Serum Institute Gets Nod For Novavax COVID-19 Vaccine Trial In 7-11 Age Group

<p><strong>New Delhi:</strong> The Serum Institute of India has got the nod from DCGI to conduct trials of the Novavax Covid-19 vaccine on children aged 7-11. India's drug regulator has given the green signal to the vaccine manufacturer, according to a report by Times Of India.</p> <p>The decision holds huge significance considering the probable third wave of Covid which is likely to affect children as claimed by top researchers and scientists.</p> <p>Serum Insitute is presently undertaking a trial on the Novavax vaccine in children in the 12 -17 age group, adding to the portfolio of vaccines being developed for children and adolescents, including Bharat Biotech&rsquo;s Covaxin, Johnson and Johnson&rsquo;s single-dose vaccine, and the needle-free DNA vaccine from Zydus Cadila. The Zydus vaccine is, in fact, poised for launch, as decisions are awaited on its pricing and eventual roll-out across the country.</p> <p>Adar Poonawalla, CEO of SII said a few days back that the company had started trials on the pediatric population, and three to four months is the minimum timeframe for the same. By January-February, there is a possibility that the Covovax (SII-manufactured Novavax vaccine) could be ready for approval for use among children.</p> <p class="Text__text___3eVx1j Text__dark-grey___AS2I_p Text__regular___Bh17t- Text__large___1i0u1F Body__base___25kqPt Body__large_body___3g04wK ArticleBody__element___3UrnEs" data-testid="paragraph-3">Safety data for an initial 100 participants have already been presented.</p> <div class="SpacingContainer__container___2kvuUN SpacingContainer__max-width___1aBoiA"> <div class="AdSlot__container___vv9J1U"> <div class="AdSlot__inner___1TrdcP"> <p>The Novavax vaccine is yet to be granted approval by the health authorities.&nbsp;</p> </div> </div> </div> <p>So far, only Zydus Cadila&rsquo;s DNA Covid-19 vaccine has received emergency use approval in India for children aged 12 years and above.</p> <p>With schools re-opening in various states fear of the third wave has increased which will result in an increase in demand for the pediatric vaccine.</p>

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