Hope to launch Covavax for adults in Oct, in early 2022 for kids: SII CEO

Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO Adar Poonawalla said that he is “hopeful” that American pharmaceutical firm Novavax’s vaccine candidate against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), Covavax, will be launched in India for both adults and children in October and early 2022, respectively.

“I’m hopeful that for adults, Covavax, will be launched in October, depending upon approvals from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). For kids, the Covavax vaccine will be launched in the first quarter of the next year, most likely in January-February,” Poonawalla told news agency PTI, after meeting Union home minister Amit Shah in Parliament for 30 minutes.

He also thanked the government for all the support provided to Serum Institute and said the company is always trying to expand its Covishield production capacity to meet the demand. Poonawalla met Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament and the meeting between the two lasted for 30 minutes.

“The government is helping us and we are facing no financial crunch. We are thankful to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for all the cooperation and support,” Poonawala told PTI after his meeting.

When asked about vaccines for kids, he said, “The Covovax vaccine for kids will be launched in the first quarter of the next year most likely in January-February.” Poonawala said he is hopeful that for adults Covovax will be launched in October, depending on DCGI approvals.