A Coronavirus vaccine could be ready by the first quarter of 2021, said health minister Harsh Vardhan in an online interaction programme today.
Speaking to “Sunday Samvad”, Harsh Vardhan sid he would volunteer for receiving the Covid-19 vaccine if people have a “trust deficit” on the drug.
“While no date has been fixed for the vaccine launch, it may be ready by the first quarter of 2021. I shall be the first to offer myself for receiving COVID-19 vaccine if people have a trust deficit. A consensus is likely to be arrived soon on emergency authorisation for COVID-19 vaccine, especially in the case of senior citizens and people working in a high-risk environment,” Harsh Vardhan said.
“From the time when there were no Indian manufacturers of PPEs (personal protective equipment) with good standards, now there are nearly 110 indigenous manufacturers of high-quality PPEs. The country is in a position to not only meet its own demands but also export to help other nations,” the Health Minister said.
“Issues like vaccine security, cost, equity, cold-chain requirements and production timelines are being discussed intensely,” Harsh Vardhan said, adding the vaccine will be given first to those who need it the most, irrespective of their paying capacity.
“The government has seen reports of alleged black marketing of drugs like Remdesivir and has asked the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation to take action along with their state counterparts,” the Health Minister said in an interaction with people on social media.
