Anil Vij, Haryana Minister Gets Trial Dose Of COVID-19 Vaccine Covaxin; Union Health Minister On India's Vaccine Distribution Plan; Oxford Vaccine Likely By April 2021, Rs 1,000 For 2 Doses: Adar Poonawalla

Anil Vij, Haryana’s Health Minister, who had offered to be the first volunteer in the phase three trials for Covaxin, a potential vaccine against COVID-19, gets the dose on November 20. Covaxin is being developed indigenously by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR). Bharat Biotech had on November 16 said the Phase 3 trial of Covaxin will involve 26,000 volunteers across 25 centres in India and is being conducted in partnership with the ICMR. Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan On November 19 said that he is 'confident' that the coronavirus vaccine will be ready in the next three to four months. Vardhan further estimated that by July-August 2021, 400-500 million doses will be made available for 25-30 crore people. Vaccine maker Serum Institute of India's CEO Adar Poonawalla on November 19 said the Oxford COVID-19 vaccine should be available for healthcare workers and elderly people by around February 2021 and by April for the general public, and will be priced at a maximum of ₹ 1,000 for two necessary doses for the public, depending on the final trial results and regulatory approvals.