Covovax Heterologous Booster Dose Approved for Use in India

January 13, 2023

The Central drug regulatory authority, Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), has given the green light for the market authorization of Serum Institute of India’s Covid-19 vaccine, Covovax, as a heterologous booster dose for those who have already received two doses of Covishield or Covaxin. This is a significant development as it expands the options for individuals seeking to boost their immunity against the virus.

Covovax is a recombinant protein-based vaccine that is manufactured through technology transfer from Novavax. It has received conditional marketing authorization from the European Medicines Agency and emergency-use listing from the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 17, 2021.

Previous Approvals for Covovax

Previously, DCGI had approved Covovax for restricted use in emergency situations in adults on December 28, 2021. This was followed by approval for use in children between the ages of 12-17 on March 9, 2022, and for children under 7-11 years on June 28, 2022, subject to certain conditions. With the latest recommendation, Covovax can now be used as a booster dose for a wider population, including those who have already received two doses of either Covishield or Covaxin.

Bharat Biotech’s Nasal Covid Vaccine Approved

In a related development, Bharat Biotech’s nasal Covid vaccine for adults above 18-year-old has also been approved by the Government of India and will be used as a heterologous booster dose. This approval expands the options for individuals looking to boost their immunity against the virus and provides more flexibility in terms of administration.

Importance of Booster Doses

As the pandemic continues to evolve, it has become increasingly clear that booster doses of Covid-19 vaccines are necessary to maintain protection against the virus. Studies have shown that the immunity provided by a single dose of a vaccine may wane over time, making booster doses important to ensure long-term protection. The use of heterologous booster doses, where an individual receives a different vaccine as a booster dose, has been shown to provide additional protection against different variants of the virus.

Availability of the Vaccine

The vaccine will be available in private hospitals. It is expected that the availability of Covovax as a heterologous booster dose will further aid in the fight against the pandemic in India. With the increasing number of cases and the emergence of new variants, it is crucial that individuals have access to multiple options for boosting their immunity. The approval of Covovax and Bharat Biotech’s nasal Covid vaccine as heterologous booster doses is a positive step in this direction.

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