New Delhi, June 7

India is gearing up to protect children from Covid amid a looming third wave with the ICMR on Monday saying that children aged six years and above would be included in its survey to be conducted in June to determine the level of infection in society.

To be conducted across 70 districts: Study

• Of the 70 districts chosen for the fourth sero survey, three are in the region: Gurdaspur, Jalandhar and Kurukshetra
• The third survey had put Covid prevalence at 25% among adults as well as 12 to 17-year-olds
• Sero surveys determine the level of infection in society

This will be the fourth ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) sero survey across 70 districts, among them three from the region: Gurdaspur and Jalandhar in Punjab and Kurukshetra in Haryana.

ICMR chief Balram Bhargava today wrote a letter to all state chief secretaries asking them to prepare for the fourth sero survey and also to include children above six years in the list of respondents.

The screening of children aged 2 to 18 years began today at AIIMS, New Delhi, for Covaxin trials. The process involves screening of children to determine the right candidates for the trials.

The Drug Controller General of India had on May 12 permitted phase two and three trials of Covaxin among two to 18-year-olds. Covaxin is currently approved for use in adults. As per protocol, 525 healthy volunteers would be recruited for the trial. The vaccine will be administered through the intramuscular route in two doses at day 0 and day 28. Dr Sanjay Rai, Professor at the Centre for Community Medicine at AIIMS, said the screening of children for conducting Covaxin trial had started and the volunteers would be given the vaccine after their screening reports came. — TNS