The public should be allowed to access COVID vaccines which have completed Phase II trials, eminent virologist and former CMC hospital ICMR Virology head Dr Jacob John has said.
Dr Jacob John
Vellore: Speaking to DT Next, he said, “Phase I is about ensuring the vaccine’s safety for humans while Phase II is both about safety and development of immune response. Phase III is undertaken to prevent commercial exploitation by private companies and that is why both the vaccine and a placebo are given to volunteers.
As completion of this stage will take another six months, vaccines which have completed Phase II trials can be give to the public to develop anti bodies thereby saving lives.” Citing examples of China and Russia, he said both have started vaccinating people on a large scale and till date no ill-effects have been reported. Elaborating, he said, “Even if the vaccine produces only 50% immunity, a person can take a second shot.” The doctor said both Ebola and influenza vaccines followed this process to control the disease.