Covid-19 vaccine for children likely to delay; know reason and other details here

The central government has planned to vaccinate comorbid children for the Covid-19 from this year. While, for the healthy children the vaccination drive is expected to start in the first quarter of next year.

It is expected that by then India will have four Covid-19 vaccines for children. In addition to the ZyCoV-D and the Covaxin, Serum Institute's Covavax and Biological E's vaccine are undergoing trials.

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A source associated with the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation in India (NTAGI) said that the ZyCoV-D and the Covaxin can be launched together. The matter is related to children, so do not want to rush in any way, he added.

Reason

1. Government wants to launch ZyCoV-D and Covaxin together.

2. So far only ZyCoV-D has been approved, Covaxin is yet to be approved by Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI).

3. DCGI may meet in the second week of November to take a decision on Covaxin.

4. A list of comorbid diseases is being prepared.

5. Guidelines related to vaccination will be released soon.

NTAGI sub-committee held several meetings with pediatricians:

As per the information NTAGI sub-committee has held several meetings with pediatricians and the list of comorbidities is being prepared. Officers are preparing guidelines related to vaccination of comorbid children and it will be issued soon.

Covid-19 vaccines for children

ZyCoV-D was approved for emergency use on children aged 12 to 17 years in August. However, DCGI is yet to approve Bharat Biotech's vaccine Covaxin. The Subject Expert Committee has recommended Covaxin to be approved for use in children aged 2 to 17 years.

It can be noted that the vaccine cannot be included in the Covid-19 vaccination program without the approval of DCGI. In addition to ZyCoV-D and Covaxin, Serum Institute's Covavax and Biological E's vaccine are under trial.

Priority list

The priority list will include children with hematological, neurological, cardiac, liver, gastrointestinal, rheumatic, cancer, respiratory and developmental disorders.