Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan has revealed that around seven more Covid-19 vaccine candidates are undergoing clinical trials in the country whereas almost two dozen vaccines are in the pre-clinical trial stage.

India is witnessing a gradual second wave of infections from February onward. However, the cabinet minister assured that 430 districts across the country haven’t reported a single coronavirus case in the previous 28 days.

“Around seven more Covid vaccine candidates are in clinical trials. Some of them are in the advanced phase of the trials. Around two dozen vaccines are in pre-clinical trials. The situation is under control but we don't have to be complacent in terms of observing Covid appropriate behaviour,” the 66-year-old was quoted in the Economic Times.

The union minister was speaking after he and his wife Nutan Goel took their second dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at the Delhi Heart and Lung Institute. Dr Harsh Vardhan insisted that neither of them felt any side-effects post their first doses.

Dismissing any vaccine hesitancy, the MP from Chandni Chowk asserted, “Both Indian vaccines are safe and effective. A lot of people still have doubts regarding vaccines. I urge them not to believe what is being circulated in WhatsApp University.”

He claimed that there were a few cases when individuals contracted the virus after taking the vaccine. However, the BJP leader explained that the chances of hospitalization and admission to ICU wards are minimalized in the case of such patients. Notably, India had administered a massive 6,11,13,354 vaccine doses by 8 am of 30th March, in what is billed as the largest vaccination drive in the world.