Health experts laud vax-for-kids move

SNS, SILIGURI,  26 DECEMBER 2021: Doctors and health activists have welcomed the decision of the central government to administer Covid vaccines to children between 15-18 years and allow a 'precaution dose' for healthcare and frontline workers.

In an address to the nation last evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced such vaccination for the 1518 age group from 3 January, while he said frontline workers and those above 60 years with comorbidities would be eligible for a booster dose from 10 January. The announcement comes at a time when the country has recorded more than 422 cases of the Omicron variant in 17 states till 25 December.

A section of the medical fraternity, however, said they had expected Mr Modi to touch upon the issue of acceleration of the vaccination campaign.

"It is definitely a welcome move. Many doctors and health activists had received the jabs on 16 January, the very first day of the vaccination drive. The vaccines ensure a robust level of protection against the severe disease for a few months. But it is almost a year now, so the vaccine-induced antibodies trend to wane after several months," said the associate professor of the pathology department at the North Bengal Medical College and hospital (NBMCH), Dr Kalyan Khan.

Dr Khan said focus should be laid on strictly following the announcement that only people belonging to the frontline workers' category and rightful comorbid people of more than 60 years are given the booster dose. 

"At the same time, I had expected Mr Modi to send some message over the ongoing vaccination campaign. A significant section of the people is yet to receive the second dose, and there are many people who did not take even the first dose. It is more important to ensure that all people are vaccinated with double doses," he added.

The Centre has been asking states to complete full vaccination and has also advised to check the second dose overdues.

According to noted Paediatercian in Siliguri, Dr Prince Parakh, the decision to vaccinate children against Covid19 was welcome.

"It will start from the 15 to 18 years age group. It is our responsibility to protect our children. It has been observed that children can act as spreaders of the disease and should be protected from the new fast spreading variant Omicron also. Vaccinating children is an important step, especially towards school reopening. However, following the Covid protocol still remains extremely important in preventing the spread of Covid variants," he said.

The assistant professor of the department of microbiology and in-charge of the virus research and diagnostic laboratory that conducts Covid tests at the NBMCH, Dr Santanu Hazra, said it was a timely initiative.

"The need of the hour is to reduce the severity and spread of SARS-CoV-2," Dr Hazra said.

On the other hand, medics associated with 'Protect The Warriors', an initiative launched by the United Doctors' Welfare Association, said that the inoculation drive should also cover children aged 12 years in the next phase.

"We have been demanding booster doses for healthcare and frontline workers because of the waning antibody response, and vaccination for children. The government has now approved both. We, however, want that children from 12 years of age should also be covered in the drive in the next phase, as classes below IX have to resume," said the secretary of the organisation and a Kolkata- based senior ENT consultant and head & neck surgeon, Dr Abhik Ghosh.