Covid Vaccines For 15-18, Boosters For 60+, Frontline Staff In January, Says PM Modi
Posted 27 Dec 2021 | Source: Onlymyhealth
On Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that from January next year, India will initiate the administration of the first Covid-19 vaccine doses to teenagers from ages 15-18 and booster doses for health care and frontline workers and people above who are 60+ with certain health conditions. The announcement comes after experts asked the government to expand the vaccination drive, especially booster doses, to fight against new variants such as Omicron. Read the article further to know more about it in detail.
Mentioning about the vaccination for kids between 15-18 years from January 3, 2022, Dr. Srikanta J T, Consultant - Paediatric Interventional Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine, Aster CMI Hospital, Bengaluru, said that, Finally, Covid vaccination for teenagers will be rolled out from January 3, 2022 when the entire world is scared of Omicron variant. Even though there is still not enough data on the efficacy of Covid vaccines since vaccination with Covaxin started, specifically children. But, it looks like a safe decision because of the well known technology and the potential adverse effects. From now on, this should not only help in reducing the risk of infection but also the severity of disease if any in all the age groups.
Talking about the booster dose for health workers, senior citizens from January 10, 2022, Dr. Swati Rajagopal, Consultant - Infectious Disease & Travel Medicine, Aster CMI Hospital, Bangaluru, said, that he thinks this is the much awaited and a very good news! Medical professionals all over the country have been waiting for this guideline. This is an essential step to help fight the Omicron variant and spread of covid 19. As always mentioned, the vaccine can help in lowering the severity and complications of Covid infection. We need to continue with Covid appropriate behaviour like avoiding unnecessary travel, avoidinh crowded areas, and wearing masks.
Pm Modi addressed the nation recently and talked about the surge in Covid cases and announced three main decisions. “For children who are between the ages of 15 years and 18 years, vaccinations will now start in the country. In 2022, it will be launched on January 3,” he said. "We all have experience that those who are Corona warriors, health care and frontline workers, they have a huge contribution in keeping the country safe in this fight… Therefore, from the point of view of precaution, the government has decided that a ‘precaution dose’ of vaccine will also be started for health care and frontline workers,” the PM further added.
He said that the people above 60 years of age and with comorbidities can take “precaution dose” of the vaccine on the advice of their doctors. The Prime Minister Modi termed boosters as “precaution doses”. These doses have been rolled out in many countries since mid-September. Omicron cases are increasing day by day since a few weeks. Vaccinations are the best possible way to protect yourself from the severity of this disease.
