New Delhi: Amid the massive pace with which anti-covid vaccination for adults is on, now comes good news for the under 18 years of age category.
Children in India can now get the Covid vaccine for protection against the virus following its approval by an expert committee of the Drug Controller of the country.
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.
The Covaxin for children will use a pre-filled syringe or PFS mechanism. Children will receive two doses of the vaccine between a gap of 28 days.
In September, hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech had completed Phase-2 and Phase-3 trials of Covaxin on children below 18 years of age and submitted the trial data to the Drugs and Comptroller General of India (DCGI). The committee recommended the grant of market authorization of the vaccine for the age group of 2 to 18 years for restricted use in emergency situations, the panel said.
Reports said that two other companies, Serum Institute of India and homegrown drugmaker Biological E., have also been allowed to test their shots on children.
Virtually racing against time, giving a major push to vaccination drive nationwide, as of October 12, 2021, India has administered over 958 million (over 95 crores) doses overall, including first and second doses of the currently approved vaccines.
Kerala, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Odisha and Delhi have reported coronavirus cases in children lately. In Kerala, which has been contributing to the bulk of the total caseload, the Covid antibodies have been found in at least 40 per cent of children, as per a survey conducted by the state government. Maharashtra and Delhi have also reported antibodies in children. Kerala and Maharashtra also account for nearly 65 per cent of active cases in the country.
The recovery rate currently stands at 98 per cent – the highest since March 2020.
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