Bengaluru’s IISc to develop Covid-19 vaccine which can be stored at 30℃

Photo Credits: Reuters

Bengaluru based Indian Institute of Science (IISC) is presently working on developing a novel vaccine against Covid-19 which could be stored at room temperature, and will therefore be a major invention for the healthcare infrastructure of the country amid the rising cases of Covid-19 in the ongoing second wave. The information was revealed by Health Minister of the state Dr K Sudhakar on Thursday after a conversation with Professor Govindan Rangarajan, Director of IISc.

According to the IISc, the vaccine which will soon commence the clinical trials, will be easily stored at room temperatures at around 30℃. In a statement, Dr K Sudhar said, “From a public health point of view, this is a huge advantage as it enables the government to scale up distribution of vaccines in a much faster and easier way.”

Sudhakar further added the novel vaccine developed by IISc will deliver better results and have a better neutralising effect over the currently used vaccines Covishield and Covaxin in India. Professor Govindan Rangarajan also revealed about the various researchers being carried out at IISc which includes a more efficient oxygen concentrator, which has a capacity of 10 LPM (litres per minute). IISc officials revealed that the output from the concentrator is nearly 90 per cent, which is more efficient compared to Chinese-made concentrators, having an output of 40-50 per cent. This oxygen concentrator will be subjected to testing and subsequent validation at Bangalore Medical College.

Alongside, Sudhakar has urged for IISc’s assistance for audit mechanisms and identifying ways for optimal utilization of medical oxygen and for having the least wastage while both refilling and bottling units and also at the hospitals. IISc has ensured to further extend all the technical and engineering support to address and resolve the issue.

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