The year 2019 is a year that all of us will remember for the rest of our lives. When the pandemic came, so did the vaccine. India is currently giving vaccine doses of Covishield and Covaccine. The vaccines were first given to age groups of 45 and above and later to age groups of 18 and above. As of today, 69% of adults in India have received their first dosage of vaccine and 25% were given both doses. The process of vaccination is still in progress.
On May 5th of 2021, Canada first approved the COVID-19 vaccine for children of age 12-15 for emergency use. Children and adolescents seem to have a milder effect of the virus compared to adults and senior citizens. The virus most commonly manifests in children as an illness with fever and cough. But as children are immune to all kinds of diseases, they also seem to be immune to the coronavirus to an extent. Although children with a history of respiratory or cardiovascular conditions are considered to be at a higher risk.
Vaccine advisors in the UK suggested delaying vaccines for young people under the age of 16, as very low rates of serious cases were reported in this age group. However, several countries like the United States and Israel have moved ahead with the process of vaccination for children of age 12 and above. A handful of vaccines have been tested for this particular age group and there are a few more still under testing and trial process. As of today, vaccines are reported to be safe for adolescents. Some foreign companies have moved on to clinical trials for vaccines in children as young as six months old. Studies say that vaccines for children under the age of 12 might be available, throughout the world, later in this year or at the beginning of 2022.
-Vaishnavi Preethi