Even with over 90% of Mumbai’s 93.2 lakh adult population having been administered the first jab, the group of paediatrics encompassing nearly 30 lakh will have to wait to get their jabs, reported the Times of India.
The DNA-based needle-less vaccine from Zydus Cadila has attained approval for the age group between 12-17 and on Tuesday, Bharat Biotech’s, Covaxin received an emergency use authorization recommendation from the expert committee for the age group between 2-17. With this, all that is left is approval from the drug regulator.
According to the report, a senior doctor elaborated on how these approvals and recommendations are okay, but the Union hasn’t proclaimed guidelines in regards to vaccinating the paediatric age group. Adding that the companies too will require time to manufacture the doses, whilst also questioning the number of doses, its size and consistency that will be required by the children.
To this, however, officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) stated that the paediatric vaccination could commence as soon as a week after the guidelines being proclaimed. Dr Mangala Gomare, the BMC executive health officer elaborated that whilst the civic authority has an immense network of vaccination and storage facilities, it can’t proceed without guidelines from the centre.
Suresh Kakani, the BMC additional commissioner elucidated that if the guidelines are similar to that of adults, the process could commence promptly. However, if in the case it isn’t, new centres will have to be constituted and staff will have to be trained.
Also Read: Fully Vaccinated Indian Travellers To The UK Won’t Need Quarantine, October 11 Onwards
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