Key Facts about Mission Covid Suraksha

The Indian Government has launched “Mission COVID Suraksha” to give a push to the development process of around 5 to 6 Covid-19 vaccine candidates. The mission will cover everything starting from the research and development of a vaccine, getting a license, and final introduction into the market. As many COVID-19 vaccines are undergoing final trials, the mission will ensure proper availability of the vaccine to the people once they get approved.

Key Points about Mission Covid Suraksha

  • This is a mission aiming to provide an end-to-end process from preclinical trials to manufacturing for the supply of vaccines to the people.
  • The government has announced a package of Rs 900 crore for the development of vaccines under the Mission Covid Suraksha. It is the third stimulus package for COVID-19 by the government of India.
  • The grant or package will be provided to the Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
  • The main aim of the fund is to strengthen the central and immunoassay laboratories, production facilities, test facilities for supporting Covid-19 vaccine development and establishing clinical trial sites.
  • DBT also started programmes for vaccine development but they were only limited to the development of vaccines unlike mission covid suraksha.
  • As of now, 10 vaccine candidates are supported by DBT. Out of which, 5 are in human trials including that for Russian COVID-19 vaccine- Sputnik V. Three of the candidates supported by DBT are in pre-clinical trials and will enter human trials shortly.
  • The mission aims to provide all possible support to COVID-19 vaccine candidates.

COVID-19 Vaccine Development

At present, the Serum Institute of India is conducting phase-3 trials of the Oxford vaccine. Bharat Biotech and ICMR vaccine of India have also commenced their phase 3 clinical trials. Indigenously developed Zydus Cadila’s vaccine has completed phase-2 clinical trials.

Biological E. Ltd has started the early phase 1 and 2 human trials of its vaccine candidate.

Dr. Reddy’s Laboratories will be starting the combined phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of Sputnik V in India.