The Chairman of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) Covid-19 Working Group, Dr. NK Arora said on Monday that vaccination of children in the age group of 12-14 years against Covid may start in India in March.
By that time the population of 15-18 years is expected to be fully vaccinated. He said that out of an estimated 7.4 crore (7,40,57,000) population in the age group of 15-18 years, more than 3.45 crore have been given the first dose of Covaxin so far and they are to be given a second dose in 28 days.
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He said, “Adolescents in this age group are enthusiastically participating in the vaccination process, and seeing this pace of vaccination, the remaining beneficiaries in the age group of 15-18 years are likely to receive the first dose by the end of January and After that his second dose is expected to be given by the end of February.”
Arora said that once the age group of 15-18 years is vaccinated, the government may take a policy decision in March to start the vaccination campaign for the age group of 12-14 years. He said that the estimated population in the age group of 12-14 years is 7.5 crores.
According to the provisional vaccination report till 7 am on Monday, more than 39 lakh doses were given during 24 hours and the total number has increased to more than 157.20 crore.
According to government data, more than 3.45 crore first doses have been given to 15-18 year olds so far. The Covid vaccination campaign in India started on 16 January last year.
