Here's how you can volunteer for the final phase of human trials of COVAXIN at SRM Medical College

SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre (SRM MCHRC), Kattankulathur Tuesday said that they have completed two phases of human testing of the COVAXIN trial and are calling for volunteers for the final phase. The third phase for the trials will start on December 7, said SRM MCHRC's Pro-Chancellor Dr P Sathyanarayanan.

Dr Sathyanarayanan also said that a total of 1000 patients will be a part of the final phase of trials. "Until now we have received 500 volunteers for the test. We will be taking in more volunteers till the end of December 2020. We are trying our best to make this work, as it will be India's first indigenous vaccine," he added.

The hospital will be able to conduct the trial for 50 people a day. Once the process is successful, the vaccine will be approved on a fast track basis. SRM MCHRC is currently treating 21 COVID 19 patients and on average 80 people are screened for COVID-19.

The first phase of human trials at SRM MCHRC began in July 2020 with 30 volunteers. The second phase was done in August in which 45 volunteers participated. In both these phases, the safety of the vaccine was ascertained. In the trial conducted at SRM hospital, none of the volunteers suffered any serious reactions except for mild fever and body ache. "Any person above 18 years of age and had not suffered COVID19 illness in the past can participate as a volunteer in this trial. Pregnant women are excluded. The vaccine shot will be administered twice - 28 days apart," said Principal Investigator for COVAXIN, Dr Satyajit Mahopatra.  

The hospital has so far treated 1400 COVID patients since April 2020. Both Allopathy and Siddha medicines in combination are used to treat COVID patients. Indian Council for Medical Research (ICMR) is collaborating with Bharat Biotech, Hyderabad in the development of COVAXIN. SRM Medical College Hospital and Research Centre is the only private Medical College Hospital in Tamil Nadu to be selected to carry out all three phases of the COVAXIN trial. This vaccine has got the nod for human trials from the Drug Controller General of India.

"SRM MCHRC is the only private Medical College Hospital in Tamil Nadu to undertake this trial. The third phase is to assess the efficacy of the vaccine in inducing immunogenicity in the human volunteer," said Dr Lt Col A Ravi Kumar, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Medical and Health Sciences).