Bharat Biotech says Covaxin effective against all variants

It says late-stage trial showed vaccine was 93.4% effective against severe symptomatic virus. Data also demonstrated 65.2% protection against Delta variant, first identified in India

NEW DElHI

Indian company Bharat Biotech says its late-stage testing of a COVID-19 vaccine has shown an overall efficacy of 77.8% and effectiveness against all variants.

It says the late-stage trial showed the vaccine was 93.4% effective against severe symptomatic COVID-19. The data also demonstrated 65.2% protection against the delta variant, first identified in India.

The company in a statement says it is now in discussions with the World Health organization to obtain an emergency use listing for its vaccine, marketed as COVAXIN.

The results set at rest questions raised by health experts over Bharat Biotech’s vaccine when it was given emergency use authorization by the Indian government in January.

They felt that the company didn’t have enough clinical trials, making it almost impossible for the firm to have analyzed and submitted data showing that its shots are effective in preventing illness from the coronavirus.

The company says the vaccine has already received emergency use authorizations in 16 countries including India, the Philippines, Iran, and Mexico. Millions of Indians also have been inoculated with the same vaccine.