More data needed to initiate Covid-19 vaccination for children on large scale: Dr. Balaram Bhargava

Photo Credits: Reuters

With the increasing concern about the potential third wave to affect the children, Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) DG Dr. Balram Bhargava revealed on Friday that till there is adequate data on the vaccination of children, “we would not be able to vaccinate children at large.”

At a press conference, Bhargava said, “Whether very small children will ever need the vaccine, is still a question. Till such time we have more data on the vaccination of children, we won’t be in a position to vaccinate children at large,” according to the news agency ANI.

He further added, “However, we have started a small study on children between the age of 2 and 18, and we shall have the results of that by September or so. However, international jury is still not out and they’re still debating whether children need to be vaccinated. We’ve seen that there have some cases of complications in the United States.”

Several experts have predicted that the potential third wave of Covid-19 will supposedly impact India in the near future, and will largely impact the population below 18 years of age including the children. As of now, AIIMS Delhi and Patna have initiated trials to vaccinate children.

Although, according to a recent AIIMS-World Health Organization (WHO) statement, a third Covid-19 wave “may not hit kids disproportionately”.

AIIMS Director, Randeep Guleria revealed to India Today that Bharat Biotech’s Covid-19 vaccine, Covaxin will be supposedly approved for children in September. Three different vaccines which cover Covaxin by Bharat Biotech will be available for children.

• Melukote – Vairamudi Festival – 2022
• Bengaluru metro to function on weekdays, closed on weekends from July 1
• India provides reciprocal exemption of EU Digital COVID Certificate to include Covishield, Covaxin
• PM Modi will address the Digital India beneficiaries at 11 am tomorrow
• Pvt hospitals will obtain Covid vaccine doses via CoWIN starting from July 1