I thought Hydrogen was colorless

 Yes, it is colorless. This is what elementary chemistry tells you. But people may be wondering why they are adding a color attribute to hydrogen.

The color attribute of hydrogen comes about by the way it is produced on an industrial scale. There are three colors presently:

Grey hydrogen:

Basically from fossil fuels such as coal or natural gas.

https://www.coalage.com/features/hydrogen-from-coal/#:~:text=H%202%20produced%20by%20steam%20methane%20reforming%20%28SMR%29,hydrogen%20that%20includes%20carbon%20abatement%2C%20such%20as%20CCUS.

https://tinyurl.com/yey9fegt

By far most of the hydrogen presently produced/used is grey hydrogen. If electricity is produced from fossil fuels the advantage of EV is not so great.

Green hydrogen:

Hydrogen from Electrolysis of water.

This is completely free of carbon in its production.

http://www.chem.gla.ac.uk/cronin/media/papers/Chisholm-Chapter_16_2016.pdf#:~:text=The%20production%20of%20hydrogen%20from%20water%20via%20electrolysis,has%20two%20main%20applications%20as%20an%20energy%20vector.

or

https://tinyurl.com/4y6hektf

Blue hydrogen:

It is similar to Grey hydrogen but the carbon in the process is captured and stored (so-called carbon neutral).

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/blue-gas-could-become-a-tesla-killer/ar-BB1dOsgr#:~:text=So-called%20%27blue%27%20hydrogen%20is%20the%20name%20given%20to,water%20are%20converted%20into%20hydrogen%20and%20carbon%20monoxide.

https://tinyurl.com/e5k7zrxe

How are COVID-19 (Wuhan Virus) variants classified?

WHO has classified them as Variants of Interest (VOI) and Variants of Concern (VOC).
Here is a list from the WHO site mentioned in this post.

Variants of Interest:

Variants of Concern:

Mayo Clinic seems to think that the vaccines developed for COVD-19 are not so efficient against the mutations observed in the variants. 

Hence there is movement to create booster shots which translates to more business for the vaccine makers. Are we seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, or the tunnel is bifurcating in all directions?

Variants causing concern in the US (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/expert-answers/covid-variant/faq-20505779) are:

"Alpha. (B.1.1.7). This COVID-19 variant appears to spread more easily and might have an increased risk of hospitalization and death.

Beta (B.1.351). This variant appears to spread more easily. It also reduces the effectiveness of some monoclonal antibody medications and the antibodies generated by a previous COVID-19 infection or COVID-19 vaccine.

Gamma (P.1). This variant reduces the effectiveness of some monoclonal antibody medications and the antibodies generated by a previous COVID-19 infection or a COVID-19 vaccine.

Epsilon (B.1.427). This variant appears to spread more easily. It reduces the effectiveness of antibodies generated by a previous COVID-19 infection or COVID-19 vaccine.

Epsilon (B.1.429). This variant appears to spread more easily. It reduces the effectiveness of antibodies generated by a previous COVID-19 infection or COVID-19 vaccine.

Delta (B.1.617.2). This variant appears to spread more easily. It might reduce the effectiveness of some monoclonal antibody treatments and the antibodies generated by a COVID-19 vaccine."

Colombian Variant:

The B.1.621 variant has been reported in 26 different countries and territories since it was first recorded by the World Health Organization, including the U.S.

https://www.who.int/en/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants/

Breaking news: COVAXIN Reports on phase 3 trial

 COVAXIN: Phase 3 Interim Report

On 3rd July 2021 Bharath Biotech based in India's Genome Valley announced their Phase 3 interim results of Covid vaccine BBV152(COVAXIN). The pdf link describes some details. 

The bulleted highlights are as follows:

"

•  Data from 25,800 participants, received vaccine or placebo in a 1:1 ratio showed that

the vaccine candidate was well tolerated.

•   COVAXIN® demonstrated 81% interim efficacy in preventing COVID-19 in those without

prior infection after the second dose.

