Delhi HC issues notice to Centre, Bharat Biotech on PIL against Covaxin trial on 2-18 age group

Delhi HC has sought the Centre's stand on plea to quash permission given to Bharat Biotech for the clinical trial of Covaxin on 2-18 age group.

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Image for Representation. (Photo: Reuters)

The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the Centre and Bharat Biotech on a plea filed against conducting the phase 2 and 3 clinical trial Covaxin Covid-19 vaccine on the 2-18 age group.

The PIL was filed to set aside the permission granted by the Drugs Controller General of India to Bharat Biotech for conducting the phase II/III clinical trial of its Covaxin Covid-19 vaccine on the 2-18 age group.

A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh issued notice to the Centre and Bharat Biotech seeking their stand by July 15 on the petition.

The court declined to pass any interim order staying the permission, granted on May 12, for clinical trials as sought by the petitioner, Sanjeev Kumar.

The trial will be conducted on 525 healthy volunteers.

In the trial, the vaccine will be given by intramuscular route in two doses on day 0 and day 28.

Covaxin, which has been indigenously developed by Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), is being used on adults in India's ongoing Covid-19 vaccination drive.

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Posted byShreya Sinha