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Covovax gets nod for emergency use for 12 to 18 age group

Developed by US’s Novavax, Inc, the vaccine NVX-CoV2373 is the second anti-Covid vaccine which is locally being produced by SII. The Pune-based firm also locally manufactures Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine under the brand name Covishield.

Updated on: Mar 24, 2022, 02:01:58 IST
By , New Delhi
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The Drugs Controller General of India (DGCI) has approved Serum Institute of India (SII)’s second Covid-19 vaccine, Covovax, for emergency use in adolescents aged 12 and above, company officials said on Wednesday.

Covovax is the fourth Covid vaccine that has been approved for emergency use in the concerned age group. (AFP)
Covovax is the fourth Covid vaccine that has been approved for emergency use in the concerned age group. (AFP)

Covovax is the fourth Covid vaccine that has been approved for emergency use in the age group concerned.

Developed by US’s Novavax, Inc, the vaccine NVX-CoV2373 is the second anti-Covid vaccine which is locally being produced by SII. The Pune-based firm also locally manufactures Oxford-AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine under the brand name Covishield.

“…The DCGI has granted emergency use authorization (EUA) for Novavax’ protein-based Covid-19 vaccine for adolescents aged ≥12 to <18 years in India...,” US’ Novavax, Inc said in a statement.

“We’re proud of this first approval in adolescents given the efficacy and safety that our data show in this population, and that our Covid-19 vaccine will provide an alternative protein-based vaccine option for individuals 12 years of age and older in India,” the statement quoted Stanley C. Erck, president and chief executive officer, Novavax, as saying.

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) gives the requisite approval, including emergency approval, before a pharmaceutical product can be used in India.

  • Rhythma Kaul
    ABOUT THE AUTHOR
    Rhythma Kaul

    Rhythma Kaul is the national health editor of the Hindustan Times. She has been reporting on public health, medicine, and medical research, with a particular focus on how government decisions and health system reforms shape people’s lives. Rhythma has over 25 years of journalistic experience. She joined Hindustan Times in 2008, and has since covered everything from pandemics and infectious diseases to cutting‑edge medical research and climate‑related health challenges. Her stories routinely track the work of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, department of pharmaceuticals, and key national health programmes, making complex medical science and policy accessible to a wide audience. One of her prominent news breaks has been the 2012 Baby Falak case: A two-year-old brutally battered baby girl was admitted to AIIMS-Delhi with severe head injuries, multiple fractures, human bite marks, and burns. The police investigation revealed this to be a case of multi-state human-trafficking racket. She was profiled by The Wall Street Journal for breaking this story. Rhythma holds a Master’s degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. Prior to Hindustan Times, she worked with the India Today Group. Rhythma can be contacted at rhythma.kaul@hindustantimes.com. Her X handle is @RamblingBrook.Read More