New Delhi: Amid looming fear over aggravation of Covid-19, a major debate has erupted over the re-opening of primary schools across India. While the Central government has not taken any decision supporting or opposing such a move, renowned experts from India's health sector have come to the fore with their opinion on this issue.
While a section of experts and academicians support and talk in favour of opening primary schools, some experts oppose such proposals claiming that "opening schools in a hurry is not a good idea."
Speaking to ETV Bharat on Monday, senior health expert and president of Asian Society for Emergency Medicine. Dr Tamorish Kole said that Covid-19 has obviously posed an additional threat to children as it is speculated that the third wave might impact children more than adults.
"We must rethink on opening of schools at this point of time. When we have ZyCovid-D, a three dose RNA vaccine for children over 12, we must focus on vaccinating the kids until December 2021," said Dr Kole. According to UNICEF, India has the highest number of under-vaccinated or unvaccinated children worldwide at 3.5 million, an increase of 1.4 million from 2019, Kole said.
Significantly, Bharat Biotech is also conducting trial over Covaxin to be used for children. Sources in the government said that the vaccine is likely to get the drug regulator's approval by September. "If large number of kids get affected and need hospitalisation, we may not have the capacity and capability to handle such crisis. We must run through those crisis scenarios before we open schools," said Dr Kole.
A recent report published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said that 12 of 24 students from Marin County elementary school in California were found infected by Delta variants. As per the report, a teacher of the school was found Covid-19 positive initially. After a thorough screening, 12 students tested Covid positive. Ironically, all children were ineligible for vaccination because of age limit. Experts suggest that as the government has already approved ZyCovid-D for emergency use among adults and children, government should wait for two-three months till the children get vaccinated against Covid-19.
Also read: Should Schools Reopen? Covid third wave to peak in Oct, target kids
However, some experts opine that it's high time to bring children back to school. "Since younger children are least at risk, we urge the authorities concerned to permit primary school to open first," said Dr Suneela Garg, senior health expert and president of Indian Association of Preventive and Social Medicine (IAPSM).
Referring the sero survey, Dr Garg said that kids and adults were found having similar infection rates. "The several sero survey being conducted from time to time has revealed that children also carry almost similar antibodies that of adults," said Dr Garg who is also the president of Organised Medicine Academic Guild (OMAG). Dr Garg was also a signatory of 56 member group, who has recently written to the chief minister and Union Territory (UT) administrator appealing to them to urgently consider reopening schools.
Quoting scientific studies, Dr Garg said that children especially below 12 years of age have strong immunity power which fights against SARS-CoV-2 infection. "Vaccination is not a prerequisite for reopening schools. And children are at relatively low risk of severe or fatal Covid19," Dr Garg said.
