Children's trials for Covaxin to commence in Nagpur

Pharma giant Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, which is currently being administered under pan-India vaccination drive, is now to be tested on children. According to a report by the Times of India, the vaccine will start its trial on those below 18 years in Nagpur.

According to the publication's sources, a leading children's hospital in the city has been earmarked as one of the sites for the trials to be done on children and youngsters in the age group 2 to 18 years.

The trials will commence once Bharat Biotech gets approval from the Drug Controller General of India.

Meanwhile, earlier in January, Bharat Biotech MD Krishna Ella had stated that the vaccine for children will be ready by May 2021. "It will be the first such trial in the world which paediatric population right from toddlers to teens will be tested for the covid-19 vaccine," said coordinator for these trial, Dr Ashish Tajne.

"Trials for Covaxin through intradermal route are under way in the city. Soon, covaxin trials through nasal route will also commence. However, paediatric trial has a special importance," he added.

Earlier in January, the DCGI had given conditional approval for administering Covaxin to children above 12 years of age. But later in the month, the government disapproved this authorization.