Open primary schools first as kids handle infection better, says ICMR Open primary schools first as kids handle infection better, says ICMR While it said that opening primary schools first would be wise, ICMR stressed that teachers and staff must be vaccinated. Share Updated: Jul 21, 2021, 07:32 AM IST At the latest health ministry briefing, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has stated that it would be prudent to open primary schools first as kids fare better with COVID-19 infections. ICMR Director-General Dr Balram Bhargava said at the briefing, "We know clearly that children can handle viral infections much better than adults. Antibody exposure is also similar in children as adults. Some Scandinavian countries didn't shut their primary schools in any COVID waves."