Indian Regional Government Minister Tests Positive Despite Participating in COVID-19 Vaccine Clinical Trial

[Asia Economy Reporter Kiho Sung] A regional government minister in India who participated in a clinical trial for the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine was instead diagnosed with the virus.

Indian media reported on the 6th that Anil Vij, the Minister of Home and Health of Haryana state, India, tested positive for COVID-19 on the 5th (local time).

Minister Vij was infected after participating in the Phase 3 clinical trial conducted by the Indian pharmaceutical company 'Bharat Biotech.'

Minister Vij had completed the first dose on the 20th of last month and was scheduled to receive the second dose on the 18th.

In response, Bharat Biotech explained, "Our company's vaccine is designed to be effective only in patients who have completed the second dose," adding, "The vaccine's effectiveness can only be verified 14 days after the second dose."

Since Minister Vij had only completed the first dose, it was emphasized that this cannot be linked to the vaccine's effectiveness.

Previously, Bharat Biotech caused controversy by not disclosing that a participant in their Phase 1 vaccine trial in August, who was in their 30s, experienced a serious illness.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.