The Indian Council of Medical Research recently announced that COVAXIN neutralises the Double Mutant Strain of COVID-19.
Key Highlights
The National Institute of Virology recently demonstrated the neutralisation potential of COVAXIN against the Brazil variant and UK variant. The B.1.617 is a recently spreading double mutant variant of COVID-19. It carries the mutations of E484Q and also the mutations of L452R.
Also, the scientists at the National Institute of Virology have isolated and cultured all the variants of COVID-19. This includes the Brazil variant (B.1.1.28.2), UK Variant (B.1.1.7) and the South African Variant (B.1.351).
Significance
With the accelerated Phase 3 vaccination to start on May 1, 2021, it is essential to know if the vaccine is efficient against the mutants that are spreading rapidly.
Current Scenario
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The Government of India has accelerated the Phase 3 vaccination in the country. This has been done to increase the pace of vaccination drive in the country. This is to be done by permitting state governments to buy vaccines from the manufacturers directly. Incentives are to be provided to the COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers to increase vaccine production.
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More than 29 lakh vaccine doses are being administered in the country per day.
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However, the COVID-19 cases in India have been increasing widely. This has led to shortage of medical oxygen in the country. To handle the shortage, India is importing 50,000 tonnes of medical oxygen. Also, India has planned to establish 162 oxygen plants with the help of PM CARES fund.
COVAXIN
The COVAXIN Vaccine is produced by Bharat Biotech placed in Hyderabad along with Indian Council of Medical Research. The COVAXIN vaccine was chosen among all the other vaccines as it is highly suitable for the Indian climate. This is because COVAXIN can be stored at a temperature of two to eight degrees Celsius.