Social media posts twisted facts, final product doesn’t have newborn calf serum: Centre on Covaxin
PTI, Jun 16, 2021, 1:54 PM IST
Source: ANI
New Delhi: Facts have been ”twisted and misrepresented” in some social media posts which suggested that indigenously developed Covaxin contains newborn calf serum, the Union Health Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday.
Newborn calf serum is used only for the preparation and growth of Vero cells. Serum from bovine and other animals are standard enrichment ingredients used globally for Vero cell growth, it said.
Vero cells are used to establish cell lives which help in the production of vaccines. This technique has been used for decades in developing vaccines against polio, rabies, and influenza.
After growth, the Vero cells are washed in water and with chemicals, also technically known as buffer, multiple times to make them free from newborn calf serum. The Vero cells are then infected with coronavirus for viral growth, the health ministry said.
The Vero cells are completely destroyed in the process of viral growth. Thereafter, the grown virus is also killed (inactivated) and purified, it said.
The killed or inactivated virus is then used to make the final vaccine. No calf serum is used in the formulation of the final vaccine, according to the statement.
”Hence, the final vaccine (Covaxin) does not contain newborn calf serum at all and the calf serum is not an ingredient of the final vaccine product.”
Udayavani is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel and stay updated with the latest news.
Top News
Related Articles More
‘Shaurya Smarak’ of three fallen Army officers unveiled in Jammu
BJP drops Poonam Mahajan, picks 26/11 prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam from Mumbai North Central seat
UP college students clear exam with ‘Jai Shri Ram’ on answer sheets, two professors suspended
Car catches fire in Gurugram, driver escapes by jumping into manhole
MP: Teen ends life over father’s violent behaviour towards her mother
MUST WATCH
Latest Additions
With impact player, it is getting difficult each and every day: Pant
Congress in K’taka to stage protest on Apr 28 against ‘paltry’ drought relief given by Centre
McGurk, Stubbs rock as DC beat MI by 10 runs
‘Shaurya Smarak’ of three fallen Army officers unveiled in Jammu
BJP drops Poonam Mahajan, picks 26/11 prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam from Mumbai North Central seat