Expert panel recommends Covaxin for children aged 2 to 18 years in India

Oct 12: In a significant development, the Subject Expert Committee on Covid-19 has granted emergency use approval to Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for children in the 2-18 years age group. Covaxin clinical trial data of 2-18 years age group has been submitted to CDSCO… This is feasible due to the safety of the manufacturing platform and empirical evidence from Phase 1,2 and 3 clinical trials in adults.

The DCGI will give the final nod for the use of Covaxin on children. If approved, Covaxin will become only second vaccine cleared for use on kids. In August Zydus Cadilla’s three-dose DNA jab was allowed to be used on adults and children over 12. A third potential vaccine for kids, Serum Institute’s Novavax, has also begun trials for children between seven and 11 years. Currently, only those who are 18 or above are eligible for vaccination against coronavirus.