The government′s COVID panel chief, Dr NK Arora, has stated that the details of vaccination for children aged 12 to 17 years, including prioritizing the children with health complications, will be disclosed prior to the roll out of the Zydus Cadila vaccine in October. 

Dr Arora suggested that schools should be reopened, as he quoted the findings of the latest sero survey to state that children have a lesser likelihood of getting severe COVID infection. He further stated that there are around 12 crore children in the age group of 12-18 years in the country, with lesser than 1% of them possibly having health problems. On the other hand, the odds of health complications in their parents are around 10-15 times. Therefore, the priority is to vaccinate this group before vaccinating children. 

Dr Arora also said that children can go to school and vaccination is not required. However, there is a need to build a shield around them which can be ensured by vaccinating their parents and school staff… (NDTV, August 26, 2021)