Covovax may be available soon in private market for 12-17 year olds

New Delhi: The government may allow private sector hospitals to offer Serum Institute of India's Covovax for vaccination of children between 12 and 17 years against Covid-19, people in the know told ET. The vaccine was approved for use in the age group by the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) last week.

While the government is unlikely to include it in its vaccination drive, it may be allowed to be used in the private sector, the people cited earlier said. "Discussions are on to allow its use in the private market. The decision will be taken in the next few days," said a government official.

India's drug regulator, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI), approved Covovax for restricted use in emergency situations in adults on December 28 last year and in the 12-17 age group with certain conditions on March 9. However, with the government having no immediate plan of including it in its vaccination drive, Covovax so far has only been exported.


Experts in India say that Covovax could be a good option and should be included in the vaccination drive.