Covaxin-Covishield Antibody Study Triggers A Reaction (Or Two) On Twitter

The widely reported pre-print study said while both vaccines showed a good immune response after two doses, the Serum Institute of India's Covishield produced more antibodies than Covaxin.

Covaxin-maker Bharat Biotech's Raches Ella's post objecting to a study that compares the immune response of the two vaccines used in India led to an interesting exchange on Twitter on Monday. @Teensthack@singhak_endo surprised that media/researchers are concluding based on non-peer-reviewed work. Limitation 1: Spike-based IgG's are not appropriate when evaluating Covaxin, which induces broad antibody responses to Spike, N, and M. Recommend live virus neutralization. https://t.co/kdCbfjwFbv The widely reported pre-print study said while both vaccines showed a good immune response after two doses, the Serum Institute of India's Covishield produced more antibodies than Covaxin.  The study, yet to be peer-reviewed, is based on data from 553 healthcare workers who received both doses of either of the two vaccines. Raches Ella, head of business development and advocacy at Bharat Biotech, questioned in tweets why "non-peer-reviewed work" was put out.