After a wait of almost six months, the Indian Government and Union Health Ministry, assured the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine for children below 18 years old.
Recently, Dr. Randeep Guleria, the member of the National Task Force (for COVID-19) and the Chief of the All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS) said, “In the coming few weeks or by September, vaccines should be available for children.”
The statement was based on the data and the soon to end trials of COVAXIN, the COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by the Hyderabad based Bharat Biotech International Private Limited. As of now, the top most medical Institutes of India like the AIIMS and others are conducting trials of COVAXIN on children. The approval would be given after the complete trials and inspection by the regulatory body for the drug, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI.)
In regard to this, Dr. Guleria said, “It all depends on regulatory approvals and data from trials. Unclear exactly when it will start.”
According to sources, children between the ages of 12 and 18 years, and 6 and 12 years have received both the jabs of COVAXIN and trials are underway at the AIIMS.
The approval of vaccines for children would be great for India, especially when the third wave is likely to come in October. The third wave is said to be dangerous for children, but with the introduction of vaccines for children, the possibility of getting infected and transmission would be less.
As of now, COVAXIN of India, Zydus Cadila’s Candidate vaccine, and the Pfizer Moderna of the United States of America are lined up for the children in India. If approved, vaccines would be given to children between 12-17 years old. Approval for children below 12 might take a bit longer.
Meanwhile, so far 42 crore vaccine doses have been administered in India, which means close to 6 % of the total population are vaccinated in India.
Mango News Links:
Telegram: https://t.me/mangonewsofficial
Google Play Store: https://bit.ly/2R4cbgN
Apple / iOS Store: https://apple.co/2xEYFJ
