Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin gets approval for trail on 2 to 18 years old

May 13: The 1st phase of the vaccination drive in India began with those above 45 years of age. In the 2nd phase, vaccine started to be administered upon people in the age group of 18 to 44 years. An expert panel on Tuesday recommended Bharat Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin for phase II/III clinical trial on those aged between 02 to 18 years.

This comes amid reports that children are likely to be at risk in the possible third wave of the COVID-19 virus in the country. According to experts, the first wave of the virus attacked the elderly, in the second wave more youth are affected and the third wave can be dangerous for children.

The trial will take place in 525 subjects at various sites, including AIIMS, Delhi, AIIMS, Patna and Meditrina Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur.

Covaxin, indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is presently being administered to people above 18 years of age in the ongoing nationwide vaccination drive against COVID-19.