Vaccine must for those who work with kids: Goa CM Pramod Sawant

PANAJI: The state is set to make it mandatory for those who come in regular contact with children — like staffers of educational institutes — to take the Covid-19 vaccine. CM Pramod Sawant said that those who do not comply would not be allowed to report to work till they receive the jab.
“(I) chaired the task force meeting to review the preparedness for the third wave. The government has accepted various suggestions of the expert committee, including mandatory vaccination for all those who come in regular contact with children below the age of 18, such as staff of educational institutions,” said Sawant.
The state won’t let unvaccinated persons report to work “for the safety of our children”, the CM said.
Epidemiologists have warned that a third wave may hit the state in September.
Preparations on to protect 4L children
And when it does, experts have said that there’s a good chance that it will affect a large number of children.
Preparations are on in the state at present to protect its paediatric population before the third wave hits. The state is looking at a paediatric population of about 3.5-4 lakh, including around 2.5 lakh children below 12 years of age.
Earlier, the state expert committee had decided that lactating mothers having children below two years of age and women in the 18-44 age group having comorbidities should be vaccinated on priority, so that their children are protected.
Following this, the state is now targeting those working with children, like teachers, for mandatory vaccination.