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The domestically developed <keyword id="9485939" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="covaxin">Covaxin</keyword> is effective against the <keyword id="11441054" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="delta-plus-variant">Delta plus variant</keyword> of Covid-19, claims Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in its study released on Monday. Covaxin is developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with ICMR and National Institute of Pune. The study states: "The sera of individuals who were fully immunized (with 2 doses) didn't show significant fold-reduction in the NAb titer against Delta, Delta AY.1 and B.1.617.3." Delta Plus is a mutated form of the Delta variant and was first discovered in India. It is characterised by increased transmissibility and spike protein mutations. The study points that Delta variant with its characteristic spike protein mutations has mutated further into four sub-lineages with additional mutations which are associated with higher transmission and probable immune escape. Last week, Union Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh informed parliament last week that 70 cases of the Delta Plus variant were found by INSACOG, a group of 28 laboratories involved in genome sequencing. Covaxin along with other two vaccines -- Covishield and Russia's Sputnik -- has formed the trio for India's massive vaccination drive against the virus. The research further states, "A significant increase in the NAb titer against the B.1 variant in recovered cases with vaccination and breakthrough cases was observed compared to the Covid-19 native vaccines. Similarly, a significant increase in NAb titer was also observed among these two groups against Delta, Delta AY.1 and B.1.617.3 variants." "This demonstrates the possible role of memory cells in immune boosting with post-infection or infection after immunization. The comparative analysis of all the groups revealed that the B.1.617.3 variant seems to be less susceptible to neutralization followed by Delta AY.1 and Delta variants." The study on efficacy analysis further establishes Covaxin to be 93.4 percent effective against severe symptomatic Covid-19 cases and 63.6 percent protection against asymptomatic Covid-19. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/news/byjus-last-two-acquisitions-and-a-deal-with-disney-reveal-its-american-dream/articleshow/84783749.cms">Byju's last two acquisitions and a deal with Disney reveal its American dream ⁠— one that is anchored in India</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/personal-finance/news/six-red-flags-for-investors-to-avoid-becoming-a-victim-of-misselling-by-agents-or-financial-advisors/slidelist/84782913.cms">Six red flags for investors to avoid becoming a victim of misselling by agents or financial advisors</a>

India’s Covaxin effective against Delta Plus variant of COVID-19, reveals ICMR study

Neutralising antibody responses against the SARS-COV-2 virus and its variants of concern (VoC) are higher among <keyword id="9617748" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="covishield" source="Orion">Covishield</keyword> recipients than those who took the indigenously made <keyword id="9485939" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="covaxin" source="Orion">Covaxin</keyword>, according to a multi-centre study. The yet-to-be peer-reviewed study, posted on the preprint server MedRxiv on Friday, also found that when compared to the pre-vaccination baseline, both vaccines elicited statistically significant antibody levels in both seronegative individuals and seropositive or those who had recovered from COVID-19 infection. Between June 2021 and January 2022, the researchers enrolled 691 participants in the 18-45 age group across four sites in urban and rural Bengaluru and <keyword id="2094" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="pune" source="Orion">Pune</keyword>. Participants received either two doses of Covaxin at 28 days apart or two doses of Covishield at three months apart. The <keyword id="1609796" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="omicron" source="Orion">Omicron</keyword> wave in early 2022 overlapped with the second dose of vaccine in two sites and with both doses in one site. Participants were sampled at six timepoints for antibody analyses and at four timepoints for cellular analyses. When compared to pre-vaccination baseline, both vaccines elicited statistically significant antibody levels in both seronegative and seropositive individuals, the researchers found. Covishield elicited immune responses of higher magnitude and breadth than Covaxin in both seronegative individuals and seropositive individuals, across cohorts representing the pre-vaccination immune history of the majority of the vaccinated Indian population. Immunologist Vineeta Bal noted that in young adult population there is a difference in the response to COVID vaccines, if individuals are already infected with SARS-CoV-2 and recovered (seropositives) versus not infected. "In seronegatives, two doses of Covishield lead to higher magnitude of antibody levels in higher proportion of vaccine recipients as compared to Covaxin recipients," Bal, from <keyword id="101852" type="General" weightage="50" keywordseo="indian-institute-of-science-education-and-research" source="Orion">Indian Institute of Science Education and Research</keyword> (IISER), Pune and one of the study authors, told PTI. "In terms of waning of immune response with time also Covishield vaccinated individuals retain antibodies in their blood for longer period in larger proportion of individuals,” she said. The study does not directly look for or document protection from COVID-19 in the recipients. "Levels of neutralising antibodies as well as T cell responses, according to different investigators, are indirect indicators of protection,” Bal said. "The interim results so far show that Covishield vaccination induces robust neutralising antibodies against the original SARS-CoV2; Covaxin also does it but somewhat less efficiently,” she added. "Against later variants of the virus such as Delta and Omicron, especially Omicron, neutralising antibodies triggered by Covishield are not as effective, however, they appear marginally better than in Covaxin recipients," Bal added. Prior studies comparing Covishield and Covaxin were limited to addressing only antibody responses and in particular in the health care worker population who were immunised prior to the Delta wave. There is, however, limited data on cellular immune responses elicited by these vaccines and no direct head to-head comparisons or stratification by pre-vaccination serostatus. Vaccination following exposure to the Delta or Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2 is likely to affect the quality, quantity and duration of immune responses. For determining future COVID-19 vaccination policy when pan-coronavirus or sarbecovirus vaccines become available, it becomes important to take into account pre-vaccination immune history of the majority of the vaccinated Indian population. "Some unpublished work from other investigators in India seems to suggest that heterologous boosting i.e. Covaxin in Covishield recipients and vice versa works better than homologous boosting," Bal added.

