Covaxin: Emergency approval for use in children granted
- IndiaGlitz, [Tuesday,October 12 2021]
After ZyCoV-D, Covaxin has become the second Covid vaccine to receive emergency use approval for use in children. While ZyCoV-D is meant for children above 12 years of age, Covaxin can be administered to children from the age of 2 to 18. This is only for emergency approval and the vaccine has not been included in the national vaccination program.
Clinical trials have established that the vaccine is as effective in children as it is in adults. In India, Covaxin has been the second most preferred vaccine by adults after Covishield.
The vaccine is manufactured by Bharath Biotech, which today said that Covaxin is the first Covid-19 vaccine to be tested in the 2-6 years age group. Empirical evidence from phase I, II, III clinical trials in adults have been used in the research process.
Meanwhile, Covaxin is trying to receive WHO approval. Earlier this month, WHO said that it, along with an independent group of experts, will be carrying out the risk/benefit assessment and come to a final decision whether to grant Emergency Use Listing to Covaxin soon.