A shot at immunity: Trial of indigenous vaccine begins at city hosp

The vaccine, containing the inactivated virus, will be given to every participant in two doses at an interval of two weeks. The first dose will be of 3mg, while the subsequent dose will be of 6mg.

Speaking at a press meet held at the hospital, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Medical) Lt. Col Dr A Ravi Kumar said, "Two volunteers received the injection this morning and they have tolerated the vaccine well and did not have any complaints. The volunteers were screened prior to this to identify if they were healthy. Laboratory investigations, COVID antigen and antibody testing were also done. Only those found eligible after detailed investigations were selected to participate in this study."

All participants will be kept under observation for a few hours and can then resume their usual activities.

"After the injection, each volunteer will have to make four visits subsequently at day 28, 42, 104 and 194. During these visits, their response to the vaccination will be assessed by immunogenicity testing," said Dr A Sundaram, dean of SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre.

COVAXIN clinical trial team is led by principal investigator Dr Satyajit Mohapatra along with Dr Melvin George, who are assisted by a well-trained team of doctors, nursing staff and support staff.

The clinical trial unit has five major ongoing projects related to COVID-19, one being COVID-19 vaccine trail, another a BCG vaccine trial for the prevention of COVID-19, an ICMR led cohort study on hydroxychloroquine prophylaxis for health care workers, an international multicentric clinical trial for COVID patients with certain drugs and a Siddha based kabasurakudeneer for COVID-19 patients.