Vaccine Info

CoviShield COVID-19 Vaccine

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December 16, 2023
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CoviShield™ COVID-19 Vaccine

The Serum Institute of India Pvt Ltd CoviShield™ COVID-19 (AZD1222) (C19VAZ) vaccine is made from the ChAdOx1 virus, a weakened version of a common cold virus (adenovirus). In addition, genetic material has been added to the ChAdOx1 construct, which is used to make proteins from the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus called Spike glycoprotein (S). Drug regulators in India granted emergency approval for the coronavirus vaccine co-developed by AstraZeneca Plc and the University of Oxford on January 1, 2021. This vaccine is the same formulation as the Vaxzevria vaccine. CoviShield is the Serum Institute of India (SII) version of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine.

On February 15, 2021, the World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the SII's COVISHIELD. On March 19, 2021, the WHO confirmed that Covishield has a favorable benefit-risk profile with tremendous potential to prevent infections and reduce deaths worldwide. On April 23, 2021, the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology announced that CoviShield might protect people from various SARS-CoV-2 mutations. On June 15, 2021, AstraZeneca announced that the Real-world data from PHE demonstrated two doses of COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca are 92% effective against hospitalization due to the Delta variant and showed no deaths among those vaccinated. In addition, the vaccine also showed high effectiveness against the Alpha variant (B.1.1.7), with an 86% reduction in hospitalizations and no deaths reported. According to a study conducted by India's ICMR-National Institute of Virology in April 2022, Covishield-generated neutralizing antibodies against the Delta variant began to wane after six months.

The NEJM published a Correspondence based on data from Scotland on October 20, 2021, that found the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (CoviShield, AstraZeneca) offered substantial protection against death from COVID-19 caused by the delta variant. In addition, the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was 91% effective in preventing deaths in people who have been double vaccinated but have tested positive for coronavirus in the community. The NEJM published an ORIGINAL ARTICLE on December 16, 2021, concluding the AZD1222 vaccine was safe and efficacious in preventing symptomatic and severe COVID-19 across diverse populations, including older adults in the significant phase 3 clinical trial. In addition, on April 16, 2022, a non-peer-reviewed study demonstrated the effectiveness of two doses of the ChAdOx1 vaccine against the delta variant in the general population of Chennai, India.

Published by MDPI in the journal Vaccines on December 14, 2022, a study titled "Heterologous Booster Dose with CorbeVax® Following Primary Vaccination with COVISHIELD Enhances Protection against SARS-CoV-2" showed that both homologous (Covishield priming Covishield boosting) and heterologous boosters (Covishield priming Corbevax boosting) induce strong SARS-CoV-2 S1/S2 spike IgG antibody responses. The data shows that more individuals had higher antibody titers in individuals receiving a heterologous booster than a homologous booster. The RBD-specific antibody response was much more significant with Corbevax administered as a heterologous booster after two doses of Covishield, probably due to the protein nature of the vaccine. The study also demonstrates increased CD4 T lymphocyte responses sustaining up to 90 days and beyond in individuals receiving Corbevax as a heterologous booster.

A non-peer-reviewed study published on January 5, 2023, found Covishield™ elicited immune responses of higher magnitude and breadth than Covaxin® in both seronegative individuals and seropositive individuals across cohorts representing the pre-vaccination immune history of the majority of the vaccinated Indian population. On January 23, 2023, the Lancet Regional Health South East published a study that concluded homologous and heterologous boosting with COVISHIELD or COVAXIN® in COVISHIELD or COVAXIN® primed individuals are immunogenic and safe. A heterologous boost with COVISHIELD  after COVAXIN® prime offers the best immune response among the evaluated combinations. A study published on September 14, 2023, provides detailed evidence on the magnitude and quality of CoviShield and Covaxin vaccine-induced responses in subjects with pre-existing SARS-CoV-2 immunity. On October 16, 2023, a study conducted by doctors of Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (Vimsar) measured the antibody levels both before and after the booster shot. The results showed the antibody levels significantly increased after the booster shot, with a mean fold increase of more than 30.

