Currently, children in select countries across the world, including the USA, Singapore, Japan, Dubai, Israel and parts of Europe are allowed to get COVID-19 vaccinated (kids above the age of 12)clinical trials began only during the end of 2020, with companies like Pfizer-BionTech, Moderna and Sinopharm testing the vaccine doses on younger kids, which allowed them to proceed with emergency use authorisation.
China meanwhile has now allowed one of its domestic vaccine makers, Sinopharm to administer the vaccine for kids as young as 3.
In India, currently, only one vaccine developer, Bharat Biotech has started testing trials on kids. Zydus Cadila, which is also expected to seek authorisation for its adult vaccine, will also be another one to develop a vaccine for children. Apart from this, Pfizer is also said to have held talks with Indian officials to bring its vaccine made to India, which may also be made available to the kids. Similar talks have also been said to take place with Moderna Inc.
However, it is still suspected that even with promising vaccine trials, a COVID-19 vaccine for kids in the country may not be readily available for administration before the end of 2021.
A slower pace of adult vaccination, late clinical trials and availability of doses may also lead to further delays.