Bharat Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin (BBV152) is effective against Delta Plus (AY.1) variant of the coronavirus, according to a study published in biorxivby the Indian Council of Medical and Research (ICMR).

“Here, we have evaluated the IgG antibody titer and neutralising potential of sera of COVID-19 naïve individuals full doses of BBV152 vaccine, COVID-19 recovered cases with full dose vaccines and breakthrough cases post-immunization BBV152 vaccines against Delta, Delta AY.1 and B.1.617.3.,” the study said.

The second COVID wave in India was brought upon by a surge in SARS-CoV-2 Variant B.1.617.2 (Delta) variant, which has comparatively higher transmissibility.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, Covaxin is being used for mass immunization in the country. The vaccine has displayed a 65.2 per cent protection against the Delta variant in a double-blind, randomized, multicentre, phase 3 clinical trial.

Subsequently, Delta has further mutated to Delta AY.1, AY.2, and AY.3.

AY.1 variant was first detected in India in April 2021 and subsequently from 20 other countries as well, the study said.

The study has not been peer-reviewed. 

Covaxin showed 77.8 per cent effectiveness against symptomatic COVID19 and 65.2 per cent protection against the B.1.617.2 Delta variant, Bharat Biotech reported as per the final analysis of Covaxin efficacy from Phase3 trials on July 3.