The Centre informed the Delhi High Court on Friday that the clinical trials of COVID-19 vaccines for children below 18 years of age are on the verge of completion.
The government will form a policy and children will be vaccinated when experts give permission, the Centre said.
A bench of Chief Justice D N Patel and Justice Jyoti Singh observed, “Let the trials be done, otherwise, it would be a disaster if COVID vaccines are administered without trials that too in the case of children.”
“Once trials are over, you quickly apply to children. The whole country is waiting,” it added.
The court listed the matter for further hearing on September 6.
Following on a PIL filed on behalf of a minor, the high court sought directions for the immediate vaccination of those in the 12-17 age group on the ground that a likely third wave of COVID-19 could affect them more.