Harsh Vardhan backs Bharat Biotech's 'Covaxin' as opposition questions its efficacy

Vaccines approved globally based on gene encoding spike proteins have protective efficacy of over 90%
However, COVAXIN based on whole inactivated virus has other antigenic epitopes in addition to spike protein
So,its likely to have similar protective efficacy reported for others pic.twitter.com/AOIONrxZcd

He also added that Covaxin has better chances to act against new variant of COVID-19 called N501Y due to "antigenic drift as it contains immunogens (epitopes) from other genes in addition to those from spike protein Inactivated virus from NIV also had D614G mutation".

COVAXIN is more likely to work against newer variants like N501Y Variant (UK variant) & any other that may arise due to antigenic drift as it contains immunogens (epitopes) from other genes in addition to those from Spike protein
Inactivated virus from NIV also had D614G mutation pic.twitter.com/337EsOQMhG

Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) January 3, 2021

Additionally, the data from Covaxin's phase-1 and 2 trials had revealed that it not only produced neutralising antibodies in all participants but also sensitises CD4 T lymphocytes that impart durable immune response, Dr Harsh Vardha said.

The data from COVAXIN Phase I & II clinical trials reveals that it not only produces neutralizing antibodies in all participants but also sensitises CD4 T lymphocytes that imparts durable immune response@BharatBiotech @PMOIndia @ICMRDELHI @icmr_niv @MoHFW_INDIA @DBTIndia pic.twitter.com/SzS6lsOBBG

Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) January 3, 2021

The health minister also slammed senior Congress party leaders Shashi Tharoor and Jairam Ramesh, and Samajwadi Party leader Akhilesh Yadav for politicising the "critical issue".

The minister warned the oppositions not to discredit well laid out science-backed protocols followed for approving coronavirus vaccine.

Disgraceful for anyone to politicise such a critical issue.

Sh @ShashiTharoor, Sh @yadavakhilesh & Sh @Jairam_Ramesh don't try to discredit well laid out science-backed protocols followed for approving #COVID19vaccines

Wake up & realise you are only discrediting yourselves !

Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) January 3, 2021

He also wrote, "India celebrates the win but Opposition fails to applaud our prowess," in one of his tweets.

Whole world is cheering India for granting emergency approval to @SerumInstIndia , @BharatBiotech vaccines ensuring safety, efficacy & immunogenicity showcasing our scientific capability & innovation ecosystem. India celebrates the win but Opposition fails to applaud our prowess.

Dr Harsh Vardhan (@drharshvardhan) January 3, 2021