Bharat Biotech likely to begin pediatric trials of Covaxin from June
Earlier last week, India’s apex drug regulator had granted permission for conducting the phase II/III clinical trial of Covaxin in the age group of 2 to 18 years.
FollowAmid much discourse on the need for vaccination to prevent the third wave in India, Bharat Biotech's business development and international advocacy head Dr Raches Ella said on Sunday that paediatric trials of Covaxin may begin from June.
Earlier last week, India’s apex drug regulator had granted permission for conducting the phase II/III clinical trial of Covaxin in the age group of 2 to 18 years.
Holding a virtual conversation with members of FICCI Ladies Organisation (FLO) Hyderabad on "All About Vaccines", he said that the company expected approval from the World Health Organisation (WHO) for Covaxin by the end of the third or fourth quarter.
"I am happy that our hard work is paying off well as the vaccine is working well and saving lives. We have this good feeling when we go back home from work each day. We will be soon ramping up our manufacturing capacity to 700 million doses by the end of this year," informed Dr Raches Ella as a response to a question from a participant.
He also exuded confidence that vaccines for kids may get the license in the third quarter of this year.
"We focused on developing the product last year. Now our focus is on ramping up our manufacturing capacity. Kids' vaccine trials of Bharath Biotech may get the license in the third quarter of this year," said Ella.
Notably, Covaxin is indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech along with the apex health agency, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
“We are happy to have the full support of the government because of which we are able to stand where we are today in this journey. The Government placed an advanced purchase order of Rs 1,500 crore. This will help us to increase our risk appetite. That is why we are expanding to Bangalore and Gujarat,” he said.
Talking about a booster dosage he said the current vaccines are doing good enough but it will depend on future variants of the virus if any booster doses needs to be taken or not.
Furthermore, he stressed that no vaccines offer 100% protection. “The vaccine efficacy can be improved up to 100% protection by Covid appropriate behaviour and following other safety protocols”, he added.
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