Covaxin Effectively Neutralises Alpha And Delta Variants Of COVID-19: US Health Body
Alpha or the B.1.1.7 variant was first detected in the UK, while Delta or the B1.617 variant was first found in India
Mumbai: COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, produced by Bharat Biotech, effectively neutralizes both Alpha and Delta strains of coronavirus, according to the US National Institute of Health (NIH).
“The results of two studies of blood serum from people receiving Covaxin suggest that the vaccine produces antibodies that effectively neutralize the alpha and delta forms of SARS-CoV-2,” the top American health institute, said of Bharat Biotech’s shot, developed in collaboration with the government-run Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
Alpha or the B.1.1.7 variant was first detected in the UK, while Delta or the B1.617 variant was first found in India.
“Unpublished interim results from Phase III trials indicate that Covaxin is 78% efficient against symptomatic disease, while its efficacy against severe COVID-19 is 100%. Further, it has shown 70% efficacy against asymptomatic infection with Sars-CoV-2, the Covid-19 causing virus,” NIH noted, stressing that the vaccine is “safe and well-tolerated.”
Vaccine manufacturers recently submitted Phase 3 trial data to an expert panel, which found it to be 77.8% effective against symptomatic COVID-19, in line with interim trial analysis.
The NIH further stated that an adjuvant developed with funding from it contributed to Covaxin’s success, describing the shot as “highly effective.” An adjuvant is a substance that is prepared as part of a vaccine to boost the immune response and increase its effectiveness.
Covaxin, along with the Oxford University-AstraZeneca shot, has been used since the start of India’s nationwide vaccine campaign against the viral disease on 16 January.
Russia’s Sputnik V was given emergency use authorization (EUA) in April, while US pharmaceutical firm Moderna’s mRNA-based vaccine on Tuesday received approval to be used here.
In the coming days, Pfizer and Ahmedabad-based Zydus Cadila could also be approved. If approved, the Zydus Cadila shot will be India’s second indigenous anti-Covid vaccine after Covaxin.
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