EXCLUSIVE| No Covid 19 Vaccine Till August 15th, Development Will Take Months: Health Ministry

Earlier, the ICMR claimed that the organization aims to launch a COVID-19 vaccine for the public by August 15th

New Delhi: In an exclusive conversation with ABP News, Union Health Minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan cleared the air about the controversy over Covid-19 vaccine to be developed by 15th August in India. The Health Minister clarified that along with the ICMR the government is trying to fast-track the process to develop a Covid vaccine as early as possible but there will be no compromise during the clinical trials or at any stage since it would be hazardous. Harsh Vardhan said that 2 companies have been given nod to go ahead with the clinical trials and they are following the required measures to start the process. ALSO READ|With The Highest Ever Surge Over 27k Cases, India's Covid Tally Mounts From 7 To 8 Lakhs In Just 3 Days Dr. Harsh Vardhan said, "the development of vaccine will surely take time and one cannot predict a fixed date or month. The process might take months or even a year". The Health Minister said, "We spoke to WHO regarding the process to process to Fast-track development of vaccine and it recommended to support the companies during their clinical trails following all the required norms. We are already doing the same." Harsh Vardhan also said that according to WHO there are over 200 candidates of Vaccine currently as the world is trying to battle the spread of Coronavirus. About the rapid rise in the number of Covid infected cases, the Health Minister said that India's Covid graph is not exponential and the surge in cases is due to rapid testing all over the country. ALSO READ|Coronavirus Vaccine Not Possible Before 2021, Govt Officials Tell Parliamentary Panel Harshvardhan said," If you compare the worst affected nation, India's positivity rate has decreased and the mortality rate is lowest. More than 60% of people have recovered from the virus which is a good sign. India witnessed a rapid increase first due to the Tablighi spread and then when migrants returned to their homes but after the lockdown, the doubling rate of the country has increased from 3 days to 21 days." 'Covid Vaccine not possible before 2021' Earlier, the government officials on Friday told the Parliamentary panel on science and technology that it will not be possible to make the Covid-19 vaccine till at least next year. The earliest possible time by when a vaccine against Covid-19 would be ready in India could be the first quarter of 2021, officials told the Rajya Sabha standing committee . The claims were made by officials of Department of Science and Technology, Department of Biotechnology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the principal scientific adviser to the government during a presentation before the committee on Centre's preparedness for Covid-19 and beyond.