New Delhi, July 6: Congress leader Kapil Sibal on Sunday called the Indian Council of Medical Research's (ICMR) claim to launch COVID-19 vaccine by August 15, an "unscientific gaffe".

Taking to Twitter, Sibal wrote, "Unscientific gaffes: ICMR claim: COVID 19 vaccine by August 15 Mahabharat over in 18 days; wait 21 days and this war will be won Chants of: Carona go, Caron go...Cow dung cures cancer Ganesh's head: miracle of surgery Such mindsets can never provide solutions."

Also Read | Coronavirus Cases in India Rise to 6,97,413, Death Toll Jumps to 19,693: Live News Breaking & Coronavirus Updates on July 6, 2020.

The comments of the Congress leader came after ICMR DG Balram Bhargava's letter to Bharat Biotech and principal investigators of medical colleges to complete the trial procedure of indigenous COVID-19 vaccine in a fast track method so that results of a clinical trial can be launched by August 15. COVID-19 Vaccine Update: ICMR Plans to Launch Coronavirus Vaccine Developed in Partnership With Bharat Biotech by August 15.

Bharat Biotech had recently received a nod for a clinical trial of its vaccine - Covaxin.A total of 12 institutes have been asked by the ICMR to fast track clinical trials of the vaccine as it is being considered the topmost priority projects which are being monitored by the government. 

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)