Covaxin is effective against UK variant of coronavirus: ICMR study

PTI, Jan 28, 2021, 4:17 PM IST

Covaxin is effective against the new variant of COVID-19 that was traced in the UK, an ICMR study has said. “Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech with ICMR, has equivalent immunogenicity against the UK-variant and circulating strains of SARS-COV-2 in India,” tweeted ICMR.

“It’s reassuring the vaccine can work against the new UK variant,” said ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava.

As reported by Indian Express, While the data collected from 38 people looks promising, there is no clarity on the vaccine’s efficacy yet, as it is being administered to priority groups in “clinical trial” mode. Greater clarity is expected to emerge later this year, when Bharat Biotech will have enough information to say how effective the vaccine is in preventing those inoculated from showing serious symptoms, even if they do get infected.