India clears Corbevax as Covid booster shot, can be clubbed with other jabs

NEW DELHI, JUNE 4 : Biological E’s CBiological E Limited’s Corbevax has become the first Covid-19 vaccine in India to be approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) as a heterologous Covid-19 booster dose. This means that adults fully vaccinated with Covishield or Covaxin can take Corbevax as their third or booster shot.

The Corbevax booster can be given six months after administration of the second dose of the vaccine.

So far, the booster dose mandatorily had to be of the same vaccine that was given in the first and second shot.

Mahima Datla, Managing Director of Hyderabad-based pharmaceutical and vaccines company Biological E Ltd, said, “We are very happy with this approval, which will address the need for Covid-19 booster doses in India. We have crossed yet another milestone in our Covid-19 vaccination journey. This approval reflects once again the sustained world-class safety standards and high immunogenicity of Corbevax.”

Recently, Biological E Ltd furnished its clinical trial data to the DCGI, who after a detailed evaluation and deliberations with the subject expert committee, granted their approval for administering Corbevax vaccine as a heterologous booster dose to people who have already taken two doses of either Covishield or Covaxin.

The clinical trial data showed that Corbevax booster dose provided enhancement in immune response and was safe. The company conducted the trial in 416 subjects between 18 and 80 years of age.

A slot to get vaccinated with Corbevax can be booked via the CoWIN portal.

So far, 51.7 million doses of Corbevax have been administered to children in India, including 17.4 million who have received both doses, Biological E Ltd said. In April, the DCGI had recommended granting emergency use authorisation for Biological E’s Covid-19 vaccine Corbevax for children in 5 to 12 years age group.

The company has supplied 100 million doses of the vaccine to the Centre.

PTI