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The Drugs Controller General of India has given restricted emergency use authorisation to BharatBiotech's Covaxin for children between the age of 6-12 years, according to sources.
This development comes following the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) asking Bharat Biotech for additional data on its Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin, for administering it to children aged between 2-12 years, sources had said.
This development comes after the Subject Expert Committee discussed recommendations for the restricted emergency of Covaxin in children aged between 2-12 years. However, the SEC, after a meeting on Thursday, has recommended restricted emergency use of Biological E's Covid-19 vaccine, Corbevax, in children aged 5-12 years, said sources. Now DCGI will be giving approval for its emergency use authorisation.
The Corbevax vaccine is currently being administered to children in the age group of 12-14 years. The vaccination drive for children in the age group of 15-18 years commenced on January 3 this year. They are being administered Covaxin.
The drive later expanded on March 16 to include children aged between 12-14 years. They are being administered Corbevax. Overall, India is currently administering two Covid-19 vaccines to children above 12 years.
(With inputs from agencies)