With the third wave setting in the country, the focus on vaccinating children is increasing in the view. Vaccination for children will start by September with the Zydus vaccine for 12 to 18-year-olds, said Dr. NK Arora, who heads the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration.
New health minister Mansukh Mandaviya told reporters that the government is planning to implement a health infrastructure package under which pediatric centers will be set up in 736 districts. This will also involve 4000 specialized Intensive care unit beds for children.
“Covaxin phase 3 trials have started and by the end of September, I think we should be there. I think sometime in the third quarter or by early January-February we should be able to give it to 2 to 18-year-olds,” Dr.Arora added.