Covid Vaccination of children between 15 and 18 years begins from today

New Delhi: COVID-19 vaccination for children in the age group of 15 to 18 years has begun all over the country. The vaccine option for children is only Covaxin for less than 18 years.

Union Health Ministry has said that all those whose birth year is 2004 or before, will be eligible for all vaccines including COVISHIELD. For 15 to 17 years, born in 2005 to 2007 eligible only for Covaxin. About eight lakh beneficiaries in the 15-18 age group have registered on the CoWIN portal for vaccination.

The registrations for vaccinating children falling in the age bracket of 15 to 18 years started on January 1. The appointment for vaccination can be booked online or walk-in. All citizens irrespective of their income status are entitled to free COVID-19 vaccination at government Vaccination Centres. As part of the Nationwide Vaccination Drive, government has been supporting the States and UTs by providing them COVID vaccines free of cost.

Earlier, in his address to the nation on 25th of last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced that the COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 15-18 years will start from 3rd January.

AIR correspondent reports that Since the start of the National COVID vaccination drive on 16th January last year, the country has administered over 90 percent of 1st dose and 65 percent of 2nd dose to its eligible citizens.