Serum Institute of India (SII) has completed phase II-B3 trials and will start phase-III trial after clearances

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Director General Dr Balram Bhargava has said that three COVID-19 vaccines are at a clinical trial stage and two indigenous vaccine candidates have completed phase one trial in the country.

"Three vaccines are at the clinical trial stage in India. Zydus Cadila and Bharat Biotech have completed phase-I trials. Results are being analysed. They have started recruitment for the second phase," Bhargava was quoted as saying on Tuesday in an ANI report carried by Times Oman.

He further said that the Serum Institute of India (SII) has completed phase II-B3 trials and will start phase-III trial after clearances, according to the report.

AstraZeneca, which has partnered with Oxford University for development of the vaccine, has resumed trials in the UK.

Bhargava noted that four factors would need to be considered once India has a safe and effective vaccine against coronavirus - priority and fair distribution of the vaccine, logistics and roll out in a cold chain, stockpiling and training of people who are to be given this vaccine, as per the report.

The report also quoted experts as saying that a sustained behavioural change is required at least till there is a safe and effective vaccine which includes wearing a mask, proper hand hygiene and physical distancing.

India's COVID-19 case count crossed the 50-lakh mark on Wednesday. A total of 50,20,360 cases including 9,95,933 active cases, 39,42,361 cured or discharged or migrated and 82,066 deaths, have been reported in India as per data shared by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.