Kanpur: Kanpur, which has seen a high virus load in the COVID-19 pandemic, is currently emerging as a key center for the trials of COVID-19 vaccines, being made by various organizations.
Following the successful human trials of two vaccines, one made by Bharat Biotech and the other Russian Sputnik, the third vaccine- Zydus Cadilla’s vaccine ZyCov-D – would be given to a bunch of healthy volunteers in Kanpur.
As per official sources, almost 40 healthy volunteers would be given dosages of the vaccine at Prakhar Hospital, where 197 individuals have already been given shots of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.
The third trial would be completed under the supervision of Dr V.N. Tripathi, the state’s former Director-General, Medical Education, who stated that “A separate lab has been established in the hospital. Work on listing the volunteers has started.”
As indicated by the health department, Zydus had carried out trials on 20 individuals in Kanpur in the previous month however the details were not shared.
However, the process has been kept straightforward for the third stage. Dr. Tripathi stated the drug controller had granted the authorization and the vaccine stock would arrive at Kanpur sooner than later.
The (ICMR) Indian Council for Medical Research prior had shortlisted Prakhar Hospital as one of two centers for human trials.
Dr. J.S. Kushwaha, the head of Prakhar Hospital, stated none of the volunteers who were administered the vaccine had complaints of any side-effects up until now.
57 additional individuals were given Covaxin in the third trial in Kanpur.
The volunteers included the engineers and doctors who were tested by an ICMR group, which is remaining in Kanpur during this stage.
Just 13 volunteers went for doses at the Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial (GSVM) Medical College, where the trial of the Sputnik vaccine was in progress.
Seven other individuals declined after discovering that a Haryana Minister tested COVID-19 positive even after he was given one dose of a vaccine.
Prof. Richa Giri, vice-principal of the medical college, stated: “There is no reason for them to be apprehensive. I think their fear arises from social media posts on this issue. They need to understand vaccine is the only way we can defeat corona and they should be mentally prepared.”