Covishield immune responses against Covid variants higher than Covaxin: Study

<keyword id="149108" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="bharat-biotech" source="Orion">Bharat Biotech</keyword> on Wednesday said a study has demonstrated that a booster dose of <keyword id="9485939" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="covaxin" source="Orion">Covaxin</keyword> has a neutralising effect on the <keyword id="1609796" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="omicron" source="Orion">Omicron</keyword> and <keyword id="6383835" type="General" weightage="80" keywordseo="delta" source="Orion">Delta</keyword> variants of COVID-19. The study conducted at Emory University demonstrated that subjects who received a booster dose of Covaxin (BBV152) six months after getting a primary two-dose series have witnessed neutralising of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron and Delta variants, the vaccine major said in a statement. Earlier studies had demonstrated the neutralising potential of Covaxin against other SARS-CoV-2 variants -- Alpha, Beta, Delta, Zeta and Kappa, it added. Citing the study results, Bharat Biotech noted that more than 90 per cent of all individuals boosted with Covaxin showed neutralising antibodies. "As the dominant COVID-19 variant throughout the world, Omicron poses a serious public health concern. Data from this preliminary analysis show individuals receiving a booster dose of Covaxin have a significant immune response to both the Omicron and Delta variants. "These findings suggest that a booster dose has the potential to reduce disease severity and hospitalizations," Emory Vaccine Center Assistant Professor Mehul Suthar, who led the laboratory analysis, noted. Bharat Biotech Chairman and Managing Director <keyword id="238082" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="krishna-ella" source="Orion">Krishna Ella</keyword> said the vaccine major is in a continuous state of innovation and product development for Covaxin. "The positive neutralization responses against the Omicron and Delta variants, validates our hypothesis of a multi-epitope vaccine generating both humoral and cell mediated immune responses. "Our goals of developing a global vaccine against COVID-19 have been achieved with the use of Covaxin as a universal vaccine for adults and children," he added. The study conducted at Emory Vaccine Center in Atlanta was sponsored by Ocugen, Inc. Bharat Biotech provided the sera of the subjects from the Phase 2 study. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/tcs-vs-infosys-vs-wipro-how-indias-three-it-giants-stack-up-against-each-other/slidelist/88860676.cms">TCS vs Infosys vs Wipro Q3 results – here’s how India’s three IT giants stack up against each other</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/tata-motors-tcs-paytm-and-other-hot-stocks-on-january-13/slidelist/88866954.cms">Tata Motors, TCS, Paytm, and other hot stocks on January 13</a>

Study shows booster dose of Covaxin has neutralising effect on Omicron, Delta variants, says Bharat Biotech

Two doses of <keyword id="9485939" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Covaxin" source="Orion">Covaxin</keyword> are 50 per cent effective against symptomatic COVID-19, according to the first real-world assessment of India's indigenous coronavirus vaccine published in <keyword id="456544" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="The-Lancet" source="Orion">The Lancet</keyword> Infectious Diseases journal. The results of an interim study recently published in The Lancet showed that two doses of Covaxin, also known as BBV152, had 77.8 per cent efficacy against symptomatic disease and present no serious safety concerns. The latest study assessed 2,714 hospital workers at the <keyword id="6365231" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="All-India-Institute-of-Medical-Sciences" source="Orion">All India Institute of Medical Sciences</keyword> (AIIMS) in Delhi, from April 15 May 15, who were symptomatic and underwent RT-PCR test for COVID-19 detection. Researchers noted that the Delta variant was the dominant strain in India during the study period, accounting for approximately 80 per cent of all confirmed COVID-19 cases. Covaxin, developed by Hyderabad-based <keyword id="149108" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharat-Biotech" source="Orion">Bharat Biotech</keyword> in collaboration with the National Institute of Virology, Indian Council of Medical Research (NIV-ICMR), Pune, is an inactivated whole virus vaccine administered in a two-dose regimen, 28 days apart. In January this year, Covaxin was approved for emergency use in India for people aged 18 and above. The World Health Organization (WHO) added the vaccine to its list of approved emergency use COVID-19 vaccines earlier this month. The latest study was conducted during India's second COVID-19 surge and in healthcare workers who were primarily offered Covaxin. "Our study offers a more complete picture of how BBV152 (Covaxin) performs in the field and should be considered in the context of COVID-19 surge conditions in India, combined with the possible immune evasive potential of the Delta variant," said Manish Soneja, Additional Professor of Medicine at AIIMS New Delhi. "Our findings add to the growing body of evidence that rapid vaccine rollout programmes remain the most promising path to pandemic control while public health policies must continue to include additional protective measures, such as mask-wearing and social distancing," Soneja said in a statement. The COVID-19 vaccination centre at AIIMS New Delhi exclusively offered Covaxin beginning January 16 this year to all of its 23,000 employees. Researchers evaluated the effectiveness of the vaccine against symptomatic RT-PCR confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of the 2,714 employees in the study population, 1,617 people tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and 1,097 tested negative. Positive cases were matched to negative RT-PCR tests (controls). The odds of vaccination with Covaxin were compared between cases and controls and adjusted for occupational exposure to COVID-19, previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, and infection dates. The study found that the vaccine effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 after two doses of Covaxin with the second dose administered 14 or more days before undergoing RT-PCR testing was 50 per cent. The effectiveness of two vaccine doses remained stable over the seven-week follow-up period, the researchers said. The adjusted vaccine effectiveness of the first dose, estimated after seven and 21 days, was low, which is consistent with the performance of other preventives against the Delta variant, they said. "Findings from the study confirm previous research indicating that two doses of BBV152 are required to achieve maximum protection and that all vaccine roll-out plans must follow the recommended dosing schedule," said Parul Kodan, Assistant Professor of Medicine at AIIMS New Delhi. "More research is needed to better understand how these findings translate to BBV152's effectiveness against delta and other variants of concern, especially related to severe COVID-19 infection, hospitalisation, and deaths," Kodan said. The authors acknowledge that the vaccine <keyword id="12595121" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="effectiveness-of-Covaxin" source="Orion">effectiveness of Covaxin</keyword> estimated in this study is lower than the efficacy reported by the recently published phase 3 trial. They noted that several factors may be responsible for the lower vaccine effectiveness in the latest study. The researchers said this study population only included hospital employees who may have a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19 infection than the general population. The research was conducted during the peak of India's second wave of COVID-19 with high test positivity rates for both hospital employees and residents of Delhi, they said. Prevalence of circulating variants of concern, especially Delta, may have also contributed to the vaccine's lower effectiveness, according to the researchers. The authors acknowledge several limitations to their study. The study does not estimate the vaccine effectiveness against hospitalisation, severe disease, and death, which require further assessment, they noted. Also, the study was not designed to estimate vaccine effectiveness for different time intervals after vaccination or to determine if vaccine effectiveness changed over time, the researchers added. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/url-go-fashion-ipo-allotment-tomorrow-and-gmp-is-falling-every-day/articleshow/87876496.cms">Go Fashion IPO allotment tomorrow; GMP on a downward trend</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/stock-market/news/if-you-missed-tarson-products-ipo-allotment-heres-what-you-should-know/articleshow/87870822.cms">If you missed Tarson Products’ IPO allotment, here’s what you should know</a>

