Coronavirus: Vaccination trials for children nearly complete, Centre tells Delhi High Court

Clinical trials of coronavirus vaccines for children were almost complete, the Centre told the Delhi High Court on Friday, PTI reported. In an affidavit to the court, the Centre submitted that children will be inoculated expeditiously once the government’s expert body on Covid-19 vaccination gives permission.

A bench of Chief Justice DN Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh was hearing a petition filed by a 12-year old, seeking directions from the court to prioritise vaccination for those aged 12-17 and their parents. Based on news reports, the petition said that the infection could prove to be “more virulent” in a potential third wave of the pandemic and so children should not be ignored.

“Other countries of the world, where Covid-19 pandemic has been felt, like United States and Canada, have already started administering appropriate dose of vaccine to children,” the petition added.

Additional Solicitor General Chetan Sharma, appearing for the Centre, told the court that pharmaceutical company Zydus Cadila has finished its vaccine trials for those aged between 12-18. The vaccine will be available for use among children in the near future once the statutory provisions are met, Sharma said, according to The Indian Express.

Responding to a petition in the Supreme Court, the Centre had said last month that vaccines produced by Zydus…

Read more