The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) today gave emergency use authorisation to three vaccines to be administered to children. They are Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for children between the age group of 6-12; Corbevax for children between the age of 5-12 and Zydus Cadila’s vaccine ZyCov-D for children above the age of 12 years for a two-dose regimen.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Twitter the government's clearance for Covaxin, Corbevax and ZyCov-D jabs for children. All three vaccines are for restricted use in emergency situations, the health minister said.

The approval by the DCGI comes following recommendations by the Subject Expert Committee (SEC) on Covid-19 of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation(CDSCO).

The DCGI has directed Bharat Biotech vaccine maker to submit the safety data, including the data on the adverse events, with due analysis every 15 days for the first two months. Thereafter, Bharat Biotech has been asked to submit the data monthly for up to 5 months.

Covaxin was granted Emergency Use Listing (EUL) by the DCGI for the age group of 12 to 18 years on December 24, 2021. It's currently being administered to those in the 15-18 age group.

Meanwhile, Corbevax is currently being administered to those in the age group of 12-14.