NEW DELHI: Bharat Biotech CMD Krishna Ella Wednesday blamed the negative campaign against Covaxin in India, especially in the media, the delay on the part of the World Health Organization (WHO) in providing emergency approval for the ‘made-in-India’ Covaxin.
Political hinted as a possible contributing factor behind the negative publicity, Ella remembers how Covaxin, after it was taken by the Prime Minister to express confidence in Indian science, innovation and ‘atma-nirbhar’ ability, labeled by some as “vaccine BJP” Modi atau’vaksin ‘.
In a Q & A session at the Times Now Summit 2021 here, Ella shows that noses Covid vaccine being developed by Bharat Biotech can be taken as a substitute for the second dose Covaxin or to protect an infected person before.
Spelling hope for the future of mask-free, he said that the nasal vaccine is more effective in preventing transmission of the virus compared to the injectable vaccine, which does not reach the top of the lungs, and can eliminate the need for individuals who are vaccinated to continue wearing the mask.
He pointed out that Phase 2 of the nasal vaccine trials conducted and data were analyzed.
“We must hope that in 3-4 months,” he said adding that Bharat Biotech is also talking with the government about using Cowin platform for conducting clinical trials.
Ella said to be ideal booster dose at six months after receiving the second dose of vaccine, but added that the final decision is up to the government.
Examined on a long drawn scrutiny by WHO in Covaxin, Ella said “negative things (said about Covaxin) in the country WHO put in an awkward position”.
He said the WHO wanted to make sure whether it is doing right or wrong data and more intense review, with every little problem becomes a big one.
“I think maybe we were the only vaccines at WHO have been through so much scrutiny …
We have gone through further examination because our internal systems as well,” he said.
Ella regret how anti-campaign Covaxin – as part of an even suicide in Bhopal projected as a death caused by the vaccine and scientific journals asked for an investigation – based on its own projections, interpretations and ideas delaying publication and WHO pre-qualification process.
He said that people, not criticize, Bharat Biotech can pursue the truth.
“But (people) make their own opinion …
it does not just hurt us, but also the future of start-ups in the country.
If someone wants to be against the country’s political system, they can take a different angle but not on health.
We are neutral, we want India to succeed.
We want people who will benefit, “says the scientist-entrepreneurs.
WHO withholding approval for emergency use of Covaxin in pregnant women, Ella said that although more than one million pregnant women have been given Covaxin safe in India, WHO actually look at the data in a clinical fashion.
“We’re on the job.
We will solve it in the next 2-3 months, “said Ella.
In bringing the vaccine to children, Ella said Bharat Biotech is the only company in the world to conduct clinical trials among those between 2 and 18 years old.
“Safety and immunogenicity now well established in this population.
We have submitted the data to the data controller but WHO, unless national authorities approve it, it will not agree, “he said.
Hinting supply problems as one of the main obstacles behind the lack of government approval decision, he said: “Maybe the government thinks that if compromised, every child has been vaccinated for in this country.
Enough supplies them? …
But for us it is a global competition …
So I think the Indian government should recognize.
We need a quick indication of India so that we can move the WHO, “said Ella.
Ignoring talk of shortcuts in the provision of emergency nod to Covaxin, Ella explained that although the approval process was rushed, there is no law or rule India ‘Schedule Y’ is violated.
“If something has broken, I will go to jail now,” he said.
Bharat Biotech boss said that unlike other companies such as Pfizer and Oxford, etc.
are not to R & D and licensed vaccine, Bharat Biotech to develop a vaccine from scratch.
“Had I been in the US and do all these things, I will be better recognized,” he said, smiling.