India will have to wait till at least the first quarter of 2021 to get a vaccine that can treat Covid-19.

New Delhi: India will have to wait till at least the first quarter of 2021 to get a vaccine that can treat Covid-19. According to officials, this is the earliest possible time frame when India can practically have its vaccine.

Interestingly, this development comes close on the heels of India's foremost medical research body, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), in a letter dated July 3, setting a target to get the vaccine ready by August 15. 

Photo However, faced with criticism for putting unrealistic pressure, it later clarified saying it was "meant to cut unnecessary red tape, without bypassing any necessary process, and speed up recruitment of participants".

Officials said that they are hopeful and optimistic about India's chances of inventing the vaccine that will be able to treat the deadly Covid-19.

During the proceedings of the committee, certain members were believed to have raised specific questions about recent claims made by yoga guru Ramdev who launched Coronil, claiming it can treat coronavirus, only to retract later.

PhotoMeanwhile, researchers in India are all set to start human trials of India's first indigenous coronavirus vaccine candidate - COVAXIN.