Covaxin shows 50% effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 in real-world assessment, says Lancet study

<keyword id="149108" type="PERSON" weightage="20" keywordseo="Bharat-Biotech">Bharat Biotech</keyword>'s <keyword id="9485939" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="covaxin">Covaxin</keyword> has demonstrated 77.8 per cent effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 and65.2 per cent protection against the new Delta variant. The company on Saturday said it concluded the final analysis of Covaxin efficacyfrom Phase3 trials. The efficacy analysis demonstrates Covaxin to be 93.4 per cent effective against severe symptomatic COVID-19 cases while safety analysis shows adverse events reported were similar to placebo, with 12 per cent of subjects experiencing commonly known side effects and less than 0.5 per cent feeling serious adverse events. The efficacy data demonstrates 63.6 per cent protection against asymptomatic COVID-19, a release from the city-based vaccine maker said. Phase 3 <keyword id="83911" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="Clinical-trials">clinical trials</keyword> of the vaccine was an event driven analysis of 130 symptomatic COVID-19 cases, reported at least two weeks after the second dose, conducted at 25 sites across <keyword id="3658" type="LOCATION" weightage="20" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>. The whole virion inactivated vaccine against SARS-CoV2, was developed inpartnership with Indian Council of Medical Research and National Institute ofVirology in Pune. Krishna Ella, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech, said, "The successful safety and efficacy readouts of Covaxin as a result of conducting the largest ever COVID Vaccines trials in India establishes the ability of India and developing world countries to focus towards innovation and novel product development. We are proud to state that Innovation from India will now be available to protect global populations." Director General of ICMR, Balram Bhargava said, "I am delighted to note that Covaxin developed by ICMR and BBIL under an effective public private partnership, has demonstrated an overall efficacy of 77.8 per cent in Indias largest COVID phase 3 clinical trial thus far. Our scientists at ICMR and BBIL have worked tirelessly to deliver a truly effective vaccine of highest international standards." He further said Covaxin will not only benefit the Indian citizens but would also immensely contribute to protect the global community against the deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus. "I am also pleased to see that Covaxin works well against all variant strains of SARS-CoV-2. The successful development of Covaxin has consolidated the position of Indian academia and Industry in the global arena," Bhargava said. The Phase 3 trials were conducted between November 16, 2020 and January 7, 2021 with 25,798 participants who were randomised to BBV152 or placebo groups. The preprint data of COVAXIN efficacy has not been certified by peer-review, according to Medrxiv in which thedata was published. SEE ALSO - <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/bharatpes-banking-licence-digits-funding-mswipes-new-ceo-and-more-mega-deals-and-launches-in-indias-fintech-space-/slidelist/84085401.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">BharatPe’s banking licence, Digit’s funding, Mswipe’s new CEO and more -- mega deals and launches in India’s fintech space</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/google-crypto-tokens-binances-regulatory-troubles-free-nfts-and-more/slidelist/84086617.cms" data-type="tilCustomLink">Google’s crypto tokens, Binance’s regulatory troubles, free NFTs and more — Here’s what happened in the world of crypto this past week</a>

