New Delhi: Minister of State for Health Bharti Praveen Pawar informed the Lok Sabha on Friday that the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 and the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization are considering scientific evidence relating to immunization of children aged 12 to 17 years. Huh. years.
In a written reply, the Union Minister of State said that at present no proposal is pending regarding import of COVID vaccine for use among children and adolescents, news agency PTI reported.
The National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) and the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) have been mandated to take decisions relating to offshore COVID-19 vaccines, she said.
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Asked whether the central government has laid out any roadmap for the introduction of COVID vaccines in children in the age group of 12 to 18 years, MoS Bharti Pawar replied: “National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration and Immunization for COVID-19 National Technical Advisory Group on To discuss and consider scientific evidence relating to vaccination of children aged 12 to 17 years.
When asked whether any COVID vaccine for children is likely to be developed indigenously, it said that as of now, Cadila Healthcare’s ZyCoV-D vaccine has been approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) in an emergency setting. approved for restricted use. Age group 12 years and above based on interim clinical data from Phase III clinical trial conducted in the country.
Bharat Biotech is conducting a phase 2/3 clinical trial of Covaxin on healthy volunteers aged 2 to 18 years and the firm has submitted interim safety and immunogenicity data to national regulator DCGI, according to the Minister of State for Health. has reported by PTI.
He said Serum Institute of India (SII) is also conducting Phase 2/3 clinical trial of Nanoparticle Vaccine (Liquid) (Kovovax) in 920 subjects in the age group of 2 to 17 years.
In addition, Johnson & Johnson Pvt Ltd is conducting a Phase 2/3 clinical trial of Ad.26COV.2S vaccine in the age group of 12-17 years – a global clinical trial with India among the clinical trial sites. is one of.
Bharti Pawar said, “The approval of the above COVID-19 vaccines will be dependent on successful completion of clinical trials and submission of requisite data as per the requirements of the New Drugs and Clinical Trial Rules, 2019 under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.” Mentioned in written answer.
According to the estimates of the Registrar General of India (RGI), there are 14,52,14,000 children in the age group of 12-17 years in India.
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya has also said that the decision on booster doses and Kovid jabs for children will be taken on the basis of scientific guidance of experts.
This statement comes as India has stepped up surveillance and preparedness in the wake of the Omicron version of the coronavirus.
(with agency input)
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