Manipur on Wednesday joined the nation in expanding the nationwide Covid vaccination drive for children in the 12-14 years age group. The programme was launched at RD Wing, Lamphelpat, Imphal, under the National Health Mission and the state Family Welfare Service. Around 7.11 crore children in the 12-14 age group are expected to be vaccinated all across India.
According to the government guidelines, those born in 2008, 2009 and 2010, i.e, those who are already above 12 years of age will be eligible for this round of vaccination. Only Corbevax vaccine would be administered to the beneficiaries. Two doses of the Biological E's intramuscular vaccine Corbevax would be administered to the beneficiaries at an interval of 28 days.
In a series of tweets, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the day is an important day in India’s efforts to vaccinate citizens of the country and urged youngsters in the 12-14 age group and all those above 60 to get vaccinated;
"Today is an important day in India’s efforts to vaccinate our citizens. Now onwards, youngsters in the 12-14 age group are eligible for vaccines and all those above 60 are eligible for precaution doses. I urge people in these age groups to get vaccinated."
"In line with India’s ethos of caring for the entire planet, we sent vaccines to several nations under the Vaccine Maitri programme. I am glad that India’s vaccination efforts have made the global fight against COVID-19 stronger."
"Today, India has many ‘Made in India’ vaccines. We have also granted approval to other vaccines after a due process of evaluation. We are in a much better position to fight this deadly pandemic. At the same time, we have to keep following all COVID related precautions."
The Union Health Ministry on Tuesday said that Covid-19 vaccine Corbevax manufactured by Biological E Limited, Hyderabad, was considered "a safer vaccine for children".
State Immunization Officer T Manihar also said vaccine ‘Corbevax’ has been distributed in every district for its administration to children in 12-14 years age group.
Manihar told reporters that the Union Government after due deliberations with scientific bodies decided to start Covid-19 vaccination for 12-13 years and 13–14-years age groups (those born in 2008, 2009 and 2010, those who are already above 12 years of age) of the population from March 16, 2022.
The target percentage of vaccination for children of 12-14 years is 1 lakh 20, 000, for 12-13 years children, is 60,000 and for 13-14 years children, the target is 60,000 targets.
Director of family welfare, N Shamjai also announced that everyone aged 60 years and above can now get precautionary doses. He said before it was only for those 60 years old people who have comorbidity but now anyone who attains 60 years can get a dose.
The countrywide Covid vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16, 2021with healthcare workers (HCWs) getting inoculated in the first phase. The vaccination of frontline workers (FLWs) started on February 2, 2021.
The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination commenced from March 1 for people over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with specified comorbid conditions. The country launched vaccination for all aged more than 45 years from April 1, 2021.
The government then decided to expand its vaccination drive by allowing everyone above 18 to be vaccinated from May 1 last year. The next phase of COVID-19 vaccination began on January 3, 2022 for adolescents aged 15-18 years. Vaccination for 12-14 years group is the sixth phase.
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