The government today announced, that the vaccination of children between the ages of 12-14 will begin from March 16. In its announcement, the government said that Corbevax, produced by Biological E, will be administered to children between the ages of 12-14 years. 

“Union Government after due deliberations with scientific bodies has decided to start COVID19 vaccination for 12-13 yr and 13-14 yr age groups (those born in 2008, 2009 and 2010. i.e those who are already above 12 years of age) of the population from 16th March 2022. The COVID19 vaccine to be administered would be Corbevax manufactured by Biological Evans, Hyderabad,” the Union government said in a release.

In addition, the comorbidity clause that was attached for those above 60 who wanted to receive a booster/prevention dose has also been removed. From March 16, anyone over the age of 60 can receive a prevention dose.

India began administering precaution doses of COVID-19 vaccine to healthcare workers, frontline workers, including personnel deployed for election duty and those aged 60 and above with co-morbidities, from January 10 this year amid a spike in coronavirus infections fuelled by Omicron variant of the virus in the country.

“Prevention is better than cure.” If the children of our country feel safe, we all can feel safe. This new vaccination policy prepares our country to fight against the next Covid outbreak. I personally thank the Government of India for taking this decision, which will emerge as one of the crucial decisions in the forthcoming years. I appeal to all parents to get their children vaccinated, and all senior citizens to go for the booster doses and feel safer, “Said Dr Gayatri Kamineni, COO - Kamineni Hospitals.