Covaxin does not contain newborn calf serum: Centre busts myths

NEW DELHI: The indigenously developed Covaxin does not contain newborn calf serum, clarified Centre on Wednesday. The statement came in response to some social media posts which the government said have "twisted and misrepresented" facts on the Covid-19 vaccine developed by Bharat Biotech.
Newborn calf serum is used only for the preparation and growth of vero cells. Serum from bovine and other animal are standard enrichment ingredient used globally for vero cell growth, said the Union ministry of health in a statement.

Vero cells are used to establish cell lives which help in the production of vaccines. This technique has been used for decades in developing vaccines against polio, rabies, and influenza.
After growth, the vero cells are washed in water and with chemicals, also technically known as buffer, multiple times to make them free from newborn calf serum. The vero cells are then infected with coronavirus for viral growth, the health ministry said.
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The vero cells are completely destroyed in the process of viral growth. Thereafter, the grown virus is also killed (inactivated) and purified, it said.
The killed or inactivated virus is then used to make the final vaccine. No calf serum is used in the formulation of the final vaccine, according to the statement.
"Hence, the final vaccine (Covaxin) does not contain newborn calf serum at all and the calf serum is not an ingredient of the final vaccine product."
(With inputs from agencies)