'Govt will decide on Covid-19 vaccination of children on scientific rationale'

The government will take a final decision on vaccinating children and adolescents against coronavirus on the basis of overall scientific rationale as well as the supply situation of vaccines available for those below 18 years old Covid19 Task Force chief V K Paul said on SundayPaul who has been playing a key role in the governments efforts in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic also cautioned that even though infections are coming down and the second wave is subsiding it will not be fair now to say that the worst is over since many countries have seen more than two wavesCurrently three vaccines Covishield Covaxin and Sputnik V being administered in the country are only for those above 18 years of age All of them are twodose vaccinesZydus Cadilas indigenously developed needlefree Covid19vaccine ZyCoVD is set to become the first vaccine that will be available in India for those in the age group of 1218 years It has received Emergency Use Authorisation EUAWe do know that several countries have introduced vaccination for adolescents people and children We will take a final decision based on the overall scientific rationale and the supply situation of the child licenced vaccines going forward Paul told PTI in an interviewAn expert panel of Indias central drug authority has recommended granting EUA to Bharat Biotechs Covaxin for children and adolescents in the 218 years age group with certain conditionsIf approved by the Drugs Controller General of India DCGI it will be the second vaccine after ZyCoVD to get EUA for use among those below 18 yearsThe National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation NTAGI is looking at how ZyCovD should be positioned for most optimum useAccording to Paul Covaxin is a part of the adult vaccination programme and how to provision the vaccine if at all for children has to be also examined in the totality of the requirements of the vaccination programmeA pragmatic decision on vaccination of children and adolescents can be taken only by balancing the supply and the potential eligibility he saidWhile noting it will not be possible now to give a particular timeline on when Covid19 vaccination will start for children Paul said The preparation for incorporation of Zydus Cadilas vaccine into the vaccination programme is proceeding well training is already being held NTAGI advice for the best use of the vaccine is explored So soon this will be rolled outAccording to Paul children are part and parcel of the chains of Covid19 transmission and are infected in large numbers At the same time Covid19 infections in children are very mild or asymptomatic and that is one side of the storyOn the other side he said that once there is enough vaccine available that can be used in children so why not protect themSchools have reopened in many states mainly for higher classesWhen asked whether the worst of the pandemic is over Paul said It is reassuring that the number of Covid19 cases are now on the decline and the second wave is now subsiding but to say that the worst is over will not be fair because we have seen in other nations there have been more than two wavesCautioning that the country is passing through a phase when there are festivals and potential gatherings he said this is a critical phase as the virus can spread againWe have seen that even in other countries where vaccine coverage is good the escalation in the pandemic can happen and has happenedTherefore certainly we should not assume that this situation of the declining trend will continue and definitely we should not think that the worst is over we have to be ever watchful he emphasisedWhile stressing that the vaccination programme has picked up huge speed Paul also said that states which are for whatever reasons lagging behind must work hard and must push vaccinationNow of course there is no dearth no inadequacy of vaccine supply They are as of today 10 crore doses of vaccines with the state governments for the vaccination programme he saidAs the supply situation is excellent Paul said the states must ensure that they reach out to those who are left out in the vaccination programmeGiven the present generous vaccine supply situation and the performance of the vaccine implementation programme it is well within our grasp to accomplish universal vaccination of the adult population he assertedOn some reports that India simply will not have enough syringes for Covid19 vaccines if every single adult is to be fully vaccinated by the end of the year Paul said there is no problem of syringe availability we are in a good shapeThe country recorded 14146 fresh Covid19 infections in a day while active cases declined to 195846 the lowest in 220 days according to the Union Health Ministrys data released on SundayThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole 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