JABS FOR KIDS LIKELY TO BEGIN NEXT MNTH: HEALTH MINISTRY

NEW DELHI: Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday the government is likely to begin vaccinating children against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in August. Mandaviya reportedly made the statement during a parliamentary party meeting of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which was also attended by PM Narendra Modi. “We would likely begin vaccinating children from next month,” the health minister reportedly said during the meeting. Currently, every citizen who is aged or 18 above is eligible for a shot against the viral disease. Mandaviya’s statement comes at a time when there are concerns over the impact on kids of a possible third wave of the coronavirus pandemic. That a vaccine is yet to be cleared for this age group has only added to worries. Previously, experts, including AIIMS director Dr Randeep Guleria projected a timeline of September by which a vaccine would be available for children. According to Dr Guleria, data from clinical trials of Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin on children is likely to be available in September and, if found safe, the shot could be approved for kids the same month. In the past few weeks, there has been a slowdown in rate of decline of average daily Covid cases, which is a cause of concern, the Union health ministry said on Tuesday. It also said that there are 54 districts in 12 states and Union Territories, which reported over 10 per cent Covid positivity rate for the week ending July 26.