NEW DELHI: A study conducted by Clinical Infectious Diseases, in collaboration with National Institute of Virology and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), found that Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin produces neutralising effects against all the new COVID-19 key variants, including the double mutant strains B.1.617 and B.1.1.7.
The findings of the study state that there is no difference in neutralisation between the UK variant and the vaccine strain of D614G. Dr Harsh Vardhan, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, also said earlier that Covaxin is likely to be effective against the UK variant and the double mutated B.1.717 variant.
Covaxin is an inactivated vaccine which is developed with the help of dead coronaviruses isolated by the National Institute of Virology. It works by teaching the immune system of the body to produce antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2. Dr VK Paul, Member, NITI Aayog, said that Bharat Biotech is ready to share its vaccine formula with other manufacturers.