(a) whether the Government has implemented any plan to increase the rollout of COVID-19 vaccination per day to vaccinate the ‘eligible’ population;
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
(c) whether the Government is conducting any research on the COVID-19 vaccination for children aged two and above; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)
(a) & (b) Government of India has been regularly reviewing the pace of COVID-19 vaccination across States/UTs and has issued multiple advisories to States/UTs to increase the same to cover eligible beneficiaries with both doses of COVID-19 vaccine. Government of India has also undertaken ‘Har Ghar Dastak’ campaign from 3rd November 2021 wherein missed beneficiaries for 1st dose and due beneficiaries for 2nd dose are identified and vaccinated through house-to-house activity. Under this campaign vaccine can also be administered to the beneficiaries at their homes.
(c) & (d) Based on the application, CDSCO has granted permissions to conduct clinical trial of the following COVID-19 vaccines in children & adolescents age group:
1. M/s Cadila Healthcae has conducted Phase III clinical trial of ZyCoV-D a Novel Corona Virus-2019-nCov vaccine (recombinant DNA) in the age group 12 years and above. The vaccine is approved for restricted use in emergency situation in the age group 12 years and above.
2. M/s Bharat biotech is conducting Phase II/III clinical trial of COVAXIN on Healthy volunteers aged 2 to 18 years & firm has submitted interim safety & immunogenicity data.
3. M/s Serum Institute of India is conducting Phase II/III clinical trial of nanoparticle vaccine (Liquid) (COVOVAX) in 920 subjects of more than 2 years to 17 years age group.
4. M/s Biological E Ltd. is conducting Phase II/III clinical trial of RBD of SARS- CoV-2 gene in 624 subjects of more than 5 to less than 18 years age group.
5. M/s Johnson & Johnson Pvt. Ltd. is conducting Phase II/III clinical trial of Ad 26COV.2S vaccine in age group of 12-17 years (Global Clinical Trial wherein India is one of the clinical trial site).
*****