Children vaccination drive faces the third wave challenge

BY A STAFF REPORTER: In a clear throwback to the children vaccination drive, not more than 50 percent have been able to take the jab in the first few days, according to information made available by teachers and administrators of state government and private hospitals. The reason: the students are unable to come to school as someone in the family is infected with Covid. ``There have been instances where students have also reported being unwell,'' said Nupur Ghosh, vice principal of a prominent Kolkata school. ``My son has not been able to take the vaccine as he was suffering from Covid and doctors have advised him against taking the vaccine for the next three months,'' said Aditi Chatterjee, mother of a senior student of another prominent Kolkata school. With the third wave infecting almost everyone, health experts believe it will be a challenge to increase the vaccination map for the children.