The hospital is experienced in testing vaccines against typhoid and Japanese encephalitis. (Representative)
Gorakhpur:
The human clinical trial of locally developed Covaxin, a possible coronavirus vaccine, has started at a hospital, officials said on Friday.
The trial began Thursday evening at Rana hospital and trauma center, which is one of 12 institutes selected for clinical trials of the vaccine, officials said.
“The trials have started under the supervision of doctor Dr Ajit Pratap Singh and gynecologist and obstetrician Dr Sona Ghosh and the vaccine has been administered to 9 volunteers so far,” said Venketesh Chaturvedi, administrative director of the hospital.
The hospital is already experienced in testing vaccines against typhoid and Japanese encephalitis.
“On Wednesday we received the first batch of 34 Covaxins developed by Bharat Biotech International and on Friday we received 20 Covaxins developed by pharmaceutical company Zydus Cadila and we expect more vaccines from companies soon,” Mr. Chaturvedi.
“We have started human clinical trials of the vaccine from Bharat Biotech and soon the trial of the Zydus Cadila vaccine will begin,” he added.
Those given the vaccine have been kept under observation and all are “absolutely fine”, he said.
“We are looking for more volunteers and if someone who is in good health is moving from grade 12 and between 18 and 55 wants to volunteer for clinical trials and join hands against COVID-19 can contact us at the phone numbers – 8303028051 and 6388214084, ”Mr. Chaturvedi said.
