Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Health Minister, said on Thursday that the government will not rush into administering the COVID-19 vaccine to children, and that any decision will be based on expert opinion.

He said children were not being inoculated against COVID-19 on a large scale anywhere in the world, though it had been initiated in some countries in a limited manner. Zydus Cadila’s COVID-19 vaccine has been granted emergency use authorisation for those 12-years-old and above.

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“We do not want to rush this thing. Since this is a matter related to children, the expert group is carrying out further studies,” he said at the ‘Times Now Summit 2021’.

All vaccines that have been given emergency use authorisation will only be given full authorisation after a thorough investigation and based on four to five years’ worth of data, he said.

“It is through data and experience we have learned that even after vaccination COVID can happen. Then again, data emerged stating that after vaccination one does not get severe COVID. The first dose gives 96% protection and both doses give 98.5% protection.”

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“About vaccinating the children, we will make a decision based on expert opinion. We have decided to think and evaluate before going ahead with vaccinating children as they are the future of our country and we need to tread with caution in this matter,” the minister said.

Regarding the possibility of administering a booster dose, he stated that sufficient stocks are available and that the goal is to complete vaccination of the target population with two doses. After that, Mandaviya said, a decision on a booster dose would be made based on expert advice.

“The government cannot take a direct decision in such a matter. When the Indian Council of Medical Research and expert team will say that a booster dose should be given, we will consider it then,” he said, adding Prime Minister Narendra Modi has always depended on expert opinion, be it vaccine research, manufacturing, or approval.

Despite the country’s large population and numerous challenges, nearly 80% of India’s adult population has received at least the first dose. Mandaviya described the country’s vaccination performance as “remarkable”. 

The minister stated that he had discussed the matter with WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on several occasions in order to understand the requirements that a vaccine had to meet in order to receive approval.

“It is a matter of great pride that a vaccine developed and manufactured in India has been given EUA status.”

“I will not get into this matter,” the Mandaviya said when asked if the delay in receiving the EUA was due to the fact that Covaxin is an Indian vaccine and if there was any discrimination against India. 

He stated that Covishield and Covaxin are recognised in 97 countries. 

Vaccines manufactured in India will be made available at affordable rates around the world in the coming days, according to Mandaviya, who also stressed that India will play a key role in global Covid vaccination efforts.

“We will get 31 crore doses in November with more due in December. Another five to six companies are set to come to India to manufacture vaccines here. We will help meet the world’s requirement for Covid vaccines by providing USD 18 to 20 vaccines at USD 3 to 4. This is our commitment,” he said.