Chhattisgarh health minister says state seriously considering allowing Covaxin

Chhattisgarh asked the Centre earlier this year to halt the supply of Covaxin to the state, claiming its phase-3 clinical trials had not been completed and the results had not been published.

Published on: Mar 14, 2021, 11:41:07 IST

By Ritesh Mishra | Edited by Abhinav Sahay, Raipur

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Chhattisgarh health minister TS Singh Deo, who repeatedly asked the Centre, earlier this year, to stop the supply of indigenous Covid 19 vaccine- Covaxin in the state, is now “seriously considering” allowing Bharat Biotech’s vaccine for use by those who opt for it.

TS Singh Deo said Covaxin will initially be administered only in medical colleges and district hospitals. (PTI FILE PHOTO)

“Now that DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India) has upgraded Covaxin out of the clinical trials, even though the final data of the 3rd phase trials is yet to be published, we are seriously considering allowing Covaxin for those who wish to opt for it. Initially the vaccination using Covaxin will be implemented only in medical colleges and district hospital premises in a separate facility. As I had stated earlier, as soon as I recover from Covid and I am eligible for vaccination, I will be taking my first dose of it,” said Singhdeo in a tweet. Singhdeo tested Covid-19 positive last week and is in home quarantine.

Last month, Chhattisgarh asked the Centre to halt the supply of Covaxin to the state, claiming phase-3 clinical trials for the vaccine had not been completed and the results had not been published. Deo then said he was not in a position to tell people in the state to take Covaxin until its efficacy was proven. Covaxin was recently taken out of the clinical trial mode by the DCGI and its manufacturers claim it showed 81% interim clinical efficacy and significant immunogenicity against Covid-19 variants, in phase 3 trials.

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Deo said while he was “proud of our indigenous vaccine”, but “strictly” believed that due process as per international norms need to be adhered to before bringing it into general use. “Our primary concern is the well being of our citizens and only implement any vaccine once its efficacy is proven,” he said.

He also said that there was no shortage of vaccine supply to the state.

“At no point has there been any shortage in supply of vaccines for our people in the state. As a matter of fact, Chhattisgarh has constantly been performing among the top 5 states of the country in terms of vaccination,” he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Ritesh Mishra
Ritesh Mishra is the State Correspondent for Chhattisgarh with Hindustan Times. He reports on Maoism, internal security, politics, mining, governance, and major developments shaping the state. Based in Raipur, he has covered Chhattisgarh since 2016, reporting extensively from the Bastar region and other conflict-affected areas. With nearly two decades of experience in journalism, Ritesh has built a reputation for ground reporting from some of India's most challenging terrains. His coverage spans Left-Wing Extremism, counter-insurgency operations, elections, tribal affairs, environmental issues, infrastructure, mining, and socio-economic developments. He has reported on major security operations, policy initiatives, wildlife crime, and the changing dynamics of conflict and development in Central India. Before moving to Chhattisgarh, Ritesh spent eight years reporting from Madhya Pradesh, covering politics, administration, crime, development, and social issues. Throughout his career, he has reported on various forms of extremism in Central India, combining field reporting with in-depth analysis to produce accurate, balanced, and impactful journalism. Prior to joining Hindustan Times, Ritesh worked with The Pioneer and The Free Press Journal, where he covered a wide range of beats and honed his skills in political, investigative, and field reporting. His reporting is marked by exclusive stories, extensive fieldwork, and a commitment to factual, on-the-ground journalism that brings complex issues to a wider audience.Read More

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