Third Wave Unlikely To Affect A Lot Of Children: Dr Randeep Guleria

Dr Randeep Guleria, Director, AIIMS said that based on the fact that previous waves and the ongoing pandemic has not caused severe waves as far as children are concerned, the third wave may not affect a lot of children. Also Dr Guleria said that as per data of a SERO survey 50 per cent of the children we tested in rural and urban areas surveyed already had antibodies from mild infection that they may have had and so they are already protected. Underlining the importance of resuming physical classes for school and college students, Dr Guleria said that it needs to happen in a way that prevents spread of the disease and protects children through vaccination and other measures. Dr Guleria highlighted the promising COVID-19 vaccine candidates for those below 18 years of age, with Pfizer vaccine already approved for vaccinating children, the Zydus Cadilla made in India DNA vaccine has also been tried in children and has been shown to be safe and the Bharat Biotech vaccine which is undergoing trials for children will have the results out by September.