Coronavirus vaccine: Top science academy says ICMR heads August 15 vacci...

New Delhi: The letter from the ICMR director general asking researchers to speed up trials and processesto meet the governments deadline of August 15 and be the first in the race to launch a vaccine for Covid-19has attracted widespread criticism and dented the credibility and reputation of the countrys apex research organisation. 



On Sunday, Indias foremost science academy, the Indian Academyof Sciences, decried the Indian Council of Medical Researchs directive and the August 15 target to launch the vaccine. As a body of scientists, including many who are engaged in vaccine development, IASc believes that the announced timeline is unfeasible.  This timeline has raised unrealistic hope and expectations in the mind of our citizens, IASc said.  It cautioned that vaccine development required scientifically executed clinical trials and while there was an unquestioned urgent need, any hasty solution may compromise rigorous scientific process and standards.



Renowned public health advocate Mira Shiva of Public Health Movementsaid, ICMR has been responsible for developing the National Ethical Guidelines for Biomedical Research, which lay out details of processes regarding informed consent etc.  We would like to see the Ethical Guidelines for Clinical Trialsbeing followed.  If on one hand instructions are given for fast forwarding clinical trials of the vaccine for August 15 and that it is being monitored at the top most level of the government, the message is clear about the deadline.  A line is added that any non-compliance, would be viewed seriously. With whom does accountability lie if safety and efficacy issues are blindspotted in an attempt to meet the deadline of August 15.  Worse would be if on the basis of these fast forward clinical trial results, the vaccine is introduced with the public made passive recipients.  While ICMR tried to defend its DGs letter by saying it was only meant to cut red tape, it failed to appease...







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