Submit more data on booster shot: Experts to SII

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, December 10

The subject expert committee of the national drug regulator met today to consider the request of Serum Institute of India to administer a booster dose after the primary vaccine cycle of two doses and asked the company for additional data and justification for the request.

The subject experts at the Central Drug Standards Control Organisation decided against recommending the third and booster dose of Covishield, although the SII had cited data from the UK where the AstraZeneca-Oxford booster shot had been granted emergency approval.

The experts said the SII must submit more data and justification for its application apart from the UK instance and the fact that the SII had ample stocks and production capacity to pull off boosters.

Member Health, NITI Aayog, VK Paul today ruled out immediate booster policy in India saying the government thought was aligned with that of the WHO, which had so far only stressed primary vaccination of all adults with two doses.