The third wave of COVID-19 will hit the country according to experts and will affect children too this time. The Supreme Court emphasized the need to prepare for the same including vaccinating people of age groups with young children.
“The third surge in India which is around the corner according to experts will affect children. So, when a child goes to hospital, the mother and father will also have to go. That is why vaccination will have to be over for this group of people. we need to plan for this in a scientific way and thus make arrangement,” the Court said.
However, a Bench of Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah said that if preparations are made right away, we may be able to tackle the third wave for which scientific planning to vaccinate persons would be needed.
If we prepare today we may be able to handle it, the Court added.
According to experts’ children and new-borns are at higher risk in the possible third Covid-19 wave as they are yet to be vaccinated against the Covid-19 infection. “The second wave of COVID has more number of infected patients, including children. Apart from the usual symptoms like cough, cold, fever, there are other symptoms such as pain in abdomen, loose motions and vomiting which can happen in children. According to the Indian Academy of Pediatric, masks should be worn by all children above the age of 2 years. Only a small proportion of children develop a serious COVID illness. Majority of these are asymptomatic, and only 1-2% of children need ICU treatment,” said Dr. Smriti Khanna, Bai Jerbai Wadia Hospital for Children.
Dr. Khanna further explained, “Children with pre-existing conditions like heart, kidney or liver disease, or children who have low immunity (in cancers) are at a high risk for serious disease. Home care in children with COVID patients includes temperature and oxygen saturation, paracetamol for fever > 100 F. Children should be given plenty of fluids, a soft and light diet. Vitamin C and Zinc are helpful to boost overall immunity, but please check with your doctor before giving them. It is important to isolate the COVID positive child from other children if they are negative.”
Signs of increased severity of COVID include: high fever lasting beyond 4-5 days, decreased oral intake, breathing difficulty, child becoming dull and lethargic and oxygen saturation dropping below 95%. In such a scenario, take your child to a facility with COVID care immediately.
The possibility of utilising the services of doctors who have completed MBBS and waiting to enroll for PG courses are need ti be examined by the government said the court and their service is very crucial for the third wave.