From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network
Bengaluru, Oct 27: Karnataka may have become the third most affected state by the COVID 19 pandemic in the country after Maharashtra and Kerala. But there is still hope. Now, State’s Health and Family Welfare as well as Medical Education Minister Dr K Sudhakar says possibilities of getting vaccine against the pandemic are there by early next year.
“There are all possibilities to get COVID-19 vaccines in the beginning of 2021 itself,’’ Dr Sudhakar said in Bengaluru on Tuesday.
The Minister was speaking in a press conference immediately after the meeting with the officials of Astra Zeneca Company, which is one of the companies involved in research and trial of COVID vaccines.
Astra Zeneca in collaboration with Serum Institute Pune has been conducting vaccine trials. It is also conducting trails in collaboration with Oxford University at global level.
First level trial was conducted successfully 56 days before. Second and third level trails will be conducted on 1600 people, the minister said.
“We have asked the company to conduct trails on more number of persons,’’ he said.
Dr Sudhakar said distribution of vaccine in the State was also discussed with Astra Zeneca.
The company projects to supply vaccines for 100 Crore people, minister said.
Anti-bodies were produced in 28 days during first level of trials. The trials were conducted on healthy persons who are not infected. Second and third level trials involve vaccinating the persons who were recovered from COVID infection.
“If the trials are successful we will be issuing vaccines in the State once the Central government approves it,’’ said the Minister.
Responding to a question on whether it is a coincidence that COVID situation has improved ever since he took charge as Health Minister, Dr Sudhakar said it was because of the efforts of our Corona warriors under the leadership of Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa that the number of cases have decreased and deaths have come down.
The State Government is neither hiding nor providing any wrong information about COVID data. The World Health Organisation (WHO) itself has appreciated State Government's transparency in providing COVID statistics, minister explained.
Managing Director of Astra Zeneca Gagandeep Singh, Chairman of technical advisory committee Dr Sudarshan were present in the meeting.
The Minister mentioned that the Vaccine is still under trials. Hence pricing is not discussed. Astra Zeneca has said that they are not producing it for profit.
Technical committee will be formed in collaboration with Union Health Ministry and the distribution of vaccine will be discussed in the committee. Health workers and the persons with comorbidity will be vaccinated at the first level, he said.
COVID safety guidelines must be followed during the upcoming winter season of November, December and January, the Minister said pointing out that there should be no slackness in following the COVID norms of social distancing and wearing of masks.