New Delhi Children under the age of 12 may have to wait longer for COVID-19 vaccines, despite the drug regulator’s approval in April, because of fewer infections and lower mortality rates, as well as children above 12 Limited uptake in children of K, delays a decision.
The Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) on April 26 approved the emergency use authorization for Biologics E K Corbevax for people in the age group of five to 12 years and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for children between the ages of six and 12 years. Since then, the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) has met several times to evaluate pediatric immunization data, an official familiar with the matter said.
“Right now, our focus is mainly on children and adolescents aged 12-18 years and their vaccination coverage. These age groups are more likely to be at higher risk of mortality and severe hospitalization with longer COVID complications. Therefore, we are evaluating pediatric data for this age group. Also immunization of 12-18 year olds is also not very encouraging.”
“Vaccination coverage among the age group of 12-14 years is 40-42% while the vaccination coverage for adolescents of 15-18 years is around 65%. If our vaccination coverage in these age groups does not improve, then there is no point in expanding the COVID-19 vaccination to children below the age of 12 years,” he said.
Explaining the nature of Kovid infection in children under 12 years of age, Dr NK Arora, Chairman, NTAGI’s COVID-19 Working Group, said, ‘Most of the asymptomatic infections occur in children below the age of 12 years, or more often. There are only mild symptoms. Also, children recover faster without any major medical interventions. However, children who are obese and suffering from pre-existing co-morbid conditions are at risk of severe COVID infection, may require vaccination. For this we are regularly evaluating pediatric data when it comes to us. But right now our main priority is to vaccinate children and young adolescents in the age group of 12-18 years.”
Earlier, an apex panel of the Health Ministry led by a team of scientific experts and pediatricians at NTAGI headed by Dr Arora had decided to approve vaccination for children below 12 years of age.
On July 8, Mint reported that NTAGI’s Standing Technical Sub-Committee (STSC) recommended the use of organic E’s Corbevax and Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for children aged 5-12 years; However, the core group of NTAGI did not take any decision in this regard. The members of NTAGI are of the view that the incidence of COVID cases and deaths among children below 12 years of age is not strong enough to take a firm decision regarding their vaccination.
Of the nearly 2 billion vaccine doses that India has given so far, more than 37.5 million first doses and 25.3 million second doses have been administered to children aged 12-14; and 60.71 million first doses and 49.66 million second doses have been given to adolescents aged 15-18.
Questions emailed to the health ministry spokesperson remained unanswered till press time.
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