Covaxin shows 77.8% effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 cases in phase-3 trials

<ul><li><keyword id="6366244" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="who" source="Orion">WHO</keyword> gives green signal to home-grown <keyword id="9485939" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="covaxin" source="Orion">Covaxin</keyword> for emergency use.</li><li>WHO’s advisory committee had sought more clarity on additional information from <keyword id="149108" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bharat-biotech" source="Orion">Bharat Biotech</keyword> to conduct the ‘risk benefit assessment’ for emergency use listing of the vaccine.</li><li>Bharat Biotech had submitted ‘Expression of Interest’ to WHO on April 19.</li></ul>The World Health Organisation’s (WHO) advisory technical group on Wednesday has given a green signal to Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech’s <keyword id="8904563" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-19-vaccine" source="Orion">COVID-19 vaccine</keyword> Covaxin for emergency use. <div type="twitter" handle="WHO" handlename="World Health Organization (WHO)" image="http://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/875476478988886016/_l61qZdR_normal.jpg" favoritecount="2945" retweetcount="1460" status="🆕 WHO has granted emergency use listing (EUL) to #COVAXIN® (developed by Bharat Biotech), adding to a growing portf… https://t.co/Yu2oVr6Hfr" createdat="1635941429000" id="1455869992965181441"></div> The WHO, in a tweet, said: "WHO has granted emergency use listing (EUL) to Covaxin, developed by Bharat Biotech, adding to a growing portfolio of vaccines validated by WHO for the prevention of Covid 19". The source said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had pushed for Covaxin approval at G20 meet with WHO Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus. Earlier, on October 26, WHO’s advisory committee had sought more clarity on additional information from Bharat Biotech to conduct the ‘risk benefit assessment’ for emergency use listing of the vaccine. Bharat Biotech had already submitted ‘Expression of Interest’ to WHO on April 19. The Technical Advisory Group for Emergency Use Listing (TAG-EUL) is an independent advisory group that guides and recommends WHO on whether COVID-19 vaccine can be listed under emergency use or not. “The TAG met today (26 October 2021) and decided that additional clarifications from the manufacturer are needed to conduct a final EUL risk-benefit assessment for global use of the vaccine," WHO had told PTI in an email interaction. "The TAG expects to receive these clarifications from the manufacturer by the end of this week, and aims to reconvene for the final risk-benefit assessment on Wednesday, 3 November," WHO had added at the time. Covaxin, which was co-developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech, in collaboration with the government's Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), was granted emergency authorisation in the country in January. It has demonstrated 77.8 per cent effectiveness against symptomatic Covid-19 and 65.2 per cent protection against the new Delta variant. Bharat Biotech said that it concluded the final analysis of Covaxin efficacy from Phase 3 trials. The global health body has so far approved Covid-19 vaccines of Pfizer-BioNTech, AstraZeneca-SK Bio/Serum Institute of India, Johnson 7 Johnson - Janssen, Moderna, and Sinopharm for emergency use against Covid-19. (With inputs from IANS and PTI) SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/startups/news/here-is-why-cleartax-clinched-a-deal-with-the-worlds-most-valued-fintech-company/articleshow/87509691.cms">Here is why Clear(Tax) clinched a deal with the world's most valued fintech company</a>

WHO approves Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for emergency use after a long wait

A study has revealed that the highly transmissible <keyword id="11941567" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="covid-delta" source="Orion">Covid Delta</keyword> variant can infect individuals who have been fully vaccinated against the virus. The study was conducted by the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium (INSACOG), <keyword id="174900" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Council-Of-Scientific-And-Industrial-Research" source="Orion">Council Of Scientific And Industrial Research</keyword> (CSIR) and the <keyword id="6367874" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-centre-for-disease-control" source="Orion">National Centre for Disease Control</keyword> in two Delhi hospitals. It has revealed that vaccination protects against hospitalisation and the severity of infection but there is also a possible risk of transmission in very vulnerable people. The researchers from INSACOG and CSIR analysed data on 113 breakthrough infections among healthworkers by constructing a probable transmission network from epidemiological and virus genomen sequence data using computational approach. The study has highlighted the need for infection control measures even amongst fully vaccinated people. It also revealed a high probability of potential virus transmission between individuals who has received both doses of vaccines. Meanwhile, the INSACOG in its last bulletin had said that <keyword id="6383835" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="delta" source="Orion">Delta</keyword> strain continues to be the main variant of concern (VOC) in India. "Delta (B.1.617.2 and AY.x) continues to be the main VOC in India. No new VOI or VOC are noted and other VOC and VOI other than Delta are now negligible in sequencing data from India," the INSACOG added. The Consortium also said that other variants of interest or concern are now negligible in sequencing data from India. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/covaxin-shows-50-effectiveness-against-symptomatic-covid-19-in-real-world-assessment-says-lancet-study/articleshow/87880492.cms">Covaxin shows 50% effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 in real-world assessment, says Lancet study</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/india/news/shimla-coimbatore-and-chandigarh-top-niti-aayogs-urban-india-index/slidelist/87884599.cms">Shimla, Coimbatore and Chandigarh top Niti Aayog's Urban India index — here is the full list</a>

COVID-19 Delta variant can infect fully vaccinated individuals too, reveals a new study

