Vaccination of children is not a prerequisite for reopening of schools: Dr. VK Paul
NITI Aayog Member (Health) Dr. VK Paul said on Thursday that children are not a condition for re-opening of schools. He said that this norm is not acceptable anywhere in the world.
“Vaccination of children is not a condition for the reopening of schools. This criterion is not accepted anywhere in the world, there is no scientific body, epidemiological evidence suggests it as a condition … However, vaccination of staff Desirable,” said Dr. Paul. Health Ministry press conference on Thursday.
The reaction comes amid demands to ensure that children are vaccinated before the reopening of schools in the country.
Paul further said that so far about 72 crore vaccine doses have been given. “It is clear that two doses show complete protection, 58 percent above the age of 18 to be given a single dose, it should be 100%. No one should be left behind… About 72 crore vaccine doses were given, which are left. They should be administered to develop herd immunity,” she said.
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Meanwhile, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said the pace of vaccination and coverage is “accelerating rapidly”. The average daily dose administered has increased from 20 lakh in May to 78 lakh in September. He said that number is expected to climb even higher.
Bhushan said, “We have administered more vaccines in the first 7 days of September than in the 30 days of May. 86 lakh doses have been given in the last 24 hours. We should speed up the vaccination ahead of the festivals. States and the Center should be vulnerable. should work to vaccinate the population.” .
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) advised “low-key” celebrations of festivals to avoid the spread of infection. Dr. Balram Bhargava of ICMR emphasized on practicing a responsible journey rather than a journey of revenge.
Dr. Bhargava said, “We are developing a COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker, with week to week updates of dosages… It will be available on the Health Ministry website in a few days.”
Read more: One-day COVID-19 infection rate among children exceeds 20% in Odisha
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