What Covovax could mean for Indian students

I am starting off by talking about what’s making most heads turn in the study abroad world - the addition of Covovax vaccine developed by Serum Institute of India, to the country’s glossary of approved vaccines combating COVID-19 - and how it’s going to play a defining role in lives of Indian students who are heading out in the coming quarter. Let’s break this down.

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What is the Covovax Vaccine?

Covovax is technology transfer of the vaccine developed by US-based Novavax. Its recent trials prove improved efficacy against the very new Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus. It is the 9th vaccine listed by WHO for emergency use to help vaccination of citizens in low income countries. It is also undergoing trials to be administered as a vaccine for people aged <18 years. This serves as a huge boost to the school-going population that will roll over to undergraduate courses.

What’s the latest news on its availability?
The Indian Drug Controller, DCGI, is in advanced talks with its origin country, USA, around the vaccine’s local approval. It has also sought further information on the details of the ‘matrix component’ used in the vaccine, but SII Chief Adar Poonawalla has hinted towards the vaccine receiving approval this January itself.

What value does it hold for today’s Indian Study Abroad Aspirant?
The vaccine has proved improved efficacy against the new Omicron variant and stands to become India’s “ideal booster shot” - hence an immediate fix for the students who are headed out in the January through March intakes across the world. This will also help Indian students be perceived in the right light by foreign offices, having had recent additional protection before crossing borders. Quicker the vaccine receives DCGI nod, the better it is for the half million odd students who will be directly affected by this.

The author is the Founder & CEO of Leverage Edu