New Delhi: The Chief of the Covid Task Force VK Paul on Sunday said that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is based on the overall scientific rationale as well as the supply status of vaccines available for people below 18 years of age against the coronavirus among children and adolescents. Will take the final decision on vaccination of .
“We know that many countries have introduced vaccination for adolescents and children. We will, going forward, take a final decision based on the overall scientific rationale and the supply status of child licensed vaccines,” he told PTI in an interview. Told.
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Paul also cautioned that it would not be fair to say that the worst is over as many countries have seen more than two waves.
“It is reassuring that the number of covid cases is now declining and the second wave is now receding, but to say that the worst is over, would not be fair as we have seen in other countries, two There have been more waves,” he said.
Paul cautioned that the country is passing through a phase of festivals and possible gatherings.
Paul, who has been instrumental in the government’s efforts in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic, said this is an important stage as the virus can spread again.
“We have seen that even in other countries where vaccine coverage is good, epidemics can and have increased,” Paul said.
So, of course we should not assume that this downward trend will continue and certainly we should not think that the worst is over, we have to be always cautious.
Underlining that the vaccination program has gained momentum, the Covid Task Force chief said that the states, which are lagging behind for whatever reason, should work hard and step up vaccination.
“Now, of course, there is no shortage of vaccine supplies, no inadequacies. They have 10 crore doses of vaccines with the state governments for the vaccination program today,” Paul said, adding that states should ensure that they reach those who have been left out in the vaccination programme.
Three Covid-19 vaccines, including Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V, are currently being administered to people over the age of 18 in the country. These are all two-dose vaccines.
Zydus Cadila’s indigenously developed needle-free vaccine ZyCoV-D, which has received Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), is set to become the first vaccine to be available for people in the age group of 12-18 years in India.
Preparations for the inclusion of Zydus Cadila vaccine in the vaccination program are going well, training is already being conducted. NTAGI’s advice on best vaccine use has been explored. So it will be launched soon,” Paul said.
An expert panel of the country’s Central Drugs Authority has recommended an EUA for Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for children and adolescents aged 2-18 years, subject to certain conditions.
Covaxin, if approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI), will be the second vaccine after ZyCoV-D for those under 18 to receive an EUA.
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The head of the covid task force said that covaccine is a part of the adult immunization program and how the provision of the vaccine for children in the totality of the requirements of the immunization program is also to be examined.
“A practical decision (on vaccination of children and adolescents) can be taken (only) by balancing supply and potential eligibility,” he said.
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