India is seeking approval from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) for Covishield, one of its COVID-19 vaccines. Covisheld approval is being sought on an emergency authorisation basis from the bloc’s apex medical regulatory body. The Serum Institute of India (SII) manufactures Covishield, which is the Indian variant so to speak of the COVID-19 vaccine produced […]
vaccines
CureVac trials add questions for mRNA vaccines
Following the success stories of the Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines for COVID-19, many thought mRNA vaccines paved the way for the future of immunisation. These theories may be faced with a setback as phase-III trials of fellow mRNA vaccine candidate CureVac has achieved subpar results. CureVac, based in Tübingen, Germany, announced data from the […]
Covishield: A single dose may be enough for those previously infected with COVID-19
New research claims that a single dose of Covishield may be sufficient to protect those previously infected with the novel coronavirus which causes COVID-19. If someone has previously contracted severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV), researchers at the Assam Medical College and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) suggest that they may not […]
Pfizer vaccine on the cusp of securing Indian approval, CEO says
The Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19 is on the verge of securing approval for use in India. This is according to the drugmaker’s chief executive officer Albert Bourla who, speaking at a virtual event, said they were in the “final stages” of receiving the nod and said “I hope very soon we will finalise an agreement […]
Inoculation record achieved, but concerns remain
Monday saw India administer a record 8.3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Nonetheless, concerns remain surrounding the pace of an inoculation campaign once billed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as set to be the largest in the world. “Today’s record-breaking vaccination numbers are gladdening,” Modi tweeted. “The vaccine remains our strongest weapon to fight COVID-19. […]
Covaxin to face WHO scrutiny this week
India’s homegrown COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin is to face scrutiny from the World Health Organization (WHO) on June 23rd when a pre-submission hearing will be held. Manufacturer Bharat Biotech received the WHO’s nod for its expression of interest for emergency use listing of Covaxin, in a step commentators regard as moving the vaccine closer to securing […]
Free vaccines from the Centre; A federalised policy a welcome shift
Vaccines will be offered free of charge to those aged eighteen and over, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced. The Prime Minister announced the free vaccines policy during an address to the nation yesterday, in which he stated “the Government of India itself will buy 75 percent of the total vaccine production from vaccine manufacturers […]
COVAX gets boon from multi-billion dollar commitment – but India’s absence leaves a hole
The COVAX facility designed to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines received a boost earlier this week to the tune of US$2.4 billion, following a summit where countries and private donors made the mammoth commitment. Nonetheless, the facility still reels from India’s step back understandable though it may be. COVAX is jointly led by the […]
Covaxin trials to start among minors
Trials of Covaxin, India’s indigenously-manufactured COVID-19 vaccine candidate, are set to begin among young people to test its immunogenicity, reactogenicity, and safety. Trials among those aged between twelve and eighteen years are set to commence across five institutes throughout India. The institutes in question are the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bihar […]
COVAX facility reaches over 100 countries, as India reaffirms commitment
In the 42 days since the first shipment of vaccines through the COVAX facility arrived in Ghana, the World Health Organization (WHO) has announced in a statement that more than 100 countries have been reached. India, meanwhile, has reaffirmed its commitment to COVAX after it suspended exports amidst an ongoing surge in cases. The COVAX […]