A booster dose of COVAXIN, the India-made, virus-inactivated COVID-19 vaccine,  generated robust neutralizing antibody responses against both Omicron and Delta using a live virus neutralization assay, claimed Bharat Biotech. Announcing the results from a serum sample study conducted at Emory Vaccine Center, Atlanta, the Hyderabad-based vaccine developer and maker said that 100 percent of test samples showed neutralization of the Delta variant and it was more than 90 percent in case of Omicron variant. 

According to Bharat Biotech, these data add to the body of evidence that the broad-spectrum mechanism of action of a whole virus inactivated COVID-19 vaccine, like COVAXIN, is a viable option in this continuously evolving pandemic. COVAXIN, which is the only vaccine recommended in India for a booster shot, is being administered to the most vulnerable population, including healthcare and frontline workers and people aged sixty and above with comorbidities. India’s booster vaccine drive was started from Jan 10 onwards in the wake of the newly emerged threat of the Omicron-driven third wave of the pandemic in the country. This booster shot or third dose of the vaccine is given to people who have completed the full two dose course of the inoculation, six months after the second dose.

“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. These findings would help us achieve our goals of developing a global vaccine against COVID-19 with the use of COVAXIN as a universal vaccine for adults and children, ” said Bharat Biotech chairman Dr Krishna Ella.