India publishes a FAQsQRegistered Trials listing of the CoviShield - Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine (AZD1222).

Serum Institute of India (SSI) Pvt. Ltd. is now the world's largest vaccine manufacturer by the number of doses produced and sold globally (more than 1.5 billion doses). Media reported on November 9, 2022, that SSI has supplied over 1.9 billion doses of Covishield vaccines globally. The Poonawalla Bio-Tech Park at Manjari in Pune is a State-of-the-Art facility designed to meet the highest standards set by many regulatory agencies, including the MHRA, the U.S. FDA, Europe, Japan, Australia, etc.

CoviShield Availability

The WHO Listed CoviShield in 2021, and it remains one of the 12 COVID-19 vaccines granted an EUL by the WHO. On April 12, 2023, PTI reported that SII's CEO, Adar Poonawalla, confirmed that Covishield manufacturing had restarted. As of April 2023, about 49 countries in Africa, the Caribbean, and South America have approved CoviSheld. However, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had not authorized the Covishield vaccine as of December 2023.

CovoVax™ Vaccine

COVOVAX™ is a SARS-CoV-2 rS Protein recombinant COVID-19 vaccine developed with Novavax Inc. One dose (0.5 mL) contains five micrograms of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and is adjuvanted with Matrix-M1. Adjuvant Matrix-M1 containing per 0.5 mL dose: Fraction-A (42.5 micrograms) and Fraction-C (7.5 micrograms) of Quillaja saponaria Molina extract. The SARS-CoV-2 recombinant spike protein is produced by recombinant DNA technology using a baculovirus expression system in an insect cell line derived from Sf9 cells of the Spodoptera frugiperda species.

On September 13, 2022, Novavax, Inc., and SII announced that the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority had granted full product registration with conditions for Novavax's protein-based vaccine, NVX-CoV2373, under the brand name Covovax™. On November 22, 2022, Reuters reported Gavi's spokesperson said Serum Institute had a 300 million dose commitment for Covovax, with options for 750 million more doses if needed.

CoviShield SARS-CoV-2 Variant Sublineages

As of December 2022, the U.S. NIH OpenData Portal reports the SARS-CoV-2 variant impact on COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness. On December 23, 2021, AstraZeneca announced Vaxzevria (ChAdOx1-S [Recombinant]) (Covishield) significantly boosted levels of antibodies against the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant (B.1.1.529) following a third dose booster, according to data from a new laboratory study. The neutralizing antibody levels against Omicron following a third dose boost of Vaxzevria were similar to levels achieved after two doses against the Delta variant. Data from a non-peer-reviewed laboratory study published on December 20, 2021, supported AstraZeneca's Vaxzevria's effect against Omicron, with individuals vaccinated with two doses of Vaxzevria retaining neutralizing activity against Omicron. However, a decrease was seen compared to the original strain.

U.K.'s Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed on December 10, 2021, that two doses of the CoviShield vaccine were less effective at stopping the new variant than Delta. However, a third dose protected around 75% of people in the small study.

CoviShield History

The WHO granted Emergency Use Listing to the AstraZeneca - Oxford COVID-19 vaccine 'COVISHIELD' ChAdOx1-S [recombinant] manufactured by Serum Institute of India on February 15, 2021. WHO's EUL assesses the quality, safety, and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines. It is a prerequisite for COVAX Facility vaccine supply, enabling countries to expedite their regulatory approval to import and administer COVID-19 vaccines. As of mid-July 2022, the Times of India reported that 200 crore vaccines had been distributed 18 months after the vaccinations began on January 16, 2021.

CoviShield is Listed by the Caribbean Regulatory System, the WHO, the Africa Regulatory Taskforce, and Europe.

Covishield Dosing

Based on the recommendations by the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19, the dosing schedule of the Covishield vaccine under India's National Covid-19 Vaccination Strategy is to administer the 2nd dose at 12-16 weeks intervals (i.e., after 84 days), after administration of 1st dose.

