PGIMER invites child volunteers for COVID vaccine Covovax trials
Chandigarh: The premier Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) has rolled out notification for inviting child volunteers in the age group of 2-17 years, to participate in phase 2 and 3 clinical trials of Covid-19 vaccine Covovax produced for children in India.
Pune based Serum Institute of India (SII) is responsible for the production of the vaccine in India, which is originally developed by US based manufacturer Novavax Inc, and is used to vaccinate children below 18 years of age. A deal was signed in August 2020, between SII and Novavax to manufacture the US based vaccine under the name of Covovax in India. The trials for Covavax had begun in March this year and the CEO of SII, Adar Poonawalla had believed the vaccines to be ready for final launch by September.
The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had granted permission to the Serum Institute of India to conduct phase 2/3 clinical trials on children with some specific conditions. PGIMER is one of the ten institutes conducting the trial for checking the immunogenicity and safety of the vaccine in India.
As per a recent media report in Hindustan Times, the authorities notified that children have to participate only voluntarily and those above the age of 12 years can also register themselves. They have also started the process of hiring physician, clinical research coordinator, pharmacist and a lab technician for conducting the trials within a period of seven months.
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