More Data Needed Before Zydus Vaccine Can Be Approved For Children: Govt

New Delhi: As the country waits for a COVID vaccine for children before a possible third wave of the coronavirus pandemic hits India, a senior government official said on Friday that more data is needed before Zydus Cadila’s three-dose vaccine can be approved and cleared for children.

“Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) is examining it. More data is needed. The scientific process has to be completed. We have to be lucky that it is effective and safe,” Dr VK Paul, member (health) of NITI Aayog, told ANI.

The Indian pharmaceutical company, based in Ahmedabad, applied to DCGI for emergency use authorisation on July 1. It sought approval of its DNA-based vaccine to be administered to all above the age of 12.

Once approved, ZyCoV-D will become India’s second indigenous anti-COVID vaccine after Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin.

Earlier in the day, the Centre told Delhi high court that trials for COVID vaccines on children below 18 are on the verge of completion.

AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria has said that Covaxin may be approved for children by September and Zydus’ vaccine will be “another option” once approved.