<ul><li>India’s Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) classified <keyword id="11445972" type="UNKNOWN" weightage="20" keywordseo="delta-plus">Delta Plus</keyword> variant, a mutant of novel <keyword id="1754604" type="COMPANY" weightage="20" keywordseo="coronavirus">Coronavirus</keyword>, as a ‘variant of concern’.</li><li>The health ministry has advised three states -- Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala to ramp up containment measures in the districts affected with the Delta Plus variant.</li><li>The new mutant variant has so far been detected in three other states as well -- Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.</li></ul>The Delta Plus variant of the Coronavirus has been detected in around 80 countries including India, US, UK, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, Nepal, Poland, China and Russia. India’s Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) classified Delta Plus variant, a mutant of novel Coronavirus, as a ‘variant of concern’. The health ministry has advised three states — Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala to ramp up containment measures in the districts affected with the Delta Plus variant. Maharashtra health minister Rajesh Tope said that the government is taking all necessary steps to curb the spread of the Delta Plus variant in the state. “For this, the government has decided to collect hundreds of samples from each district of the state for genome sequencing. The process of collecting samples from each district has already started," he told India Today TV. The new mutant variant has so far been detected in three other states as well — Punjab, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh. What is the Delta Plus variant? Viruses mutate in order to survive, SARS-CoV-2 (which causes COVID-19) has gone through several mutations, giving rise to several variants. The Delta variant was detected in India, initially. It is technically the next generation of SARS-COV-2. Where was Delta Plus variation first detected? The mutant of Delta was first detected in Europe in March this year, but was brought to public notice on June 13. What do we know so far about Delta Plus variation? There is no clear evidence, which indicates that the new variant is highly infectious, but it is seen as a rising concern in many regions. “There is no proof that the variant could be more transmissible than others,” Prof. Shahid Jameel — former Indian SARS-CoV-2 Consortium on Genomics or Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genetics Consortium (INSACOG) member and a premier virologist — told PTI. Are COVID-19 vaccines effective against the Delta Plus variant? Reports say it's too early to predict and there is no indication of the severity of the disease. Before coming to a conclusion, detailed study needs to be established if the variant showcases any significant level of immune escape. Two Delta Plus variant cases were registered in the UK even after 14 days of getting the second dose of vaccine. However, both Indian vaccines — Covishield and Covaxin — are effective against the Delta variant, says Rajesh Bhushan, Union Health Ministry Secretary. Does the Delta Plus variant cause more severe disease? Not many known symptoms have been found for Delta Plus variation. But for Delta variation these are the common symptoms -- <ul><li>Stomach pain</li><li>Nausea</li><li>Vomiting</li><li>Loss of appetite</li><li>Loss of hearing</li><li>Joint pain</li></ul>What are the odds of Delta Plus sparking the third wave of COVID-19? Well, there is no certainty and currently, due to low numbers, it is difficult to predict. SEE ALSO: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/cryptocurrency/news/investments-in-crypto-hit-17-billion-in-the-first-six-months-of-2021/articleshow/83740327.cms">Investments in crypto hit a new record of $17 billion, but Indian funds are yet to jump on the bandwagon</a> <a href="https://www.businessinsider.in/business/ecommerce/news/flipkart-and-amazon-may-not-be-able-to-do-flash-sales/articleshow/83737670.cms">Amazon, Flipkart and other e-commerce platforms may not be able to do flash sales any more, if Indian government has its way</a>

