A post is getting viral on social media with a claim that Bharat Biotech’s vaccine ‘Covaxin’ has been approved for use for children above the age of 12.

A Facebook page name NorthFace Service- Hyderabad shares a post with a claim that "Breaking News Covaxin is now approved for children above 12 years of age after being tested for efficacy and following all Safety standards!! India is just arrived, & in style! Others are still in the testing & approval phases!"

Fact Check

In our investigation, we found that the viral claim is misleading. The Centre rubbished the claim calling it fake, and the government has not approved any such vaccination drive. Currently, citizens above the age of 18 years are only eligible for COVID19 Vaccination. 

Shortly following news regarding vaccination has been approved for children above the age of 12 years went viral, the fact-check wing of the Press Information Bureau of India ( PIB fact-check ) took Twitter to clarify that the viral claim is fake.

The tweet reads, "A tweet has claimed that Bharat Biotech's vaccine, Covaxin, has been approved for children above 12 years. #PIBFactCheck: This claim is #Fake. No such approval has been given by the Government of India. Currently, citizens above the age of 18 are eligible for #COVID19Vaccination"

According to a news report of NDTV dated January 4, 2021, Bharat Biotech, which received emergency approval for its Covid-19 vaccine only in "clinical trial mode," is allowed to conduct its trials on children who are above the age of 12 years. The vaccine has already been used for children above 12 in the last round and has been found safe. 

It also stated that the government has said the vaccination drive is intended only for adults, but this provides hope that if there is sufficient data, then it can be extended fully to children in the future.  

In conclusion, the viral claim is false that Bharat Biotech's vaccine, Covaxin, has been approved for children above 12 years of age. The Centre rubbished the claim calling it fake, and the government has not approved any such vaccination drive. Currently, citizens above the age of 18 years are only eligible for COVID19 Vaccination.