Bharath Biotech’s covaxin was said to be 81 percent effective against coronavirus infections. However, reports from the third phase of clinical trials show it to be 77.8 percent effective. Read to find out about the data from trials and approval from WHO.
Covaxin effectiveness proved to be 77.8%
The third phase of the clinical trial was conducted on 25,800 individuals across India. It proved Bharath Biotech’s Covaxin to be 77.8 percent effective against the coronavirus. The first interim analysis of Covaxin was reported in March. It stated that the vaccine was 81 percent effective against COVID-19 after two doses. The trial data and results, studied and approved by the Drug Control General of India’s (DCGI) expert committee on Tuesday.
However, the data is yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal. Researchers from Bharath Biotech reported that the publication would follow with DCGI’s approval. This will likely help Bharath Biotech secure an emergency use listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization (WHO). Bharath Biotech will also hold a meeting with concerned authorities on June 23 to discuss the guidelines and procedures for the final submission. However, PTI reports that the firm has submitted close to 90 percent of the paperwork.
What is emergency use listing?
An emergency use listing from WHO helps ease international travel for Indians vaccinated with covaxin. Additionally, it will also help the company in exporting the drug. The vaccine was cleared for “restricted use in an emergency situation in public interest” in 2020. However, it was given while the vaccine underwent clinical trials. This raised questions and hesitancy across India during the early stages of the vaccination drive. However, the approval of data from phase III of the trials will resolve doubts and increase vaccination rates.
As of now, Covaxin, Covishield (AstraZeneca-Oxford University vaccine), and Sputnik V are the three coronavirus vaccines available in the country. However, the government is working with Pfizer and Moderna to procure their vaccines.