaccine and gargled water (saliva) testing cleared by the FDA in United States for rapid detection of the deadly virus. While speaking in front of a Parliamentary panel, ICMR Director General Balram Bhargava said that an emergency authorisation of a vaccine could be considered if the Centre decides so. While making his point, he also informed the panel that phase-two clinical trial of two indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine candidates have almost been completed. Bhargava told the parliamentary standing committee on home affairs that the vaccine candidates developed by Bharat Biotech, Cadila and the Serum Institute of India are at different stages of trial, new agency PTI quoted an MP present in the meeting as saying. The Covid-19 vaccine candidates coordinated by Bharat Biotech and Cadila are nearing completion of phase-two trails. The one being handled by the Serum Institute of India and developed by Oxford University will enter phase-2 (b) trials this weekend for which 1,700 patients have been identified at 17 centres across the country, the MP said further. As per reports, when asked how long people will have to live with the pandemic, Bhargava replied that normally the final trial takes about six to nine months but if the governments decides, an emergency authorisation could be considered. Covid-19 testing by gargled water: Responding to queries by the panel about the saliva test cleared by FDA in the US for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2, Bhargava said informed that taking samples from gargled water is already under consideration and further details will be available soon. Meanwhile, members of the parliamentary committee cutting across party lines complemented the ICMR in particular and the medical fraternity in general for their committed role in fighting the pandemic. Concern over stigmatisation of infected people: The committee members expressed concern over stigmatisation of infected people both by kin and neighbours and noted that those afflicted by COVID-19 and have recovered are not harmful, instead beneficial to the society. About the mental stress among the people due to the pandemic, ICMR agreed to the panel members' suggestion of reviewing the existing limited set of guidelines relating to management of psychological stress. The apex medical research body also told the committee that it may soon come out with comprehensive revised guidelines so as to help all the concerned to cope with the stress caused by the outbreak of the viral disease.