SII is pursuing approval for the Covishield as a booster dose due to concerns of Omicron

The Serum Institute of India (SII) has requested approval from India's drug regulator, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), for the Covishield vaccine as a booster dosage, claiming sufficient vaccine stock in the country.

According to ANI, SII authorities informed DCGI on Thursday (December 2, 2021) that they had sought clearance for the Covishield vaccination as a booster dosage following the development of a new coronavirus type known as 'Omicron.'

The Serum Institute of India is the first company in India to apply for COVID-19 booster dose approval. The Union government has also told Parliament that scientific evidence on the booster dose is being considered by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization and the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19.

States such as Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, and Kerala have also requested a booster dose from the central government, citing Omicron as a source of concern.

In a recent interview with a media outlet, SII's Chief Executive Officer, Adar Poonawalla, stated that Oxford scientists may develop a new vaccine that will work as a booster in six months against this new type.

South Africa was the first to report the novel Omicron form to the World Health Organization (WHO) on November 24.

According to the WHO, the strain's large number of spike protein mutations may make it more transmissible than earlier strains. The variant was discovered in fully vaccinated persons, according to South African medical professionals, and the cases are minor.