SII (Serum Institute of India) has reportedly gained the approval of the DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India) to conduct the Phase 2, 3 COVID-19 vaccine trials. The vaccine, COVISHIELD, has been developed by Oxford University, in collaboration with AstraZeneca.

People with knowledge of the matter have stated that the number of infected cases per day in India continues to increase, recording nearly 50,000 new cases in the last 24 hours. However, the CFR (case fatality rate) is relatively low in the country. It currently has a 2.11% CFR, which is the lowest across the globe. This can be attributed to the well-conceived and effectively implemented ‘Test, Track, & Treat’ strategy for the management of COVID-19 in the region.

India has been maintaining a strong recovery of the COVID-19 patients. As per recent figures, more than 40,574 patients have recovered in the past 24 hours. A total number of 11,86,203 patients have recovered so far, taking the recovery rate in the country to 65.77%. The actual active case load of COVID-19 in the region is 5,79,357. These patients are currently kept under medical supervision.

The Health Ministry of India has recently announced the adoption of an innovative technological solution known as eVIN (Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network). The usage of this solution is aimed at strengthening the immunization supply chain systems.

Sources have further added that the technology has been implemented under the NHM (National Health Mission) to obtain information on vaccine stocks & flows, as well as storage temperatures across the cold chain points in real-time. The system has also been deployed amid the pandemic to ensure the continuation of essential immunization services as well as to safeguard pregnant women and children against vaccine-preventable diseases.

Additionally, eVIN enables real-time monitoring of stock & storage temperature of vaccines that are stored in multiple locations in the country. The technology has been implemented in 32 states and UTs (Union Territories). It will soon be made available in the remaining states and UTs.

Source credit:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/covid-19-dcgi-nod-to-sii-for-phase-2-and-3-human-clinical-trials-of-oxford-vaccine-candidate/article32256595.ece