Serum Institute To Begin Novovax’s COVID Vaccine Trial For Children In July: Report

New Delhi: Serum Institute of India (SII) is expected to begin clinical trials of Novavax’s COVID-19 vaccine ‘Covovax’ for children this July, according to media reports.

SII is also planning to introduce Covovax in India by September.

The Central government is also keen on the Pune-based vaccine manufacturer starting a trial of the Covovax vaccine in children soon, NITI Aayog member health Dr VK Paul has said.

“As you know, they (SII) are conducting a bridging trial already, which is in advanced stages of completion… We hope they will complete the trial on schedule, and also hoping that they would also start in good time trials in children,” Paul was quoted as saying by Mint.

This will be the fourth COVID-19 vaccine to undergo a clinical trial for children in India.

Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech has already started clinical trials of Covaxin for children 12 to 18 years of age. A total of 525 children are part of these trials being conducted at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences in New Delhi and Patna, India Today reported.

Clinical trials for Covaxin will also be conducted for children in the 6-12 age group followed by the 2-6 age group.

Vaccine maker Bharat Biotech is also conducting clinical trials of its nasal COVID-19 vaccine for children.

Zydus Cadila has also begun the trials of its Covid-19 vaccine, ZyCoV-D, in children aged 12-18. The pharma company now plans to conduct clinical trials for its vaccine in children in the 5-12 age group.