An Approval That Suggests Big Changes In Booster Policy Are Likely

New Delhi:

In a big boost to India’s fight against coronavirus, an expert panel of the central drug authority today cleared Covaxin and Covishield for full use, a year after the vaccines were given an emergency approval. With the significant move, vaccines are expected to be widely available soon at hospitals and clinics registered with the government portal CoWIN. 

The development comes as the government deliberates over the booster dose policy.  Precautionary third doses of vaccines — announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last month — are now being given to health and frontline workers and adults above 60 years of age, dealing with illnesses. The recommended period, however, between the booster shots and the last dose is nine months. 

The latest recommendations by the expert panel of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation have been sent to the top drug regulator DGCI. 

SEC of CDSCO has recommended for upgrade of covishield and covaxin status from restricted use in emergency situations to grant of new drug permission with conditions In adult population ,DCGI will evaluate the recommendations and give its decision.

— CDSCO_INDIA_INFO (@CDSCO_INDIA_INF) January 19, 2022

“SEC of CDSCO has recommended for upgrade of covishield and covaxin status from restricted use in emergency situations to grant of new drug permission with conditions In the adult population ,DCGI will evaluate the recommendations and give its decision,” the regulatory body tweeted.