In a study done on COVID-19 in America, it was found that kids who were administered Influenza shots in the year 2019-2020, were found to be less susceptible to the coronavirus.
With some of these studies and practices in mind, Pediatricians in India are advising influenza or flu shots to infants. Can Flu shot reduce the dangers of COVID in kids, to know more about this Etv Bharat Sukhibhava was in conversation with Pediatrician Dr.Sonali Navale Purendare.
Influenza Shot Can Reduce the COVID Infection up to some extend
Dr. Sonali opined that to keep kids safe from the third wave it is very important to increase the immunity of the kids. As this is monsoon season and kids are prone to monsoon diseases like cold, cough, fevers, and breathing problems, influenza shot helps keep infections under control up to some extent.
She further adds that Influenza and COVID symptoms have a lot of similarities, so in such a scenario if kids are administered with Influenza/ Pneumonia shots, they can be not only protected from the early COVID infection stage but also can reduce the severe COVID infection to a large extent.
Indian Academy for Pediatrics also recommends that all kids below the age of 5 years should be administered Influenza shots so that they can save and be protected from the ill effects of any monsoon-related infections.
As we all know that so far there is no COVID vaccination available for kids in the market, although the trials for this are going on, and there are stipulations that it might be launched somewhere around September or October this year. Although when it comes to Influenzas Shot as one of the protections from COVID symptoms, there are no guidelines from the government regarding this.
Why COVID Vaccination is important?
Dr. Sonali informed us that, although to some extent Influenza shot can work for COVID symptoms, but it is advised and recommended to go for a COVID jab only, as it will be more useful for the deadly COVID infection.
A national expert group has been formed to review COVID-19 infections among children and approach the pandemic in a new way and reinforce the nation's preparedness for it. On the issue of vaccinating children, NITI Aayog member (Health) Dr. V.K. Paul recently said, "Child cohort is not a small one".
My rough guess is that if it is between 12 to 18 years, this itself is about 13 to 14 crore population for which we will need about 25-26 crore doses." He further shared that not only Bharat Biotech's Covaxin, Zydus Cadila's vaccine is also being tested on children.
COVID Etiquettes to be taught to kids
Children look up to their role models and so if you model the right behavior, they are very happy to imitate you. Many children come to the OPD wearing a mask and are very happy to wear a mask. They have dress masks, at-home masks, outside masks, etc. One thing to be cautious about masks in the lower-aged children and the underprivileged is that the mask can be a potential source of infection.
Children will touch the wrong side, they will remove it and touch it to the floor, put it back, and so on. So generally, for children who are under 5 years, who do not have logical thinking, we don’t recommend masks. It has been observed that children have an increased incidence of skin diseases around the area where the mask is worn. Because the masks have not been washed so they are contaminated.
Older children above 5 years, right up to 18 years, who are susceptible, should model the right behavior. They are quick to learn so we should not leave them out thinking they will not be compliant.
Also Read: Like HIV And Hepatitis, COVID Cannot Infect New Born Baby From Mother: Experts
