First Omicron Booster | First Omicron booster mRNA-based vaccine developed in Pune
PUNE : First Omicron Booster | Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, a Pune-based company, has developed the first booster vaccine for Omicron variant of coronavirus i.e. GEMCOVAC-OM. It is a mRNA-based vaccine and has been approved by Drug Controller General of India (DCGI). Those who have taken Covishield and Covaxin vaccines will be able to take GEMCOVAC-OM vaccine.
The vaccine has been developed as a part of Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council’s Covid Security Initiative. The DCGI has given its nod for immediate use of this vaccine. This is the first Covid booster vaccine which has been developed in the country. Omicron was the most contagious variant of the coronavirus and tests have revealed that this booster dose is proving to be useful.
GEMCOVAC-OM vaccine has to be stored in temperatures of 2 to 8 degrees Celsius. The vaccine has been developed by using technology developed by Gennova Biopharmaceuticals. The CEO of the company, Dr Sanjay Singh, said that the country needs a booster vaccine against the coronavirus. The vaccines produced earlier were not proving effective. Hence, there is adequate demand for this vaccine. The trials of the vaccine were conducted in three stages at 20 centres in 13 cities.
GEMCOVAC-OM vaccine is expected to be available in two-three weeks in the market. A programme is going to be held in New Delhi for launching the vaccine. The price of the vaccine will be announced in the programme. At present, 12 lakh doses of the vaccines have been kept at Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli. It is mandatory to keep a stock of indigenously made vaccines.
Salient features of GEMCOVAC-OM vaccine
1) First Omicron booster vaccine based on MRNA
2) Those who are 18 and above can take the vaccine
3) Those who have taken Covishield and Covaxin can take this vaccine
4) The vaccine will be administered by a needleless Topis machine
5) The vaccine has to be stored at temperatures of 2-8 degrees Celsius
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