New Delhi, November 18: A message claiming that a vaccine against coronavirus or COVID-19 has been launched in India is going viral on WhatsApp. The viral message contains a link and asks readers to download "Vaccine App" to register for vaccination. The government on Wednesday termed the message fake and clarified that no coronavirus vaccine has been launched in the country. COVID-19 Vaccine in India: 30 Million, Including Frontline Health Workers, to be Vaccinated in First Phase.

"Corona Vaccine Launched in India. Register your number now and apply for vaccine today. Download vaccine app and apply now (sic)," reads the viral message on WhatsApp. "This claim is fake. Neither coronavirus vaccine nor vaccine app has been launched," PIB Fact Check, a dedicated platform that counters misinformation related to government schemes and policies, tweeted. COVID-19 Vaccine Portal Launched by Union Health Ministry; Has Details About R&D, Clinical Trials of Coronavirus Vaccine; Know More About The Portal.

Coronavirus Vaccine and App Launched in India? Here's The Truth:

India is currently conducting clinical trials of various COVID-19 vaccines- developed at home as well as outside the country- under different phases. But, no vaccine has been officially approved for use or launched in the country. Pune-based Serum Institute of India will manufacture Covishield, developed by Oxford University and pharma giant AstraZeneca. The vaccine is in the final stage of trials.

Hyderabad-based pharma giant Dr Reddy’s Laboratories has collaborated with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) to conduct clinical trials of the Sputnik V vaccine and its distribution in India. Covaxin is developed in India by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Bharat Biotech. Another indigenous vaccine developed by Gujarat-based pharma giant Zydus Cadila Ltd is in the second phase of the clinical trials.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 18, 2020 04:02 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).