Omicron variant is officially here
The Omicron variant of coronavirus has officially arrived in India. As of today, we have 21 confirmed cases of Omicron. With worries of a third wave to this virus attacking kids more than adults, there is a lot of paranoia and uncertainty around this new variant. But before you panic or arrive at baseless conclusions based on sensational headlines, you need to know that it’s a new variant and it will take time for the scientists and researchers to understand the exact nature and implications of this variant of concern.
Read also: Coronavirus: Will COVID-19 third wave hit India soon? Mathematical model foretells
“We need COVID vaccines for kids in India”
In an ETimes Lifestyle exclusive with Dr Shriram Nene urged that while the adult population in India is rapidly getting vaccinated, it’s time that we start vaccination drives for children too. “In the US, children in the age groups of 5-18 are getting vaccinated and we need it for our kids too.”
Why was vaccination for kids not prioritized across the world
It is believed that children are able to fight COVID better than adults and that’s a big reason why they were not in the priority list for getting vaccinated. While there is incredibly small data on kids getting seriously ill from COVID, we need take into consideration that their risk is not zero.
It is also important to note that all COVID vaccines were rolled out faster than any vaccine before. Therefore, there is no confirmed evidence that there will be no side effects of this vaccine.
Countries offering COVID vaccination for children
Greece, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Finland, Switzerland, Canada, Argentina, Cuba, Columbia, Russia, Norway, Bahrain, Israel, Saudi Arabia are among some countries including children in their COVID vaccination programmes amidst concerns over the new variant.
Why are countries extending COVID vaccination to kids now
Researchers in the UK have been insisting on not just one dose for children 12 years of age and above, but two shots. This is because they feel that in case Omicron spreads faster and more easily, we can protect children from getting infected, as it is still not known if this variant is more severe than the previous ones. Data on this is still awaited.
Immunisation is the key right now
If the disease doesn't have a host, it cannot replicate. So immunisation should be our top priority right now. When we reduce the pool of hosts, it reaches an endemic level where even if we get the virus, we won’t get severely affected.