Covid vaccination for children aged 12 to 14 years begins today; PM Modi urges children to get vaccinated

Today is National Vaccination Day. It is observed on 16th March annually to spread awareness about the importance of vaccines. Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu has expressed happiness that on National Vaccination Day 2022, India begins COVID jabs for 12 to 14-year-olds. In a series of tweets, Mr Naidu said, with over 180 crore doses, India's vaccination drive has been unprecedented in both scale and reach. Vice President said, vaccination plays an important role in preventing many life-threatening diseases and therefore, focus should be on creating public awareness, especially in rural areas. Mr Naidu expressed confident that just like Polio, India will be able to defeat COVID19 pandemic sooner than later. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged children in the age groups of 12 to 14 to get vaccinated. In a series of tweets, Mr Modi said, today is an important day in India's efforts to vaccinate the citizens. He said, now onwards, youngsters in the 12 to 14 age group are eligible for vaccines and all those above 60 are eligible for precaution doses. Mr Modi said, India has many Made in India vaccines and the government has also granted approval to other vaccines after a due process of evaluation. He said, India is in a much better position to fight the pandemic. Prime Minister said, in line with India's ethos of caring for the entire planet, India has sent vaccines to several nations under the Vaccine Maitri programme. Mr Modi expressed happiness that India's vaccination efforts have made the global fight against COVID-19 stronger. He also urged eveyone to keep following all COVID-related precautions. Free of cost COVID vaccination for children in the age group of 12 to 14 years has begun on the occasion of National Vaccination Day at all Government COVID Vaccination Centers. Corbevax vaccine will be administered which is manufactured by Biological E. Limited, Hyderabad. In Gujarat, about 20 lakh children between 12 to 14 years of age will now be eligible for Covid vaccination. This was announced by the State health minister Rushikesh Patel while launching the drive from Gandhinagar this morning. He said that vaccination will take place at all existing centers with online registration as well as spot registration. According to the state health department, Gujarat has already fully vaccinated 4.96 crore people and has covered 77 percent of those in the 15 to 18 years age group with both doses.