Health Ministry issues guidelines for vaccination of children and booster dose rollout

New Delhi: Union Health Ministry has issued guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination of children and precaution dose to Health Care Workers, Front Line Workers and for citizen above 60 years with comorbidities. Vaccination of children in the age group of 15 to 18 years will begin from 3rd of January, and for Health Care and Front Line Workers it will begin from 10th January.

For children, the option of vaccination will be only Covaxin and registration will begin on CoWIN from 1st of January. The guidelines said, beneficiaries can self-register online through an existing account on CoWIN or can also register by creating a new account through a unique mobile number. The appointment for vaccination can be booked online or walk-in.

On 25th of this month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his address to the nation, announced the COVID-19 vaccination for children aged between 15 to 18 years. He also announced for precaution dose to Health Care Workers, Front Line Workers and for citizens above 60 years with comorbidities.

The guidelines say, all citizens irrespective of their income status are entitled to free COVID-19 vaccination at Government Vaccination Centres. Those who have the ability to pay are encouraged to use Private Hospitals’ Vaccination Centres. The beneficiaries will be able to access the vaccination for precaution dose through their existing CoWIN account.