Minister who took India-made COVID vaccine gets virus

New Delhi: BJP minister who took India-made coronavirus vaccine contracts virus

An Indian health minister, who recently took the India-made coronavirus vaccine, has contracted the virus.

In a tweet, Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij said he tested positive for the coronavirus. "I am admitted in Civil Hospital Ambala Cantt. All those who have come in close contact to me are advised to get themselves tested for corona."

According to India media reports, Vij voluntarily took vaccine shot of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin less than two weeks ago.

"The 67-year-old BJP veteran is diabetic, and had recently undergone a surgery for a thigh bone fracture," said local news media. "He had volunteered to participate in the vaccine’s human phase trials, in which over 25,000 persons were administered trial doses."

The Indian government-backed COVID-19 vaccine entered its last-stage trials last month.

Rajni Kant, a senior scientist at the government-run Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), told that the vaccine has shown good efficacy. “It is expected that by the beginning of next year, February or March, something would be available.”

-Courtesy by The News