To protect children from Covid 19, 15-18 years are to be vaccinated from January 3 rd , 2022 onwards. Emergency Use Approval has been given to COVAXIN and experts state that inactivated viruses are safe and parents need not worry. The vaccine will be given in the same doses as adults. The age-group of 15 to 18 years is considered susceptible as apart from schools/ colleges they are also indulging in parties, hanging out, movies and other entertainment.
Indiglobal Media Network spoke to senior paediatricians in Hyderabad and here is what they have to say:
Dr Vijay Anand, consultant neonatologist and paediatrician, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Hyderabad: Inactivated Covaxin vaccine is absolutely safe and parents need not worry. Crores of adults in India have been administered Covaxin and they are all safe. It is proven that the vaccines for children across the world are safe and children of 15 to 18 years are going out regularly, protecting them is very important.
There has also been an increase in cases of autism, hyperactive and other socio-behavioural issues in special children as the clinics that they attended were not functioning for a year. Many of these children require special attention and must be given priority in vaccination. They need to be protected to attend their clinics and continue their treatment.
Special children, immune-compromised, transplants, diseased and other children suffering from rare diseases must be evaluated by their treating physician before they are given Covid 19 vaccine. If they are on medications, there has to be a review done by their treating doctor before vaccinating them.
Dr Taheer Shaik, consultant neonatology and paediatrics, Apollo Cradle & Children’s Hospital, Kondapur : In the first wave very few children were affected but in the second wave the number of children critical were high. It was noticed that children who were suffering from health problems have suffered in the second wave. Similarly, with Omicron the third wave will be observed in the country. Protecting children is important, especially those who are suffering from some form of illness. They must be the priority. Other children also must be vaccinated and it must be done in a decentralized manner. Advance extra supplies of medicines must be provided to the healthcare sector. After vaccination, children must be advised that they must wear masks to schools, colleges, clean hands regularly and maintain a physical distance. Cough and sneeze safely as the weather conditions are leading to an increase of common cold viruses too. Schools must have their classrooms properly ventilated.
Dr Kanchan Channawar, Senior Pediatrician, Kamineni Hospitals: The arrival of Omicron is a worry as mild cases can also burden the healthcare system. The variant may be mild but how it reacts in high-risk group children is not yet known. Prevention is better than cure and vaccinating children in both government and private sector must be a priority. After vaccination also, Covid Appropriate Behaviour of masks, safe distance and avoiding mass gatherings, closed events must not be done.
Dr T P Karthik – senior pediatrician and neonatologist: I am for strongly vaccinating children from 2 to 18 years of age. Priority must be the high-risk children but others must also be immediately covered. It is now a well-known fact that vaccinated groups have a better protection against Covid 19, irrespective of the variant or mutation. This is clearly noted in all the vaccinated adults. The same benefits will be seen in children too.
Pediatricians advise that the Government of India has the Pulse- Polio program as a reference and that it can be used to vaccinate all the children. The vaccination for children must be done in schools, colleges, anganwadi, development centres, Primary healthcare centres, urban public healthcare centres and other government premises to cover all of them quickly.
The Government of India needs 9 crore doses to vaccinate the children from 15 to 18 years.
