The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has asked Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur and Punjab to expedite the vaccination of children in their respective states.
The NCPCR wrote to the chief secretaries of these states asking to expedite the vaccination of children.
Earlier in May 2021, the NCPCR had written to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and sought guidelines for the treatment of children considering the third wave of COVID-19.
On May 13, chairperson NCPCR, Priyank Kanoongo, wrote to Dr Balram Bhargava, director-general, ICMR, “The ongoing second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting a slightly greater number of younger people.
“The third wave of COVID-19 is projected to hit the country according to experts and will affect children, too. The Supreme Court of India has emphasised the need to prepare for the same. You may kindly appraise the Commission if additional protocols have been developed,” said the NCPCR chief.
According to health experts, the third COVID wave has hit the country and it is necessary to focus on the vaccination drive to curb the infection spread.
Some of the criteria to enroll to avail COVID vaccine for teenagers include, children must be born in or before 2007 to be eligible to get the vaccine; school ID/Aadhaar Card is mandatory for enrollment.