COVID-19: Govt launches India’s first Omicron-specific mRNA booster vaccine

According to a statement released, Genova created the first mRNA vaccine for use in India utilising its own platform technology with financing assistance from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and the Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

A few days ago, the vaccine received Emergency Use Use (EUA) approval from the Directorate General of Drug Control of India (DCGI). The fifth COVID-19 vaccine, GEMCOVAC-OM, was created with assistance from Mission COVID Suraksha, which was carried out by DBT and BIRAC as part of the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 programme. This “future-ready” technological platform, according to Singh, may be utilised to produce more vaccinations more quickly.

GEMCOVAC-OM does not need the ultra-cold chain infrastructure required for other mRNA-based vaccines that have received licensure since it is thermostable.

With this invention, last-mile deployment is made simple throughout our nation. The fact that this vaccine may be provided without a needle injection makes it unique, according to Singh, who added that the current supply chain infrastructure is enough for its deployment.

According to the statement, the vaccine was administered intradermally utilising a needle-free injection device method, and it produced noticeably stronger immune responses in trial participants. According to the report, the clinical result shows that variant-specific vaccinations are necessary to elicit the required immune response.

The statement also said that several other important initiatives to advance basic and translational vaccine research are underway, including (i) the Intra-US Vaccine Action Program, (ii) the National Biopharma Mission, (iii) the Ind-CEPI Mission, and (iv) Mission COVID. Suraksha launched as part of Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0, which aims to bring safe, effective, affordable and affordable indigenous Covid-19 vaccines to the citizens of the country as soon as possible.