The Corona Vaccine Covishield, invented by Oxford University and AstraZeneca, was proposed to be extended from six months to nine months by the Seram Institute of India, a manufacturing company. However, the World Health Organization (WHO) has rejected the proposal. This information has been published in the Indian media quoting the relevant sources.
According to various media reports in India, the vaccine produced at the Seram Institute in Pune can be used for a maximum of 6 months from the date of production of Covishield. Seram wanted to extend this period to 9 months. The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) sent a proposal to the World Health Organization.After discussion, the company rejected the proposal.
No further details were available.The DCGI sent a letter to Seram last February. In the letter, DCGI chief VG Somani said the company had no objection to the proposal to extend the vaccine period from six months to nine months.
This will increase the chances of reducing tick waste. However, due to the objection of the WHO, the way to extend the validity of the best-produced vaccine has been blocked for the time being.
Corona infections are on the rise again around the world. The demand for vaccines is also increasing in the country. Serum wants to increase vaccine production to cope with the pressure of increased demand.
Adar Punawala, the head of the institute, said in a recent interview that the Seram Institute needs Rs 3,000 crore to increase production and continue exporting vaccines abroad.