SII's Covovax Receives Emergency Use Approval for Adults, Children Over 12

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has granted Emergency Use Authorisation (EUA) to Serum Institute of India’s (SII) Covid-19 vaccine ‘Covovax’ for adults and for children above the age of 12 years.

"Novavax in global trials has demonstrated more than 90 per cent efficacy. Serum Institute of India`s brand Covovax has completed bridging studies in India and has been granted Emergency Use Authorisation by DCGI for adults and for children above the age of 12. Younger age groups will follow shortly," SII CEO Adar Poonawala said in a tweet.

It is the fourth vaccine to receive the regulator's nod for use among those below 18 years. However, only one vaccine --Bharat Biotech's Covaxin-- is used for the 15-18 years age group in the vaccination drive in the country after the government approval.

The Drugs Controller General Of India's (DCGI) approval comes after the Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday, 28 December, had announced that the CDSCO had approved Covovax for restricted emergency use in India.

(With inputs from ANI)