India's COVID-19 Vaccine Confronts Multiple Virus Mutations

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) announced interim results of the ongoing Covaxin vaccine clinical trials, indicating that the indigenous Covid-19 vaccine would be effective against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus strains from the United Kingdom.

The beta coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is mutating, and that's to be expected, stated the U.S. CDC on December 22, 2020.

Addressing an international webinar on February 18, 2021, Dr. Balram Bhargava, Director General of ICMR, said a paper on 'Covaxin's neutralization potential against the UK strain had been accepted for publication,' reported The Hindustan Times. And, efforts to isolate the mutated virus strains from South Africa and Brazil were underway.'

Furthermore, media reports indicate 240 new strains of the coronavirus have surfaced across India, Dr. Shahshank Joshi, a member of Maharashtra's Covid Task Force, told NDTV on February 21st.

India's Drugs Controller General on Restricted Emergency announced the approval of the Bharat Biotech's emergency use produced Covaxin vaccine on January 3, 2021.