NEW DELHI : India is not planning to follow a preset benchmark for selecting a covid-19 vaccine and will explore all available options for mass immunization against the contagion, which has killed more than 53,000, and infected over 2.8 million in the country. Central government officials said they were considering various benchmarks, such as cost, ease of administration and efficacy, to determine the vaccine candidates. Paul, NITI Aayog member (health), and the chairman of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration. “Of course, if it has an efficacy rate of 10%, we will not accept it, and maybe 90% (efficacy) will be difficult (to achieve)," he said. Even though India has more than 2 million recovered covid-19 patients, there is no scientific information available if antibodies are providing any immunity.

Source: Mint August 20, 2020 02:03 UTC