Covid cases in children rose in Omicron wave in Europe, shows data

On March 16, the government rolled out vaccinations for 12-14-year-olds. According to the health ministry data, over 300,000 doses were administered on the first day. Vaccination for the 15-17 age group is nearing 50 per cent coverage. The government has also allowed the administration of the precautionary dose to all people aged 60 and above.
 

However, the decision by the government has raised concerns about whether children do require vaccination. In this regard, data from European countries provides some insights.
 

The data shows children aged 15 and below were more vulnerable to the Omicron wave, as they witnessed higher rates of infections in European countries. A Business Standard analysis of data from the EU shows that infections per 100,000 people were higher in those aged 15 and below in the current wave for France and Germany.
 

In France, in 2020, the infection rates per 100,000 in the 24-49 age group was 3.8 times higher than the below 15 age group. In 2021, the infections in 24-49 were double that of the below 15-year-olds.
 

But during the current wave, infections in the below 15-year-olds have been higher than all other categories. During the Omicron wave, 11,004 children aged 15 and below per 100,000 were infected in the last week of January. In contrast, the corresponding rate was 9,993.6 for the 15-24 age group and 9,126 for the 24-49 age group.
 

Similarly, in Germany, the data shows a rising tide of infections in the below 15-year age group compared to the previous waves.

Although a detailed time-series comparison of age-wise infections in the UK is not available, a study by REACT for December 2021 had indicated that infection rates were higher in children, especially in the unvaccinated cohort.
 

In the US, Omicron increased the rate of hospitalisation among children below 12, who were largely unvaccinated.
 

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Thursday said the country’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic, especially the recent Omicron surge, has strongly demonstrated to the world the power of strong political will, self-reliance, technology-powered innovation and collaborative efforts.
 

With 3,536 cases reported on an average in the week ending March 15, India contributed to only 0.21 per cent of global cases, the ministry said.