Bharat Biotech has said its COVID-19 vaccine COVAXIN has shown 77.8 per cent effectiveness against the virus.  
The company made the claim citing the data from the third phase of clinical trials.

Prof. (Dr) Priya Abraham, Director National Institute of Virology ICMR said, “The overall efficacy of 77.8 % following the phase III clinical trial of COVAXIN is wonderful news. ICMR-NIV and BBIL have had very fruitful interactions during this exhilarating journey. Sera from COVAXIN recipients have also been evaluated against viral variants detected in India i.e., the Alpha, Beta, Zeta, Kappa and Delta. The making of this vaccine entirely on Indian soil is a matter of great pride to every Indian.”  

Phase 3 clinical trials of COVAXIN was an event-driven analysis of 130 symptomatic COVID-19 cases, reported at least two weeks after the 2 nd dose, conducted at 25 sites across India.

Dr. Krishna Ella, Chairman & Managing Director, Bharat Biotech, said, “The successful safety and efficacy readouts of COVAXIN as a result of conducting the largest ever COVID Vaccines trials in India establishes the ability of India and developing world countries to focus towards innovation and novel product development. We are proud to state that Innovation from India will now be available to protect global populations.”

COVAXIN has been specifically designed to meet the needs of global distribution chains, the requirements for which are more critical in low- and middle-income countries.

It has been formulated to enable shipping and long-term storage at 2-8ºC, the company said. 

It is also formulated to adhere to a multi-dose vial policy, thereby reducing open vial wastage, saving money to procurement agencies and governments alike.

Prof. (Dr) Balram Bhargava, Secretary Department of Health Research & Director General Indian Council of Medical Research, said, “I am delighted to note that COVAXIN, developed by ICMR and BBIL under an effective public-private partnership, has demonstrated an overall efficacy of 77.8% in India’s largest COVID phase 3 clinical trial thus far. Our scientists at ICMR and BBIL have worked tirelessly to deliver a truly effective vaccine of highest international standards. COVAXIN will not only benefit the Indian citizens but would also immensely contribute to protecting the global community against the deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus. I am also pleased to see that COVAXIN® works well against all variant strains of SARS-CoV-2. The successful development of COVAXIN® has consolidated the position of Indian academia and industry in the global arena.”

COVAXIN has been evaluated through neutralizing antibody responses against several variants of concern, namely B.1.617.2 (Delta), B.1.617.1 (Kappa), B.1.1.7 (Alpha), B.1.351 (Beta), P2- B.1.1.28 (Gamma). The data from these studies have been extensively published in peer-reviewed journals and available for review in the public domain.  (SAM)