COVISHIELD

The Covid-19 vaccine Corbevax, manufactured by BiologicalE in Hyderabad, is the first to be licensed as a heterologous booster in adults by Drugs Controller General of India. Individuals who had Covishield/Covaxin for their first two doses can get Corbevax as their third. Following the booster dosage of Corbevax, neutralizing antibodies against Omicron variation were identified in 91% of individuals who had received Covishield and in 75% who… read-more

The Serum Institute of India has halted the production of the Covishield (AstraZeneca) vaccine amid a glut of vaccine supplies. The SII's stockpile of vaccines has swelled to 200 million doses. The export of Covid vaccines had been earlier restricted, but resumed in November last year. The SII had recently appealed to the government to cut the gap between the second dose and the "precautionary" dose to just six months.

Parents of a post-graduate student in Kerala demanded compensation of Rs 10 crore after their daughter died after taking the Covishield vaccine. They blamed the Central government, Serum Institute of India for the complications and filed a petition in the Kerala HC. "Nova Sabu might have suffered from thrombocytopenia, thrombosis syndrome, which is an immunogenic response to the Covishield vaccine, a rare condition due to Covidshield… read-more

National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) suggested reduction of gap between two doses of Covishield. Notably, acting upon the suggestion, the Central Government is likely to reduce the gap, as Covid-19 cases are rising in different nations, including China. The panel suggested  to reduce gap to eight-twelve weeks, from previous 16-12 weeks, for Covishield.  Furthermore, the Government is also planning to reduce age… read-more

Andaman & Nicobar Island becomes first in India to achieve 100 % vaccination, under the "nationwide vaccination drive".  The UT in a tweet said, "A&N achieved 100% COVID vaccine coverage making it first state/UT to achieve the feat using only Covishield. The UT Admin overcame Insurmountable odds for the extraordinary feat in one of the remotest parts of world." A total of 2.86 lakh people received both doses of vaccine.