New Delhi (NVI): Indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine Covaxin neutralises multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 and effectively neutralises the double mutant strain as well, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) said today.
Covaxin is an Indian vaccine made by Bharat Biotech, headquartered in Hyderabad.
“ICMR study shows #COVAXIN neutralises against multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 and effectively neutralises the double mutant strain as well,” ICMR said in a tweet.
ICMR study shows #COVAXIN neutralises against multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 and effectively neutralises the double mutant strain as well. @MoHFW_INDIA @DeptHealthRes #IndiaFightsCOVID19 #LargestVaccineDrive pic.twitter.com/syv5T8eHuR
— ICMR (@ICMRDELHI) April 21, 2021
ICMR is the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research, and one of the oldest and largest medical research bodies in the world.
ICMR-National Institute of Virology has successfully isolated and cultured multiple variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2 virus: B.1.1.7 (the UK variant), B.1.1.28 (Brazil variant ) and B.1.351 (South Africa variant).
ICMR-NIV has demonstrated the neutralisation potential of Covaxin against the UK variant and Brazil variant, the body said.
ICMR-NIV recently has been successful in isolating and culturing the double mutant strain B.1.617 SARS-CoV-2 identified in certain regions of India and several other countries, the ICMR said in a tweeted card.
“Covaxin has been found to effectively neutralise the double mutant strain as well,” it added.
Meanwhile, Bharat Biotech and ICMR have declared the interim results of the phase 3 trials of COVAXIN. The vaccine has a 100 per cent efficacy rate in phase 3 trials against COVID-19 and a clinical efficacy of 78 per cent.
-ARK
