Kids Covid Jab: To Whom It May Concern
Since the covid pendamic started in 2020 the world was waiting for the covid vaccine. The vaccination against covid is being given to the adult with good effectivity and response. The world is working towards vaccination as many adults as possible. Some countries have sanctioned the covid vaccine for use in children above 12 years of Age. The universal recommendation now is to vaccinate everyone 12 years and older. Meanwhile, trials are ongoing for vaccine safety in younger children. Widespread vaccination is the most effective too to put the brakes on the pandemic acceleration. vaccinating children will not only prevent children from direct and severe impact of covid, but will also reduce the transmission in the community. This is especially important as we look toward restarting of schools, and restoring normalcy in the lives of our children.
In the second wave of covid we saw a significant number of children manifesting serious symptom of covid. We also saw a significant number of children developing dreaded complication of covid such as MIS-C (Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children). Even though the number of children affected by covid were much lesser then adults, it still put a significant burden on healthcare, in addition to the morbidity and mortality in this younger population. With future mutation there is speculation that children will be more susceptible to covid infection. Also, one majority of adult are vaccinated, the children will be more susceptible. Hence, the focus is now on vaccinating our children as well.
We should start vaccinating children as soon as the vaccine trial results are declared and the government announces the recommendation. And off course when the vaccine is available Are we ready?
As a children hospital we have pitched in for vaccination of adults in the community. Several hospitals, Institution and organisations have done the same. Were we fully for it? We took up the challenge, and adopted new approaches, and innovated along the way. In a crisis such as this there are no text book answer, it is just the common goal of protecting ourselves that holds us together. A strong public private partnership can accomplish this goal.it is something we have to do.
