The focus has moved on to the children’s vaccines amidst the fresh surge in Covid-19 cases, especially among kids and children. The SEC suggested the usage of Biological E’s Corbevax in children between 5 and 12 years old. At present, it is being administered in the age group of 12-14 years.
In the 1st step towards the vaccination for the kids, the DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India) has suggested EUA (emergency-use authorization) for Covaxin of Bharat Biotech.
It has been recommended by DCGI, the EUA of Corbevax, for those aged 5 to 12 years. Besides the Covid vaccine from Zydus Cadila, ZyCoV-D is also recommended for kids more than 12 years old.
The approval of vaccines for kids
At present, India is not offering vaccines for children under 12 years of age. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Health Minister, tweeted that the approvals are going to help strengthen India against the deadly virus.
The SEC (subject expert committee) has recommended all the Covaxin protocols be followed. It is an India-made vaccine and the second most widespread vaccine in the country after Covishield.
Covaxin is already administered to children between 15 to 18 years. Covaxin is jabbed in 2 doses, maintaining a difference of about 28 days in the middle of the 1st dose and the 2nd dose.
The DCGI directed the vaccine-maker to submit safety data. It includes all data due for analysis per 15 days for the first 2 months. The data for every month for 5 months was gathered, as per the information given in Business Line.
Powerful antibody response of the vaccine
It was said by Bharat Biotech that the clinical trials among children documented seroconversion at 95% to 98% after 4 weeks of the second dose. It indicates more powerful antibody responses than the adults and also has showcased TH1 bias.
More than 50 million vial doses of Covaxin are possessed by the company. For children who fall within the age group of 12 to 14, at present, Corbevax is also administered by the government. About 2.71 crores were provided with the first jab, and more than 37 lakhs have received the 2nd dose already.
According to the statement by managing director, Mahima Datla of Biological E published in Business Line, already SEC has offered a positive suggestion regarding the vaccine. According to her, it is a highly effective and safe intervention, specifically for kids who are 5 years old.
The vaccine of Zydus Cadila can also be jabbed, maintaining a gap of 0-28-56 days, having an overall 6 mg dosage, with three 2 mg doses.
In 2021, Zydus was granted a green signal for 3rd phase trials by the SEC for the 2 doses regimen of the ZyCov-D vaccine. The 2 doses regimen provides 3 mg strengths each.
Countrywide vaccination
As per the data mentioned in Economic Times, the healthcare workers were vaccinated in the first phase in 2021. Next, frontline workers got vaccinated, which started on second February 2021. People over 45 years old were vaccinated. Finally, as the vaccination drive expanded, and everyone above 18 years old got vaccinated. Finally, on the third of January 2022, vaccination commenced for the age group of 15-18 years.
