Nagaland, Meghalaya, Manipur, and Punjab have been directed by the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) to speed up the vaccination of children in their states.

The NCPCR wrote to the chief secretaries of several states, requesting that children be vaccinated as soon as possible. The NCPCR had written to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in May 2021, demanding guidelines for the treatment of children with COVID-19's third wave.

"The ongoing second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic is harming a little bigger number of younger people," wrote Priyank Kanoongo, chairwoman NCPCR, to Dr Balram Bhargava, director-general, ICMR, on May 13. "Experts predict that the third wave of COVID-19 will reach the country, affecting children as well. The Indian Supreme Court has emphasised the need of preparing for such an event. If more procedures are created, please notify the Commission," the NCPCR chief said.

According to health experts, the country has been hit by the third COVID wave, and vaccination efforts must be prioritised to avoid infection spread.

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