PM Modi announces vaccine for children aged 15-18 yrs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday announced the vaccination for children aged between 15 to 18 years. The vaccination drive for children will start from January 3.

PM Modi said that children between the age of 15-18 years will be eligible to get vaccine against novel coronavirus from January 3, 2021.

“The decison to vaccinate children will not only strengthen our fight against COVID, rather it would also reduce the worries of parents whose children are going to schools,” the Prime Minister said whille announcing the major decison.

Apart from children’s vaccine, a precaution dose for healthcare workers will also start from January 10.

The country is currently staring at a possible third wave of COVID-19 amid growing concerns of the spread of new strain — Omicron.

As the elderly and comrbid peope are more vulnerable to get serious illness from Omicron strain, Modi also announced a precaution dose for them.

“Those with comorbidities and above 60 years of age on the recommendation of their doctors will be eligible for precaution doses from January 10, 2022 onwards,” Modi said.

Hyderabad based vaccine manufacturer Bharat Biotech’s Covid vaccine Covaxin on Saturday also got approval from Drug Controller General of India for emergency use for children aged between 12-18 years.

The vaccine manufacturer had submitted data from clinical trials in the 12-18 years age group for COVAXIN (BBV152) to Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). Bharat Biotech had said earlier that the data was reviewed by the CDSCO and Subject Experts Committee (SEC) and has provided their positive recommendations.