As per the new study conducted by the Indian Council of Medical Research, the third wave of Covid-19 is likely to come late. The ICMR has suggested that this delay is a window period of six-eight months to immunize the entire population of the country.
On Sunday, Chairman of Covid working group, Dr NK Arora said, “ICMR has come up with a study, which says the third wave is likely to come late. We have a window period of six to eight months to immunize everybody in the country. In coming days, our target is to administer 1 crore doses every day.”
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The government expert panel chief has also indicated that the immunization for kids aged between 12 to 18 years may begin in a couple of months.
He said, “Trial for Zydus Cadila vaccine is almost complete. By July-end or in August, we might be able to start administering this vaccine to children of 12-18 age group.”
As per the government source, AIIMS Delhi has started the screening with the Covid-19 vaccine of Zydus Cadila on children aged between 12 to 18 years.
On Saturday, the central government has submitted an affidavit to the Supreme Court, the affidavit read about the development of a new coronavirus vaccine by Indian pharmaceutical company Zydus Cadila, which would be available soon for children aged between 12 to 18 years.
In this affidavit, the centre also informed the apex body that it has planned to vaccinate all adults (18+ citizens) by the end of this year. It added that country would require about 186.6 crore doses to vaccinate people above 18 years as the number of the same is 93-94 crore.
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On this, the government said that a total of 51.6 crore doses should be ‘made available’ by July 31 and the remaining jabs are expected to be procured between August and December.
AIIMS Chief Dr Randeep Guleria has said that making the Covid vaccine for kids below 18 years would be a milestone.
He added that the data related to Phase-two and Phase-three of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin on the 2-18 years age group is expected to be released by September. The vaccine would be then available for children across the country following approval from the drug regulator.
He further added, “If the Pfizer vaccine gets approval before that, then it can also be an option for children. If the Zydus vaccine gets approval, it will be another option.”
On Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ‘Mann Ki Baat’ radio show he urged people to get vaccinated and to trust science and scientists. He said, “I urge you all to trust science. Trust our scientists. So many people have taken the vaccine. Let us never believe in negative rumors relating to the vaccine.”