Zydus Cadila Vaccine Could be Approved for Kids Aged 12-18 by July-August: NTAGI Chairman

Official channels of the Union Government announced on Sunday that coronavirus vaccinations of children could commence by the end of July or August. The Chairman of the Covid-19 Working Group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI), Dr N K Arora said, “Trial for Zydus Cadila vaccine is almost complete. By July end or in August, we might be able to start administering this vaccine to children of 12-18 age group.”

Although India is conducting vaccinations at a record pace right now, only those over the age of 18 are eligible to take any of the approved vaccines. 

Arora said that the government has set a target of administering at least 1 crore doses of the vaccine daily in the next few months. He also mentioned that vaccine-related rumours are false and that the vaccines available in the country are 95 to 96 per cent safe. 

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“The ICMR has come up with a study which says the third wave is likely to come late. We have a window period of six-eight months to immunise everybody in the country. It is important that people come forward proactively and take the vaccines, that’s absolutely necessary. There are several rumours, misinformation which is spreading in the country. Similarly, people have some vague fear in their minds. They think there may be some side effect or vaccine may be unsafe,” Dr Arora further said.

“Scientifically, we have been looking at adverse events during vaccination, 95-96% people have only mild fever or local pain, 4-5 pr cent people have been hospitalised due to an allergy or some get anxious and they have to be hospitalised but otherwise these vaccines are absolutely safe,” he added.

In a submission to the Supreme Court, the Union Government said on Saturday that the Zydus Cadila COVID-19 vaccine will be available for children over the ages of 12 soon, pending regulatory approval. 

AIIMS (All India Institute Of Medical Science) Director, Dr Randeep Guleria has said that vaccinations for children will be a big achievement for the country, adding that this will also ease the concerns around the reopening of schools. 

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