Covishield Women

Pregnant women "can and should" be vaccinated against COVID-19, the India Union Health Ministry announced. "The Health Ministry has guidelines to give the vaccine to pregnant women. Therefore, vaccination is useful for them and should be given," said Dr. Balram Bhargava, Director-General of the Indian Council for Medical Research, on June 25, 2021. In September 2022, the U.S. NIH reported a link between COVID-19 vaccination and a temporary increase in menstrual cycle length.

Covishield Children

The Lancet published the findings from a peer-reviewed study on June 11, 2022, 'ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 is well tolerated and immunogenic in children aged 6–17 years, inducing concentrations of antibody that are similar to those associated with high efficacy in phase 3 studies in adults. No safety concerns were raised in this trial.'

CoviShield Side Effects

On May 3, 2022, the journal BMC Infectious Diseases published - Determinants of Associated Events following AZD1222 (Covishield) vaccination in a high-risk population in Nepal. After the second dose, only 31.2% (95% CI 27.2–35.2) reported adverse events, the overwhelming majority of which were mild (95.7%) and required a lower frequency of medication (7.5% vs. 26.0%). 

A rare new type of adverse event called Thrombosis with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome, involving unusual and severe blood clotting events associated with low platelet counts, has been reported after vaccination with the COVID-19 Vaccine Covishield. The Annual of Internation Medicine published Original Research on February 1, 2022, that concluded this exploratory retrospective cohort study among frontline personnel in Denmark found the receipt of the AZD1222 (CoviShield) vaccine was associated with a small excess risk for deep venous thrombosis. In addition, on January 20, 2022, the EMA published safety updates for the AstraZeneca vaccine, which reported no new safety signals were identified, and no conclusions on any ongoing signals were reached. Therefore, EMA confirms that the benefits of CoviShield / Vaxzevria continue to outweigh its risks, given the risk of COVID-19 illness and related complications, including hospitalization and death.

On May 7, 2022: two case reports: Superficial venous thrombosis a possible consequence of ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine. However, the vaccine's benefits in breaking the chain of COVID-19 spread are certainly greater than the risk of thromboses.

CoviShield Ingredients

CoviShield ingredients can be found on the University of Oxford website. In addition, updated FAQs are posted at this link.

CoviShield Vaccine Price

According to local media in India, Prakash Kumar Singh, Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs at SSI, offered the Health Ministry Covisheld doses worth Rs 410 crore free of cost on December 28, 2022.

CoviShield Travel

The European Commission proposed extending the E.U. Digital COVID Certificate until June 30, 2023. CoviShield is included in various country authorizations.

Covisheld and BCG Vaccination

Original Research published on October 4, 2022: Evidence for the heterologous benefits of prior BCG vaccination on COVISHIELD™ vaccine-induced immune responses in SARS-CoV-2, seronegative young Indian adults. BCG revaccination enhances the magnitude of COVISHIELD-induced spike-specific immune responses.

CoviShield News

December 23, 2022 - Local media reported Dr. D Nageshwar Reddy, Chairman, AIG Hospitals stated, "We knew from our previous studies that mixed vaccines produce better immune response; therefore when the Govt approved Corbevax to be given as a heterologous booster to individuals already vaccinated with COVISHEILD, we aimed to determine how a different vaccine platform (protein-based) will impact the immune response, especially in context of the Omicron variant."

November 24, 2022 - The first study in India in which immunologic response, tolerability, and side effects of Covishield and Covaxin will be studied when both vaccines are given in combination as the first and second dose.

October 20, 2022 - Local media reported that the chief executive officer of Serum Institute of India, Adar Poonawalla, stated the vaccine manufacturer stopped the production of Covishield vaccines starting December 2021. We had a stock of a few hundred million doses at that time, and of that, 100 million doses have already expired.'

September 27, 2022 - A U.S. NIH study confirms a link between COVID-19 vaccination and a temporary increase in menstrual cycle length.

August 29, 2022 - The journal Nature Scientific Reports published: Differential persistence of neutralizing antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in post-immunized Bangladeshi populations. 'We measured NAb at 30 days after the 2nd dosage of immunization, and > 96% titer was detected in 42.9% of subjects, but only 5.1% of subjects retained the same level after 180 days. The median NAb titer dropped significantly, from 92% at 30 days to 58% at 180 days (p < 0.001).'

