COVID-19 vaccine, developed by Hyderabad-based vaccine manufacturer Biological E Ltd., has been approved by the DCGI (Drugs Controller General of India). The company announced that the DCGI has approved the emergency use of its vaccine Corbevax for children between the ages of 12 and 18 years. This is the third vaccine approved by India for corona vaccination of children 12 years and older. 

India has so far started vaccinating only children between 15 and 18 years of age with Bharat Biotech's Covaxin since January 3rd. According to government figures, more than 7.6 crore children between the ages of 15 and 17 have been vaccinated with Covaxin. Biological said that DCGI has approved the use of Corbevax in an emergency for children 12 to 18 years of age, taking into account the interim results of the ongoing interim and final phase clinical study.

The company said it had received approval for the vaccine on Monday. This is the first receptor-binding domain protein sub-unit vaccine against COVID-19 made domestically. Carbevax was approved for emergency use by adults last December. It is set to join the largest vaccination program currently being undertaken by India. To date, 1.76 million vaccine doses have been administered as part of the Indian Vaccination Program.