The state government decided to vaccinate school children between
the ages of twelve and fourteen against COVID-19. Around 50,000 children in
this age category are eligible to take the vaccine against coronavirus in Goa.
Children will be given two doses of the intramuscular vaccine with a gap of 28
days. It is quite an effort on the part of the authorities to ensure the
dreaded virus does not spread and cause more damage. However, how are the parents
feeling about this initiative by the government? Are they feeling happy or do
they have their reservations?
For Karen Tiwari it was a tough one to decide on. She said she
was not really on board with this decision by the government. She said the kids
were young and it did not feel right to inject them with vaccines which still
felt experimental. Karen also felt it should not have been made part of a
mandate if the kid did not want to take the vaccination. To not allow kids to
attend class was a bit harsh.
She said, “For two years the children were not affected, they
were not under threat. We do not know the long term effects of the vaccines on
the children. Adults react differently and children react differently, let us
not forget that.”
Ananya Narula however expressed her
happiness at the move by the government. She said she had two kids and was
looking forward to them being vaccinated, she said “As adults we got vaccinated
and were safe and it is now time for the youngsters to receive the injection.
It is better to be safe than sorry.”
However Mary (name changed), a
teacher whose name had to be changed
because she did not want
to be identified, said she did not like the move initiated by the government. She
said, “I am not happy with the vaccination drive. I was vaccinated but I was
always positive and we hoped we were Covid free. I am not ready to take the
booster dose. So I don’t want it for my children either. But now that it is
there, they will have to take it.”
Vikram Verlekar however
expressed his confidence in the entire procedure. He said “I am very
comfortable. I took the vaccine in the beginning and now it is time for the
kids to take it. They will go through the same process like we did. I feel it
should have been done earlier and faster.”
Gajanand Naik whose
daughter is eligible to receive the vaccination, said he had initially not
taken the vaccine and was now not very pleased with the decision by the
government. However now since the process was on, he was willing to see how it
all worked out.
The experiences of the
second wave were still strong in the memory of Dayesh. He said, “Those were
really terrible times. I think this move was necessary and it will help secure
the lives of our young ones who are our future.”
Similar sentiments were
expressed by Susan Matthew who said, “We don’t have a choice and have to go
ahead with it for the safety of our kids. Though I hope the medical fraternity
would explain why Corbevax is the preferred vaccine for this age-group. I think
most of us parents are going with the flow, like it was in the case of our
vaccination. Even those in the fence finally took the call to go for it, not
because many thought it was essential but more importantly it was made mandatory
and hence got it done. Well, let’s all hope it’s all for the good.”
Genevieve Dcunha raised
a pertinent point when she said, “Since schools have reopened, vaccinations for
kids is the way forward. However I wonder why they are placing restrictions on
the type of vaccine. Adolescents are given Covaxin while those aged between 12
to 14 will receive newly approved Corbevax.”
Queries, concerns and best wishes were
certainly raised by the parents but one can only hope it all works out fine in
the long run.
