Biological E. announced that its Covid-19 vaccine Corbevax has received a nod from the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) for emergency use authorisation for the 5-12-year age group. The approval comes after the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) recommendation based on the review of interim safety and immunogenicity data of Corbevax for this age bracket. This approval comes a month after Corbevax was given the nod for children between 12 and 15 years.

Mahima Datla, Managing Director, Biological E. said, “As many of us would be aware, the SEC had already given a positive recommendation for our vaccine’s use in the 5-12 age group. In continuation of the same, we were very happy to receive the formal approval from the DCGI making this an extremely safe and effective intervention available, particularly for the age groups 5 years onwards. This is a great opportunity to get back to some level of normalcy in our continuing fight against the prevalent pandemic situation as Corbevax is the first indigenous Covid-19 vaccine in the country that addresses the vaccination needs of all age groups from 5 years and above.”

To date, Biological E. has manufactured 30 crore doses of Corbevax and have already supplied nearly 10 crore doses to the government of India.  Currently, over 3 crore doses of Corbevax have been administered in children between 12-15 years of age. And now, with an approval for the 5-12-year age group, this move will not only reduce the risks children face from the infectious disease, but it will also enable them to concentrate on their education and social development, which were severely impacted by the pandemic. Getting their kids vaccinated will also help ease parents' concerns while sending them to school, the release added.