Amid demand for vaccination of kids and school students, Pune based vaccine major Serum Institute of India (SII) is all set to start phase 2 and 3 paediatric trials of Covovax on 920 children — 460 each in the 12-17 and 2-11 age groups — from next month.
The recombinant nanoparticle protein-based vaccine —NVX-CoV2373 — developed by American biotechnology firm Novavax has been branded as Covovax in India. It will be the fourth Covid-19 vaccine to undergo clinical trials for children in India.
SII, partnering with Novavax, expects to launch Covovax for adults in India by September and for children by the end of this year.
“We plan to begin the paediatric trials in 920 children across 10 sites next month after seeking permission from the DCGI (Drug Controller General of India),” as per the statement from the company.