‘Prioritise comorbid kids for vaccination’

Zydus Cadila’s Covid-19 vaccine, ZyCoV-D, will be administered to children above 12 years and adults. The commencement date is yet to be announced. Representation pic

As schools reopen and vaccines for children are expected by next month, the paediatric task force has suggested that youngsters with comorbidities should be prioritised during the vaccination drive for them. Mumbai is estimated to have 10 lakh children aged 12-17 years. Zydus Cadila's Covid-19 vaccine, ZyCoV-D, will be administered to children above 12 years and adults and is expected to be introduced as part of the vaccine programme soon. While an official announcement is still awaited, task force and state health department officials indicated that it can be rolled out next month or by early December.

Two-three vaccines expected

"We will have two-three vaccines for children before the end of this year. For vaccination, we should prioritise children with comorbidities, since they are more prone to complications if they get Covid-19. We will be preparing a list of comorbidities for this and submitting it to the government," said Dr Bakul Parekh, paediatrician and member of the paediatric state task force.

Meanwhile, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has decided not to increase the number of Covid-19 vaccination centres for children. "By the time we begin the vaccination drive for children, the adult population will be more or less vaccinated. The crowd at existing 325 centres will also reduce. We can, therefore, use the current infrastructure for children as well," said Additional Municipal Commissioner Suresh Kakani.

Till date, 35,753 children aged 10-19 years and 13,931 aged 0-9 years have tested positive for Covid-19. The BMC plans to vaccinate the entire adult population by February next year. Kakani said 90 per cent of the eligible population in Mumbai has got their first dose and 50 per cent both the doses.

The state paediatric task force, meanwhile, welcomed the reopening of schools. "We were informed that close to 25 lakh children attended schools across the state on Wednesday. More schools will start after they implement the guidelines," Dr Parekh said on Wednesday.