(Image source from: zeenews.india.com)

The vaccination drive for the children aged between 15 and 18 years commenced in India on Monday and more than 1.5 crore children got vaccinated already. Several others registered through CoWIN and they are expected to take their dose of Covaxin soon. There are speculations that the healthcare workers and officials have been recommending the children to take paracetamol tablets soon after their vaccination shot for Covid-19. Bharat Biotech, the manufacturer of Covaxin released an official statement that no paracetamol or pain killers are recommended after taking the vaccination shot.

"We have received feedback that certain immunization centers are recommending taking 3 paracetamol 500 mg tablets along with Covaxin for Children. No paracetamol or pain killers are recommended after being vaccinated with Covaxin. Though our clinical trials spanning 30,000 individuals, approximately 10-20 percent of the individuals report side effects. Most of these are mild, resolve within 1-2 days and do not require any medication. Medication is only recommended after you consult a physician. Paracetamol was recommended along with certain other Covid-19 vaccines and it is not recommended for Covaxin" told the official statement from Bharat Biotech.

With the Omicron variant spreading across India on a faster note, the Indian government is keen to vaccinate the maximum number of kids. The booster doses are recommended for all those who are aged above 60 and are suffering with health complications.

By Siva Kumar