The Serum Institute of India (SII) has requested an emergency use authorization (EUA) for Novavax’s Covid vaccine, Covovax, manufactured in the United States. Novavax, located in the United States, has a vaccine production partnership with Serum Institute of India, which also produces the Covishield vaccine used in India.
Adar Poonawalla, CEO of the Serum Institute of India, stated that he is “hopeful” that Novavax’s vaccine candidate against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), Covovax, would be released in India in October and early 2022 for both adults and children.
The European Commission has approved Novavax’s seventh Advanced Purchase Agreement (APA), which guarantees access to 200 million doses of its prospective Covid-19 vaccine in Q4 2021 and 2022. Member states will be able to purchase upto 100 million doses in 2021. Further, for every subsequent year’s similar doses of vaccine can be purchased.
The world’s largest vaccine producer, SII, is a major player in India’s fight against the coronavirus epidemic. According to a deal with the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF), it will produce Russia’s Sputnik V vaccination and the Oxford University-AstraZeneca shot as Covishield.
Poonawalla’s comments, on the other hand, contradict prior reports claiming that Covovax will be launched in the nation in September. Novavax previously said in a statement that the vaccine is 100% effective against mild and severe Covid-19, with overall effectiveness of 90.4 percent.
Vaccination against Covid-19 is currently available to all citizens aged 18 and up. While a vaccine for children has not yet been authorized, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced that a vaccination push for youngsters would likely begin in August.
Covavax will be a two-dose vaccination, according to the CEO of Serum India, and its pricing would be determined at the time of its debut. He also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his assistance.
