Editor's Pick: If you are between 12 and 14, get ready for a COVID jab

The Centre has decided to start COVID-19 vaccination for the 12-14 age group (those born between 2008 to 2010) from March 16. In a release issued on Monday, the Union Health Ministry said the decision was taken after due deliberations with scientific bodies. The vaccine to be administered would be Corbevax, manufactured by Biological E. Ltd., Hyderabad. Those above 14 years are already being administered COVID-19 vaccine. The announcement elicited mixed reaction from the medical fraternity. J.P. Muliyil, epidemiologist at CMC Vellore and a member of the working group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) said there had to be tangible benefits from the vaccine. “In case of children, COVID-19 infection has so far proven to be non-serious and those infected have shown to have good natural immunity. Then there seems to be no logical reason for vaccinating children,” he said. The Omicron variant of COVID-19, which had infected a large section of the population, including children, seems to have passed on lasting natural immunity, he added. The Ministry has also decided that the condition of co-morbidity for COVID-19 precautions for the population aged over 60 will be removed from March 16. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted that if the children were safe, then the country was safe. He urged families to ensure the vaccination of children and those in the age group of 60 and above. That the report on vaccinating the young is the lead in the newspaper is indicative of the importance India is placing on vaccinating its people. The COVID pandemic is on a visible decline with the country reporting less than 6000 cases daily. Yet, we cannot let our guard down. As a recent editorial in The Hindu had pointed out, the question of supply is still very much up in the air and should the pandemic situation suddenly turn for a fourth wave, there would be a spike in demand for vaccinations for children, particularly those below 15, as well as booster doses for adults. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor‘s Pick and more. Click here The Hindu’s Editorials The failed troika: On Congress’ CWC meeting A new deal: on reviving the JCPOA The Hindu’s Daily Quiz Indian embassy in Ukraine will be temporarily relocated to which country? Moldova Poland Romania Hungary To find out the answer and play the full quiz, click here [logo] Editor's Pick 15 MARCH 2022 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [Arrow]( [Open in browser]( [Mail icon]( [More newsletters]( If you are between 12 and 14, get ready for a COVID jab The Centre has decided to start [COVID-19 vaccination for the 12-14 age group]( (those born between 2008 to 2010) from March 16. In a release issued on Monday, the Union Health Ministry said the decision was taken after due deliberations with scientific bodies. The vaccine to be administered would be Corbevax, manufactured by Biological E. Ltd., Hyderabad. Those above 14 years are already being administered COVID-19 vaccine. The announcement elicited mixed reaction from the medical fraternity. J.P. Muliyil, epidemiologist at CMC Vellore and a member of the working group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) said there had to be tangible benefits from the vaccine. “In case of children, COVID-19 infection has so far proven to be non-serious and those infected have shown to have good natural immunity. Then there seems to be no logical reason for vaccinating children,” he said. The Omicron variant of COVID-19, which had infected a large section of the population, including children, seems to have passed on lasting natural immunity, he added. The Ministry has also decided that the condition of co-morbidity for COVID-19 precautions for the population aged over 60 will be removed from March 16. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted that if the children were safe, then the country was safe. He urged families to ensure the vaccination of children and those in the age group of 60 and above. That the report on vaccinating the young is the lead in the newspaper is indicative of the importance India is placing on vaccinating its people. The COVID pandemic is on a visible decline with the country reporting less than 6000 cases daily. Yet, we cannot let our guard down. As a recent editorial in The Hindu had pointed out, the question of supply is still very much up in the air and should the pandemic situation suddenly turn for a fourth wave, there would be a spike in demand for vaccinations for children, particularly those below 15, as well as booster doses for adults. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? 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