Delta Plus: All you need to know about the new Coronavirus variant

<keyword id="9485939" type="General" weightage="100" keywordseo="covaxin" source="Orion">Covaxin</keyword>, India's first indigenous vaccine for Covid-19, has been found to be 77.8 per cent effective, according to the safety and efficacy analysis data from Phase III clinical trials peer reviewed and published in reputed medical journal The Lancet. Hyderabad-based <keyword id="149108" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="bharat-biotech" source="Orion">Bharat Biotech</keyword> said the Lancet peer-review confirms the efficacy analysis which demonstrates Covaxin to be effective against Covid-19. The vaccine maker Covaxin is the only Covid-19 vaccine to have demonstrated efficacy data from phase III clinical trials against the Delta variant at 65.2 per cent. A"The efficacy analysis demonstrates Covaxin to be 77.8 per cent effective against symptomatic Covid-19, through evaluation of 130 confirmed cases, with 24 observed in the vaccine group versus 106 in the placebo group," the company said. The efficacy analysis also demonstrates Covaxin to be 93.4 per cent effective against severe symptomatic Covid-19 "Safety analysis demonstrates adverse events reported were similar to placebo, with 12 per cent of subjects experiencing commonly known side effects and less than 0.5 per cent of subjects experiencing serious adverse events," it said The efficacy data also shows 63.6 per cent protection against asymptomatic Covid-19, 65.2 per cent protection against the SARS-CoV-2, B.1.617.2 Delta and 70.8 per cent protection against all variants of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Covaxin was developed under a partnership with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the <keyword id="6375751" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="national-institute-of-virology" source="Orion">National Institute of Virology</keyword>, with Bharat Biotech receiving the SARS-COV-2 strains through this collaboration. Bharat Biotech had established an ongoing collaboration with ViroVax since 2019, through the Indo-US Vaccine Action Program, to develop and evaluate IMDG (Alhydroxiquim-II), a novel TLR7/8 agonist molecule, which is formulated as part of the adjuvant in Covaxin. The Adjuvant Program of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) has supported ViroVax since 2009. "The peer-review of Covaxin phase III clinical trial data in The Lancet, an authoritative voice in global medicine validates our commitment to data transparency and meeting the stringent peer-review standards of world leading medical journals," said Krishna Ella, CMD of Bharat Biotech. He said the data from their product development and clinical trials have been published in 10 peer-reviewed journals, making Covaxin one of the most highly published Covid-19 vaccines in the world. The phase 3 trial Efficacy and Safety Study involving 25,800 volunteers across 25 sites in India is India's largest ever clinical trial conducted for a Covid-19 vaccine. "I am delighted to see that the phase III efficacy data has also been published in The Lancet, one of the most reputed journals worldwide. This itself speaks high about the strong position of Covaxin amongst other global front-runners Covid-19 vaccines.A The bench to bedside journey of Covaxin in less than 10 months showcases the immense strength of Atmanirbhar Bharat along with the Indian academia and industry in fighting against the odds and carving a niche in the global community," said Balram Bhargava, Director General of the ICMR. Recently, the <keyword id="43588" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="world-health-organization" source="Orion">World Health Organization</keyword> granted emergency use listing to Covaxin enabling countries to expedite their regulatory approval to import and administer doses. It has also received emergency use authorizations in several countries with applications in process in more than 50 countries worldwide. Bharat Biotech has partnered with Ocugen to obtain approvals for Covaxin in the US and Canada. With more than 150 million doses manufactured, supplied, and with an excellent safety and efficacy profile, Covaxin is a major contributor to the global fight against the Covid-19 pandemic. The vaccine is currently being evaluated in controlled clinical trials in children 2-18 years of age, with results expected during Q4 2021. Bharat Biotech said it was poised to achieve its goal of an annualized capacity of Aabout 1 billion doses of Covaxin by the end of 2021. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/space/news/nasas-spacex-crew-3-successfully-arrives-at-the-international-space-station/slidelist/87660900.cms">All you need to know about NASA’s SpaceX Crew-3 space flight</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/environment/news/in-pics-the-tamil-nadu-floods-have-sent-1700-people-into-relief-camps/slidelist/87660150.cms">In pics: The Tamil Nadu floods have sent 1,700 people into relief camps</a>

India's Covaxin 77.8% effective for COVID-19, says Lancet Report

<ul class="summary-list"><li>The <keyword id="6383835" type="ORGANIZATION" weightage="60" keywordseo="delta">Delta</keyword> Plus <keyword id="396427" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="variant">variant</keyword>, found in dozens of countries, is the Delta variant with an extra mutation.</li><li>It's not yet clear whether Delta Plus is more transmissible than Delta.</li><li>The fact Delta remains dominant worldwide, however, is a sign Delta Plus won't overtake it soon.</li></ul>As the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cdc-fully-vaccinated-people-can-spread-delta-variant-2021-7">Delta coronavirus variant</a> tears across the globe, scientists are keeping a close eye on its relative: Delta Plus.The two variants are genetically similar, which is why they share the same Greek letter. But Delta Plus (also known as AY.1) has an extra mutation in the code for its spike protein, which helps the <keyword id="1754604" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="coronavirus">coronavirus</keyword> access our cells.<keyword id="3658" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="India">India</keyword>'s health ministry said last month that Delta Plus appeared to spread more easily than Delta and might be able to bind more easily to lung cells or resist antibody drugs. But an Indian genomics consortium suggested more recently that Delta's sublineages <a href="https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/70-delta-plus-variant-cases-found-across-16-states-ut-govt-tells-lok-sabha-101627641823857.html">probably weren't more transmissible</a> than Delta. As of July 23, India had recorded no more than 70 Delta Plus cases.The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the World Health Organization track Delta Plus as part of the Delta variant, meaning the cases aren't separated. But data from Scripps Research's <a href="https://outbreak.info/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Outbreak.info tracker</a> suggests just 430 Delta Plus cases have been detected worldwide.<keyword id="5565" type="COUNTRY" weightage="60" keywordseo="South-Korea">South Korea</keyword> on Tuesday announced it had recorded its first two cases of Delta Plus. The nation is recording its heaviest surge of infections yet, most likely driven by the original Delta strain."It doesn't terrify me any more, really, than Delta," Andrew Read, a Pennsylvania State University professor who studies the evolution of infectious diseases, said of Delta Plus.Though Delta Plus has made its way to at least 29 countries and 17 US states, Read noted that "the widespread geographic nature doesn't mean that it's one thing spreading widely.""It could be that it's several independent events that are spreading locally," he said.In the US, Delta Plus cases peaked in late June at less than 5% of the nation's sequenced cases, according to <a href="https://outbreak.info/about" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Outbreak.info</a>. Health experts say it's a sign Delta Plus isn't outcompeting other variants."If it started to rise in frequency against the Delta variant, that would tell you that it was perhaps on track to take over from Delta - but we're not really seeing that at the moment," Read said. "If it had a big advantage, we'd be seeing it rising in frequency pretty rapidly."<h2>Scientists don't know how well <keyword id="79555" type="TECHNOLOGY" weightage="60" keywordseo="Vaccines">vaccines</keyword> perform against Delta Plus</h2><div type="image" title="A pharmacy student giving another student a vaccine in Miami." height="2659" width="3989" msid="85056518" hostid="261"></div>For Delta Plus to be a serious concern, scientists would need evidence it's more transmissible than Delta, causes more severe disease, or resists protection from vaccines to a greater degree."I could imagine that, because the mutation is in the spike [protein], it might have some advantages in terms of immune evasion and some disadvantages in terms of binding to the ACE2 receptor," Read said. That receptor serves as the port of entry for the coronavirus.But Public Health England <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/delta-plus-variant-india-ay1-covid-coronavirus-experts-not-worried-2021-6">told Insider in June</a> that there was no evidence Delta Plus' extra mutation made the virus any more severe or reduced vaccine effectiveness relative to Delta.While Delta seems to have challenged how well vaccines prevent infection and transmission, recent CDC data indicates coronavirus shots still reduce the risk of getting COVID-19 eightfold, and the risk of hospitalization or death twenty-fivefold.A <a href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2108891?query=featured_home">study</a> in the New England Journal of Medicine found the <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/pfizer-vaccine-works-against-delta-covid-but-both-shots-needed-2021-7">two-dose Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine</a> reduced the risk of a symptomatic Delta infection by 88%. <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.07.08.21259776v1">Another study</a> that hasn't been peer reviewed found the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna mRNA vaccines reduced the risk of hospitalization by 91% for people who weren't immunocompromised.When it comes to Delta Plus, a <a href="https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.07.30.454511v1.full.pdf">study</a> from Indian researchers that's still awaiting peer review found that Covaxin - one of India's two main coronavirus vaccines - still neutralized the variant. Covaxin is similar to China's Sinovac shot.

