Chhattisgarh Health Minister Opposes Use of Covaxin as 3rd Phase Trial Data Not Published Yet

Chhattisgarh Health Minister T S Singh Deo on Saturday said the use of vaccine ‘Covaxin’ must not be allowed in the state as its third-phase trial data has not been published yet. He said he was not “confident” about asking people to take this vaccine.

Covaxin, indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech, has got approval for emergency use alongwith Oxford -AstraZeneca Covishield vaccine. “The third phase trial of Covaxin is under process.

The vaccine has been approved for ’emergency use (by the Drug Controller General of India). Its use should be avoided until its complete results are out,” Deo told reporters. Asked whether it would be administered to people in Chhattisgarh, Deo said, “In my opinion, it should not be allowed in the state. As of now, I am not confident of asking people to accept this vaccine.” The state recently completed a vaccination dry run in its 28 districts.