Prime Minister Narendra Modi revealed in a surprise speech to the nation tonight that India will begin vaccinating children between the ages of 15 and 18 on January 3 of next year.
From January 10 next year, “precautionary doses” would be given to healthcare and frontline workers, he added.On a doctor’s suggestion, anyone over the age of 60 with co-morbidities will be able to receive the booster dosage. This will begin on January 10th as well.
The Prime Minister made these three key announcements today:
1) Children between the age group of 15 to 18 years of age will be elgible for Covid vaccination from January 3, 2022.
2) All healthcare workers and frontline workers will be eligible for “precaution dose” of the third booster of the vaccine from January 10, 2022.
3) Those who are 60 plus with comorbidities can also get precautionary doses on the recommendation of their doctors.
The big decision from the central government came out when the country is witnessing a sudden surge in the the number of Omicron cases.
Some nations including the UK and the USA have already approved booster doses for their citizens.
PM Modi urged the citizens to stay prudent, follow all Covid norms and not panic amid the fast spreading cases.