A potential third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic is said to hit India in the next three to five months. And this time we may witness a surge in hospitalisation among children. If you closely analyse the epidemiological pattern of the pandemic, the first wave severely impacted people above 60yrs. The second wave affected the younger generation. Now that most adults are either infected or vaccinated, it is expected that children may be at a higher risk in the third wave. Also, if we see how the virus has mutated in all these months, the virus certainly impacts those who have not been immune to such transmissions.
As per leading epidemiologists of our country, the first wave saw less than 4% children across India been impacted. The second wave saw around 10% to 15% of children been infected with milder symptoms. That leaves a huge number of children vulnerable to the virus. Therefore, epidemiologists across the country now urge us to begin planning for the potential third wave right away to dampen its impact.
WHY PROTECTING CHILDREN IN THE THIRD WAVE IS A MUST
According to the government report, India has around 30 crore children below 12yrs of age, which accounts for more than 35% of our country’s population, which is quite a huge population. A recent government report mentioned that so far around 2% of India’s population was impacted by Covid-19; with that calculation, with 2% of the population impacted, our healthcare system is under tremendous stress. Currently, India has a total of around 90,000 ICU beds for adults and less than 2,000 beds for kids. Imagine the state we will be in if the third wave hits.
Moreover, children have been confined to their homes for a very long time, therefore they are keen on going back to normalcy; they want to play and socialise. They will be a little reckless and carefree causing more harm and making them vulnerable to the virus. Children can get restless, especially the older ones when they go out to play. They may put down their mask to drink water or if they feel breathless and that’s when they can contract the infection. And with no vaccines available for children, the situation could get worse.
Here’s what India should do to protect the children from the third Covid wave:
• As children stay with their families in most cases, their exposure to the virus can be reduced by fully vaccinating both parents
• Governing bodies should prep up pediatric ICUs with ventilators, disposables used for children, and other necessary equipment
• Increase the production of medicines needed for pediatric Covid-19 treatment
• Fast track clinical trials for vaccination among children
• Restrict social gatherings across the nation
• Ensure that Covid-19-related restriction continue to be imposed
• Do not reopen schools
• Educate children using creative material about Covid-19 safety, hygiene practices, and how the transmission happens
• Monitor them at home
• Ensure they eat healthy and home-cooked food
The writer is Senior Consultant-Paediatrician, Fortis Hospital, Mulund.