Paul also cautioned that even though cases 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 waves
A medic takes a swab sample of a man for Covid-19 test, at APMC vegetable market in Navi Mumbai, on Saturday. Pic/PTI
The Centre 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, Covid Task Force chief V K Paul said on Sunday. Paul also cautioned that even though cases 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 waves.
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“We do know that several nations have introduced vaccination for adolescents (people) and children. We’ll take a final decision based on the overall scientific rationale and the supply situation of the child-licensed vaccines, going forward,” he said. “A pragmatic decision (on vaccination of children and adolescents) can be taken (only) by balancing the supply and the potential eligibility.”
Zydus Cadila’s needle-free ZyCoV-D has got the Emergency Use Authorisation for those in the age group of 12-17 years. An expert panel of India’s central drug authority has recommended granting EUA to Covaxin for those aged 2-17 years, with certain conditions.
While noting it will not be possible now to give a particular timeline on when vaccination will start for children, Paul said, “The preparation for incorporation of Zydus Cadila’s 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 out”. India recorded 14,146 fresh infections and 144 deaths in a day while active cases declined to 1,95,846, the lowest in 220 days, according to the Union Health Ministry’s data released on Sunday.
‘Long Covid can worsen existing ailments’
Long Covid-19 may not be as fatal as acute Covid-19 and mostly improve over time, but it can worsen existing ailments like diabetes and kidney diseases, health experts said. The criteria to define long-Covid is still evolving, but WHO recently described it as a post-Covid condition in individuals with a history of probable or confirmed SARS CoV-2 along with symptoms lasting for at least two months and cannot be explained by an alternative diagnosis. Dr Khan Amir Maroof, professor from University College of Medical Sciences and GTB Hospital, Delhi, said some patients were getting read-mitted even after recovery or seeking OPD consultation for Covid-related problems. Dr Shibu Vijayan, Global TB Technical Director at Programme for Appropriate Technology in Health, said, “We are seeing more TB cases post-Covid.” He said, from Indian studies, it looks like around 30 per cent of the hospitalised cases had long-Covid symptoms, such as fatigue, cough, chest tightness, breathlessness, palpitations, myalgia and difficulty to focus. “It could be related to organ damage, post-viral syndrome, post-critical care syndrome and others,” he said. Dr Maroof said preventing Covid will prevent long-Covid as well. “So, in a way, a vaccine is the key intervention for long-Covid too.”
3,40,67,719
Total no. of Coronavirus cases in india so far
4,52,124
Total no. of deaths due to the virus in India so far
1,95,846
Total no. of active cases in India
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