Mysuru: Health & Medical Education Minister   Dr. K. Sudhakar said that  with a possible fourth wave of COVID pandemic looming large, the Government has begun preparations for vaccinating children aged between 5 and 12 years.

He was speaking to press persons after taking part in the 9th International Congress of the Society for Ethnopharmacology, India, at Sri Rajendra Auditorium in JSS Medical College campus here yesterday. Pointing out that COVID cases are yet again on the uptick in some parts of the country, Dr. Sudhakar said that the Centre has evolved plans for vaccinating children aged between 5 and 12 years as a precautionary measure.

Noting that COVID cases are on the rise in Western countries as well, he said that the people must get vaccinated voluntarily for their own health. Stressing on the need for everyone to get second dose of vaccination, Dr. Sudhakar also advocated that all eligible should also get precautionary dose for their own safety and health.

Asking people to wear mask at public places, he maintained that the Government has not yet made mask-wearing compulsory and impose fine on defaulters. But it is all the more better if people wear mask on their own and for their own well-being, he added.