In the nearly three weeks since the clinical trial of indigenous ZyCoV-D vaccine on children started at Nair hospital, only five young volunteers have been given the jab so far. Under the programme, 50 individuals between 12 and 17 years of age will be enrolled. Despite the slow start, the hospital is hopeful that more parents will come forward for the trials.

The trial is being carried out amid expert warnings that the potential third wave of Covid will likely affect more children than the previous outbreaks. There are various vaccines at different stages of trials across the country at the moment.