COVID-19 Vaccination Drive For Children Begins In India Today

The nationwide vaccination drive for children rolled out today, the 3rd of January. States and union territories (UTs) governments made all the necessary arrangements to vaccinate eligible children (between the age group of 15 to 18) against the Wuhan virus, also known as the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19.)

As per the guidelines issued by the Union Health Ministry, "all those whose birth year is 2007 or before" would be eligible for vaccination

On the 2nd of January, the Union Health Department asked all the states and UTs to make necessary arrangements. It said, "Stressing on the need to ensure smooth implementation of new vaccination guidelines, states/UTs have been advised to ensure the orientation of vaccinators and vaccination team members for vaccination of 15-18 years old identification of dedicated session sites for their vaccination. Children could register themselves on the CoWIN portal app and get their schedule of vaccines and centers. It is to be noted, till date, a total of 6,79,064 teenagers between the age of 15-18 have registered for vaccination on CoWIN app.

Mr. Mansukh Mandaviya, the Union Health Minister said, "To avoid mixing-up of vaccines during administration, separate Covid vaccination centres (CVCs), separate session sites, separate queue (if at same session where adult vaccination is ongoing) and separate vaccination team (if at same session site) are to be strived for."

Recently, in an address to the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the roll out COVID-19 vaccination drive for children across India. However, unlike adults, children would receive Hyderabad based Bharat Biotech International Private Limited manufactured COVAXIN, which has been approved for children.