Haryana minister Anil Vij, who had volunteered in phase-3 trials of vaccine candidate Covaxin, said he has tested positive for COVID-19.
“I have been tested Corona positive. I am admitted in Civil Hospital Ambala Cantt. All those who have come in close contact to me are advised to get themselves tested for corona,” Vij said in a tweet on December 5.
Follow our LIVE blog for the latest updates of the coronavirus pandemic
On November 20, the 67-year-old senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader was administered a dose of Covaxin, an indigenous COVID-19 vaccine candidate being developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Vij, who is also Haryana’s health minister, had volunteered to get the vaccine shot in India’s first phase-3 efficacy study.
“Covaxin clinical trials are based on a two dose schedule, given 28 days apart. The vaccine efficacy will be determined 14 days post the second dose. Covaxin has been designed to be efficacious when subjects receive both doses and post the 14-day period after the second dose,” Bharat Biotech said in a statement.
The Union Health Ministry also clarified that “anti-bodies against the infection build up in a human being only after a specific number of days pass after the second dose of the vaccine is taken” as it is a two-dose vaccine. “Minister in question has taken only one dose of the vaccine,” the ministry said.
In October, the vaccine maker had announced successful completion of interim analysis of phase-1 and 2 trials.
COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker: What you need to know about manufacturing and pricing
As of December 5, Haryana had reported 2.4 lakh COVID-19 cases, including 2.3 lakh recoveries. While there were about 14,000 ‘active’ cases, more than 2,500 people had died in the state due to the infectious disease caused by the novel coronavirus. India’s COVID-19 tally stood at 96 lakh on December 5, including nearly 1.4 lakh deaths. More than 4 lakh cases remain active, even as 90 lakh patients have recovered across the country.
Click here for Moneycontrol’s full coverage of the coronavirus pandemic
Discover the latest Business News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!
