Blocks cleared for vaccination of 2-18 age group: DCGI approves Covaxin

New Delhi – The approval of Bharat Biotech’s ‘Covaxin’ for vaccinating children between the ages of two and 18 years for Covid by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has given a significant impetus to coronavirus vaccination in the country. This is the second emergency vaccine for children in the country. Earlier, Zydus Cadila’s vaccine ‘ZyCoV-D’ was approved in August. However, the vaccine can only be given to children between the ages of 12 and 18. This is essential news in terms of immunization of children, as Covaxin can be given to all children above the age of two years.

More than 96 crore doses of vaccine have been given so far in the ongoing corona vaccination campaign in the country. Most of these vaccinations have been given achieved with the vaccines manufactured in India, namely Covishield and Covaxin. There is no vaccine available in India for children under the age of 18. As the number of corona patients decreases, schools, colleges is slowly and steadily starting. However, parents are constantly concerned about the safety of their children. Some experts had previously warned that if there is a third wave of the corona, there is a risk of infection being more common in young children. It was hoped that the vaccine would be made available to children as soon as possible to reduce the safety concerns associated with corona infection in children. The big news was received on this front on Tuesday. Emergency approval has been obtained for vaccinating children between the ages of two and eighteen with covaxin.

Experts from the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization had recommended to The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) that the vaccine should be allowed after examining the reports of second and third phase trials of the vaccine in children. The DCGI has since decided to give emergency approval to the vaccine for children. Just two weeks ago, Bharat Biotech had submitted reports of trials of Covaxin in children to the expert committee and the DCGI and sought approval.

However, even after DCGI approval, the vaccine may take another two months to become available to young children. Vaccination may begin in late December or the new year. The government has asked the expert committee has been asked to prepare guidelines for immunization of children. It is learned that sick children will be vaccinated first. Meanwhile, Zydus Cadila’s ZyCoV-D’ vaccine was approved in August. The vaccine is the world’s first DNA-based corona vaccine and the first three-dose vaccine. The vaccine will be available for adults and children between the ages of 12 and 18. But even this will take some time. But it is expected that the children in the country will start getting vaccinated in the next one and a half upto two months.