The 'Delta Plus' variant has spread to nearly 30 countries, but low case numbers are a sign it won't overtake Delta

<ul class="summary-list"><li>Six fully vaccinated people who attended an outdoor wedding in Texas got COVID-19, a new study says.</li><li>All the breakthrough infections were in guests over 50.</li><li>There were two serious cases, including one death: an attendee who'd had India's Covaxin vaccine.</li></ul>Six fully vaccinated people who attended an outdoor wedding in Texas in April came down with COVID-19, a new study says - a small outbreak that underscores how effective US-authorized vaccines are against even variants of the virus.Though the vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna may not knock out every COVID-19 case, especially now that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/cdc-delta-variant-more-than-half-cases-us-2021-7">the more infectious Delta variant dominates</a> across the US, they are very good at preventing death from COVID-19.The <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.06.28.21258780v1.full#T1">preprint study from Baylor College of Medicine</a> found that only one person who'd gotten an Indian-made vaccine, Covaxin, died after attending the 92-person wedding near Houston.The wedding took place in a "large, open-air tent" before the Delta variant was circulating widely in the US. Guests were required to be fully vaccinated at the event, though that policy operated on the honor system.Read more: <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/inside-moderna-labs-covid-19-and-future-mrna-research-2021-7">We got an exclusive look inside Moderna's labs, where the biotech upstart is planning what comes after its blockbuster coronavirus vaccine</a>The study's authors said they suspect the Delta variant was introduced at the wedding by two people who had traveled from India and tested negative before their flight but developed symptoms in the US. All the COVID-19 patients said they'd had close encounters with those two people during the wedding, according to the study.<h2>2 men in their 60s had the most severe COVID-19 cases</h2><div type="image" title="An outdoor wedding space with white chairs and with flowers extending toward an altar." height="1400" width="2100" msid="84351689" hostid="261"></div>All six guests who contracted symptomatic COVID-19 after the wedding were over 50. Two had gotten the vaccine from Pfizer, two had gotten the vaccine from Moderna, and two had gotten an <a href="https://www.gavi.org/vaccineswork/indias-covaxin-vaccine-shows-high-efficacy-against-covid-19-infections-phase-3">Indian-made vaccine called Covaxin</a>, the study said. Their infections were confirmed with lab tests and viral sequencing for Delta, it said.Each experienced some common symptoms of COVID-19, including fever, cough, fatigue, and body aches, the study said. Those who'd gotten the Moderna and Covaxin vaccines also lost their sense of smell.One Covaxin recipient and one person who'd gotten Pfizer's vaccine came down with more severe infections, the study said. The latter was a man in his 60s with no known medical conditions that increase the odds of contracting COVID-19 - he was hospitalized and given Regeneron's monoclonal antibody treatment (the same one <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/what-is-human-fetal-tissue-research-why-is-it-done-2020-10">President Donald Trump received</a>) 10 days after the wedding. The Covaxin recipient, a man in his late 60s (also with <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/need-extra-precautions/people-with-medical-conditions.html">no COVID-19 comorbidities</a>), died from complications of COVID-19. The other people who contracted symptomatic COVID-19 after the wedding had preconditions including <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.06.28.21258780v1.full#T1">hypertension and diabetes or were classified as overweight</a>, the study said.<h2>Vaccines help prevent severe sickness</h2>Rochelle Walensky, the director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has said vaccinated people should still get a COVID-19 test if they experience symptoms like a runny nose, sore throat, or cough, <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/covid-19-delta-variant-symptoms-headache-runny-nose-sore-throat-2021-6">which can be indicative of a mild Delta infection</a> among fully vaccinated people."What I would say is if you have those upper-respiratory symptoms and you've been vaccinated, you should absolutely get a COVID-19 test," Walensky said during a <a href="https://whitehouse.us19.list-manage.com/track/click?u=c97630621baff8c44fe607661&amp;id=dfe652570a&amp;e=952ab3d4672ab3d467">White House COVID-19 briefing</a> last week.But she also stressed that preliminary data from the past few months suggested that <a href="https://www.businessinsider.com/us-coronavirus-deaths-nearly-all-among-unvaccinated-cdc-head-2021-7">99.5% of coronavirus deaths in the US</a> were occurring in unvaccinated people."Those deaths were preventable with a simple, safe shot," she said.During the briefing, Dr. Anthony <keyword id="3540587" type="PERSON" weightage="60" keywordseo="fauci">Fauci</keyword>, President Joe Biden's chief medical advisor, pointed to real-world data from Scotland and England suggesting that the vaccines authorized in the US are highly effective at preventing the most disastrous cases from this variant."Please get vaccinated," Fauci said. "It will protect you against the surging of the Delta variant."Correction: An earlier version of this story misstated who got the monoclonal antibody treatment. It was a person who'd gotten Pfizer's vaccine, not Covaxin.

