Coronavirus vaccine for kids: List of all COVID-19 vaccines being developed right now

While several health experts have strongly mooted against a third potential wave being dangerous for kids, a COVID-19 vaccine for kids is still very much the need of the hour. However, vaccine trials for children are being carried out at a slower pace, owing to a lot of factors, meaning that it is still unknown to us when, or how would kids in India have a COVID-19 vaccine ready.

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Nonetheless, there are a number of companies that have already begun prep work and clinical trials to test how well the COVID-19 vaccine works on kids. Some of the results have also been encouraging.

When will kids get a coronavirus vaccine? Here's what you should know

Some vaccine manufacturers, such as Moderna Inc. and Pfizer BionTech have already secured authorisation to inoculate kids aged 12 and above, in select countries. As we safeguard kids against the perils of the pandemic, here's a list of all vaccine models being worked on to mitigate pediatric COVID risks:

Moderna Therapeutics Inc. is one of the companies which is seeking to have a vaccine ready for kids in the coming months. The company, which is innovating with an mRNA vaccine has already announced interim clinical observations data from phase II and III studies that showcased a 96% efficacy rate in cutting out symptomatic infections in kids aged between 12-17.

The company is also reportedly on its way to conduct a pediatric study involving infants and younger children, to further study the efficacy of the vaccine. While it is yet unknown whether Moderna's make would be made available for children in India, officials have suggested that the import of vaccine doses may happen by the end of the year

Homegrown vaccine, Covaxin, which is a traditional vaccine make, is one of the three vaccines being currently administered countrywide. While the vaccine has shown exemplary results in neutralizing mutants, the company has also now also begun testing the vaccine for kids aged between 6-18. Early-phase trials have begun in select AIIMS centres across the country and participants are being actively recruited for the same. If approved for use, experts have also suggested that Covaxin may be the primary vaccine being administered to kids.

Pfizer-BioNTech's mRNA vaccine, which has been found to have strong efficacy rates, is amongst the first vaccines to have been approved for use- amongst adults, and now kids. The company, which began conducting clinical trials on younger children in early February 2021 published data that found that its vaccine was exceptionally effective for kids and carried over a 99% protection rate. The vaccine was soon approved for inoculation in younger kids (12 and above) in countries like the US, Canada and Singapore.

There are also plans about the vaccine being tested on even younger children. While the Indian government is mitigating roadblocks to having the Pfizer vaccine available in India, there are also encouraging reports that suggest that kids may also be a part of early vaccination drives.

Zydus Cadila is yet another homegrown vaccine in the making, having kickstarted development in 2020. While the company is yet to have the vaccine approved for adult use, the Ahmedabad-based pharma giant has already sent interim clinical data from phase II and III trials conducted on kids (aged 12-18) to the DGCI. Early reports also stipulate that upon successful submission, the company may be one of the firsts to launch a vaccination program for kids in India, subject to DGCI nods. It should be remembered that while the clinical trials are set to conclude officially in February 2022, emergency authorisation could be granted for the same. What also makes the vaccine different is that it's a three-dose vaccine, unlike its contemporaries.

Much talked about J&J one-dose COVID-19 vaccine, which has been shown to have good efficacy rates, is also considered for use in pediatric and younger kids. The company had also expanded its vaccine trials in April, involving kids aged between 12-17 years old. However, it is yet unknown when results and clinical data from the same are to be expected.

Blood clotting incidents, reported amongst the adult population is also likely to cause some concern right now if the vaccine is pushed for pediatric or young adult use.

China, which has already vaccinated millions has now approved the Sinovac vaccine for children aged between 3-17 in the country, making it one of the first countries globally to do so.

The vaccine major has said that the vaccine is extremely safe and well-tolerated in kids and the findings of the same are based on preliminary data. Adverse reactions and side-effects have been few and on the milder side as well, experts said. Another pharma major, state-owned Sinopharm is also working to check the effectiveness of its vaccine model on younger children.