COVID-19: Phase 2/3 trials of this vaccine on children between 7-11 years begin - Check details

Covovax Trials: There is an important development regarding the Covovax COVID-19 vaccine in India. On Wednesday, phase 2/3 trials of Covovax COVID-19 vaccine for children between 7 and 11 years began in Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College in Pune.

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The Covovax is the Indian version of the Novovax vaccine brought in India by the Serum Institute for children.

News agency ANI reported that as many as nine centres have been identified across the country for this phase. The COVID-19 vaccine trial for the paediatric age group began in India and the age of enrolment for this group is 2 to 17 years.

The ANI further reported, Dr. Sanjay Lalwani, Medical Director, Bharati Vidyapeeth Medical College said, "For the children who wish to enrol their parents are counselled in local vernacular language and the audiovisual consulting process is documented. Once the parents give their consent, then the volunteer is subjected to an RT PCR test and an antibody test. Although, this does not stop them from being a part of the trial."

Dr. Lalwani further mentioned that one can start with children of higher age and see the efficacy and the proceed to the lower ages. He also said that the part one is between 11 and 17 years of age.

During the trial, two doses at a gap of 21 days will be administered, reported ANI.

In other COVID-19 related news, India logged 26,727 new coronavirus infections over the last 24 hours, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Friday. A total number of 89.02 crore vaccine doses have been administered so far under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive.