Amid many memes and social media mirth the outbreak has inspired, one on WhatsApp said: ‘For the first time, children will be taking their parents for vaccination’. That funny but true WhatsApp message will be irrelevant with the government green-lighting vaccines for the 18-plus age group from May 1.

Empower us

Nishant Bangera, 29, who works in the environmental space and is founder of a youth organisation called Muse, said, “I think they could have opened this for young people a little earlier, but better late than never. For months now, we have had the opportunity to observe and glean information from other countries giving the jab to all. Vaccine is the most obvious weapon, so then we need to utilise it as effectively as possible.” The Thane resident added that the vaccine, “will actually empower the younger set to take care of the elders. We have witnessed how youth is coordinating efforts to procure medicines, donate plasma and arrange donors. The jab for them will mean more energy and ability to do all this, besides of course safeguarding them,” he finished.