A senior epidemiologist from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences on Sunday 26 December, termed the government decision of vaccinating teenagers "unscientific".

Before executing the plan, data from other countries on children vaccination should be analysed, said Dr Rai who is also also the President of the Indian Public Health Association.

He also announced "precautionary" doses for frontline and healthcare workers.

The committee had noted that the interim safety data of the Phase 2/3 clinical trials was reviewed in a meeting on 26 August.

After detailed deliberation, the committee had recommended the grant of authorisation of the vaccine for the 12 to 18 years age group for restricted use in emergency situations subject to certain conditions.

Earlier, Zydus Cadila's three-dose DNA vaccine was allowed to be used on adults and children over the age of 12.

(This story was published from a syndicated feed. Only the headline and picture has been edited by FIT)