Health experts stress need for Cov shot to kids at the earliest

Inoculation of children against Covid-19 should be started at the earliest, feel health experts, especially now that schools have reopened for in-person classes.

Sumati Yengkhom
  • Updated On Nov 18, 2021 at 08:05 AM IST
Read by: 100 Industry Professionals
Reader Image Read by 100 Industry Professionals
Kolkata: Inoculation of children against Covid-19 should be started at the earliest, feel health experts, especially now that schools have reopened for in-person classes.

One vaccine has already received emergency use authorisation (EUA) and another one is awaiting the approval, but the government is yet to announce the roll-out of an inoculation drive for children. But with schools re-opening their campuses in phases, doctors as well as parents want vaccine protection for the paediatric population. “Morbidity and mortality from the novel coronavirus is less among children and so, adults have been given the priority in the inoculation drive. But now that schools have started re-opening, children must be administered vaccine at the earliest,” said senior paediatrician Apurba Ghosh, director at Institute of Child Health (ICH) Kolkata.

Advt
While Zydus Cadila’s three-dose ZyCov-D has received authorization for children between 12 and 18 years, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin has been recommended for EUA for children above 2 years by the subject expert committee. The vaccine is still awaiting the final nod from the drug regulator. “Re-opening of educational institutes was much needed. But even a single child contracting the novel coronavirus will lead to panic among parents and might again cause suspension of physical classes. We need to provide vaccine protection to children as fast as possible,” said IPGMER hepatolgy head Abhijit Chowdhury, also a member of Bengal’s Global Advisory Board for Covid-19 Response.

Paediatricians and hospitals are already flooded with enquiries about vaccination for children. “Almost 100% parents are keen on their children getting the jab. Since the adults have received the shots, they are aware of the benefits. Being away from classrooms for a long period was causing chldren psychological issues. But as schools have started reopening in phases, it is high time children were administered the vaccine,” said ICH professor Jaydeep Choudhury, the co-investigator in the ZyCov-D clinical trial at ICH.

Swasthya Bhawan official feel the health ministry may announce the roll-out of the paediatric inoculation drive only after Covaxin receives the sanction. State health officials said they were ready for the roll-out and were waiting for the guidelines. “In Bengal, about 2.45 crore children above 2 years will be eligible for th vaccine. Our infrastructure is ready. We only need the guideline on certain issues, like the type of vaccine and the procurement procedure,” said state family welfare officer Asim Das Malakar.

Advt
  • Published On Nov 18, 2021 at 07:59 AM IST
Be the first one to comment.
Comment Now

Join the community of 2M+ industry professionals

Subscribe to our newsletter to get latest insights & analysis.

Download ETHealthworld App

  • Get Realtime updates
  • Save your favourite articles
Scan to download App