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Covaxin, the indigenously developed Covid-19 vaccine, developed by the ICMR and Bharat Biotech International, is being tested at 12 institutes across India.

The Hyderabad-based firm said the data from the study on primates substantiate the immunogenicity of the vaccine candidate.

“Bharat Biotech proudly announces the animal study results of COVAXIN – These results demonstrate the protective efficacy in a live viral challenge model,” Bharat Biotech tweeted September 11.

Bharat Biotech proudly announces the animal study results of COVAXIN™ – These results demonstrate the protective efficacy in a live viral challenge model.

Read more about the results here – https://t.co/f81JUSfWpD@icmr_niv #BharatBiotech #COVAXIN #Safety #Vaccine #SARSCoV2 pic.twitter.com/fva1SOcLOr

— Bharat Biotech (@BharatBiotech) September 11, 2020

Bharat Biotech has said in a release that it developed and assessed the protective efficacy and immunogenicity of an inactivated Sar-CoV-2 vaccine (BBV152) or Covaxin in rhesus macaques. Twenty macaques were divided into four groups of five animals each, it said.

One group was administered with placebo, while three groups were immunized with 3 different vaccine candidates at 0 and 14 days. All the macaques were exposed to viral challenge 14 days after the 2nd dose.

BBIL’s #Covaxin(BBV152) found protective in Macaques: A two-dose vaccination regimen using 3µg dose of the vaccine with adjuvant B induce a significant immune response and provide effective protection in macaques challenged with #SARSCoV2 https://t.co/FgSnD2eCmA pic.twitter.com/hQHh2klAnX

— Vipin M. Vashishtha (@vipintukur) September 11, 2020

The results showed protective efficacy, increasing coronavirus specific IgG and neutralizing antibodies, reducing replication of the virus in the nasal cavity, throat, and lung tissues of monkey.

No evidence of pneumonia was observed by histopathological examination in vaccinated groups, unlike the placebo group.

Remarkable immunogenicity and protective efficacy of BBV152, an inactivated SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in rhesus macaques https://t.co/b82dA6QlcW ICMR-NIV made very good effort to demonstrate potential immunogenicity in non-human✌️ Primate with BBV152. ! @ICMRDELHI @drharshvardhan

— Dinesh kumar (@Dineshk38263974) September 11, 2020

Adverse events were not seen in animals immunized with a two-dose vaccination regimen.

The vaccine candidate was found to generate robust immune responses. Thus, preventing infection and disease in the primates upon high amounts of exposure to live coronavirus.

Covaxin is one of the frontrunners in the race for a covid-19 vaccine in India. It is an “inactivated” vaccine – it works by injecting doses of the virus that have been killed aiming to prompt the body to build antibodies against it without the virus a posing a threat.

Each stage of a vaccine’s clinical trial tests its safety and ability to develop an effective immune response. Phase 1 focuses on determining safety and dosage in a small group of healthy participants, while Phase 2 looks at the vaccine’s effectiveness. Phase 3 looks into these aspects in a much larger population that would represent a wider demographic.

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There will be a National Policy on Vaccinations, a multi-sectoral national framework for combating communicable diseases and reducing their risks to individuals and society. This was approved by the UAE Cabinet, chaired by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai.

The Policy will act as a coordination framework for all parties involved in the immunisation field, in order to support the health system in the country and enhance the efficiency of services provided.

It also aims to bring together the non-governmental sector and community members to support the UAE in promoting a healthy lifestyle to prevent communicable diseases. Ensuring the delivery of the best quality of vaccination services and preventive care nationwide is also its priority.

Some of the most important objectives of the National Policy are to make vaccines widely available, ensure their sustainability and quality, raise awareness on their importance, and support innovation and research in the field. It also includes policies to safeguard public health during health emergencies and disease outbreaks.

The Policy also aims to enhance the country’s position as a regional and international healthcare hub, in the light of it developing a comprehensive and sustainable health system, and ensuring the provision of the best quality immunisation services in compliance with international safety practices.

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This was announced at a media briefing by Amna Al Dahak Al Shamsi,official spokesperson of the UAE Government;Dr Saif Dhaheri, the Spokesperson of the National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority (NCEMA);and Dr. Farida Al Hosani, official spokesperson for the UAE health sector, while providing an update on the measures taken to reduce the pandemic impact.

702 recoveries, two deaths

Al Shamsi said that more than 44,291 additional Covid-19 tests were conducted among UAE citizens and residents, resulting in the detection of 450 new cases and taking the total number of infections in the country to 46,133.702 have fully recovered, bringing the total number of recoveries to over 34,405. She said that of the 11,421 patients being treated, most are in stable condition.Two deaths as a result of Covid-19 complications were reported,taking the total number of fatalities in the country to 307.

Vaccine trials

Al Hosani said that the UAE health sector has started phase III of the clinical trials of a Covid-19 vaccine,as part of global collaborative efforts to curb the virus.”Medical research in the UAE focuses on three pillars:studies of pandemics, diagnostic studies and clinical trials, which include developing vaccines,” she said.She also said that the participation in the First Phase III Clinical Trial of Inactivated COVID-19 vaccine comes in through cooperation between the Chinese Sinopharm China National Biotec Group (CNBG) and Group 42 (G42). G42 will lead the clinical trial operations in the UAE.

“Clinical trials are led by the Department of Health to accelerate the process of developing an effective and safe Covid-19 vaccine. We hope to make it available by end of 2020 or earlier 2021.The vaccine succeeded in passing the first and second stages of the clinical trials without causing any harmful effects,”she said,adding that the percentage of volunteers who managed to generate antibodies two days after taking the vaccine reached 100%.Al Hosani pointed out that people with chronic diseases, include heart diseases, hypertension and respiratory illnesses face an increased risk of developing complications.”The higher risk groups also include people who smoke, are obese or have a weak immune system.”

Sterilisation complete

Al Dhaheri announced the completion of the National Disinfection Programme nationwide and the sterilisation of all utilities,including public transport. He added that sterilisation of public and private establishments will continue.”Children below 12 are now allowed to enter commercial centers and restaurants across emirates,”he said.

However,public gatherings will remain prohibited,and he advised the public to avoid family visits. He noted that it is compulsory to follow the three-passenger limit per vehicle unless the occupants are from the same family.Al Dhaheri warned that legal action will be taken against any violators of preventive measures.

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