July 31, 2022 - The Times of India reported that six lakh Covishield vaccine doses may expire in August 2022.

July 15, 2022 - AJMC published: Clinical Profile of COVID-19 Infection in Postvaccination Individuals. The study shows 50% higher chances of having mild disease after two doses of vaccination than a single dose. There was also a significant reduction in the hospitalization requirement among vaccinated individuals.

June 30, 2022 - Taylor Francis Online published a Review: Expert review on global real-world vaccine effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2: protection appears equivalent for mRNA vaccines and vector vaccines like AZD1222, as supported by our analysis of Asian and relevant international data, and by insights from SEA experts.

June 20, 2022 - Local media reported a Christian Medical College Vellore study on heterologous vaccine boosting found boosting with Covishield as a third shot after two doses of Covishield boosted antibody-led immune response by 58 times.

June 13, 2022 - The WHO published The Oxford/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine: what you need to know.

June 11, 2022 - A study published in The Lancet medical journal found that the Covishield vaccine is "well tolerated and immunogenic in children aged 6-17 years".

May 18, 2022 - The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation announced India's government decided to reduce the gap between the second and the third (booster) dose to 90 days, from 9 months. The change, however, only applies to international travelers.

May 13, 2022 - The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation told The Hindu a Covishield booster following a two-dose Covaxin immunization gave the highest antibody response.

May 12, 2022 - PTI reported the Christian Medical College Vellore study found scientific evidence showing that administering a booster dose of Covishield after primary vaccination with Covaxin gives 6 to 10 times higher antibody levels as compared to when Covaxin is given as the precautionary dose after a gap of six months after the primary schedule.

May 2, 2022 - India's Supreme Court confirmed that while the government's COVID-19 vaccine policy is not unreasonable, no individual can be forced to be vaccinated.

April 21, 2022 - The Delhi government announced booster COVID-19 doses would be accessible to all eligible beneficiaries aged between 18 and 59 years in all government vaccination centers.

April 15, 2022 - Local media report the Covishield vaccine was available in Cambodia.

April 4, 2022 - Serum Institute of India CEO Adar Poonawalla stated they have appealed to India's government for a third or 'booster dose' of a COVID-19 vaccine.

March 22, 2022 - Wiley Online published Original Research: Kinetics of immune responses to the AZD1222/Covishield vaccine with varying dose intervals in Sri Lankan individuals. Conclusions - Both dosing schedules resulted in high antibody and T-cell responses post-vaccination. However, those with a longer dosing gap had a higher magnitude of responses, possibly as immune responses were measured six weeks post the second dose compared to 12 weeks post the second dose.

March 15, 2022 - The Times of India reported the government is exchanging expiring CoviShield vaccines with newer versions with extended shelf life at private hospitals.

March 13, 2022 - A non-peer-reviewed study concluded that seroconversion's magnitude is predicted by age, vaccine type, and SARS-CoV-2 exposure. Adverse Events (A.E.) are correlated with age, sex, and vaccine type. The Delta of the antibody response is positively correlated with A.E.s in patients previously exposed to SARS-CoV-2.

March 9, 2022 - The Times of India reported a non-peer-reviewed study that found mixing Covishield and Covaxin produced a better immune response than a same-dose schedule.

March 1, 2022 - Cyprus now accepts Covishield vaccinated visitors.

February 15, 2022 - Local media in India reported eligible citizens staying in Bhubaneswar who have taken both doses of Covishield elsewhere can now take the Precaution Dose in Bhubaneswar, informed Odisha Health & Family Welfare Department.

February 9, 2022 - India-based clinical immunologist and rheumatologist Dr. Padmanabha Shenoy stated, '65% of patients who had received a single dose of Covishield following an infection were able to neutralize Omicron.' 

February 2, 2022 - Media in Nepal reported a spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Population, Sangeeta Mishra, said that from now on, Covishield vaccines should be used as both primary series and booster doses unless the ministry changes its decision.

January 30, 2022 - Local media confirmed Nepal's Ministry of Health and Population has decided to provide the AstraZeneca vaccine as a second dose and booster.

