Kolkata-based doctor Dr Subhrojyoti Bhowmick, who is the principal investigator for Sputnik V vaccine trial, has filed a PIL in Calcutta High Court, seeking a CoWIN-generated vaccination certificate for participants of phase III clinical trial.

The trials at Peerless Hospital had 50 volunteers from December 2020 till July 2021 and the actual jab was sponsored by Dr Reddy's.

Says Dr Bhowmick, "I am confident that the Honorable High Court will direct the Cowin platform to register these volunteers and issue them vaccination certificates at the earliest. I am hoping the results come in as soon as possible as these vaccine trial participants have suffered in the absence of CoWIN registration as they have not been to travel across the country."
 
Participants for Covishield vaccine trials received the certificates on time. According to a doctor from Visakhapatnam on condition of anonymity, trail participants at the particular site have received the certificates thanks to the efforts of NIRT, ICMR and there was no delay.

 

Saptarshi Bhose from Kolkata was part of the clinical trial process of Covaxin. He received the vaccine dose in January, however, there was a delay in getting the certificate which ultimately reached him in the month of July 2021.

According to Bhose, he used to travel to Beleghata ID hospital for the trials and was paid travel expenses as remuneration. He mentioned, though there was a slight delay in getting the certificate, he was hugely relieved on receiving it.

Dr Bhowmick mentioned, "We will wait for the hearing of the PIL at the earliest and hope a positive decision is delivered."

He also added, "I am not aware of what systems are in place to ensure that clinical trial participants of COVID-19 vaccine trials are awarded Cowin platform certificates. The systems have failed to deliver the CoWIN generated certificates to the Sputnik participants even after repeated reminders from our end."

 

Sanjiv Das

sanjiv.das@mmactiv.com