Human trials of ZyCov-D, set to begin in Kanpur; nearly 40 healthy volunteers to take part

Kanpur has witnessed a high virus load during this ongoing episode of the coronavirus pandemic and now this city is emerging as a key hub for the trials of COVID-19 vaccines, being manufactured by various companies. After the successful human trials of two vaccines, one developed by Bharat Biotech and the other by Russian Sputnik, the third one, Zydus Cadilla's vaccine ZyCov-D, would be administered to a set of healthy volunteers in Kanpur. As per official sources, nearly 40 volunteers would be given doses of the vaccine at Prakhar Hospital, where previously, 197 people have already been given shots of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin.

Zydus conducted trials on 20 people in Kanpur last month but the details have remained discreet

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This phase of experimentation, which would be the third one till date, will be executed under the supervision of Dr. V.N. Tripathi, the state's former Director-General, Medical Education. He added that a separate lab has been set up in the hospital and the authorities have already started listing out the volunteers. Dr. Tripathi also mentioned that the drug controller has granted the required approval and the vaccine stock would reach Kanpur soon.

According to the health department, Zydus had done trials on 20 people in Kanpur last month but the details have remained discreet. However, the steps have been kept transparent for the third phase. Earlier, the Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) had shortlisted Prakhar Hospital as one of two centres for human trials. Dr. J.S. Kushwaha, the head of Prakhar Hospital, said none of the volunteers who were injected with the vaccine, had complained of any side-effects so far. 57 more people were given Covaxin in the third trial in Kanpur.

"...vaccine is the only way we can defeat corona", Prof. Richa Giri, VP of GSVM Medical College

The volunteers included the doctors and engineers who were examined by an ICMR team, staying in Kanpur during this phase and only 13 volunteers went for doses at the Ganesh Shankar Vidyarthi Memorial (GSVM) Medical College, where the trial of the Sputnik vaccine was in motion. 7 others refused to participate after learning that a Haryana Minister tested positive for COVID-19 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 stems from social media posts on this issue. They need to realize that the vaccine is the only way we can defeat corona and they should be mentally prepared."