Covaxin use is currently granted emergency use authorization in India—and not full access. EUA refers to a mechanism by which authorities, after reviewing clinical trials and laboratory-based data, allow the use of certain vaccines and drugs in light of life-threatening emergencies (such as COVID) . While Covaxin is still undergoing important end-stage studies, the necessary EUA has been provided on a risk versus benefit assessment. This is similar to how most other vaccines have been pushed into use, including those made for children by Moderna and Pfizer.
While Covaxin is still undergoing trials, it has been found that the vaccine exhibits as good efficacy and antibody protection in children as in adults. Therefore, as per the global guidelines, the clinical data has been thoroughly reviewed and allowed to proceed. However, since it is still a vaccine that has been approved without completing all phases of testing, the makers of Covaxin have been asked to adhere to certain factors in order to meet the criteria.
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