Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech Saturday said the efficacy of its vaccine, Covaxin, for the novel coronavirus, could be determined only 14 days after a second dose. It said its clinical trials were based on a two-dose schedule, given 28 days apart.

The clarification from the company came hours after Haryana Health Minister Anil Vij, who had been administered one shot of Covaxin about two weeks ago as part of its clinical trials, said he tested positive for Covid-19.

“Covaxin clinical trials are based on a two-dose schedule, given 28 days apart. The vaccine efficacy will be determined 14 days post the second dose. Covaxin has been designed to be efficacious when subjects receive both doses,” the biotechnology company said in statement.”

Vij had volunteered to participate in Bharat Biotech’s human phase trials, in which over 25,000 persons were administered trial doses. On November 20, Vij was the first in Haryana to be administerd the shot. Besides him, over 400 persons from Haryana, including Rohtak PGIMS’ Vice Chancellor Dr. OP Kalra, participated in the trials.

A team of Rohtak Post Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences had administered the vaccine to Vij at Ambala Cantonment’s civil hospital. His health and vitals were being monitored on a weekly basis ever since.

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