DCGI grants emergency use of Covaxin, Corbevax and ZyCov-D for children of different age groups

Admin April 26, 2022 0 Comments #covid, corona, Covid vaccination, DCGI, Health Ministry, Vaccination for children

New Delhi: The DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India), on Tuesday, gave restricted emergency use authorization to Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin as a COVID-19 vaccine for children between the age of 6-12 years, news agency ANI reported citing sources. Besides, the drug regulator also granted emergency use authorization to Corbevax for children between the age of 5-12 years and ZycovD (Zydus Cadila vaccine) for children above the age of 12 years.

In March, the Centre had told the Delhi High Court that it will be filing a status report regarding the vaccination of children below 12 years of age. The government has vehemently stated that 100 per cent vaccination is its top priority in its fight against coronavirus in the country. Accordingly, the government started the vaccination of children above 12 years of age on March 16. Currently, children between 12 and 14 years of age are being administered Corbevax.

“Globally, countries have fully recognized the importance of vaccinating children alongside adults, to curb and mitigate the ill effects of the pandemic… and have accordingly and effectively taken measures,” a plea in High Court had, last month stated.

Besides Corbevax and Covaxin, the government has also approved Zydus Cadila’s Zycov-D and Serum Institute of India’s (SII) Covovax for emergency use in children above the age of 12 years.

Earlier this month, National Institute of Virology (NIV) director Dr Priya Abraham had said that there was a need to vaccinate children below 12 years of age. “Children below the age of 12 years who are at high risk — as in those who are on dialysis, have immunosuppression and also are suffering from cancer, among others — need to be vaccinated,” she had told news agency PTI.

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