COVID-19 Vaccination: Four Vaccines Put In Row For Kids
COVID-19 Vaccine has been evaluated for the last 10 months. Since January 16, 2021, India has administered 925 million doses to this date in three phases; first-frontline workers along with people with chronic diseases, second adults above 40, and people aged between 18-40 were given vaccines in the third phase.
Now, when more than half of the Indian population is vaccinated, the government is all set for under-18 vaccination. Union minister of state for health and family welfare, Bharti Parvin Panwar, confirmed on Tuesday saying that evaluation of COVID-19 vaccination for children is under process. The final approval will be given by the DCGI (Drug Controller General of India).
The Experts, on Tuesday, recommended that Bharat Biotech’s indigenous COVID-19 vaccine namely Covaxin can be given as an emergency to children between 2-18 years.
The administration of the vaccine is expected to be started ahead of the festival season, before the possibility of the third wave. However, the final approval is yet to be received by DCGI.
There are only four vaccines on the horizon for children, including, ZyCoV-D by Zydus Cadila, Covaxin by Bharat Biotech, Corbevax by Biological E, and Covovax by Serum Institute (SII).
ZyCoV-D – ZyCoV-D is indigenously developed in EUA, the first vaccine to be administered in the age group of 12-18 years. However, this vaccine is not included as part of the vaccination drive. That means it should be for emergency cases.
Covaxin – Like ZyCoV-D, Covaxin has not also been included as part of the vaccination drive, but it is recommended for use in children ages two or above.
Corbevax- Corbevax has been developed with the help of the Department of Biotechnology and its PSU Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC). Presently, the vaccine, Corbevax, has passed the trials and is approved for children aged 5-18 years.
Covovax – Covovax is the Indian version of the Novavax vaccine developed by SII especially for children. The vaccine has qualified earlier trials in children aged 2-18 years.
These are the four vaccines on the horizon for children under 18 years. With this, the government is looking forward to controlling the spread of Coronavirus and making the country virus-free.
People are requested to get their children vaccinated as soon as the vaccination drive starts in the country. It will help to halt the expected third wave which, according to the research, can attack children.
Read Also: COVID-19 Vaccine and Pregnancy
