New Delhi: ICMR wrote a letter to Bharat Bio-tech, which sort fast tracking of approvals relating to clinical trials and spoke of the launch of the vaccine by August 15^th. Stirred the medical and scientific community on Friday, with questions being asked on how such deadlines could be adhered to given up the complexity and time required for trials on humans.

A vaccine candidate by Bharat Bio-tech received approval to entered initial pages human clinical trials only earlier this week. ICMR Director General Balaram Bhargava in a letter to Bharat Bio-tech and chosen hospital for trials and gave a advice to fast track all approvals related to initiation of the clinical trials and ensure that the subject enrolment is initiated no later than July 07.

In view of the public health emergency and urgency to launch the vaccine, ICMR has partnered with Bharat Bio-tech to develop a vaccine called covaxin. Official sources said the health ministry had asked the ICMR about the letter and was informed that the objective was to speed the processes relating to vaccine development rather than set any deadline.

We need the vacancies at the earliest and that was what ICMR wanted to convey a source said. It is envisaged to launch the vaccine for public health use latest by August 15^th, after completion of all clinical trials. BBIL is working expeditiously to meet the target; however final outcome will depend on the co-operation of all trails sites involved in this project said ICMR director.

While calling a vaccine a top priority project, which was being monitored at the top most level of the government, he said. Non-compliance will be viewed seriously.