Mumbai: Mulund residents gear up to fight third wave of Covid-19

A father and his son pose for a picture after getting the flu vaccine

To reduce the possibility of a Twindemic (severe flu along with Covid-19) situation in children if the city is hit by a third wave, a housing complex in Mulund arranged a flu vaccination camp on Saturday. Seventy children took the flu vaccine in the drive to avoid any complications in the future, if they got infected by Covid-19.

Kids and their parents wait for their turn

Atmosphere, located in Mulund West, is a complex with a community of more than 2,000 residents, who live in 750 flats. The complex had earlier arranged a Covid-19 vaccine camp for senior citizens, but as the second wave is receding, the talk of the third wave, and its possible impact on children, has been worrying residents.

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Last week, Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had emphasised on the flu vaccination, following a discussion with pediatricians, who were also of the option that the flu vaccine will ensure that children don't land up in hospital with symptoms common in Covid-19. Influenza is a respiratory viral infection and has clinical symptoms overlapping with Covid-19. As there is still no Covid vaccine available for children, getting vaccinated with the flu shot becomes essential.

Taking this thought forward, a special camp was held at the Atmosphere complex on Saturday. "During monsoon, getting cough and cold is common, but like last year, this year as well, we are facing the pandemic. We organised the camp with the help of residents," said Sanjay Nair, a resident of the complex, adding, "After this, we are also planning to have flu vaccination for the elders."

Dr Jesal Seth, senior consultant pediatrician, Fortis Hospital, Mulund, said, "Maharashtra's Paediatric Task Force has recommended that immunisation of all children against influenza will play a pivotal role in the fight against Covid-19 in the possible third wave. Recent studies conducted during the pandemic in the United States showed that those children who had been vaccinated had lower risk of getting the novel Coronavirus infection."