Over 2 crore teens in India receive first dose of COVID vaccine

To battle the impending third wave, and the Omicron variant, the Union government began administering COVID-19 vaccine to 15 to 18-year-olds from January 3.

New Delhi: Over 2 crore youngsters in the age group of 15-18 years have received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine since the inoculation drive began on 3 January, Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Saturday.

India has successfully administered a total of 150.06 crore vaccine doses so far under 'Nationwide Vaccination Drive' that began on January 16, 2021, he said.

Additionally, the central government has planned to give a precautionary dose of COVID19 vaccine to frontline, healthcare workers and others who are eligible for it.

READ:Centre rules out mixing of vaccines as precaution dose

This additional precautionary dose does not need new registration and people who are eligible to take the precautionary dose can directly take an appointment or walk-in to any COVID vaccination center.

"We have come to the conclusion that same vaccine doses will be given as precaution dose from January 10. If someone got two doses of Covaxin, he or she will be given Covaxin. People inoculated with Covishield will be provided with the same," said Dr VK Paul, chairman of India's Covid-19 task force.