Bharat Biotech's anti-coronavirus vaccine 'Covaxin' has been approved for children above the age of 12 years by the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI). Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine 'Covishield', manufactured by Pune-based Serum Institute of India (SII) has been approved for those above the age of 18. The DCGI had on Sunday approved Bharat Biotech's 'Covaxin' and Serum's 'Covishield' for emergency use in the country, paving the way for a massive inoculation drive.

The permission to both the vaccines -- Bharat Biotech's Covaxin and Serum Institute's 'Covishield' -- has been granted for restricted use in emergency situations. Both the vaccines will be administered in two doses, the DCGi said in the permission letter.

India had on Sunday announced the formal approval for the Oxford-AstraZeneca and Bharat Biotech anti-coronavirus vaccines, saying they will be administered in two dosages each. VG Somani of DCGI said both the firms have been granted permission for "restricted use" in emergency situations.

The approval by the DCGI was given on the basis of recommendations submitted by a coronavirus subject expert committee (SEC) of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO).