BMC should vaccinate kids in civic-run schools: Education committee member

The suggestion was criticised by some principals as those over 18, such as this youngster at Rajawadi hospital on Monday, are still being vaccinated. Pic/Sayyed Sameer Abedi

A BMC education committee member has suggested that the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) should vaccinate all the children studying in its schools, though a vaccine suitable for children is yet to arrive in India.

In the BMC education committee meeting online on Monday, the suggestion was put up by Yuva Sena Core Committee member, Sainath Durge. It will now be tabled for higher authorities to take a decision.

"The idea is to be ready with a plan that can be executed smoothly, once a vaccine for children is made available here. If we start taking steps after that, we might lose a month or so in just beginning with the drive. And time is of utmost importance, especially because these children have already faced tremendous academic loss due to limited access to online learning," said Durge, adding that it was a suggestion by Yuva Sena leader Aaditya Thackeray, that the BMC should take the responsibility of vaccination of the 2,98,215 children studying in civic schools. "These children come from socio-economically backward classes. It will be convenient for them to visit their schools for the vaccine. Moreover, once BMC schools begin the vaccination drive on their premises, the service can be made available for private school students in the locality," Durge added. BMC education officer Mahesh Palkar said, "The final decision will be taken by the commissioner."

But the issue has led to another discussions. "If the civic body really worked so proactively, students from our schools would never have to wait for anything," said a civic school principal sarcastically.

Another civic school principal pointed out, "We are still struggling with the vaccination of those above 18 years. There is no vaccine for children in India yet. All this is so premature. Instead, focus should be on providing these children with technological assistance so that they can continue learning amid the pandemic."

Experts speak

However, experts say it could be a good idea to vaccinate the kids. Dr Bakul Jayant Parekh, National President (2020), Indian Academy of Pediatrics, said, "It is a good move. At present the trials are going on. We should vaccinate all children as and when trial results are out and vaccination is allowed. Children form 35 % of the population. If we want to develop herd immunity, it is important to get this population vaccinated too."

"Preparing vaccination programmes for child and adolescent age groups will be different from how they are planned for adults. We also know that in the second wave, many children have been impacted. As and when the clinical trials give the green signal, children should be vaccinated. It is a good idea to keep this population in mind and be ready with the vaccination road map for them beforehand," said Dr Anant Bhan, Global Health and Bioethics Researcher.

- Inputs by Somita Pal