Over 50 per cent children in 15-18 age group get Covid-19 vaccine in two weeks

Health workers administer vaccine doses to teenagers at a school, in Kolkata on Wednesday. Pic/PTI

With over half of youngsters in the 15-18 age group given their first dose of Covid vaccine, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday that young and youthful India is showing the way. He also stressed that it was important to observe all Covid-19 related protocols. "Young and youthful India showing the way! This is encouraging news. Let us keep the momentum. It is important to vaccinate and observe all Covid-19 related protocols. Together, we will fight this pandemic," he said.

Since the beginning of inoculation drive for this age bracket, a total of 3.71 crore teens have received their first dose of vaccine, as per the CoWIN portal. Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted: "Big day for India's fight against Covid-19! Over 50 per cent of our youngsters between 15-18 age group have received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine. Well done, my Young Friends! Your enthusiasm for vaccination is inspiring people all over India."

As Covid-19 cases began to surge in India, the nationwide drive to vaccinate teenagers in this age group of 15-18 years began on January 3. The cumulative Covid-19 vaccine doses administered in the country have reached 158.74 crore so far, the Union Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

More than 65 lakh vaccine doses were administered till 7 pm on Tuesday. Over 56 lakh booster doses have been administered to frontline workers, healthcare workers and citizens aged 60 and above with comorbidities so far. India began administering precaution dose of Covid-19 vaccine to healthcare workers, frontline workers including personnel deployed for election duty and senior citizens with comorbidities from January 10.

‘Third wave could peak on Jan 23'

The third wave of the Covid-19 pandemic in India may peak on January 23 with daily cases likely to remain below the four lakh mark, according to a scientist at IIT-Kanpur. Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata have already reached their peak in case numbers in the past seven days, said Manindra Agrawal, a professor at IIT-K.

3,79,01,241
Total no. of Coronavirus cases in India so far

4,87,202
Total no. of deaths due to the virus in India so far

18,31,000
Total no. of active cases in India

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