Covaxin received the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) nod to conduct clinical trials in children on May 11.
Amid concerns over the third wave of the deadly Covid-19 which is said to pose more danger to the children, indigenous pharma company Bharat Biotech on Thursday started the clinical trials of its Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin, for children aged between 2 to 18 years of age.
Covaxin received the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) nod to conduct clinical trials in children on May 11.
According to a Times of India report, AIIMS-Patna superintendent Dr CM Singh had said they are targeting to include between 70 and 80 children in the trial phase that began with the registration of a 13-year-old Patna boy, on Friday.
Last month, NITI Aayog's Member Health, Dr VK Paul said, "Covaxin has been approved by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for Phase 2 and 2 clinical trials in the age group of two to 18 years. I have been told that trials will begin in the next 10-12 days."
The government on Tuesday had also said that it is focusing more on Covid-19 in children before the third wave of the deadly virus hits the country. The government said that if the SARS-CoV-2 virus changes its nature, the impact of Covid-19 infection on children may increase. However, the government contended that right now the deadly virus has not taken serious shape in children so far.
"Our focus on childhood COVID disease is gaining our attention. The pediatric population is generally asymptomatic. They often get infections but their symptoms are minimal or nil. The infection has not taken serious shape in children. Although children get mild Covid and only 2-3% children may need hospitalisation, we are preparing for it. An expert group has been formed and new guidelines will be released," NITI Aayog Member (Health), Dr VK Paul said.
India has three Covid-19 vaccines - Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, Serum Institute's Covishield and Russia's Sputnik V. Covaxin and Covishield are being manufactured in India.
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