CHANDIGARH, June 10: Stressing the need for rapid vaccine development and national preparedness, NITI Aayog member Dr Vinod Kumar Paul urged India’s medical and scientific community to be capable of delivering vaccines within 100 days of a future pandemic being declared. He was addressing 63 health professionals during the inaugural session of the fourth Postgraduate International Vaccinology Course at PGIMER on Monday.
Speaking virtually, Dr Paul reflected on India’s Covid-19 response and the critical lessons it offers for pandemic readiness. “Globally, the Covid-19 vaccine was developed in about nine months, and we matched that timeline,” he said. “But next time, we must aim to have a vaccine ready in just 100 days. For that, we must act today—prepare for clinical trials, study immune responses, understand potential pathogens, and strengthen lab and industry capabilities.”
The five-day course is being hosted by PGIMER’s Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health. It aims to equip participants with in-depth knowledge and practical skills in vaccinology, providing a platform to discuss innovation, regulatory standards, and global best practices.
Dr Paul pointed out that during the Covid-19 crisis, India had to rely on its own vaccine development capacity. “Nobody came to our rescue. There were hardly any vaccines made available to us. We survived because we made our own,” he said, underlining the strategic importance of self-reliance.
India’s regulatory head, Drug Controller General Dr Rajeev Raghuvanshi, also addressed the gathering and highlighted the growing role of innovation and robust regulation. “India has emerged as a leader in vaccine research. We must maintain and expand that edge through constant innovation and tighter regulatory frameworks,” he said.
Participants from across the globe are expected to gain insights from experts throughout the week, as the event seeks to bridge academic research and real-world vaccine deployment strategies in the wake of global health emergencies.
