Fact Check: Has PGIMER, Chandigarh found a vaccine for COVID-19?

PGIMER assessed the safety trial of Mycobacterium w (Mw) in four hospitalized coronavirus patients and found no short-term adverse effects of the drug in the pre-study phase. Soon after this, some media reports have appeared regarding successful vaccination/drug trials for the treatment of COVID-19 by PGIMER, Chandigarh.

A trial has been planned by PGIMER in Chandigarh along with the AIIMS-Delhi and AIIMS-Bhopal to study the effectiveness of Mw in coronavirus patients. As per the report, Mw will be used as an adjunct to the treatment of critically ill COVID-19 patients.

"The impact of Mw use on long-term safety and efficacy will only be known after the conclusion of this CSIR-supported clinical trial, which will be initiated soon at all three centres," PGIMER said in a statement on Sunday.

https://twitter.com/ROBChandigarh/status/1254345552009052160?s=20

Mw—heat-killed Mycobacterium indicus pranii—was earlier touted as a vaccine for the novel coronavirus. However, the doctors at PGIMER clarified that it was not a vaccine. Mw originally developed as an immunomodulator for leprosy acts through the toll-like receptor pathway and enhances host-T cell responses, PGIMER stated.

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In a recently concluded trial, PGIMER found that Mw reduces the mortality in ICU patients with severe sepsis. It can potentially decrease the cytokine storm seen in COVID-19 patients, and may thus be of potential benefit in managing coronavirus patients and decreasing mortality.

-PTC News