COVID-19 Vaccine Covaxin Effective Against Double Mutant Strain

The COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin effectively neutralizes the double mutant strain, said Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

ICMR cited the findings of a study carried out by them.

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‘Covaxin neutralizes against multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2 and effectively neutralizes the double mutant strain as well. ’

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Covaxin is developed locally by //Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Ltd. in collaboration with the ICMR -- the apex body in India for the formulation, coordination and promotion of biomedical research.

ICMR-National Institute of Virology has successfully isolated and cultured multiple variants of concern of SARS-CoV-2 virus: B.1.1.7 (the UK variant), B.1.1.28 (Brazil variant ) and B.1.351 (South Africa variant), said the apex health research body.

They have also demonstrated the neutralisation potential of Covaxin against the UK variant and Brazil variant.

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ICMR-NIV recently has been successful in isolating and culturing the double mutant strain B.1.617 SARS-CoV-2 identified in certain regions of India and several other countries.

"Covaxin has been found to effectively neutralise the double mutant strain as well," it said.

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The study was published in the Journal for Travel Medicine in March where it highlighted that Covaxin is effective against the UK variants as well as other strains of Covid-19.

"It was reassuring from the PRNT50 data generated in our laboratory that the indigenous BBV152/ COVAXIN, following its roll out in vaccination program, could be expected to work against the new UK-variant," the study said.

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Source-IANS