As the WHO approved Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for emergency use, the medical journal Lancet has now published that the India-based vaccine is 77.8% effective against Covid-19 according to phase 3 data. While the efficacy against all the variants of SARS-CoV-2 virus is 70.8%.
This efficacy was tested on 130 confirmed cases, with 24 observed on vaccine and 106 on placebo.
According to the phase 3 data, the vaccine was found 65.2% effective against the Delta variant, 63.6% against asymptomatic Covid and 93.4% against the severe symptomatic Covid.
“The peer-review of Covaxin phase III clinical trial data in The Lancet, an authoritative voice in global medicine, validates our commitment to data transparency and meeting the stringent peer-review standards of world-leading medical journals. This accomplishment reflects the undeterred commitment by my team members at Bharat Biotech, our public partners, Indian Council of Medical Research, National Institute of Virology, and the trust imposed by our trial participants who made this happen,” said Dr. Krishna Ella, CMD of Bharat Biotech.
The phase 3 trial of Covaxin involved 25,800 volunteers across 25 sites in India and was the country’s largest trial for the vaccine.
The Director General of Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), Dr. Balram Bhargava said, “I am delighted to see that the phase III efficacy data has also been published in The Lancet, one of the most reputed journals worldwide. This itself speaks highly about the strong position of Covaxin amongst other global front-runners Covid-19 vaccines.”
“The bench to bedside journey of Covaxin in less than 10 months showcases the immense strength of “Atmanirbhar Bharat” along with the Indian academia and industry in fighting against the odds and carving a niche in the global community,” he further said.
The World Health Organization had granted approval to Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin on November 3. The major pharma said that it is a significant step towards ensuring a global access to indigenous vaccine.
