Covaxin Closer To WHO Approval? Covid-19 Vaccine Trial Data 'Looks Good', Says Chief Scientist

The home-grown vaccine maker claimed an overall efficacy of 77.8 per cent against symptomatic Covid-19 patients.

FILE PIC/AFP

New Delhi: The much-awaited approval for indigenous jab Covaxin developed by Hyderabad-based manufacturer Bharat Biotech from World Health Organisation seems to be closer as the final phase trial data of the vaccine is under study.

According to chief scientist at WHO Soumya Swaminathan, who spoke to the channel CNBC TV-18 has indicated that the final phase trial data for Covaxin “looks good” and meets the safety profile of the international public health agency so far.

The pre-submission meeting between Bharat Biotech and WHO was held on June 23, Swaminathan informed the channel saying that the data packet is currently being assembled. Even as the Covaxin's efficacy against the Delta variant of Covid-19 is a bit low, it is still not bad, and the overall efficacy is "quite high," noted the WHO scientist.

The home-grown vaccine maker shared the findings of its vaccine with public from its Phase-3 efficacy analysis of Covaxin last week claiming an overall efficacy of 77.8 per cent against symptomatic Covid-19 patients. While the pre-print data from "India's largest efficacy trial" demonstrated 93.4 per cent effectiveness against severe symptomatic Covid-19 cases from the jab. The vaccine provides 65.2 per cent protection against the B.1.617.2 (Delta) strain, which is the most predominant Covid-19 variant in India, the company said.

The World Health Organization closely monitors all the vaccines that are looking for emergency listing, said Swaminathan adding that the agency will analyse more data before giving its final verdict.

While stressing on vaccination to tackle the Covid-19 situation, the WHO chief scientist said the government should focus on primary immunisation of at least 60-70 per cent of the population. She insisted on broadening the scope of primary vaccination rather than focusing on booster shots. It is only after a sizeable population has been vaccinated that India can move to booster doses taking inspiration from countries like the United Kingdom, which are focused on booster dose now.

Most of the world, except some districts in the United States, has recently seen a spurt in Covid-19 cases while there has been no reduction in the death toll, Swaminathan noted.