Covaxin Booster Dose Shown To Neutralize Omicron, Delta Covid Variants: Bharat Biotech

Bharat Biotech said 100 percent of test serum samples showed neutralization of the Delta variant and more than 90 percent of serum samples showed neutralization of the Omicron variant.

(File Photo/ Getty)

New Delhi: The booster dose of COVAXIN® (BBV152) generated robust neutralizing antibody responses against both Omicron and Delta variants of SARS-CoV-2, Bharat Biotech on Wednesday said.

Bharat Biotech said 100 percent of test serum samples showed neutralization of the Delta variant and more than 90 percent of serum samples showed neutralization of the Omicron variant.

“These data add to the body of evidence that the broad-spectrum mechanism of action of a whole virus inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, like COVAXIN, is a viable option in this continuously evolving pandemic,” the Covaxin maker added in an announcement on Twitter.

Earlier in the day, the Union Health Ministry informed that the country’s cumulative COVID-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 153.80 crore with the administration of over 85,26,240 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours.

The Health Ministry said this has been achieved through 1,64,73,522 sessions.

The Health Ministry also informed that 60,405 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic is now at 3,46,30,536.

“Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 96.01%,” the ministry added.

The Health Ministry said that total of 1,94,000 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.

“India’s active caseload is presently at 9,55,319. Active cases constitute 2.65% of the country’s total positive cases,” the ministry added.

Stating while testing capacity has been enhanced across the country, the Health Ministry said: “Weekly Positivity Rate in the country currently stands at 9.82% and the Daily Positivity rate also reported to be 11.05%.”