Important vaccine-related announcements from India
Prime Minister Narendra Modi made three significant announcements about India's COVID vaccination effort amid the growing threat of the Omicron form around the world. The Prime Minister, speaking to the nation on Saturday, warned residents to be wary of the extremely contagious Omicron strain, which is wreaking havoc in European countries and is expected to become a dominant form in the coming months. He also reassured the residents that all possible preparations have been made to combat the rising number of diseases. The following are three key takeaways from his speech.
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Vaccine for 15-18-year-olds
Children aged 15 to 18 will be eligible for the COVID vaccine beginning January 3, 2022, according to the Prime Minister. Currently, only persons aged 18 and over are eligible for vaccination. Two vaccines for children have been approved by the Indian government thus far. In August, the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approved Zydus Cadila's three-dose DNA shot for use on adults and children over the age of 12, while in October, Bharat Biotech's covaxin was approved for emergency use on children aged 12 to 18. When it comes to the vaccine, covaxin's makers claim that the drug is manufactured in such a way that the same dosage can be given to adults and children. On both the original strain and later strains, the shot is safe and effective.
Workers in the healthcare field will receive a third dose.
The government has also approved a third booster dose of the vaccine, known as the "precaution dose," for all healthcare and frontline employees beginning January 10, 2022. Those who received their second dose of immunization roughly 5-6 months ago will receive their third shot. The Prime Minister stated that approval for the preventive dose was granted due to concerns among individuals about a decline in their immunity level over time.
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For older persons, a precautionary shot is recommended.
In addition to healthcare workers, the Indian government has approved a precautionary third dose for older persons aged 60 and up who have a chronic health condition that makes them more susceptible to coronavirus infection. Senior citizens, on the other hand, can only receive the dose if their doctors suggest it. As of now, it's unclear which vaccine will be given as a preventive dose. According to a report, the government's top technical advisory committee on COVID-19 vaccination is in agreement that the additional shot should be of a vaccine based on a different platform than the first two doses given in the country. Adenovirus-based vaccines include Serum Institute's covishield (Oxford-AstraZeneca) and Russian-made Sputnik V, while Bharat Biotech's covaxin contains an inactivated virus. As a result, it's unlikely that the third dose will be based on an inactive complete virus or a live virus.
India's immunization campaign
On January 16, 2021, India initiated a vaccination campaign against the infectious COVID-19 virus. Frontline workers and senior folks received the first injections. As India completes a year of vaccinations, it is prepared to undertake a new vaccination phase aimed at strengthening immunity and providing protection to children who were previously thought to be viral carriers.
At a time when the Omicron variety is spreading its claws over the globe, vaccinating children and administering a third dose to senior residents and healthcare professionals are critical. Experts predict that Omicron, which is three times more transmissible than Delta, is capable of causing the country's third coronavirus wave. To reduce the chance of infection, it's time to be extra cautious. Follow all COVID guidelines, wear a mask, and stay away from crowded areas.
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