In a major development, Dr N K Arora, chairman of the COVID-19 working group of NTAGI, said on Monday, January 17, said that India may begin inoculating children in the 12-14 age group against COVID-19 in March as the 15-18 population is likely to get fully vaccinated by then.
According to reports, of the estimated 7.4 crore (7,40,57,000) population in the 15-18 age bracket, over 3.45 crore have received the first dose of Covaxin so far and their second dose is due in 28 days, he added.
"Adolescents in this age group have been actively participating in the inoculation process, and going by this pace of vaccination, the rest of the beneficiaries in the 15-18 age group are likely to be covered with the first dose by January-end and subsequently their second dose is expected to be done by February-end," the Chairman of the COVID working group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) was quoted by agencies.
In the ongoing vaccination drive, Maharashtra on January 14, has vaccinated 3,51,384 in 9,107 sessions, as per accounts.
According to data released by the government, as of 7 am on January 15, Maharashtra has inoculated 14,25,31,592 people.
Moreover, the government has also started giving booster doses to the healthcare workers, frontline workers and senior citizens (above age of 60 years); however, it has received a lukewarm response from the beneficiaries so far.
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