Drive commencing from Jan 3; Covaxin to be administered to about 10 lakh adolescents
Tuesday, 28 December 2021 | PNS | Dehradun
The state health department is preparing itself for vaccinating the children between 15 to 17 years of age for the novel Coronavirus (Covid-19). There are an estimated 8.5 lakh to 10 lakh children of the state who are between the above mentioned age group. The vaccination drive for the children of 15-17 year age would commence from January 3.
The health department has decided to administer Covaxin vaccine to the adolescent population of the state. The second dose of this vaccine can be administered after 28 days. The health department is also mulling over administering the vaccine with pharmajet injector.
The state health directorate has directed all the chief medical officers (CMO) and other officers involved in the vaccination drive to make the necessary preparation for the drive which is starting on January 3.
The state immunization officer, Dr K S Martolia told The Pioneer that the department is ready to administer the vaccine of Covid-19 to the 15 to 17 years of age group people. He said that the department is waiting for the instructions of the government of India for the finer details and process of the vaccinating adolescent population.
The mega vaccination drive in Uttarakhand started on January 16, 2021. Under the plan a total of 77,29,466 eligible beneficiaries who are above 18 years of age were needed to be vaccinated. The drive started with the vaccination of the health care workers. After this the vaccination of the frontline workers started and it was followed up with the vaccination of the 60 plus population and 45-59 years of age individuals with serious ailments. Later the government has undertaken a massive drive to vaccinate all individuals who are above 18 years of the age and includes the pregnant women and especially abled.
In the state a total of 99.4 per cent people have received the first dose of the vaccine. 99.7 per cent health care workers and 99.2 per cent front line workers have got the first dose of the vaccine.
