Centre through an affidavit on Friday informed the Delhi High Court that on May 12, 2021, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) has permitted Bharat Biotech to conduct clinical trials on healthy volunteers between 2 years to 18 years of age for its vaccine Covaxin.

The Centre submitted affidavits saying, "The Companies manufacturing Covid-19 vaccination in India have given only "Emergency Use Authorization for vaccinating people of 18 years age and above, therefore, Covid-19 vaccines are not recommended for persons/children less than 18 years of age. This is also because of the fact that the clinical trial group during phase 1, phase 2 and phase 3 did not cover the children below 18 years of age." The affidavit has been filed in Delhi HC in response to a petition seeking direction to vaccinate all students of class 12 appearing for board exams.