Department Of Biotechnology’s Expert Committee Tracking Developments Related To COVID-19 Vaccine: Official

New Delhi: Department of Biotechnology Secretary Renu Swarup on Friday (December 4) said that the ministry has set up a vaccine expert committee which will give scientific inputs on regulatory requirements related to COVID-19 vaccine. “Department of Biotechnology has set up a vaccine expert committee which meets every 2 weeks. It gives scientific inputs on meeting the regulatory requirements,” Renu Swarup said in a webinar on ‘Regulatory Pathways for COVID19 Vaccines, Clinical Trials, Rolling Reviews and Adverse Event Monitoring, at Nirman Bhawan.

Also Read: COVID-19 Vaccine May Be Ready In Some Weeks, Vaccination To Begin After Scientists’ Nod: Prime Minister

Ms Swarup highlighted that vaccine development is a complex process and a lot of science has gone in making it.

The panel, which also has experts from across the country and abroad, meets every two weeks to hold discussions not just with the academic research groups but also the vaccine manufacturers and developers to understand what they need for its development.

It is not necessary that the first one is the best, you may have one coming later which is going to be better but it is difficult to say right now, Ms Swarup added at a webinar.

Ms Swarup stressed that it is important to have a large basket of vaccines and said, “As we move forward, we really don’t know which one is going to be the best.”

Amid the novel coronavirus pandemic and the government’s efforts to contain COVID-19 spread, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday (December 4) held an all-party meeting via video conferencing in order to discuss the COVID-19 vaccination strategy in India.

During the meeting, PM Modi told the authorities that about eight potential vaccines, currently in different stages of trials, will be manufactured in India. These also include three indigenous vaccines as well.

Also Read: COVID Vaccines Undergoing Trial In India Logistically Feasible For Distribution In Both Urban, Rural Areas: AIIMS Director

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollution, waste management, plastic ban, manual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene.