India needs to work out its immunization strategy now about giving the vaccine for COVID-19 in the population when it comes out, says biotech industry veteran Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw.
"The vaccine is an unknown. From the end of this year to the middle of next year it is the prediction," said the chief executive of the city's main biopharmaceutical company, Biocon Ltd, regarding its availability.
She said some vaccine programs have just started phase 3 clinical trials, and phase 1 and phase 2 trials have shown mixed signals.
Therefore, we are not sure, he said and, citing reports from the United States, added: It appears that each vaccine needs two doses (per person). So it's not cheap, he told PTI here in an interview.
If the government can ensure that at least 20 percent of the highest-risk population is immunized, then we can create control over the virus.
But Ms. Mazumdar-Shaw also noted that 20 percent of the Indian population is a whopping 200 to 300 million people.
Will the government bear it (cost), she asked. So one has to look at the pharmacoeconomic standpoint and immunological logic, and find a balance between the two.
From NDTV News
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