Covaxin – India’s domestic vaccine produced by Bharat Biotech is effective against multiple variants of SARS-CoV-2, revealed a study from the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) released on April 21.
ICMR said that their study found Covaxin to be effective in neutralizing different variants of SARS-CoV-2 which includes the double mutant strain. With the rising threat of double mutant, should Indians now give a priority to Covaxin over other vaccines?
ICMR scientist Dr. Samiran Panda explained the nuances of this study in an exclusive interview with Money 9.
“In our study, the effect of Covaxin on double mutants found in India as well as the UK and Brazil variants has been tested and found quite effective,” Panda said.
Covaxin effective on both Brazil and UK variants
ICMR stated that they have successfully isolated variants of Brazil, South Africa and the UK. ICMR-NIV said Covaxin is effective on both Brazil and the UK variants. Now ICMR-NIV has managed to isolate the double mutant too.
So will the vaccine work on South African variants as well? On this, Dr. Panda said the study on the effective capacity of Covaxin on South African variants is still in progress and more information will be available soon.
Will people finally be ready to get vaccinated without any hesitancy?
“Vaccine is supposed to build immunity in your body, to strengthen the immune system against foreign invaders. Infection can occur even after vaccination, but its severity will be very less. Therefore, whatever vaccine is available, it should be taken,” Dr. Panda explained.
Another pertinent question that may arise is – Can the first and second doses of vaccines be from different parent companies? Will it be safe?
Dr. Panda clarified that if both the vaccines are from different companies, i.e., the mechanism of both doses are different then it must be avoided.
He said no study has been done on this and people should not mix vaccines from different companies. Take both the doses from the same parent company, he advised.
Significantly, Oxford University has started research on such vaccine mixing.
Dr. Panda reiterated that it is necessary to wear masks, wash hands and follow social distancing to reduce the viral spread of the pathogen.
Watch Dr. Samiran Panda’s complete interview below:
