included on the list. However, Apollo Hospitals claimed that this is only a tentative list and that the final list of comorbidities eligible for free immunization will be based on the list issued by the government.
Prathap C Reddy, Apollo Hospitals Group Chairman, discussed the impact of Covid condition on children with comorbidities. He said, ”Adults have been the focus of vaccination till now as by and large, children have been spared from severe COVID infection. However, this is not the case in children with comorbidities. These children continue to be at high risk of developing a severe infection”.
Furthermore, he also noted that the kids with comorbidities have suffered substantial psychological consequences, since the lockdown prevented them from receiving the individualized attention, specialized therapy, and care they deserve. Reddy highlighted the need for vaccinating children. He noted, ”The government’s approval of vaccinations for children with co-morbidities, when it comes through, will be a welcome step in the right direction. Realising the criticality of this vaccination, we will be extending the COVID vaccines completely free of cost to children with comorbidities and giving them the necessary ‘kavach’ (shield) against COVID!”.
wired.com
The healthcare giant revealed that it has provided more than 50 lakh vaccine doses since the beginning of the immunization drive. Two vaccines, namely Covaxin for children aged 2-18 and ZyCov-D for children aged 12-18, are awaiting regulatory approval for emergency use. According to the healthcare giant, after all necessary regulatory permissions are obtained and the vaccines become available, both vaccines will be offered at Apollo Hospitals’ immunization centers throughout the country.
