Vaccinating Kids Will Take 9 Months, Schools Can’t Be Shut So Long: AIIMS chief

New Delhi: Vaccination of those under-18 has not yet started in India. Once the government kicks off inoculation drive for children, it will take up to nine months to cover all of them, according to Dr Randeep Guleria.

That’s why he is in favour of reopening of schools across the country, even though debates continue over the safety of students amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Schools cannot be kept shut till the middle of next year,” the AIIMS director told India Today.

In places like Delhi, where the positivity rate is low, this is the “best time” to reopen schools, Guleria opined. He, however, added that educational institutes should not be opened in Kerala as the southern state is reporting over 30,000 fresh COVID cases daily.

“I support reopening of schools because physical interaction is important for kids. Also, many of them simply do not have the means to avail education online,” Dr Guleria explained.

As measures to ensure safety of children, `the AIIMS director said all staff members should be vaccinated.

“Steps should be taken to ensure that no crowding takes place when children are entering the campus or leaving it, as well as during lunch break. However, a school should be closed if a cluster of cases is reported from there,” Dr Guleria said.

Also Read: Odisha Schools Reopen To Lukewarm Response From Private Students

He backed resumption of school for students in lower classes as they are not “that vulnerable to COVID-19.”

Regulatory approval for use of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin on children is likely to be granted this month itself.

Zydus Cadila’s ZyCoV-D is the only vaccine to have been given Emergency Use Authorisation for the 12-18 age group in India so far.