New Delhi:
With reopening of faculties elevating concern over the security of kids under 15 years of age, Well being Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Tuesday mentioned within the Rajya Sabha that the federal government will take a choice to vaccinate this group based mostly on strategies of an professional group.
The federal government has constituted an professional group to offer strategies on which age group to be given COVID-19 vaccine first and accordingly vaccination for the 15-18 age group is underway, he mentioned through the Query Hour.
“About 67 per cent within the age group of 15-18 years have been vaccinated to date. The vaccination drive is being applied in a speedy method. The longer term choice (to vaccinate these under 15 yr age) will likely be taken based mostly on the professional group’s suggestion,” Mr Mandaviya mentioned.
The professional group meets repeatedly and provides strategies based mostly on which the federal government takes motion, he added.
The minister was responding to a question by BJP member Syed Zafar Islam on stage of risk of Omicron variant of coronavirus on youngsters amid reopening of faculties and with these under 15 years of age not being vaccinated.
Responding to a different question by BJP member T G Venkatesh on effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine, the minister mentioned, “I’m completely happy to share that not solely India’s ICMR however international scientific institutes have mentioned vaccination will assist cut back mortality fee and hospitalisation fee.This has efficiently lowered.” In India, 97.5 per cent of eligible beneficiaries have gotten the primary dose of vaccination and 77 per cent of them have obtained the second dose, he mentioned.
“In developed international locations, no more than 90 per cent of individuals have gotten their first dose. Nevertheless, India has accomplished…We’re tackling the COVID-19 disaster higher,” he added.
Mr Mandaviya additional mentioned India has been capable of deal with the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic because of the vaccination.
A research by ICMR launched two days again confirmed that 99.3 per cent individuals who had contracted COVID-19 have been secure as they have been vaccinated, he mentioned, and added this can be a good indication.
India has set an instance earlier than the world in tackling the COVID-19 disaster regardless of having variety and an enormous inhabitants, he added.
The minister additionally talked about that the vaccine helps develop antibodies within the physique and protects from different variants of Covid virus.
Responding to a requirement by Johan Brittas (CPI-M) on both lowering the costs or setting uniform expenses for RT PCR exams throughout the nation, the Minister mentioned there are completely different applied sciences accessible for RT PCR testing kits.
“It’s freely accessible in authorities hospitals, whereas charges range in non-public hospitals. If authorities amenities are utilised, there received’t be any expenses,” he added. Responding to a query by Seema Dwivedi (BJP) on steps taken to take away the concern of COVID-19 amongst individuals, Minister of State for Well being and Household Welfare Bharati Pravin Pawar mentioned the federal government has taken a number of initiatives to assist such individuals.
Consequently, 5.77 lakh calls have been obtained on the helpline and about two crore individuals have benefited from tele-consultation providers through which psychological well being session was additionally a component, she mentioned, including advisories have been issued to states to take steps to cut back psychological stress amongst individuals.
The MoS mentioned the federal government within the Price range 2022-23 has introduced a nationwide tele psychological well being program beneath which 23 centres with the assistance of the Nationwide Institute of Psychological Well being and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) will likely be arrange.
The tele psychological well being service by the centre for excellence will present assist to individuals in Uttar Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and different states, she added.
Replying to a question by Anand Sharma (Cong) and Prasanna Acharya (BJD) on steps taken to assist abandoned mentally challenged sufferers, the MoS mentioned about 10 beds are reserved for such sufferers at district stage beneath the Nationwide Well being Mission and even funds are supplied to states.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
