AIIMS expert called the government’s decision on vaccination of children ‘unscientific’, know what it said

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Dr. Sanjay K. Rai

New Delhi: A senior epidemiologist at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) who is the principal investigator of the vaccine trials for adults and children at the institute, on Sunday expressed concern over the Centre’s decision to vaccinate children against COVID-19. termed it “unscientific” and said it would not bring any additional benefit.

Dr. Sanjay K. Rai, who is also the President of the Indian Public Health Association, said that before implementing the decision to vaccinate children, data from countries that have already started immunization of children should be analyzed.

PM Modi had announced vaccination of children
Significantly, amid the fears of the third wave of Covid-19 and increasing cases in the country of the new form of the virus, Omicron, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation on Saturday announced that the age group of 15 to 18 years from January 3 next year. A vaccination campaign will be started for adolescents between He said that this decision will not only strengthen the country’s fight against the coronavirus, it will also reduce the worries of children going to schools and colleges and their parents.

Dr. Rai expressed disappointment with PM Modi’s decision
In a tweet tagging the Prime Minister’s Office, Dr. Rai said, “I am a huge admirer of PM Modi for his selfless service to the nation and taking the right decisions at the right time, but I am completely moved by his unscientific decision on immunization of children. I am disappointed.” Dr. Rai clarified his point of view saying that any intervention should have a clear objective. Its purpose is either to prevent coronavirus infection or to prevent the seriousness of death.

‘Vaccination has failed to prevent corona infection, but…’
Epidemiologist Dr. Rai further said, “But according to the information we have about vaccines, they are unable to make a significant dent in the infection. In some countries, people are getting infected even after getting a booster shot. He said, “In addition, 50,000 cases of infection are being reported daily in the UK. In such a situation, it is proved that vaccination is not preventing coronavirus infection, but the vaccine is effective in preventing disease severity and death.

Dr. Sanjay K. Rai

‘Vaccination effective in preventing deaths from Covid-19’
He said that the mortality rate due to COVID-19 in susceptible populations is around 1.5%, which means 15,000 deaths per million population. Along with this, he said, “Through vaccination, we can prevent 80 to 90 percent of these deaths, which means that 13,000 to 14,000 deaths per 10 lakh (population) can be prevented.” Rai said that serious adverse events after vaccination are only between 10 and 15 per million population. “So, if you analyze the risks and benefits in adults, you will find that this is a huge advantage,” he said.

‘Less cases of death of children due to corona’
In the case of children, he said that the severity of the infection is very low and according to the data available in the public domain, only two deaths per million population have been reported. Dr. Rai explains, “The death toll of children is very less as compared to adults (15,000 deaths) and taking into account the adverse effects also if you analyze the risks and benefits, the risk is based on the available data. The base is more than profit. “Both objectives are not being served by introducing vaccination among children,” he said.

Some countries, including the US, started vaccinating children four-five months ago. He said that the data of these countries should be analyzed before starting the Kovid-19 vaccination for children.

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