The government has agreed on the utility of Covovaxin for teenagers.

What is so special about Covovax?

It is the only vaccine that is manufactured in India and is also accepted worldwide. The vaccine is also across Europe and has an efficiency rate of over 90 percent. There is good news for India’s teens. Covovax is available at both private and Government facilities. The move was following the recommendation of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization or NTAGI that the Covovax COVID-19 jab can be administered in the age group of 12-17 years. Earlier, the country’s official drug regulator had approved the Covovax jab for restricted use in emergencies for adults. The Indian teenagers between the ages of 12 to 14 years were vaccinated with Biological E's intramuscular vaccine Corbevax, while those teenagers in the range of 15 and 18 years were given jabs of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin at government vaccination centers.

What is the price?

However, the Government and regulators have agreed on the utility of Covovaxin for teenagers. A dose of Covovax will cost Rs. 900 plus Goods and services tax. The amount charged by the hospital will be Rs.150. The vaccine is expected to be widely available. It will be available to everyone in this age group in India.

Indigenously manufactured vaccines by a reputed Indian organization

The vaccines are indigenously manufactured and distributed. The Serum Institute of India or SII Director for Government and Regulatory Affairs Prakash Kumar Singh had personally requested in writing to the Health Ministry asking for the conclusion of Covovax in India’s massive immunization drive. Mr. Singh had stated that the Pune-based firm wanted to provide Covovax to private hospitals at a per-dose rate. This is in keeping with the Make in India campaign’s sensibilities and also immunizes India’s young population. With the introduction of Covovaxin, India will be among the very few privileged countries in the world that will be able to provide vaccines not only to the adult population but also to its teenage population. 

India is showing the world the way to fight the pandemic

India is one of the countries credited with the best handling of the crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic. India was among the first countries to impose total lockdowns to prevent the spread of the disease. The steps taken by the Government of India to fight the pandemic have been lauded by leaders across the length and breadth of the globe. In keeping with the high standards of health reforms to fight COVID-19, India’s latest step to immunize the teen population will also be a step that other countries will follow. It will become a norm that what India thinks today, the world thinks tomorrow.