January 27, 2022 - The Lancet Infectious Diseases published an extensive analysis based on data from 5.3 million people in Italy, which found that 'weakly rising rates of severe illness were observed for both the mRNA-based and adenovirus-vectored vaccines, with the average rates never exceeding three cases per 10,000 person-months even after nine months from the complete vaccination.'

January 27, 2022 - New Delhi media reported the Drugs Controller General of India cleared the Covishield vaccine for sale in the market.

January 22, 2022 - The Karnataka State's Technical Advisory Committee recommended that senior citizens in India who have been fully vaccinated abroad should be administered a Covishield booster vaccine.

January 21, 2022 - Local media reported an expert panel of the India Central Drug Authority cleared Covishield for 'full use.' This decision also means that boosters could become available.

January 19, 2022 - Local media reported an expert panel of India's central drug authority recommended granting regular market approval to Covishield.

January 13, 2022 - AstraZeneca announced new data showing increased antibody response against beta, delta, alpha, and gamma variants following the third dose booster with vaxzevria. Additional analysis showed an increased antibody response to Omicron after a third dose.

January 4, 2022 - The U.S. FDA confirmed it found an additional three lots of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine drug substance manufactured at the Emergent facility in Baltimore, Maryland, to be acceptable for use for potential export. 

January 3, 2022 - A study led by AIG Hospitals determined mixing Covishield and Covaxin vaccines "conclusively showed a safe profile, reported the Times of India. The spike-protein neutralizing antibodies in the mixed vaccine groups were significantly higher than the same-vaccine groups.

December 31, 2021 - Serum Institute of India confirmed it applied to India's authorities for full approval of its Covishield vaccine. The HinduTimes reported more than 1.25 billion doses of Covishield have been distributed in India.

December 30, 2021 - A phase 4 randomized single-blind two-center safety and immunogenicity study of a third heterologous booster dose of either the recombinant adenoviral-vectored ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (AZD1222, AstraZeneca), concluded by saying: Antibody responses were low at six months after prior immunization with two doses of CoronaVac, However, vaccines administered as a third dose induced a significant increase in binding and neutralizing antibody, which may improve protection against infection.

December 19, 2021 - A recent analysis from Pune-based BJ Government Medical College and Sassoon Hospital published by EClinicalMedicine reported that two doses of the CoviShield vaccine were very protected against COVID-19, reported the Times of India. Additionally, the SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 has a non-inferior immune response compared to AZD1222 and an acceptable safety/reactogenicity profile.

December 8, 2021 - India's Serum Institute CEO Adar Poonawalla told CNBC-TV18 it has ample vaccine supply to meet current demand and may decrease production in 2022, reported the BBC.

November 26, 2021 - The total number of Covishield doses manufactured has exceeded the 1.25 billion mark, according to the Pune-headquartered company. The company expects its vaccine exports to increase substantially by the first quarter of 2022.

November 25, 2021 - The Lancet published the results from a late-stage study - two doses of ChAdOx1 were 63·1% effective against SARS-CoV-2 infection, caused mainly by the delta variant, and prevented moderate-to-severe COVID-19 in 81·5% of cases.

November 22, 2021 - Indian media reported a new study found the overall vaccine effectiveness against severe COVID-19 was 80% with two doses of the Covishield vaccine.

November 17, 2021 - New Zealand recognizes CoviShield vaccinated international travelers. According to a Twitter post by ANI, 110 countries agreed to mutual acceptance of vaccination certificates with Covishield.

November 15, 2021 - Results from the first U.K. real-world study by UKHSA show that two weeks after receiving a booster dose, protection against symptomatic infection in adults aged 50 years and over was 93.1% in those with AstraZeneca as their primary course.

November 12, 2021 - Saudi Arabia recognized Covishield as an approved Covid vaccine for entry into the country.

November 9, 2021 - Local media reported 96 countries had recognized CoviShield.

October 27, 2021 - A non-peer-reviewed study found that all individuals (100%) had SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies, and 94.2% of cohort 1 and 97.1% of cohort 2 had ACE2R-blocking Abs. There was no difference in antibody titers or positivity rates in different age groups in both cohorts.'

