Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin Shows 77.8 Percent Efficacy In Phase 3 Trial

The Covaxin Phase 3 trial has shown a result of 77.8 percent efficacy according to new reports. Covaxin is one of the three COVID vaccines currently approved and used in India.

According to an ANI report, the trials for Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin were conducted on approximately 25.800 subjects. After the trial results were sent to the Subject Expert Committee of Indian drug regulators, the results stated an efficacy rate of 77.8 percent.

Covaxin was developed by Bharat Biotech during the COVID-19 pandemic. The vaccine was developed by the Hyderabad-based institute in association with the Indian Council of Medical Research (IMCR).

Regarding Covaxin, the first efficacy analysis had shown a result that stated vaccine efficacy of nearly 81 percent. After another round of analysis, the second interim results showed about 78 percent efficacy.

Earlier it was also reported that the third analysis showed 78 percent efficacy. However, after peer reviews and medical publications, the efficacy rate was finalised to be 77.8 percent.

India has been conducting vaccination for all citizens above 18 years since May 1. The rising cases of infections in the surge of the second wave have also urged the country to increase vaccine production. Besides Covaxin, AstraZeneca’s vaccine Covishield and the Russian developed Sputnik V are also administered in India as of now.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also recently stated that vaccines will be distributed free of cost to all citizens above the age of 18 from June 21 onwards. The Prime Minister also announced that the Centre will help out by giving COVID-19 vaccines free of cost to the state governments.

However, children below 18 years, as well as pregnant women, have not been permitted for vaccination in the country till now. This has raised a number of questions as the number of infected pregnant women has risen over the months. Doctors in the country have also urged the government to start vaccinating pregnant women on a priority basis.