The coronavirus mutation could accelerate the transmission of the disease in some cases. (Proceedings)
New Delhi:
Two studies on the coronavirus genome in India by the country’s main clinical research body and the Department of Biotechnology suggest that the COVID-19 virus is genetically stable and has not shown any major mutation, the Prime Minister’s office said on Saturday. .
There was some concern that any major mutation detected in the new coronavirus could affect the development of an effective vaccine. However, some recent global studies have said that the vaccines currently being developed for COVID-19 should not be affected by these mutations.
Mutation generally refers to the property of a virus to change when it multiplies and the virus can develop some new strains after replicating. In some cases, newer strains tend to be less effective and therefore die early, while more powerful strains can lead to faster spread of the virus.
Following a review meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the COVID-19 pandemic situation and preparation for vaccine delivery, distribution and administration, the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement that three vaccines are found. in advanced stages of development in India, of which two are in Phase II and one in Phase III.
“Two pan-Indian studies on the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus) genome in India conducted by ICMR and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) suggest that the virus is genetically stable and that there is no major mutation in it.” said the PMO.
Last month, Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan said that so far no significant or drastic mutations have been found in SARS-CoV-2 strains in India.
He also said that the Indian Council for Medical Research or ICMR was conducting large-scale sequencing of nationally representative strains collected for a few months and that detailed results on the virus mutations will be available in early October.
In response to a query about SARS-COV2 mutations, ICMR Director General Dr. Balram Bhargava told a news conference earlier this week that minor changes called “drift” can occur from time to time, but important virus genetic mutations or “changes”. “It can happen in a decade or two.
In this context, the efficacy of a vaccine will not be determined by minor “deviations”, he had said.
A study by a group of researchers last month found that the coronavirus genomes in India have a 5.39% mutation similarity to 72 countries.
The PMO statement also said that a national group of vaccine administration experts has prepared a detailed plan for their storage, distribution and administration in consultation with state governments and all relevant stakeholders.
(With PTI inputs)
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