100+ Confirmed: 2–99 Confirmed:1 Confirmed
India’s coronavirus Covaxin (BBV152) COVID vaccination is showing 78% effectiveness in Phase III Trials. It works similarly to the inactivated polio vaccine, by deactivating the coronavirus’ spike-binding capability. And then it uses the neutralized virus to train the human immune system to make antibodies. Breaking news declares India’s Covaxin effective against the B.1.617 Indian double mutant strain too.
Unpacking the B.1.617 Indian Double Mutant Strain
Scientists regard the B.1.617 variant of ‘particular importance’, because it is 40% to 80% more infectious than the ‘wild strain’. This was the original version they first detected in United Kingdom in September 2020, and it spread rapidly.
Its ‘secret weapon’ appears to alterations to the spike protein it uses to invade the human body. Hence, deactivating the coronavirus’ spike-binding capability makes a deal of sense.
The B.1.617 variant is particularly active in Maharashtra, and Delhi India where epidemiologists believe it is behind the deadly surge. Furthermore, Maharashtra is the second-most populous state in India, as well as the second-most populous country subdivision in the world. That’s because it has an average population density of 950 per square mile, compared to 624 in Maryland, USA.
Fauci Confirms India’s Covaxin Effective Against 617 Double Mutant
The White House Chief Medical Adviser spoke at a press conference on April 27, 2021. He confirmed India’s Covaxin effective against the B.1.617 double mutant strain, although data was still rolling in.
‘So despite the real difficulty that we’re seeing in India,’ he said. ‘Vaccination could be a very, very important antidote against this.’
‘So I’ll stop there with the final statement,’ he concluded. ‘The one thing you can gather from everything I’ve said. That it’s very important to get vaccinated.’ Could India’s coronavirus Covaxin vaccine be another brick in the wall to stop the pandemic, do you think?
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Preview Image: B.1.617 Spread by Country
