Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)

Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination, and promotion of biomedical research. Established in 1911 as the Indian Research Fund Association (IRFA), it was renamed the Indian Council of Medical Research in 1949. ICMR operates under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

ICMR plays a crucial role in advancing medical research in India, focusing on a wide range of health issues, including communicable diseases, non-communicable diseases, reproductive health, and nutrition. It conducts and supports research through its network of national research institutes and regional medical research centers across the country.

ICMR is also instrumental in responding to public health challenges in India. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for instance, it led the nation's research efforts in understanding the virus, developing diagnostic tests, and supporting the development and distribution of vaccines. The organization also collaborates with international health bodies, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), to contribute to global health research and policy. ICMR's work is vital in shaping health policies, improving healthcare delivery, and addressing the diverse health needs of India's population.

During a Covid- 19, a viral message that falsely claimed that a photo showed the Vice President of India receiving a dose of COVAXIN, Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine.

BOOM found that this claim was incorrect. Bharat Biotech clarified that the photo in question actually depicted a routine blood check being performed on a member of the production team, not the Vice President. The viral message was therefore misleading and unfounded.