NEW DELHI, March 14: Vaccination for the children in the age group of 12 to 14 years will start from Wednesday, the union health ministry announced on Monday.
In a release, the Ministry said the decision was taken after due deliberations with scientific bodies. The vaccine to be administered would be Corbevax, manufactured by Biological E. Limited, Hyderabad. Those above 14 years are already being administered COVID-19 vaccine.
The Ministry has also decided to make booster dose available for all above 60 by removing the condition of co-morbidity imposed earlier. The booster dose for all above 60 would also start from March 16.
Meanwhile, the country reported 2,503 new COVID-19 cases in the last 24 hours, making it lowest in 680 days so far. “With this, India’s active caseload at 36,168 becomes the lowest in 675 days. Active cases now constitute 0.08% of the country’s total positive cases. Consequently, India’s recovery rate stands at 98.72%. Also 4,377 patients have recovered in the last 24 hours and the cumulative tally of recovered patients (since the beginning of the pandemic) is now at 4,24,41,449. The last 24 hours saw a total of 5,32,232 COVID-19 tests being conducted. India has so far conducted over 77.90 Cr (77,90,52,383) cumulative tests,’’ stated a release by the Ministry.
(Manas Dasgupta)