The central government announced on Monday that children aged 12 to 14 will be able to receive Covid-19 vaccinations beginning 16 March. According to the Ministry, the COVID vaccine to be administered is Corbevax, which is manufactured by Hyderabad-based Biological E. Additionally, the co-morbidity clause governing the administration of precaution doses to citizens over the age of 60 has been eliminated.
The announcement comes two months after the Union Health Ministry expanded the campaign to include adolescents aged 15-18 years, who were given Covaxin, the country’s first indigenous COVID vaccine.
Experts Contend
Health experts are divided on the government’s decision to begin vaccinations for 12- to 14-year-olds on Wednesday. Many people believe that youngsters should not be vaccinated.
“When it came to recommending a vaccine for kids under the age of 15, NTAGI didn’t have any ideas for the government. Government officials have cut the minimum wage to less than $15 an hour. I’m sad to hear about this change. No one knows for sure that children who have already been infected with BA.2 omicron will be better protected if they get a vaccine.”
It’s said by Dr. JP Muliyil, a member of the NTAGI working group and an epidemiologist at CMC Vellore in Tamil Nadu.
Dr. Prof. Sanjay Rai, the chief investigator of the Covaxin trials at AIIMS in Delhi, also stated that vaccination of youngsters is not required to prevent the disease’s severity. “Covid-19 claims the lives of less than two children in every million. The danger of developing Covid-19 is lower in youngsters, but vaccination-related mortality could be higher ” he explained.
Published By : Revathy G Sanal
Edited By : Subbuthai Padma
