Largest Vaccine Producer Switches to Protein-based COVID-19 Vaccines

The CEO of the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by the number of doses produced and sold globally (1.5 billion doses) recently confirmed to the media his company is switching focus to a protein-based COVID-19 vaccine.

Speaking to reporters at the annual general meeting of Developing Countries Vaccine Manufacturers Network on October 19, 2022, Serum Institute of India (SII) Adar Poonawalla stated the vaccine manufacturer stopped the production of the CoviShield™ vaccine starting in December 2021.

He added that of the total stock available at that time, around 100 million doses had already expired.

'Now, CovoVax™ should be allowed in two weeks.'

Maryland-based Novavax, Inc. and SII previously partnered to produce the CovoVax vaccine.

Both CovoVax and Nuvaxovid (Novavax) are SARS-CoV-2 rS Protein Nanoparticle COVID-19 vaccines.

CovoVax is administered intramuscularly in 2 doses of 0.5 mL each.

It is recommended to administer the second dose three weeks after the first dose.

Additional CovoVax information is posted on this webpage.

The Drugs Controller General of India approved Covovax for restricted use in late 2021.

And as of October 2022, the companies confirmed that CovoVax was authorized in India, South Africa, and Indonesia.

Serum Institute of India was founded in 1966 and is ranked as India's No. 1 biotechnology company, manufacturing highly specialized life-saving biologicals like vaccines using cutting-edge genetic and cell-based technologies, antisera, and other medical specialties.