•   Clinical trial to continue through to final analysis at 130 confirmed cases in order to

gather further data and evaluate the efficacy of COVAXIN in additional secondary

study endpoints.

"

One of the key points to note;

"The inclusion of the Algel-IMDG adjuvant enhances T-cell immune responses to COVID-19, leading to long-term protection"

Vaccine distribution status:

4 billion doses distributed worldwide so far.

More here on Bharath Biotech:

http://www.bharatbiotech.com/

https://www.bharatbiotech.com/images/press/covaxin-phase3-efficacy-results.pdf

What is an adjuvant?

In immunology, an adjuvant is a substance that increases or modulates the immune response to a vaccine. The word "adjuvant" comes from the Latin word adiuvare, meaning to help or aid. Wikipedia

https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/adjuvant-developed-nih-funding-enhances-efficacy-indias-covid-19-vaccine

More on NIH related information in quotes:

"The adjuvant used in COVAXIN, Alhydroxiquim-II, was discovered and tested in the laboratory by the biotech company ViroVax LLC of Lawrence, Kansas with support exclusively from the NIAID Adjuvant Development Program. The adjuvant comprises a small molecule attached in a unique way to Alhydrogel, a substance frequently called alum that is the most commonly used adjuvant in vaccines for people. Alhydroxiquim-II travels to lymph nodes, where the small molecule detaches from alum and activates two cellular receptors. These receptors, TLR7 and TLR8, play a vital role in the immune response to viruses. Alhydroxiquim-II is the first adjuvant in an authorized vaccine against an infectious disease to activate TLR7 and TLR8. In addition, the alum in Alhydroxiquim-II stimulates the immune system to search for an invading pathogen."

https://www.financialexpress.com/lifestyle/health/covaxin-to-use-virovaxs-adjuvant-alhydroxiquim-ii-to-boost-immune-response/2098284/

About ViroVax:

"Dr. Sunil David founded (an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru)) ViroVax, LLC in 2019 in Lawrence, KS.  ViroVax is a biotechnology company focused on the research and development of vaccines, adjuvants, and therapeutics to protect and treat people from infectious diseases, including Zika, West Nile, Dengue, and SARS-CoV-2.

Breaking News: A second Indian vaccine against Covid-19 Wuhan virus is seeking emergency Use authorization in India

 

The Ahmedabad based Zydus Cadilla's vaccine (ZyCoV-D) is the second indigenous vaccine against Covid-19 Wuhan virus. The company will be seeing emergency authorization in India soon. The Phase 3 study had more than 28,000 volunteers.


ZyCoV-D will be the world's first DNA Plasmid-based vaccine. Another feature of this vaccine is that it is administered without using a needle but via skin. It requires 3 doses for complete effectiveness.

More here:
COVID-19 Vaccine: Zydus Cadila to seek emergency authorization for ZyCoV-D vaccine next week (jagranjosh.com)

India is presently administering Covaxin, Covishied and Sputnik V. Pfizer and Moderna are also likely to enter the picture soon.

Breaking News: Indian COVAXIN effective against ALPHA and DELTA variants of the Wuhan Virus

 Here is a short version of what you will read in the link below:

"The US National Institute of Health has said Covaxin “effectively neutralizes” both Alpha (B.1.1.7) and Delta (B1.617) variants of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in what is a major endorsement of the anti-Covid vaccine developed by India’s Bharat Biotech International Limited."

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/covaxin-effectively-neutralises-alpha-delta-covid-19-variants-says-us-national-institute-of-health-101625013670164-amp.html

 Original Virus:     Possible origin Wuhan, China
Alpha variant:       First showed up in the UK
Delta Variant:        First showed up in India

Lamda Variant:     First appeared in Peru


 Note:

Here is a link to the NIH information:

Adjuvant Developed with NIH Funding Enhances Efficacy of India’s COVID-19 Vaccine | NIH: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases



Bharath Biotech collaborated with Virovax LLC of the USA headed by IISC researcher.
ViroVax, LLC (virovaxllc.com)