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The world has been reeling under the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic for more than a year. Several countries and regions have been in different stages of lockdowns. Social protocols have dictated that social distancing be maintained, and wearing masks is suggested.
Businesses have been disrupted due to lockdowns, labor migration, and the breakage of supply chains. Work from home seems to be the norm for most IT-related companies for some time to come. Even schools have moved online. Online classes have also been introduced in all countries.
Since the launch of the vaccinations, the world is slowly heaving a sigh of relief. The vaccines have been tested to provide people with immunity against most strains of the COVID-19 virus. The various vaccines that have been introduced in the market include Johnson & Johnson, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Sinopharm, and Sinovac.
Most countries are in various stages of their vaccination drive. The frontline professionals started using IoT in healthcare strategies, and older people were the first to be vaccinated. This was followed by those above 45 years, especially those suffering from comorbidities.
Covid vaccination for children
In 2020, it was noticed that not too many children were contracting COVID-19 infections. But with increasing numbers of adults being vaccinated, children and adolescents are more vulnerable to the illness. Adult Covid vaccine doses cannot be readily given to children. The reactions must be studied to see if there is a need to alter the vaccine doses for children.
But now, in the US, EU, and Canada, children in the age group of 12 to 15 years are being administered the vaccine. Typically, children would experience mild fever, body ache, and tiredness on taking the Covid vaccine.
With IoT careers, children can be monitored for any adverse side effects. It is expected by September 2021, children under 12 years will start receiving Covid vaccines. Clinical trials are underway, and the data is being analyzed for the efficacy and safety of vaccinating children.
IoT and the vaccination drive for children
By deploying IoT systems, the vaccination drive for children can be conducted in a speedy, efficient, and safe manner. RFID sensors and tags help in tracking vaccine trucks and vehicles. This helps vaccination centres and hospitals in managing the registrations efficiently. It also helps prevent crowding – a social taboo during Covid.
- With IoT systems, end-to-end visibility is possible. Vaccines can be traced from their origin to where they need to be delivered. Challenges in the supply chain of vaccinations can also be addressed with IoT sensors.
- Vaccines need to be maintained at regulatory temperatures. With thermal sensors, this adherence can also be monitored.
Intelligent solutions can be developed to keep track of real-time vaccination data. GPS, mobile applications, IoT sensors, and RFIG technologies can help in real-time monitoring and data gathering. AI and ML tools and algorithms help analyze large volumes of data and gain critical insights into it. This analysis throws up vaccination patterns and trends.
Conclusion
After a year of lockdowns and disruptions, the Covid vaccines have brought a ray of hope – signalling perhaps the beginning of the end of the nightmare. Most countries have now embarked on vaccinating children.
Vaccination drives can be effectively managed with IoT technology. From managing the refrigerated supply chains of vaccines to real-time vaccination records, IoT jobs facilitate smoother and efficient vaccination programs for children.
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