Expert panel okays use of Covaxin in 2-18 age group

What is the News?

The Subject Expert Committee (SEC) of the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has recommended granting an emergency use authorisation to Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for children aged between 2-18. 

If the DCGI goes ahead and grants approval, it will be the first vaccine to be administered to children in India. 

What steps need to be followed before and after the DGCI approval?

What is Covaxin?

​​Covaxin is also known as BBV152. It has been indigenously developed by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research(ICMR).  

Type of Vacccine

Covaxin is an inactivated whole virus vaccine, containing SARS-CoV-2 particles that have been chemically deactivated. That means they can no longer infect cells, but still stimulate a protective immune response. 

Because the viral particles cannot cause disease, the vaccine is suitable for people with compromised immune systems.

How will Covaxin be administered to Children’s?

Covaxin will be administered to children in the age group of 2-18 years. The gap between the two doses of Covaxin will be 28 days, as in the case of adults. The same would be followed for children’s as well. 

Source: This post is based on the following articles

• “Expert panel okays use of Covaxin in 2-18 age group” published in Livemint on 13th October 2021.
• “Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin gets expert panel’s nod for children above 2 years” published in Business Standard on 13th October 2021.
• “Expert panel recommends approving Covaxin for kids” published in TOI on 13th October 2021.
• “Jabbing children” published in The Hindu on 13th October 2021.