| COVID: Paediatricians for early approval of vaccination for kids, strengthen infra, manpower in J&K | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, May 17: As speculations rife that third wave of COVID pandemic may hit and will largely infect the children, the paediatricians are of opinion that the children should be vaccinated at the earliest and there is also an immediate need of strengthening the infrastructure with manpower across the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
However, the neighbouring Himachal Pradesh Government have also constituted Paediatric Task force in view of anticipated third wave of COVID-19 but the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, has yet to take a call on this as the administration along the Health Department, is busy tackling already surging cases and rise in number of deaths.
Moreover, the paediatricians of Jammu and Kashmir believe that possibilities to explore vaccination in children between the age group of 2 years to 18 years vis-a-vis strengthening infrastructure with skilled manpower is the immediate need of the hour.
As per reports, Bharat Biotech’s COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin has been recommended by an expert panel for phase II/III clinical trial on those aged between two to 18 years.
The trial will take place in 525 subjects at various sites, including AIIMS, Delhi, AIIMS, Patna and Meditrina Institute of Medical Sciences, Nagpur.
“Early vaccination in children is required. What the Third Wave will do or not can’t be said. Children have already got infected during the Second Wave,” Dr Vikas Mahajan, renowned paediatrician here told UNI.
The doctor said that most of the kids have got infected with COVID-19 from those tested positive in their homes and the major concern at the moment is approval of the vaccine for the children.
“The vaccination for this age group should be approved at the earliest after trials declared successful,” the Child Specialist suggested and also stressed on the immediate need of enhancing and strengthening the infrastructure.
“We do not have dedicated hospitals equipped with best facilities for children, ICU wards, NICU wards and many services required to treat the cases at the time of emergency,” said the Doctor.
“Are we really equipped with smart infrastructure to treat children, who need specialised treatment, if the third wave seriously has an impact on them?”, he questioned.
He however, also suggested that trained staff is needed to deal with the situation, adding, “immediate increase in manpower of trained persons is required, which at present is not sufficient to deal COVID like situation.”
The paediatrician also advised that the parents must focus on a healthy and nutritious diet of children.
“The immunity of the children in this age group can be boosted with nutritious meals and homemade food is the best source for it,” he said.
Another doctor said that the Himachal Pradesh government will constitute Paediatric Task force to study the overall scenario in view of anticipated third wave of Covid 19, adding, “the neighbouring state has started enhancing its health infrastructure preparedness for the third wave of pandemic, which is likely to infect children.”
“If the state like Himachal Pradesh has decided to form a Pediatric Task force to study the overall scenario and to give its recommendations then why not the J&K Government work on the similar line,” a doctor suggested. |
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