The PM made the announcement in his ‘Address to the Nation’ at 9.45 pm on Saturday, soon after the drug regulator allowed Bharat Biotech’s locally developed Covaxin for emergency use for children above the age of 12. Covaxin is the second vaccine, after Zydus Cadila’s ZyCoV-D, to receive regulatory approval for restricted use among children aged 12-18. However, the vaccination program will currently only cover children above 15 years of age.
Modi also said that the nasal vaccine and the world’s first DNA vaccine are likely to be approved.
The PM started with Merry Christmas and then spoke of the emergence of the Omron version and its implications, urging people not to panic while following COVID protocols like wearing masks and sanitizing hands. He said that the country has learned from giving 141 crore doses and there has been a significant increase in capacity through the supply of oxygen. He said there are varying estimates and reports on Omron, indicating that India’s policy response will be guided by its experience, the prevalence of infection and the efficacy of vaccines in use in the country.
This decision has put an end to the speculation as to when the booster dose will start. The PM said these calls would be based – as has been the case since the launch of the vaccine program on January 16 – on scientific analysis and assessments derived from studies and vaccine rollouts.
People above 60 years of age with comorbidities will have the option of taking a ‘precautionary’ or booster dose on the advice of their doctors, the PM said, adding that India has taken into account its local situation and data, apart from global experiences. Keeping the decision The PM said the decision on vaccines for children is expected to reassure students and parents.
So far, the Center has been cautious, pointing out the widespread prevalence of antibodies in the sub-18 population, despite being unaffiliated. But high transmission of Omicron increases the risk of disease, although children have been protected from the worst effects of the pandemic so far.
“This has been done in the light of the time that frontline workers and health care workers spend serving COVID patients. In India, this is called a ‘precautionary dose’ and not a booster dose. A government statement said the decision on the precautionary dosage would strengthen the confidence of the healthcare service and frontline workers.
The Prime Minister said there was active discussion around Omicron, with scientists in India assessing local data for 11 months of vaccination in the country, as well as taking a closer look at experiences around the world, which varied from country to country. The evaluation included vaccine response in terms of the effects of vaccination in the elderly, those with co-morbidities, as well as differences between doses. The researchers also evaluated re-infection as well as success infection data in India as well as globally.
The PM said that introducing ‘precautionary dosing’ and vaccinating children will strengthen the fight against COVID-19 and help normalize education in schools.
The PM said the announcements will mark the occasion of Christmas and the birthday of BJP veteran and late former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He stressed that as the virus continues to mutate, the country’s ability and confidence to face the challenge is also growing along with “our innovative spirit”.