BIG CONFIRMATION! Bharat Biotech's Covaxin effective against coronavirus variants found in India and UK!

COVID-19 Vaccination Latest News Today: At present, the country is reeling under the effects of the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. The B.1.617 and B.1.1.7 variants, first identified in India and UK, respectively have been an added worry for the people. Though the COVID-19 vaccination drive has started in India, a significant amount of the population is yet to receive the COVID-19 vaccine shots. There has also been a common query among the people regarding the effectiveness of the vaccine against the Indian and UK strains of the virus. 

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Bharat Biotech cited a study published in a peer-reviewed medical journal supporting its claim that the Covaxin is effective against the Indian and UK strains. Yesterday, Suchitra Ella, Bharat Biotech co-founder and Joint Managing Director tweeted, "Covaxin gets international recognition yet again, by scientific research data published demonstrating protection against the new variants. Yet another feather in its cap."

It has to be noted that India had started its vaccination drive with Covaxin and Covishield on January 16, 2021. The second phase of COVID-19 vaccination to inoculate people above 60 years of age and those above 45 years with comorbidities was started from March 1, 2021. The third phase began from April 1, 2021, where all above 45 years were included. In the next phase, that started from May 1, 2021, all adults above 18 years of age were included.

Coming back to the study, it is informed that the vaccination with Covaxin produced neutralising titres against all key emerging variants tested, including B.1.617 and B.1.1.7 variants which were first identified in India and UK, respectively. This study was conducted in collaboration with the National Institute of Virology and Indian Council of Medical Research. The study found a modest reduction in neutralisation by a factor of 1.95 against B.1.617 variant compared to vaccine variant D614G. The study further added, "There was a modest reduction in neutralization by a factor of 1.95 was observed against B.1.617 variant compared to vaccine variant (D614G). Despite this reduction, neutralising titre levels with B.1.617 remain above levels expected to be protective."