New Delhi: The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) on Saturday approved Hyderabad-based Biological E’s COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose for adults who have been administered two doses of Covishield or Covaxin.
Corbevax thus becomes the first vaccine to have been approved as heterologous COVID-19 booster.
“CORBEVAX COVID-19 vaccine has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) as a heterologous COVID-19 booster dose to individuals aged 18 years and above after 6 months of administration of primary vaccination (two doses) of COVAXIN or COVISHIELD vaccines for restricted use in emergency situation. BE’s CORBEVAX is the first such vaccine in India to be approved as a heterologous COVID-19 booster,” the company said in a statement.
Biological E had furnished clinical trials data to the national drugs regulator. After a thorough evaluation and deliberations with Subject Experts Committee of Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation, the vaccine has been granted approval to be administered as booster.
A slot for Corbevax booster shot can be booked through Co-WIN app or Co-WIN portal.
Corbevax was being given to the age group of 12-15 year-olds, from March 15 this year, with 51.7 million doses having been administered across the country.
Corbevax is being developed and manufactured by Biological E Limited, in association with Texas Children’s Hospital and Baylor College of Medicine, as a recombinant protein sub-unit vaccine against COVID-19.
Biological E has thus far supplied 100 million doses of the vaccine to Indian government.
