Biological E’s Covid-19 vaccine Corbevax is likely to be the cheapest vaccine available in India. The phase III clinical trials of this vaccine are underway and yet to get emergency approval.

The results of phase 1 and phase 2 clinical trials have been quite promising. The RBD-protein sub-unit vaccine is likely to be available in the next few months.

Corbevax will reportedly be available for 500 rupees (both doses) and may go even below 400 rupees. The final price of the vaccine is yet to be finalized. As per reports, the Union Ministry of Health has finalised advance arrangement for 30 crore vaccines with M/S Biological-E, Hyderabad. The company got a nod from Central Drugs and Standards Control Organisation (CDSCO) in April for conducting the clinical trials.

Corbevax is made up of a specific part of SARS-CoV-2, the spike protein on the virus's surface. The spike protein allows the virus to enter the cells in the body so that it can replicate and cause disease. However, when this protein alone is given to the body, it is not expected to be harmful as the rest of the virus is absent. The body is expected to develop an immune response against the injected spike protein. Therefore, when the real virus attempts to infect the body, it will already have an immune response ready that will make it unlikely for the person to fall severely ill. Although this technology has been used for decades to make hepatitis B vaccines, Corbevax will be among the first Covid-19 vaccines to use this platform.(source:indianexpress)