As per Emory University study, covaxin booster successfully neutralizes Omicron and Delta variants

A booster dose of the Covid-19 vaccine, which was developed in the United States. A study conducted at Emory University indicated that covaxin, given six months after receiving two doses of the vaccine, was effective in neutralizing both the Omicron and Delta versions of SARS-CoV-2.

According to Bharat Biotech, the booster dose demonstrated robust neutralizing antibody responses against both Omicron (B.1.529) and Delta viruses in research using a live virus neutralization assay (B.1.617.2).

"100% of test serum samples showed neutralization of the Delta variant and more than 90% of serum samples showed neutralization of the Omicron variant,"

These findings contribute to the growing body of evidence that a whole virus-inactivated Covid-19 vaccine-like Covaxin with a broad-spectrum mechanism of action is a feasible alternative in this pandemic's ever-changing landscape.

As per Bharat Biotech, the neutralization activity of Covaxin-boosted sera against the Omicron variant was comparable to that of mRNA vaccine-boosted sera, with more than 90% of all subjects boosted with Covaxin expressing neutralizing antibodies.

"As the dominant Covid-19 variant throughout the world, Omicron poses a serious public health concern," said Mehul Suthar, assistant professor, Emory Vaccine Center, who led the laboratory analysis.

Suthar said, "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."

The paper will be published on medRXiv, a pre-print site, in the near future.

Dr. Krishna Ella, chairman and managing director of Bharat Biotech, said the company is always innovating and developing new products for Covaxin.

He added, "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."