Union minister Jitendra Singh launched GEMCOVAC-OM, India’s first mRNA-based booster vaccine specifically designed for the Omicron variant of COVID-19. Developed by Gennova, the vaccine is a result of the indigenous platform technology and received funding support from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) and Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC).

GEMCOVAC-OM received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) from the Drug Control General of India a few days ago. It is the fifth vaccine developed under the Mission COVID Suraksha initiative, implemented by DBT and BIRAC as part of the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat 3.0 package for accelerated development of COVID-19 vaccines.

One of the key advantages of GEMCOVAC-OM is its thermostable nature, eliminating the need for ultra-cold chain infrastructure that is typically required for other mRNA-based vaccines. This attribute makes it suitable for deployment in India’s existing supply chain infrastructure, enabling easy last-mile delivery. Moreover, GEMCOVAC-OM can be administered without a needle injection, making the vaccination process more convenient.

The vaccine utilizes a needle-free injection device system for intradermal delivery, and it has demonstrated significantly higher immune responses in study participants. This outcome underscores the importance of variant-specific vaccines in generating the desired immune response.

In addition to providing protection against the Omicron variant, GEMCOVAC-OM’s platform technology holds promise for the development of other vaccines in a shorter time frame. Its successful launch marks a significant step in India’s fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.