India will start vaccinating children aged 12 to 14 years and 'precaution dose' for all those above 60 years from March 16, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya announced on Monday.
The COVID19 vaccine to be administered would be Corbevax manufactured by Biological E. Limited, Hyderabad.
It is to be noted that population above 14 years of age is already being administered COVID19 vaccine under the ongoing COVID19 vaccination programme.
"The Union government after due deliberations with scientific bodies has decided to start COVID19 vaccination for 12-13 yr and 13-14 yr age groups (those born in 2008, 2009 and 2010. I.E those who are already above 12 years of age) of the population from March 16, 2022," the health ministry said in a statement.
“Government has also decided that the condition of co-morbidity for COVID19 Precaution Dose for population over 60 years of age will be removed forthwith. Hence, from 16th March 2022 onwards, the entire population above 60 years of age will be eligible for Precaution Dose of COVID19 vaccine”
Earlier, only citizens above 60 years of age with co-morbidity were allowed to be administered precaution doses.