Decision for COVID vaccination for those under 15 years of age to be taken based on scientific data: Health Secretary

New Delhi: Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan today informed that decision to administer COVID vaccination for those under 15 years of age will be taken based on scientific data.

While reviewing the COVID situation this evening, Bhushan said, “As scientific evidence evolves, we will be expanding the coverage of vaccination to those under 15 years of age. We will take decision on the basis of scientific data.”

Bhushan also said that 52 per cent of children in 15-18 age groups have been vaccinated till now across the country.

Speaking about the ‘States of Concern,’ the Health Secretary said that Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh are among the ‘States of Concern’ while the top 10 States in terms of COVID active cases include Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, Odisha, Delhi and Rajasthan.

Central health teams have been sent to the ‘States of Concern,’ who are continuously reviewing the COVID situation.

He further said that Asia is showing a sharp surge in global contribution from 7.9% to approx 18.4% in 4 weeks. A sharp surge is also seen in COVID19 cases in India.

In the last surge of COVID19, on 30 April 2021, there were 3,86,452 new cases, 3,059 deaths and over 31 lakh active cases. On 20 Jan 2022, there are 3,17,532 new cases, 380 deaths and 19,24,051 active cases. Proportion of fully vaccinated people is 72%, Rajesh Bhushan, said while speaking about the third surg of COVID19 in India.

SEC of CDSCO has recommended to the DCGI that two vaccines be provided market approval. A final decision of the national regulator is yet to be taken: Rajesh Bhushan, Health Secretary on COVID19 vaccines

Likewise, DG ICMR Dr Balram Bhargava said that the COVID vaccines have remained beneficial for u because we are currently not witnessing severe illness and deaths due to high vaccination uptake during this third surge of the pandemic.