The vaccination of children between 15 to 18 years of age against COVID-19 began on Monday at various hospitals and inoculation centres across the country. Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin is the only COVID-19 vaccine that will be administered to children in the age group of 15-18 years, according to guidelines issued by Union Health Ministry.
“For all those aged 15 years or more, option for vaccination would only be available for Covaxin as this is the only vaccine with Emergency Use Listing (EUL) for the age-group 15-17,” the ministry had said in its guidelines
While making the announcement on December 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said this will reduce the worries of children going to schools and colleges and their parents, and boost the fight against the pandemic, adding that the move is also likely to aid in normalisation of teaching in schools.
The estimated population to be covered in this category is seven to eight crores.
All those aged 15 years or more can register themselves for vaccination on Co-WIN portal. Beneficiaries can self-register online through an existing account on Co-WIN or can also register by creating a new account through a unique mobile number.
The beneficiaries can also be registered onsite by the verifier/vaccinator in facilitated registration mode, the guidelines read. Appointments can be booked online or onsite (walk-in).
Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Saturday requested people to register eligible children in their families for the vaccination.
