Pfizer discusses with Indian government on Covid-19 vaccine's aptness for children

US pharma giant Pfizer has told the Indian government that their Covid-19 vaccine can be administered to everyone aged 12 and above.

The vaccine can also be stored at 2-8 degree temperature for a month, said a report.

The Pfizer vaccine which was created in collaboration with German biotechnology firm BioNTech is the only vaccine currently being administered to children in some countries.

US health regulator rolled out the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between the ages of 12-15 on May 14, Canada had approved their shot for children on May 5.

US health regulator rolled out the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between the ages of 12-15 on May 14, Canada had approved their shot for children on May 5.

The European Medicines Agency is also evaluating its use in children.

The initial advisory had suggested that Pfizer vaccines should be stored at a temperature of minus 70 degree celsius, which was considered to be almost impossible for tropical countries with underfunded cold storage infrastructure, but the company has since revised the advisory and the vaccines can now be stored at minus 25 degrees and even at 2-8 degrees for a month.

Another report said Pfizer is willing to export five crore vaccine doses over the course of four months, starting with one crore vaccine doses in July, one in August, two crore in September and finally another one crore in October.

However, the manufacturer has agreed to hold talks with the Government of India and accept payments directly from them.

Earlier, both Pfizer and Moderna had refused to sell vaccines directly to states.