The Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE) will likely meet at the WHO on 5 October to discuss granting the EUA to Covaxin.

The SAGE is charged with advising WHO on overall global policies and strategies, ranging from vaccines and technology, research and development, to delivery of immunization and its linkages with other health interventions.

Earlier, the WHO had sought clarification on the data submitted by the Hyderabad – based vaccine manufacturer. The 5 October meeting has been called after Bharat Biotech provided all the details.

Meanwhile, Chairman and Managing Director of Bharat Biotech International Ltd, Krishna Ella, said Covaxin production would touch 55 million doses in October as against 35 million in September.

According to ANI reports, sources on Thursday revealed that as part of its COVID-19 vaccination trials for children, Bharat Biotech is likely to administer the second phase dose of Covaxin to children aged between 2 and 6 years next week.

Sources also revealed that the children, in the above-mentioned age group, have already received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.

AIIMS Delhi is one of the trial centres for the vaccine for those below 18 years. The sources added that the second dose of Covaxin has already been administered to children in the age group of 6-12 years at AIIMS, Delhi.

Additionally, the results of the clinical trials are expected to come in one month after the completion of trials of all age groups.  The trial is being conducted in three phases by segregating children into categories according to their age.

The first trial was started in the age group of 12-18 years followed by the age group of 6-12 years and 2-6 years which are currently undergoing trials.

Recently, the Centre informed the Delhi High Court those clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines for children under 18 years of age were to get completed soon.

Covaxin is the indigenously developed COVID-19 vaccine by Bharat Biotech. The company has submitted “almost complete” papers to WHO for EUL.

The approval is significant as it will likely lead to more international acceptance of the vaccine. It will also boost prospects of International travel for the many Indians who have taken Covaxin but are currently excluded from the list of globally accepted vaccines.

“It is mandatory to supply a complete dossier listing safety, efficacy and manufacturing conditions of the vaccines to WHO. I understand that Bharat Biotech is in this process and I think a decision on their case is likely in the next four to six weeks,” Swaminathan said.

The stamp will also allow Covaxin to join the WHO’s COVAX vaccine alliance which is ensuring supply for other countries. So far, only six vaccines have EUL from the apex global health body – AstraZeneca-Oxford, Moderna, Johson & Johson, Pfizer-BioNTech, Sinopharm, and Sinovac.

Last week, Bharat Biotech released its Phase 3 trials results and claimed vaccine efficacy of 78.8 percent against COVID-19. It tweeted: “COVAXIN Proven SAFE in India’s Largest Efficacy Trial,” the company tweeted on July 3”.

The data demonstrated 65.2% protection against the Delta variant, first identified in India. The Delta variant had led to a surge in infections in April and May, and the world’s highest daily death tolls.

It further showed effectiveness of an 77.8% against symptomatic Covid-19 in the trial. On Saturday, India reported 44,111 new Covid cases and 738 deaths. The recovery rate further jumped to 97.06% with 2,29,05,779 recoveries.

Last month, vaccine maker AstraZeneca also said its vaccine was effective against the Delta and Kappa variants, citing a study.

India has been administering the AstraZeneca vaccine, made domestically by the Serum Institute of India, which plans to step up monthly production from July to nearly 100 million doses.

Bharat Biotech now estimates it will make 23 million doses a month. The Phase-III data came as Ocugen Inc, which is co-developing Covaxin with Bharat Biotech for the US market, prepares to file a request for full US approval.

India, with a tally of 30.45 million infections, is the second most affected nation after the United States, with 33 million. The south Asian nation’s death toll has now crossed 400,000.

The statement comes on the same day when the Centre began a free COVID-19 vaccination policy in the country, under which the Centre will provide free COVID-19 vaccine to all citizens above 18 years of age.

Union Home Minister, while addressing the media, also stated that it is important to receive both doses of vaccine and urged all the citizens to come forward to get vaccinated to protect themselves from the coronavirus infection.

Shah addressed the media during his visit to the COVID care centre at Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Centre in Ahemdabad today and said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a new chapter is starting from today in the battle against COVID-19, across the country. The PM had made an important decision that from June 21 people who are 18 years of age and above will be vaccinated free of cost by the Central Government and the process of vaccination will be sped up.”

“In a densely populated country like India, vaccinating all above 18 years of age free of cost is a big decision in itself and it has started on the occasion of Yoga Day. I am hopeful that this will not only help all the citizens but succeed in fighting this battle against COVID-19,” said the Union Home Minister.

He further said, “Among all the vaccination drives going on around the world, India was already ranked at the top in vaccination per 10 lakh people. And now, we will nearly reach our aim of vaccinating all the citizens. The Government of India has made arrangements to speed up the process of vaccination in July and August.”

“I believe that the Government of India`s decision of shielding every citizen against COVID-19 will bring relief to every citizen. I urge all the citizens of the country to get vaccinated,” said Shah.

He added, “Those who have already received the first dose of the vaccine and as per government guidelines their time duration between the two doses is over, they should also get their second dose. Only after receiving two doses, we will get complete protection against the virus.”

Meanwhile, Union Home Minister, accompanied by Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani and Deputy Chief Minister Nitin Patel, also inaugurated the Vaishno Devi bridge and Gandhinagar Khodiyar bridge.