Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin proves 93.4% effective against Covid-19, works against Delta variant too

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Phase-III trials of the India-made Covaxin vaccine show that it is 93.4% effective against severe symptomatic COVID-19 and works against the Delta variant as well, Hyderabad- based pharma firm Bharat Biotech announced on Saturday.</p>
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The data demonstrated 65.2% protection against the Delta variant, first identified in India, that led to a surge in infections during the second wave in April and May. The variant is also on the rise in countries such as the US and Europe.</p>
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India's home-grown vaccine manufactured by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research and Indian Institute of Virology, also showed an effectiveness of 77.8% against symptomatic COVID-19 in the trial.</p>
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<strong>Also read: </strong> <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/health-news/who-approval-for-bharat-biotech-s-covaxin-likely-in-mid-august-99354.html">WHO approval for Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin likely in mid-August</a></p>
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The Phase-III data came as Ocugen Inc , which is co-developing Covaxin with Bharat Biotech for the U.S. market, prepares to file a request for full U.S. approval.</p>
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Bharat Biotech also said the safety analysis for Covaxin demonstrates adverse events reported were similar to placebo, with 12% of subjects experiencing commonly known side effects and less than 0.5% of subjects feeling serious adverse events.</p>
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Bharat Biotech which has been making 10 million doses of Covaxin a month will now step up production to 23 million doses a month. Besides, the government has asked five public sector companies to start producing the vaccine as well so that it can be made more widely available under the accelerated vaccination drive.</p>
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<strong>Also read:</strong>  <a href="https://www.indianarrative.com/health-news/zydus-seeks-govt-nod-for-use-of-new-india-made-vaccine-as-trials-have-been-completed-99201.html">Zydus seeks govt nod for use of new India-made vaccine as trials have been completed</a></p>
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Last month, vaccine maker AstraZeneca Plc also said its vaccine was effective against the Delta and Kappa variants, citing a study.</p>
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India has been administering the AstraZeneca vaccine, made domestically by the Serum Institute of India under the Covishield brand. While 70 million doses a month of the vaccine are being currently manufactured, the output will be increased to around nearly 100 million doses in July .</p>
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