COVID-19: Over 4.52 lakh jabbed by noon on Day 1 of vaccination of 15-18 age group

COVID-19 vaccination starts for children in the age group of 15 to 18 years at Rajkiya Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya in Laxmi Nagar, Delhi. (Image: ANI)

As many as 4,52,644 children in the 15-18 years age group had got their first vaccine dose against COVID-19 by the noon of January 3, the Day 1 of the widened immunisation drive as infections inch up again in the country.

In the last few days, India has seen a surge in cases as states continue to report more infections, which is believed to be driven by the more transmissible Omicron variant.

As per the numbers available on the CO-WIN dashboard, 4,52,644 children had been vaccinated by noon.

Also read: Covid vaccination For 15-18 age group begins: How to register on Co-WIN

Later in the afternoon, the age group on the CoWin website was showing as 15-17 but there was no explanation offered for the change. By 2 pm, 16,85,903 children had got their first jab, the government’s website showed

As many as 18,90,016 children have registered for the vaccine, so far.  The drive is being carried out in consultation with schools at hospitals and health centres. Those born in 2007 and before are now eligible for the vaccine.

Follow LIVE updates on Omicron India Here

The 15-18 age group will receive India-made Covaxin, the only vaccine to get with Emergency Use Listing (EUL) for children. The two-dose jab made by Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech is also recommended by the “COVID-19 Working Group” of the National Technical Advisory Group on immunisation.

The registration for the young beneficiaries opened on January 1 and by 1 pm on January 3, more than 18.19 lakh children had registered on the Co-WIN platform.

Also read: In Pics | India begins COVID-19 vaccination drive for 15-18-year-olds

Children can self-register through an existing account on Co-WIN or by creating a new account through a unique mobile number, as is the case with all other beneficiaries. Children can also walk in for the jab, carrying their school IDs.

In an address to the nation on Christmas Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the expansion of the world’s biggest vaccination drive to include those aged between 15 and 18. He also said health workers and those above 60 with co-morbidities would be eligible for a “precautionary dose” beginning from January 10.