Vaccine development is a resource-intensive and time consuming process, said Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Harsh Vardhan indicating more time is needed for availability of Covid vaccine in India.The minister was responding to an array of questions raised by social media followers during fifth episode of Sunday Samvad Program.
"Till day, no official public announcements have been made regarding the date on which the vaccine will be available", the minister said replying to a question relating to announcements made earlier by government that the vaccine would be available on 15th August.
The minister added that "we are trying to provide safe and effective Covid vaccine, so that it has to undergone for multiple stages of trials".
The government has not yet taken a view on granting emergency authorization for Covid-19 vaccine, and adequate clinical data from phase 2 and 3 trials regarding efficacy and safety is awaited for ensuring patient safety before making any such move, the Minister tweeted later.
Earlier on 15th August, Prime minister Narendra Modi had announced that preparations of 3 Covid vaccines are going on.