Serum Institute Plans Special Vaccine For JN.1 Variant Amidst Surging Covid-19 Cases In India

As Covid-19 cases surge in India, the Pune-based Serum Institute of India is gearing up to sell vaccines specifically targeting the new JN.1 variant.

According to a report by Business Standard, the institute is preparing to apply for licensing for the vaccine, which is currently available for the XBB1 variant and deemed "very similar" to JN.1.

The institute plans to share the necessary documents with the public once they are submitted to regulators.

Serum Institute of India, led by Adar Poonawalla, is well-known for manufacturing the Covishield vaccine, widely used during the first and second waves of the Covid-19 pandemic in India.

With the rising number of Covid-19 cases, including those related to the new JN.1 variant, the move by the Serum Institute aligns with the ongoing efforts to adapt to the evolving nature of the virus.

As of Friday (22 December), India recorded 640 fresh Covid-19 infections, with the total number of active cases standing at 2,997.