6 fully vaccinated people who attended an outdoor wedding caught the Delta variant, but people with Pfizer and Moderna shots survived, study says

Experts of the <keyword id="6364396" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="ICMR" source="Orion">ICMR</keyword>'s National Task Force on COVID-19 for the fourth time have unanimously rejected the inclusion of <keyword id="9385138" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="anti-viral-drug" source="Orion">anti-viral drug</keyword> <keyword id="10880838" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="Molnupiravir" source="Orion">Molnupiravir</keyword> in the coronavirus treatment guidelines saying its "known and unknown harms far outweigh its claimed benefit". Responding to a question over Molnupiravir's inclusion in the treatment guidelines amid doctors prescribing it, ICMR Director General Dr Balram Bhargava said experts have had extensive debate and discussions and reviewed the data available from three trials on the drug on Monday. "We had extensive deliberation and the final conclusion was that Molnupiravir has certain risks that warrant caution in its use. Experts present in the meeting opined that there is a rampant and irrational use of Molnupiravir. Efforts should be made to restrict its use as known and unknown harms far outweigh its claimed benefit," he said on Wednesday. "The currently available synthesised evidence was reviewed and the members unanimously agreed that it does not merit the inclusion of Molnupuravir in the national treatment guidelines for COVID-19," Bhargava said. The emerging evidence will constantly be reviewed, he added. "And lastly it was further highlighted the current clinical window of application appears extremely narrow for Molnupiravir with relevance only to the following --elderly, unvaccinated, with other comorbidities. "There was no evidence of benefit in diabetes and those who were previously infected with COVID-19 or were vaccinated," he said. India's drug regulator on December 28 had approved the anti-Covid pill for restricted use in emergency situations. Molnupiravir is an antiviral that inhibits SARS-CoV-2 replication by viral mutagenesis, the health ministry earlier had said in a statement. The UK MHRA on December 4 granted approval for Molnupiravir under special condition for treatment of mild to moderate COVID-19 in adults with a positive SARS-COV-2 diagnostic test and who have at least one risk factor for developing severe illness. The USFDA on December 23 granted Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) for Molnupiravir for treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalisation or death, and for whom alternative <keyword id="8918466" type="General" weightage="20" keywordseo="COVID-19-treatment" source="Orion">COVID-19 treatment</keyword> options authorised by the FDA are not accessible or clinically appropriate. SEE ALSO: <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/study-shows-booster-dose-of-covaxin-has-neutralising-effect-on-omicron-delta-variants-says-bharat-biotech/articleshow/88867266.cms">Study shows booster dose of Covaxin has neutralising effect on Omicron, Delta variants, says Bharat Biotech</a> <a target="_blank" class="c-link c-message_attachment__title_link" href="https://www.businessinsider.in/tech/enterprise/news/tcs-vs-infosys-vs-wipro-how-indias-three-it-giants-stack-up-against-each-other/slidelist/88860676.cms">TCS vs Infosys vs Wipro Q3 results – here’s how India’s three IT giants stack up against each other</a>

You Searched For "covaxin against delta" and got 12 results

India’s Covaxin effective against Delta Plus variant of COVID-19, reveals ICMR study

IANS

Covishield immune responses against Covid variants higher than Covaxin: Study

PTI

Study shows booster dose of Covaxin has neutralising effect on Omicron, Delta variants, says Bharat Biotech

PTI

Covaxin shows 50% effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 in real-world assessment, says Lancet study

PTI

Covaxin shows 77.8% effectiveness against symptomatic COVID-19 cases in phase-3 trials

PTI

WHO approves Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for emergency use after a long wait

Vaamanaa Sethi

COVID-19 Delta variant can infect fully vaccinated individuals too, reveals a new study

IANS

Delta Plus: All you need to know about the new Coronavirus variant

Vaamanaa Sethi

India's Covaxin 77.8% effective for COVID-19, says Lancet Report

IANS

The 'Delta Plus' variant has spread to nearly 30 countries, but low case numbers are a sign it won't overtake Delta

Aria Bendix

6 fully vaccinated people who attended an outdoor wedding caught the Delta variant, but people with Pfizer and Moderna shots survived, study says

Hilary Brueck

ICMR experts reject inclusion of Molnupiravir in COVID-19 treatment guidelines for fourth time citing safety concerns

PTI

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