COVAX-19

COVAX-19 is a vaccine developed for the prevention of COVID-19, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. It is developed by Vaxine Pty Ltd, an Australian biotechnology company, in collaboration with the University of South Australia.

Development

The development of COVAX-19 began in early 2020, following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The vaccine is based on a protein subunit platform, which uses a harmless protein or piece of the virus to stimulate an immune response. The protein used in COVAX-19 is the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is the part of the virus that attaches to human cells.

Clinical Trials

The clinical trials for COVAX-19 have been conducted in multiple phases. The Phase I trial, which began in July 2020, involved 40 healthy adults and aimed to assess the safety and immunogenicity of the vaccine. The Phase II trial expanded the study to a larger group of participants to further assess its safety and efficacy. As of 2021, the vaccine is in Phase III trials.

Efficacy

The efficacy of COVAX-19 is still under investigation in ongoing clinical trials. Preliminary results from the Phase I trial indicated that the vaccine was safe and able to induce an immune response. However, final efficacy data is not yet available.

Distribution

The distribution of COVAX-19 is expected to be facilitated through the COVAX initiative, a global effort to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines. The initiative is led by the World Health Organization, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations.

See Also

• COVID-19 vaccine
• COVID-19 pandemic
• SARS-CoV-2
• Vaccine development