Delhi HC seeks response of Centre, Bharat Biotech on PIL against Covaxin Phase 2/3 trial in children

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Wednesday sought responses of the Centre and Bharat Biotech on a plea against the permission granted to the company to conduct the 2nd and 3rd phase of the clinical trial of its coronavirus vaccine, Covaxin, on children aged two to 18.

A bench headed by Chief Justice DN Patel and comprising Justice Jyoti Singh was hearing a plea filed by one Sanjeev Kumar alleging the approval for the clinical trials was unlawful and arbitrary.

The bench issued notice to the respondents seeking their stand by July 15 on the petition.

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had on May 13 allowed the Hyderabad-based firm to conduct phase two and three clinical trials of the vaccine on children and teenagers.

On Tuesday, NITI Aayog had informed that Bharat Biotech is set to begin the phase II and III clinical trials for COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin in children in the age group of 2 to 18 years in the next 10-12 days. (UNI)