Children with comorbidities will get priority in COVID vaccination

Union government will prioritise children with comorbidities during the COVID-19 vaccination drive for children in the country. National Immunization Technical Advisory Group (NTAGI) Chairperson Dr NK Arora said that rest of the children who are healthy can be immunised subsequently."Within the next couple of weeks, the list will be available in the public domain. In addition, we are also making arrangements at different parts of the country so that these children do not have to travel and within their district, the vaccine is made available," Dr Arora said.
Talking about the government's plan to vaccinate children between 12 to 18 years of age, NTAGI chief said, they are trying to identify those who are at the highest risk of getting the severe disease and the need for hospitalisation. Dr Arora said, within the couple of weeks, the list will be available in the public domain. He said, government is trying to make arrangements at different parts of the country so that these children do not have to travel and within their district. In the month of June, the WHO-AIIMS in a joint survey found out that seroprevalence was 55.7 per cent in the age group below 18 years and 63.5 per cent in 18 years and above. The seropositivity results are showing an almost similar level of exposure to the virus however the disease symptomatic infection or severe disease is very uncommon in children, particularly below ten years, according to the NTAGI chief.
Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) had in August approved Zydus Cadila's DNA vaccine for emergency use in adults and children aged 12 years and above.