Apollo to provide free vaccination for children with co-morbidities

It is anticipated that approval will soon be granted for vaccinating children with specific comorbidities and immediately after getting the nod, the free vaccination initiative would be launched by the healthcare major, it said in a statement. 

The list is expected to include children with haematological, neurological, cardiac, liver, gastrointestinal, rheumatic, cancer, respiratory, genitourinary, and developmental disorders, it added. 

However, this is an indicative list and the final list of comorbidities eligible for free vaccination would be as per the list published by the government, Apollo Hospitals stated. 

"Adults have been the focus of vaccination till now as by and large, children have been spared from severe COVID infection. However, this is not the case in children with comorbidities. These children continue to be at high risk of developing a severe infection," Apollo Hospitals Group Chairman Prathap C Reddy said. 

In addition, children with comorbidities have also seen a significant psychosocial impact as the lockdown resulted in their missing out on the personalised attention and specialized treatment and care that they require, he added. 

"The government's approval of vaccinations for children with co-morbidities, when it comes through, will be a welcome step in the right direction. Realising the criticality of this vaccination, we will be extending the COVID vaccines completely free of cost to children with comorbidities and giving them the necessary 'kavach' (shield) against COVID!" Reddy noted. 

Since the start of the vaccination process, the healthcare major has administered over 50 lakh vaccine doses, it stated. 

There are two vaccines -- Covaxin for age group 2-18 and ZyCov-D for 12-18 years old-- waiting for emergency use authorisation from the government. 

Both vaccines would be available at Apollo Hospitals' vaccination centres across the country once all government approvals are in place and the vaccines are made available, the healthcare major noted.