The latest vaccine to be joining the list of indigenous candidates, Biological E’s covid-19 jab, is likely to hold 90 per cent efficacy rate in protecting from the severity of the deadly virus along with potential to be a “gamechanger” in the battle against the pandemic, according to a top doctor of the Indian Govt’s advisory board.
The vaccine is going into its 3rd phase of clinical trials and is expected to be available for administration by October this year, said the chairman of the Centre’s Covid Working Group, NK Arora.
Named “Corbevax”, this vaccine shares similarities with Novavax, which is deemed to be over 90 per cent effective in fighting covid’s mutant strains as well, as per its manufacturer. Serum Insititute of India, which also produces Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covishield, will be producing Novavax in India.
The chairperson of the panel told NDTV, “Novavax (of Serum Institute) is very exciting. In the past week it has created a rage because India is going to manufacture almost a billion doses a year. It is going to be simple and cheaper with a 90 per cent vaccine effectiveness.”
ALSO READ: PETA urges DCGI to replace calf serum method for vaccine production
“A very similar Indian vaccine is also under phase 3 trial, which is the Bio E vaccine. These vaccines are exciting because we have previous experience on a similar platform. They are safe across the age groups and have very high effectiveness,” he added.
While many citizens are questioning the expensive price point of the vaccines available in India currently, Biological E’s Corbevax is going to be different in this aspect with prices as low as Rs. 250 for 2 doses.
Dr. Arora, who heads the department that advises the government on issues connected with vaccines, National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), said, “Bio E will be out likely in October with an efficacy matching Novavax’s. In other words, 90 per cent. They are moving to stage 3 trials soon.”
He mentioned other vaccine candidates as well, including Zydus-Cadila’s product and the one to be manufactured by Gennova Biopharmaceuticals. The latter will be a messenger RNA-based covid vaccine whose production will be spear-headed by the Pune company.
“The Indian mRNA vaccine is in phase 2. We will have it by September. It is more compatible with the Indian setting in storage, transport and shelf life,” the doctor said referring to Gennova’s vaccine. He highlighted that he believes there is a high possibility of the world getting dependent on India ta the end for their vaccine requirements.
Praising the work and products being manufactured by Pune-based SII and Cadilla Pharma, which is based out of Ahmedabad, Dr Arora shared his excitement as he said these products could turn the game in our favour.
“This may sound presumptuous. Ultimately the world will be dependent on us for vaccines. It is very premature, very presumptuous,” he said while adding, “I’m aware that everybody is looking forward to India. Because most of the poor countries and low-income countries have no source. Today it is easier to buy weapons than to buy vaccines.”
Coronavirus swept India into its second wave storm, leaving the nation breathless as many patients died due to shortage of oxygen and essential resources. While earlier India “gifted” thousands of vaccines to other countries, it witnessed itself on the receiving end of help from countries like the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia and others, later.