Covid-19: Green signal to Covaxin for kids aged 6-12

In a major boost to India’s vaccination drive, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has given its nod for restricted emergency use authorisation to BharatBiotech's Covaxin for children between the age group of 6-12 years, sources said on Tuesday.

Covaxin, one of the main vaccines administered to adults, is currently being administered to children in the age group of 15-18 years.

On Thursday, the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had reviewed Bharat Biotech's application seeking grant of marketing authorisation for additional indication for Covid-19 vaccine for restricted use in emergency situations in the age group 6-12 years.

India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage exceeded 187.95 Cr (1,87,95,76,423) as per provisional reports till 7 am today. This has been achieved through 2,30,89,167 sessions.

It is pertinent to mention here that COVID-19 vaccination for the age group 12-14 years started on March 16, 2022 . So far, more than 2.70 Cr (2,70,96,975) adolescents have been administered with the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Similarly, the COVID-19 precaution dose administration for age group 18-59 years also started from  April 10, 2022 onwards. 4,68,211 precaution doses have been administered in age group 18-59 years so far.