Covid-19 Vaccination For Children Aged 12-14 Likely From March, Says Top Govt Expert

Over 3.45 crore of the expected 7.4 crores population in the 15-18 age range have gotten the first dosage of Covaxin so far, and their second dose is scheduled in 28 days, he added, PTI reported.

Representational Image. (Source: Getty Images)

New Delhi: Dr NK Arora, head of the NTAGI COVID-19 working committee, said on Monday that India might begin inoculating children aged 12 to 14 against Covid-19 in March because the 15-18 population was likely to be completely vaccinated by then.

Over 3.45 crore of the expected 7.4 crore population in the 15-18 age group have received the first dose of Covaxin so far. Their second dose is scheduled in 28 days, PTI quoted NK Arora as saying.

India may begin inoculating children in 12-14 age group against COVID-19 in March as 15-18 population is likely to get fully vaccinated by then: Dr N K Arora, chairman of COVID-19 working group of NTAGI

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) January 17, 2022

"Adolescents in this age group have been actively participating in the inoculation process, and going by this pace of vaccination, the rest of the beneficiaries in the 15-18 age group are likely to be covered with the first dose by January-end and subsequently their second dose is expected to be done by February-end," Dr N K Arora was quoted by PTI in its report.

He said once the 15-18 age group was vaccinated, the government would make a policy decision to begin the immunisation programme for the 12-14 age group in March.

According to him, there are around 7.5 crore people aged between 12 and 14.

'Over 3.5 Crore Children Received First Dose Of Vaccine,' Says Union Health Minister

Taking to Twitter, Union Health Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday wrote, "Over 3.5 crore children between the 15-18 age group have received the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine, since 3rd January."

Amazing enthusiasm among Young India for #COVID19 vaccination 💉

Over 3.5 crore children between the 15-18 Age group have received 1st dose of COVID-19 vaccine, since 3rd January.

Congratulations to all my young friends who have got vaccinated.#SabkoVaccineMuftVaccine pic.twitter.com/4sa8DzCIJ4

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) January 17, 2022

India's Covid-19 Vaccination Drive

On January 16, last year, the nationwide immunization campaign began, with healthcare workers (HCWs) being the first to get immunised. Frontline workers (FLWs) were vaccinated beginning February 2, 2021.

The second phase of COVID-19 immunisation began on March 1 of last year for adults over the age of 60, as well as those aged 45 and over with certain co-morbid disorders.

Beginning April 1, 2021, all people over the age of 45 will be vaccinated.

The government, therefore, decided to broaden its vaccination campaign, enabling anybody over the age of 18 to get vaccinated beginning May 1.

The next round of COVID-19 immunisation for teenagers aged 15 to 18 years old began on January 3 this year.

(With PTI Inputs)