The Covid-19 vaccination for children in the age group of 12 -14 years will begin from March 16, the health ministry announced on Monday. The government has also decided to remove the mandatory co-morbidity clause for senior citizens seeking booster dosage. Everyone in 60+ age category can now take booster shots.
“Union Government after due deliberations with scientific bodies has decided to start COVID19 vaccination for 12-13 yr and 13-14 yr age groups (those born in 2008, 2009 and 2010. i.e those who are already above 12 years of age) of population from 16th March 2022,” it said in the press release.
The release said Biological E’s Corbevax will be administered to 12-14 years age-group. Notably, population above 14 years of age is already being administered COVID19 vaccine under the ongoing COVID19 vaccination programme.
Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya took to Twitter to make the announcement. He said, “if the children are safe then the country is safe! I am happy to inform that the COVID vaccination of children in the age group of 12 to 13 and 13 to 14 is starting from March 16. Also, everyone aged 60+ will now be able to get precaution doses.” He also urged the families of children and people in the age group of 60+ that they must get vaccinated.
The nationwide Covid-19 vaccination started on January 16, 2021. The new phase of universalization of Covid-19 vaccination commenced from June 21, 2021. More than 180 crore 19 lakh COVID vaccine doses have been administered in the country so far under Nationwide Vaccination Drive.
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Health Ministry said, more than 4 lakh 61 thousand doses were administered in the last 24 hours. During the same period, a total of 2 thousand 503 new cases were reported which is the lowest in 680 days.
