Covid-19 Vaccine for Children in India

Home | General | Covid-19 Vaccine for Children in India

Covid-19 Vaccine for Children in India

In this post, you will come to know about the misconceptions about flu vaccine for covid 19, Covid-19 Vaccine for Children in other countries, Indian Covid-19 Vaccines for Children’s and When Children’s vaccination for Covid-19 will start in India?

It has been suggested that the third wave of corona will target children. The virus has been continuously modifying itself, taking different variations throughout the world. In such situations, we all have to be getting vaccinated to control this pandemic.

India has already approved 3 vaccines Covaxin, Covishield, and Sputnik V for administration to age 18 years and above. However, no vaccine has been approved till now for children in India. Some of our indigenous vaccines are under trial, they are showing promising results and sooner they will be available for vaccination.

A Covid-19 vaccine may protect your child from getting and spreading the virus. Even if he/ she does get infected, the vaccine could prevent him/her from getting severely ill.

Flu Vaccine for prevention Covid-19: Reality

The flu vaccine is given for the prevention of Influenza virus infections. The symptoms of Influenza and Covid-19 are quite similar to many extents. But it doesn’t mean that Flu vaccine can be beneficial for preventing Covid-19 as well. This topic is completely is misinterpreted by the people and the spreading of this rumor was way faster than the spread of the coronavirus itself.

Right now, there is no such research evidence is present which proves Flu vaccinations are considered to be effective against Covid-19.

Covid-19 Vaccines for childrens in other countries

Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine

US FDA has given a nod for use of this vaccine for children ages between 12 to 15. This vaccine requires two injections given 21 days apart. After the first dose, the second dose can be given up to 6 weeks. It has been proven that Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine is 100% effective in preventing the Covid-19 virus in Children ages 12 through 15.

It is a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine, which directs immune cells to make a harmless spike protein similar to that Covid-19 virus has on its surface. After vaccination, the immune system starts to make antibodies against the protein and activate T cells to attack it.

This vaccine is approved in the US, UK, EU, and other countries. General side effects that have been observed are pain at the site injection, fatigue, headache, chills, muscle pain, fever, joint pain, etc.

Pfizer is yet to apply for a license for its COVID-19 vaccine and start clinical trials in India.

Comirnaty

European Medicines Agency (EMA) has given an indication for the Covid-19 vaccine Comirnaty to be used for children aged 12 to 15 years. The vaccine was already approved for use in adults and adolescents.

Research data showed that the efficiency of the vaccine is 100% in preventing Covid-19. It is an mRNA vaccine-like Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 Vaccine and also works in a similar way.

Moderna

Moderna claimed its COVID-19 vaccine was 100 percent effective at preventing COVID-19 in children aged between 12 to 17 in clinical trials. Currently, Moderna is also testing the vaccine in trial participants between 6 months and 12 years old. It is also an mRNA vaccine.

Answered: Your Most Burning Questions About Type 1 and Type 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Indian Covid-19 Vaccines for childrens

Covaxin

Hyderabad-based vaccine maker in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has developed the Covaxin vaccine. The vaccine has been given emergency approval for ages 18 yrs and above and currently, it is a part of a nationwide vaccination program undertaken by the Government of India.

Recently, the company released the Phase 3 trials data. Their report claims 77.8% effectiveness against Covid-19, and the vaccine is also found to be protective against delta-variant of the virus with 65% efficiency.

It is an inactivated vaccine, which means it contains a dead virus, unable to infect a person but enough to elicit an immune response for making antibodies.

Covaxin is now under trial phase for ages between 2 years to 18 years.

Bharat Biotech’s Nasal Vaccine (BBV154)

It is a single-dose, chimpanzee adenovirus vectored intranasal vaccine being developed by the Bharat Biotech in collaboration with the University of Washington School of Medicine at St Louis.

The vaccine stimulates a broad immune response Viz. neutralizing IgG, mucosal IgA, and T cell responses. The nasal route has excellent potential for vaccination due to the organized immune systems of the nasal mucosa.

Its Non-invasive and Needle-free feature promotes ease of administration without the requirement of any trained health care workers. This vaccine will be very convenient for children as well as for adults. One more promising perspective is that large-scale manufacturing is possible in order to meet global demand.

Currently, Bharat Biotech’s Nasal Vaccine (BBV154) is under clinical trial.

Zydus Cadila’s ZyCov-D

It is a three-dose, needle-free vaccine meant to be given by an intradermal injector. The Children and adults will have to take the second dose after 28 days of the first dose and the third dose will be on the 56th day. The vaccine has shown the efficacy of 66.6% and 100% against symptomatic & moderate Covid cases respectively. It is being tested on subjects aged 12 to 18 years old.

Unlike other vaccines, ZyCov-D is the world’s first-ever DNA plasmid-based vaccine for Covid-19. It works by creating spike proteins similar to that of Covid-19, that can trigger an immune response.

If approved by the Government of India, it will be the 5th vaccine cleared for use after Covaxin, Covisheld, Sputnik V, and Moderna.

Covavax

Novavax is a US-based biotechnology company announced that its vaccine (NVX-CoV2373), has 90-100 % efficacy against Covid-19 infection. The vaccine is based on recombinant protein technology.

The Novavax vaccine works by teaching the immune system to make antibodies to the spike protein. Novavax has a tie-up with Pune-based Serum Institute of India for the production of Covavax in India.

Serum Institute of India is already producing Covishield, the vaccine developed by researchers at Oxford University and AstraZeneca in the UK. Covavax is under clinical trials for children in 12-17 and 2-11 age groups in India.

When Covid-19 vaccination for children will start in India?

The vaccine is the best way to keep your child safe from all of these risks. Hopefully, by September-October, we will have vaccination programs for children.

Till then all precautions must be taken despite a decrease in the number of Covid cases. All stakeholders are really working hard to fight this pandemic in their own way.

Also Read: