• Corbevax is a heterologous Covid-19 booster dose.
• Adults who receive their full Covishield or Covaxin vaccination, can receive Corbevax as a third or booster shot.
• Children in India received 51.7 million doses of Corbevax.

Corbevax, a Covid-19 vaccine developed by Biological E Limited, is approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). It is a heterologous Covid-19 booster dose. Therefore, adults who receive their full Covishield or Covaxin vaccination can receive Corbevax as a third or booster shot.

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

Until now, the booster dosage had to be the same vaccine that was administered in the first and second shots.

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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.”

TRIALS

Biological E Ltd recently submitted its clinical trial data to the DCGI. After which, it granted approval for administering Corbevax vaccine as a heterologous booster dose. It is made for people who receive two doses of either Covishield or Covaxin. Yet, it requires a thorough review and deliberation with the subject expert committee.

The results of the clinical trial demonstrated that the Corbevax booster dose improved immune response while remaining safe. The company tested 416 people ranging in age from 18 to 80 years old.

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DOSES OF VACCINE

Children in India received 51.7 million doses of Corbevax, with 17.4 million receiving both doses. The DCGI recommended in April that the Covid-19 vaccine from Biological E be given emergency use authorization for children aged 5 to 12.

The vaccine is delivered to the Centre in 100 million doses.

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