PM Modi announces COVID vaccination for children aged 15 to 18 yrs from Jan 3

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that the COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 15-18 years will start from 3rd of next month. In his address to the nation last night, Prime Minister said, this will not just strengthen the country's fight against COVID, but also help our students in schools and colleges health-wise.

Mr Modi said, as the healthcare and frontline warriors have played a huge role in our fight against the pandemic, therefore, the government has also decided that it will begin with precaution doses for the healthcare workers and frontline workers from 10th of January. Prime Minister said, citizens above 60 years of age with co-morbidities will also have the option of precaution dose of the vaccine on the advice of their doctor from 10th January onwards.

Mr Modi said, in many countries of the world, the number of cases are increasing due to the new Covid variant, Omicron and in view of it, he appealed to all the people not to panic but remain vigilant. Mr Modi added that there have been a few cases in India as well. He asked people to use masks and sanitize their hands regularly.

The Prime Minister mentioned that precautions and vaccination against Covid-19 are the best way to combat the pandemic. Mr Modi said, our nation had started working on mission mode on vaccine development a long time ago. Prime Minister informed that nearly 90 percent of eligible adult population have received first dose of Covid vaccine while over 61 percent have got both doses of Covid vaccine. Mr Modi said, Nasal vaccine, which is world's first DNA vaccine against Covid, will soon be started in India. Mr Modi said, global experience shows that following all preventive measures at personal level is big weapon to fight Covid.

On Country's preparedness to deal with the pandemic, the Prime Minister said, at present the nation has 18 lakh isolation beds, 5 lakh oxygen supported beds, 1.4 lakh ICU beds and 90 thousand special beds for kids. He said there are over 3,000 functional PSA Oxygen plants and 4 lakh cylinders have been provided to all states. States are being assisted to create the buffer dose of medicines.

Mr Modi said, apart from research on the vaccine, work is also underway on approval processes, supply chains, distribution, training, IT support system and certification. Prime Minister said, with these efforts, India started vaccinating its citizens from 16 January this year and the vaccination drive has brought relief and normalcy in the everyday lives of the countrymen. He said, economic activities have also been encouraging compared to many countries of the world. He said, the threat of Corona is not over so we should be cautious.

The Prime Minister also cautioned against the efforts to spread rumours, confusion and fear. He appealed to strengthen the speed up the world's biggest vaccination campaign in the coming days.