Over 2 Crore Youngsters In 15-18 Age Group Have Received First Covid Vaccine Dose: Health Minister

The Covid-19 vaccination for adolescents in the age group of 15-18 years commenced from January 3.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya | File Image

New Delhi: Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday said over two crore youngsters in the 15-18 years age group have received their first dose of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The Health Minister said this took place in less than a week of vaccination drive for the children, new agency ANI reported.

The Covid-19 vaccination for adolescents in the age group of 15-18 years commenced from January 3.

Meanwhile, the Union Health Ministry informed that, as per provisional reports till 7 a.m. today, the country’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 150.61 crore with the administration of 90,59,360 vaccine doses in the last 24 hours.

The Health Ministry said 40,895 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients since the beginning of the Covid pandemic is now at 3,44,12,740.

“Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 97.30%,” the ministry added.

The Health Ministry further said 1,41,986 new cases were reported in the last 24 hours.

“India’s active caseload is presently at 4,72,169. Active cases constitute 1.34% of the country's total positive cases,” the ministry added.

The nationwide Covid vaccination drive was rolled out earlier on January 16, 2021, with the healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase.

The vaccination of frontline workers began from February 2 last year.

The next phase of vaccination commenced from March 1, 2021, for the people aged over 60 years and those aged 45 and above with specified comorbid conditions.

The vaccination for all people aged more than 45 years was launched from April 1 last year.

The Central government then expanded its vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 years of age to be vaccinated from May 1, 2021.