Serum seeks Covid booster shot approval after Adar says Omicron-specific shot possible

Serum Institute of India has sought approval for Covishield as a booster dose from Drug Control General of India, multiple media reports quoting sources said on Wednesday.

Citing adequate stock of the vaccine in the country, the Pune-based pharma giant noted that there was demand for a booster shot due to the emergence of new coronavirus variants.

In an application to the DCGI, Prakash Kumar Singh, the Director, Government and Regulatory Affairs at Serum Institute of India cited that the United Kingdom has already approved the booster dose of AstraZeneca vaccine.

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As the new Covid strain 'Omicron' raises alarm across the globe, Adar Poonawalla, the chief of Serum Institute of India told NDTV on Tuesday that Omicron-specific booster shots are possible. He however maintained that the focus of the government must remain to get everyone double vaccinated.