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Niti Aayog member, Dr VK Paul on Monday assured that there is no scientific evidence as yet to prove that children will become more vulnerable to Coronavirus. His remarks come amid some news reports suggesting that if the third wave of COVID-19 infections arrives in the country, it will primarily affect children, making them more prone to getting infected.
Earlier in the day, Dr VK Paul briefed a Group of Ministers (GOM), formed for pandemic management, on the country’s preparedness for child care to fight COVID-19. In his interaction with the press, Dr Paul rejected the theory that small children will be more vulnerable to getting infected, saying that there is no proof of it as of now. “It is known that older children have been getting infected but often have little symptoms and only rarely any serious disease,” he added.
However, he did advocate for increased logistical preparedness for COVID-19 care for children across the country and informed that the government had already provided an action plan for the same.
According to Dr VK Paul, if a large number of adults get vaccinated, it will reduce the risk of infection among children as well. He also emphasised the need to create vaccines for children. “Ongoing trials of Indian vaccines in India will pave way for this strategy,” he said.
Currently, all vaccines approved in India- Covishield, Covaxin and Sputnik V, can only be administered to those above 18 years of age. Vaccine maker Bharat Biotech was recently given permission by the Indian regulators to start trials of Covaxin on children in the age group of 2-18 years.