New Delhi: The government tends to start vaccination of children against Covid-19 only in March 2022, even when three-four vaccines tend to be approved for the lower age group 18 in December, official source said.
Covid-19 Vaccine Zydus Cadila, Zycov-D, is expected to obtain an emergency use authorization for cohorts 12-18 at the end of August, while Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin – the only vaccine was tested for use in the age group 2-18 years – also tended to enter Front in September.
There is also a MRNA vaccine developed by Gennova Pharmaceuticals.
Although the MRNA vaccine is currently under clinical trials for use in adults, it is likely to be approved for children without separate trials.
These vaccines have been given to children in other countries, an official said.
NovaVax Covid-19 vaccine, named Covavax in India with the Serum India Institute (SII) as its manufacturing partner, is likely to be approved for emergency use in December.
The government aims to vaccinate the adult population at the end of the year, but officials are aware that this also depends on people who are willing to vaccinate separately from the availability of shots.
The government will prioritize children with co-morbidity – estimated at around 30 lakh – to receive vaccines at first and then enter the others depending on availability.
Overall, there are around 40 crore parents under 18 years.
“Covid vaccination among children will start only once all adults vaccinated.
We also have to ensure that there is an adequate supply of vaccines agreed to cover all children,” the official said.
A total of more than 57 crore doses have been given throughout the country until 8pm on Thursday with more than 49% of the 94 adult populations crore get at least the first dose of the vaccine.
About 14% of adults are fully vaccinated.
Officials said the vaccination of children should not stop school from opening if the staff is immunized.
“Children are not too affected by infection.
In most cases, it’s light.
Especially they spread the disease.
So, if school staff and parents are all immunized, safe to open school,” the official said.
Although vaccination rates have increased from the end, limited inventories and future festivals are seen as a challenge that can again affect the program speed.
Even though new vaccines like Zycov-D are expected to increase inventory, it will depend on when this vaccine is actually available and in what amount.