New Delhi: Amidst the fourth wave scare, the Standing Technical Sub-Committee of the NTAGI has recommended Serum Institute of India’s Covovax anti-Covid vaccine for the inoculation of children in the 12-17 age group. the vaccine had already received an emergency use authorization earlier this year.
“The COVID-19 working group of the NTAGI (National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation) had earlier reviewed data related to Covovax and okayed it. The NTAGI’s Standing Technical Sub-Committee which met on Friday has recommended that the vaccine can be used for the 12-17 years age group,” an official in the know said.
The approval stemmed from a written request submitted by Serum Institute of India (SII) Director for Government and Regulatory Affairs Prakash Kumar Singh in February, urging Covovax’s inclusion in the immunisation drive for those 12 years and above.
Singh had stated that the Pune-based firm wanted to provide Covovax to private hospitals at Rs 900 per dose plus GST and was waiting for directions to supply it to the Centre. However, the price of the vaccine for the government was not mentioned.
SII CEO Adar Poonawalla recently said that Covovax for children will be sold for the same price of Rs 225 in the private market if it’s included in the government’s vaccination program.