Daijiworld Media Network – Belagavi (MS)
Belagavi, May 21: Experiments related to developing vaccines for people below the age of 18 have taken pace. More than 1,500 children in Karnataka have participated in the three phase clinical trials of Zycov D Covid vaccine for under 18 group, being developed by Zydus Cadila pharmaceutical company.
The main difference between the vaccine that is given for adults and children is that the children vaccine will be administered in three doses instead of two for adults. Already first dose is administered to children in the age group of 12 to 18. So far no side effects are reported. Preparations are on to inject the second dose also.
Second dose for below 18 group will be given after 28 days of administering the first dose of vaccine. Third dose will be given after 54 days. Jeevan Rekha hospital in the city, which participated in the clinical trials earlier for Covaxin vaccine, has once again involved in the clinical trials of Zycov D vaccine for minors. Ten each of boys and girls are selected as volunteers for this trials and first dose is given. After administering every dose, the blood sample of children are collected to analyse their immunity level. At present, the health condition of children who have taken the first dose of vaccine is stable as per the information provided by Dr Amit Bhate of Jeevan Rekha hospital. In addition, Dr Bhate also said that there is also plan to administer Covaxin vaccine on children on trial basis.
Experts are of the opinion that the third wave of corona virus will have devastating effect on children. Now the clinical trial has brought some sort of solace.
USA, Canada, Singapore and UAE have given permission to use Pfizer vaccine for children in the age group of 12 to 15 in emergency cases. European medical agency is also verifying the possibility of using Pfizer vaccine for children.
Union government of India has also started the process for administering Covid vaccine for children. The Office of Drugs Controller general has given permission to Bharath Biotech to conduct second and third phase trials of Covaxin among children in the age group of 2 to 18. There is a possibility that the trials will start within 15 days.
According to medical experts third wave of coronavirus is going to strike sometime in October 2021.