Vaccination with Bharat Biotech’s indigeneously developed Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin, has produced neutralising titres (concentration) against all key emerging variants tested, including the B.1.617 and B.1.1.7, first identified in India and the United Kingdom, the vaccine manufacturer informed on Sunday.
As per an infographic, a modest reduction in neutralisation by a factor of 1.95 was observed against the B.1.617 variant compared to the vaccine variant (D614G). It, however, added that despite this reduction, neutralizing titre levels with B.1.617 remain above levels expected to be protective.
“No difference in neutralization between B.1.1.7 (first found in the UK) and vaccine strain (D614G) was observed,” Bharat Biotech added.
These findings are from a study conducted in collaboration with the National Institute of Virology – India Council of Medical Research.
Currently two vaccines, Serum Institute’s Covishield and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin, are being administered in India.
More than 18 crore doses have been administered till date. Russia developed Sputnik V is also being administered now.
(With Inputs from ANI)
