Covaxin’s developer Bharat Biotech issues statement after Anil Vij tests positive for COVID-19

Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij, who was administered the trial dose of COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin, announced on Saturday that he had tested positive for COVID-19. Covaxin is an indigenous coronavirus vaccine developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the company said Covaxin’s clinical trials are based on a two-day schedule, given 28 days apart, ANI reported. “The vaccine efficacy will be determined 14 days post the second dose,” it said.

Vij was administered the first dose of the vaccine on November 20.

“Covaxin has been designed to be efficacious when subjects receive both doses,” Bharat Biotech’s statement read.

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The phase 3 clinical trial of the vaccine is “double-blinded and randomised,” the company said. Half of the participants receive the vaccine and the other half receive a placebo, it added.