Bharat Biotech's COVAXIN Effectively Neutralises Alpha, Delta COVID Variants, Finds US Study
In some good news for India's fight against COVID-19, a study by the US' National Institute of Health has found that COVAXIN, the indigenous vaccine can effectively neutralise both Alpha and Delta variants of coronavirus.
The NIH said results of two studies of blood serum from people who had received Covaxin suggest that the vaccine generates antibodies that effectively neutralise the B.1.1.7 (Alpha) and B.1.617 (Delta) variants of SARS-CoV-2, first identified in the UK and India, respectively.
Covaxin, co-developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech and the Indian Council Of Medical Research (ICMR) comprises a disabled form of SARS-CoV-2 that cannot replicate but still stimulates the immune system to make antibodies against the virus.?
What the study says?
"Results from two studies of blood serum from people who had received COVAXIN suggest that the vaccine generates antibodies that effectively neutralize the B.1.1.7 (Alpha) and B.1.617 (Delta) variants of SARS-CoV-2, first identified in the United Kingdom and India, respectively," NIH said in a statement.
The adjuvant used in COVAXIN, Alhydroxiquim-II, was discovered and tested in the laboratory by the biotech company ViroVax LLC of Lawrence, Kansas with support exclusively from the NIAID Adjuvant Development Program, NIH said.
The adjuvant comprises a small molecule attached in a unique way to Alhydrogel, a substance frequently called alum that is the most commonly used adjuvant in vaccines for people.
The adjuvant used in Covaxin, Alhydroxiquim-II, was discovered and tested in a laboratory by the biotech company ViroVax LLC of Lawrence, Kansas with support from the NIAID Adjuvant Development Program.
Phase 3 results yet to? get published
Unpublished interim results from the Phase 3 trial indicate that the vaccine has 78 per cent efficacy against symptomatic disease, 100 per cent efficacy against severe COVID-19, including hospitalization, and 70 per cent efficacy against asymptomatic infection with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.?
While it is good news that COVAXIN works against Delta strain, which has been the dominant strain in India and has spread across the world, the emergence of Delta Plus remains a concern.
The Union Health Ministry recently said that lab test results of the effectiveness of the Covid vaccine on the new mutant will be out in 10 days.
"Tests to check vaccine effectiveness on Delta Plus variant are ongoing. The virus has been isolated and is being cultured now at ICMR's National Institute of Virology in Pune. The results will be available in 7 to 10 days. These will be the first such results in the world," the ministry said.
COVID Task Force chief VK Paul had said that any adverse effect on vaccine efficacy against Delta Plus is currently not established and we should wait for this information to emerge.
