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Very important study with implications 4 India
1. Novavax Vaccine (being manufactured by COVOVAX by Serum Institute) has 89% efficacy in UK trial ( normal and UK Variant ) n 60% efficacy in South Africa (where new escape mutant B.1.351 seen affects mRNA Vaccines as well) https://twitter.com/hildabast/status/1354904243807772672
1. Novavax Vaccine (being manufactured by COVOVAX by Serum Institute) has 89% efficacy in UK trial ( normal and UK Variant ) n 60% efficacy in South Africa (where new escape mutant B.1.351 seen affects mRNA Vaccines as well) https://twitter.com/hildabast/status/1354904243807772672
Implications :
It becomes most effective Vaccine with solid phase 3 data available in India At the moment.
Better than Covishield (60% efficacy in Standard dose as used in India ) and Covaxin (good ph2 results, efficacy unknown at moment).
It becomes most effective Vaccine with solid phase 3 data available in India At the moment.
Better than Covishield (60% efficacy in Standard dose as used in India ) and Covaxin (good ph2 results, efficacy unknown at moment).
Serum plans to Stockpile from April https://m.economictimes.com/industry/healthcare/biotech/pharmaceuticals/indias-serum-institute-to-stockpile-novavax-vaccine-candidate-from-around-april/articleshow/80267144.cms
Worrying Trends -
1. While efficacy against UK Variant is good (Covaxin showed good neutralisation, Covishield Unknown ),the efficacy against dangerous South African Variant falls by 1/3rd. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/coronavirus-covaxin-effective-against-the-uk-variant-says-study/article33676346.ece
1. While efficacy against UK Variant is good (Covaxin showed good neutralisation, Covishield Unknown ),the efficacy against dangerous South African Variant falls by 1/3rd. https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/health/coronavirus-covaxin-effective-against-the-uk-variant-says-study/article33676346.ece
2. Baseline Antibody + (natural Infection) didn't seem to prevent against South African Variant by much.(2% Infection in Baseline + and placebo) https://twitter.com/kakape/status/1354922533997473798?s=20
This is going to have implications for India.
A) Covishield, Covaxin (current candidates ) must do immunogenicity studies (neutralisation studies )in against South African Variant in India as soon as possible.)
A) Covishield, Covaxin (current candidates ) must do immunogenicity studies (neutralisation studies )in against South African Variant in India as soon as possible.)
Unfortunately, Bridging trial of Novovax (CovoVax in India )in India is being delayed endlessly by repeated meeting of subject Expert Committee (will take 1-2 months to enroll+ finish)
13th Jan /18th Jan meetings of Subject Expert Committee
13th Jan /18th Jan meetings of Subject Expert Committee
IMO , this Vaccine should be expedited as soon as possible in Indian Vaccine armamentarium as it can be transported in a normal freeze(hence easy distribution like Covishield/Covaxin) , manufacturing ability in India,solid phase 3 data with protocol available.