October 22, 2021 - Local media reported Poland recognized Covishield now shares equal status with the other European Union-approved vaccines.

October 18, 2021 -  Local media reported a study by researchers from the Indian Council of Medical Research Regional Medical Centre and Institute of Virology highlighted that mixing doses of the Covishield vaccine could provide a stronger, efficient response against the SARS-COV-2 virus.

October 5, 2021 - International travelers who have been vaccinated with the Covishield vaccine will no longer be subject to the COVID-19 entry rules, the Norwegian Ministry of Health and Care Services announced, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports. "There is no longer a need for global travel advice. We will now go back to assessing countries individually to determine the need for travel advice.'

October 2, 2021 - The President of the U.N. General Assembly, Abdulla Shahid, confirmed he was vaccinated with the Covishield vaccine.

October 1, 2021 - Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison stated in an online briefing the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has advised that the Covishield vaccine would be considered a "recognized vaccine" when determining whether an incoming international traveler has been appropriately vaccinated. On February 16, 2021, the TGA granted provisional approval to AstraZeneca Pty Ltd for its COVID-19 vaccine.

September 22, 2021 - The BBC reported that the U.K. government clarified that the Covishield vaccine was approved.

September 17, 2021 - Local media reported Serum Institute of India Adar Poonawalla, CEO, said that his company had ramped up capacity to 160 million doses this month, up to 200 million doses per month from October 2021.

August 31, 2021 - The WHO reported a falsified COVISHIELD vaccine identified in the WHO regions of Africa and Southeast Asia.

August 31, 2021 - The Time of India reported that a single dose of Covishield following a COVID-19 infection gives "hybrid immunity" that is more potent than two vaccinations or infection alone. This shows a new study from Kerala, India.

August 26, 2021 - LocalCircles conducted a nationwide survey to understand better what (40,000) citizens in India experienced after 1st and 2nd dose of CoviShield. On an aggregate basis, 75% of Indians who took COVISHIELD 2nd dose experienced no or mild side effects; 4% reported COVID infection after that.

August 26, 2021 - Local media reported Serum Institute of India informed the Centre that it would supply around 20 crore doses of Covishield in September 2021. The company has already given 12 crore doses.

August 14, 2021 - The Romanian Ministry of Health now accepts the CoviShield vaccine as valid proof of immunity for entry into its territory. 

July 28, 2021 - Covishield vaccine gives 93% protection against COVID-19 and reduces the mortality rate by 98%, according to a study by the Armed Forces Medical College based in India.

July 19, 2021 - Media reported French authorities have revealed that the country will now accept proof of vaccination with the AstraZeneca vaccine manufactured by the Serum Institute of India. France has become the 14th E.U. Member State to allow entry for all travelers immunized with the Covishield vaccine. Previously, France had only recognized Comirnaty, SpikeVax, Vaxzevria, and Janssen.

June 28, 2021 - Local media reported that the Serum Institute of India has applied to the European Medicines Agency for the Covishield vaccine to be included on the list of approved vaccines for the E.U.' Green Passport.'

June 24, 2021 - Local media reported a single dose of the Covishield vaccine had been found sufficient to protect previously Covid-19 infected people who have attained immunity after recovering from the infection, revealed a study by researchers at the ICMR and the Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh.

May 13, 2021 - India's Centre accepted the Covid-19 Working Group's recommendation to extend the gap between the two doses of the Covishield. Based on a study published by The Lancet on February 19, 2021, the decision claimed a 26.2% increase - from 55.1% to 81.3% - if CoviShield vaccine doses were spaced 12 or more weeks apart.

May 3, 2021 - "We had an excellent meeting with all our partners and stakeholders in the U.K. Meanwhile, I am pleased to state that Covishield's production is in full swing in Pune. I look forward to reviewing operations upon my return in a few days," CEO Adar Poonawalla wrote on Twitter. The company expects to increase its monthly production from about 65 million to about 100 million by June 2021.

