New Delhi: As India battles Coronavirus pandemic, another Covid-19 vaccine is set to join the list of drugs that will be administered to people develop immunity against the contagious virus.
Moderna vaccine, being touted as the ‘wonder drug’ is set to reach India in a couple of days. As its efficacy against the SARS-CoV-2 is above 90%, it is set to give a major fillip to India’s vaccination drive and developing immunity to fight the pandemic.
Currently, drugmaker Cipla Ltd has received regulatory approval to distribute partner Moderna Inc’s COVID-19 vaccine in the country.
Moderna’s ‘wonder drug’ will be the fourth vaccine authorized for use in India, after Covishield (developed by AstraZeneca and Serum Institute of India), Covaxin (Bharat Biotech) and Sputnik V developed by Russia’s Gamaleya Institute.
US to donate 25 million Covid-19 vaccines
Joe Biden led US administration had announced it would donate 80 million anti-covid19 vaccines to countries like India, Bangladesh, Taiwan and Pakistan.
On 3 June, US vice president Kamala Harris telephoned Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among other world leaders and informed that Biden administration has planned to donate 25 million of 80 million doses of anti-covid-19 vaccines.
Why Moderna vaccine, a wonder drug against virus?
Moderna vaccine had an efficacy rate of 94.1% in preliminary clinical trials while real effectiveness of jab was measured above 90%. According to vaccine makers, it also provides protection against new & more infectious variants of novel Coronavirus.
Another study reported that single dose of Pfizer’s or Moderna’s COVID vaccine was 80% effective in preventing infections while after the second vaccine jab, the efficacy jumped to over 90%.
Efficacy meter: Covishield Vs Covaxin Vs Moderna
Covishield vaccine, which was the first to be approved for use in India has a proven efficacy rate of 70% and can increased to 90% after both doses. Covaxin, indigenously developed vaccine, has an efficacy rate of 78%.
Sputnik V, according to the RDIF demonstrates an efficacy rate of 78.6% to 83.7%.
Moderna’s COVID-19 shot, mRNA-1273, has been found to be the most efficacious of all. Its vaccine has an efficacy rate of over 91%, after administering two doses.
Pfizer is also set to arrive in India after getting regulatory approval. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said last month that his firm was in final stages of getting approval from Indian government. It also claimed it would supply 1 billion doses to India this year alone.
As the possibility of 3rd Covid-19 wave looms large, availability of more and more vaccines is a welcome move. Moreover, Moderna’s vaccine boasting of over 90% efficacy is something that will bolster and embolden India’s fight against the pandemic.
