Mumbai: 50 needed, but only 5 kids turn up for vaccine trial

A youngster being given the vaccine. Representation pic

In the nearly three weeks since the clinical trial of indigenous ZyCoV-D vaccine on children started at Nair hospital, only five young volunteers have been given the jab so far. Under the programme, 50 individuals between 12 and 17 years of age will be enrolled. Despite the slow start, the hospital is hopeful that more parents will come forward for the trials.

The trial is being carried out amid expert warnings that the potential third wave of Covid will likely affect more children than the previous outbreaks. There are various vaccines at different stages of trials across the country at the moment.

Ahmedabad-based drugmaker Zydus Cadila has developed ZyCoV-D - a plasmid DNA vaccine and its clinical trials on children and teenagers started at the civic-run hospital in the second week of July.

"The primary objective is to study the efficiency of ZyCoV-D in the prevention of Covid-19. The vaccine will be given in three doses with the interval of four weeks to children between 12 and 17 years. There will be 50 children and half of them will get a placebo," said a doctor from Nair hospital.

At present, there is no vaccine available for children. Representation pic

The DNA-based ZyCov-D vaccine delivers a piece of the virus' genetic information into the body prompting the immune system to attack it by producing antibodies. The increase in antibody count acts as a shield against the infection.

A placebo is a fake shot that does not contain an active medication. It is used to compare the effectiveness and side effects of a new drug since the volunteers are not told if they are being given the real shot or a placebo.

Also read: Covid-19: Brazil scraps request for Covaxin use

Dr Ramesh Bharmal, dean of Nair hospital, said, "Many people are calling for inquiries on a number given by the hospital. We give them information and answer their queries. We have given the vaccine to five children until now."

A sero-survey conducted by the civic corporation between April 1 and June 15 had revealed that about 51 per cent children in the city had developed antibodies against Covid-19.

The findings also meant that half the children population had come in contact with the virus.

Dr Bharmal added that there is no vaccine for children right now.

Considering the concerns that children could be at heightened risk if the third wave of Covid-19 strikes, the Zydus vaccine can provide huge relief in case it is found to be effective against the Coronavirus during trials.

51
Percentage of kids with antibodies in recent sero-survey

12-17
Age group for which the trial is being conducted