The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on Saturday approved Covaxin for emergency use for children above 12 years. The approval is for children between 12 to 18 years of age only. The vaccine is not for children below 12 years.
India will start rolling out vaccines for children in the age group of 15 to 18 years from January 3, PM Modi said in an address on Saturday.
Earlier, Bharat Biotech had submitted data from clinical trials in the 2-18 years age group for Covaxin (BBV152) to Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). The Subject Expert Committee on COVID-19 of the CDSCO, after deliberating Bharat Biotech’s EUA application on October 12, had recommended granting emergency use approval to Covaxin for use in the 12-18 years age group with certain conditions.
Dr. Sumita Saha, neonatology and paediatric of Fortis Hospital Kolkata said “At this stage of the Corona pandemic, we are all waiting for Covid vaccinations for children. At present, there are two types of vaccinations that are available for children. One is Zy-cov-D which is a painless, needleless vaccine and the other is Covaxin (same as adult) which is made by Bharat Biotics. Bharat Biotics has completed Phase 3 trials for Covaxin for the age group of 2 to 18 years. Both vaccines have been approved by the DCGI for emergency uses on children. The Government of India has taken the decision to use vaccines on children of age between 15 and 18 years. I think the age group of 12 to 15 years should also be vaccinated as soon as possible.”
