India’s Covaxin found 81 per cent effective

NEW DELHI: India’s first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin has exhibited interim clinical efficiency of 81 per cent in its phase three trial. The trial involved 25,800 participants across 21 sites.

The first interim analysis is devised on 43 cases of which 36 cases of COVID-19 were kept under observation in the placebo group versus seven cases in the Covaxin group resulting in vaccine efficacy of 81 per cent. The vaccine is developed by Bharat Biotech jointly with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

Dr Balram Bhargava, Director-General of ICMR, said that the journey and completion of indigenous COVID-19 vaccine in less than eight months’ time display the enormous strength of Aatmanirbhar Bharat. He added that it is also a testament to India’s emergence as a global vaccine superpower.