COVID-19 vaccination drive for 12-14 yr olds from 16 March

Hyderabad: The Central government on Monday announced that COVID-19 vaccination for children in the age group 12-14 years will start from 16 March. They will be administered Corbevax manufactured by Hyderabad-based Biological E. Limited.

It is to be noted that people above 14 years of age have been administered the COVID-19 vaccines under the ongoing vaccination programme.

The government has also decided that the condition of co-morbidity for COVID-19 precaution dose for the population over 60 years of age will be removed. From 16 March, the entire population above 60 years of age will be eligible for the precaution dose.

The vaccination of children in the age group of 15-18 started from 3 January, and precaution or booster doses of vaccine started from 10 January for healthcare and frontline workers, and also for those above 60 years of age with comorbidities.

The nationwide COVID-19 vaccination started on 16 January 2021. The new phase of universalisation of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from 21 June 2021.

As part of the nationwide vaccination drive, the government of India has been supporting the states and UTs by providing them COVID vaccines free of cost. In the new phase of the universalisation of the COVID-19 vaccination drive, the Union government will procure and supply (free of cost) 75% of the vaccines being produced by the vaccine manufacturers in the country to states and UTs.