Omicron-specific vaccine being developed by SII could be released by the end of the year: Report

An Omicron-specific vaccination is apparently being developed by the Serum Institute of India (SII), according to an NDTV report. The vaccine is being developed in collaboration with Novavax, according to SII Chief Executive Officer Adar Poonawalla, who spoke to NDTV. Poonawalla added that the vaccine would only protect against the Omicron sub-variant BA5. Poonawalla says that SII may introduce the vaccine in India within the next six months.

“Think this vaccine is important as a booster. Trials of Novavax are in progress in Australia currently. By November-December should be in a position to approach the US drug regulator,” Poonawalla was quoted as saying by NDTV.  The COVID-19 vaccine from AstraZeneca is made by SII, the largest vaccine manufacturer in the world, and is sold under the brand name Covishield.

A new Covid vaccine that targets the Omicron variant was approved earlier today by the UK, making it the first country to do so. The bivalent vaccine from Moderna, which targets both the original Covid strain and the Omicron variant, has received approval from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), according to the Daily Mirror.

The “next generation” coronavirus booster shot has been approved for use in adults and may only need to be given once a year. The Moderna vaccine, also known as mRNA-1273.214, is an updated version that is currently used for first, second, and booster doses. This dose will be the first one to be authorised in the UK that specifically targets two strains of the virus.