May 3, 2021 - India's Ministry of Health and Family Welfare confirmed' 100% advance of Rs. 1732.50 cr (after TDS Rs. 1699.50 cr) was released to Serum Institute of India (SII) on 28.04.2021 for 11 crore doses of Covishield vaccine during May, June, and July and was received by them on 28.04.2021. As of date, against the last order of 10 crore doses for supplies of Covishield vaccine, 8.744 crore doses have been delivered till 03.05.2021. Under the Liberalised Pricing & Accelerated National COVID-19 Vaccination Strategy, Govt of India would continue to procure its share of 50% of the monthly Central Drugs Laboratory cleared vaccines & would continue to make it available to the State government free of cost as was being done earlier.'

April 24, 2021 - The Serum Institute of India defended the previously announced pricing of the CovidShield COVID-19 vaccine at Rs 600 for private hospitals and Rs 400 for the government.

April 21, 2021 - The Serum Institute of India (SII) confirmed it 'welcomes the recent announcement made by the Government of India's Ministry of Health and Finance Ministry to accelerate India's vaccination drive. The promising directives will help scale up vaccine production and allow state governments, private hospitals, and vaccination centers to procure vaccines directly. In the future, 50% of our vaccine production capacities will be served to the Government of India's vaccination program, and the remaining 50% of the capacity will be for the State governments and private hospitals. Following the Government of India directives, SII announced the vaccine prices.

April 19, 2021 - Local media reported a total of about 144 million doses that India has supplied to states and Union territories till April 18, 2021; nearly 127 million were Covishield doses, and 17 million doses were of the Covaxin vaccine, according to government data accessed by H.T. till late on Sunday.

April 16, 2021 - The WHO published a statement: 'Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety review of the latest evidence of rare adverse blood coagulation events with AstraZeneca COVID-19 Vaccine (Vaxzevria and Covishield).' Based on the latest available data, the risk of TTS with Vaxzevria and Covishield vaccines appears to be very low. However, there may be a geographic variation in the risk of these rare adverse events. It is, therefore, essential to evaluate potential cases of TTS in all countries. Countries are encouraged to review, report, and investigate all instances of TTS following COVID-19 vaccinations.

April 14, 2021 - Health Canada announced 'That AstraZeneca COVID‐19 Vaccine and COVISHIELD (manufactured by Serum Institute of India) are ChAdOx1-S recombinant vaccines developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University. Health Canada has reviewed the manufacturing information for these vaccines and found them to be comparable.'

April 14, 2021 - The BBC published Sputnik V, Covishield, Covaxin: What we know about India's Covid-19 vaccines.

April 13, 2021 - A non-peer-reviewed study assessed the humoral immune response after the first dose of two vaccines, Covishield and the BBV-152 (Covaxin), in healthcare workers. These researchers concluded, 'While both vaccines elicited immune response, seropositivity rates to anti-spike antibody were significantly higher in Covishield recipient than Covaxin after the first dose. The ongoing COVAT study will further enlighten the immune response between two vaccines after the second dose.'

April 1, 2021 - The Serum Institute of India is reported to increase its output of CoviShield vaccines by 67% to 100 million doses a month beginning May 2021, up from 60 million doses a month.

The India Ministry of Health and Family Welfare announced on March 22, 2021, 'Given the emerging scientific evidence, the interval between two doses of COVISHIELD has been revisited by National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization and subsequently by National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 in its 20th meeting. During this meeting, the recommendation has been revised to provide a 2nd dose of COVISHIELD at 4-8 weeks intervals after the 1st dose instead of an earlier practiced interval of 4-6 weeks.'

CoviShield Clinical Trials

November 12, 2020 - The Serum Institute of India and Indian Council of Medical Research announce the completion of enrollment for phase 3 clinical trials for COVISHIELD in India.

November 21, 2021 - The Lancet reported: A phase 2/3, participant-blind, observer-blind, randomized, controlled study to assess the safety and immunogenicity of SII-ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 (COVID-19 vaccine) in adults in India.

Recent Covishield clinical trials are searchable at Investigating a Vaccine Against COVID-19 - Full Text View.

Clinical Trials

No clinical trials found