MUMBAI: Even as 93% of the city’s 93.2 lakh adult population have got the first dose, the paediatric group comprising almost 30 lakh will have to wait longer for their shots.
Zydus Cadila’s DNA-based needle-less vaccine has got approval for the 12-17 age group, and Bharat Biotech on Tuesday got a step closer with the expert committee recommending emergency use authorisation for Covaxin for the 2-17 age group. Now, only the drug regulator’s approval is awaited. “These approvals and recommendations are fine, but the Centre hasn’t yet released guidelines for vaccinating the paediatric age group,” said a senior doctor.
Also, the companies will need time to manufacture doses. “We still don’t know if children will need one or two shots, will the doses be diluted, or vials be smaller,” the doctor added.
However, BMC officials said paediatric vaccination could begin as early as a week after the guidelines being released. BMC executive health officer Dr Mangala Gomare said the BMC has a huge network of vaccination centres and storage facilities, but “we cannot do anything without central guidelines”. The city has around 500 public and private vaccination centres.
BMC additional commissioner Suresh Kakani said if the guidelines remain the same as for adults, the process could start soon. “If not, we will need to set up new centres and train our staff before starting any paediatric drive,” he added.
A civic doctor said guidelines would have to answer queries such as should paediatric vaccine centres be located within hospitals, where emergency care is at hand, or in neutral places that won’t intimidate the child.
While paediatric vaccination has been a subject of debate in India, many countries, including the US and France, have long began vaccinating children over 12 years.
