As schools reopen, Poonawalla says Covid-19 vaccine for kids 6 month away

As schools across India prepare for full scale reopening, Covishield manufacturer Serum Institute of India’s CEO Adar Poonawalla said Tuesday that pharma giant is planning to launch a vaccine for those below the age of 18 within the next six months.

Poonawalla said SII is going to be launching a vaccine in six months for children all the way down to the age of three

He said Covishield is not recommended or approved for people below the age of 18 so that’s why Covovax is under trials and has shown excellent data all the way down to the age group of 3.

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Stating that two companies in India have been licensed for children’s vaccines, which would be available soon, Poonawalla said there is no harm, these vaccines have been proven to be safe and efficacious.

On December 3, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya told Parliament that the Government will take a decision on vaccination below 18 on the basis of recommendations from its two key expert groups on vaccine administration.