New Delhi, Feb 4:
Any decision on expanding the list of eligible beneficiaries for the administration of the precaution dose of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination of children below 15 years will be in accordance with the recommendations of the NTAGI on the basis of a review of the available scientific evidence, the government informed Parliament on Friday.
In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Health Bharati Pravin Pawar said inoculation against the viral disease of children in the 15-18 age group has begun from January 3 across the country, including in villages and remote areas.
As on February 1, of the estimated population of about 7.4 crore beneficiaries aged 15-18 years, around 4.66 crore (63 per cent) had received the first dose and 3.59 lakh (0.5 per cent) had received the second dose of the vaccines.
Two Covid vaccines have received approval for a “restricted use in emergency situation” in the country to inoculate people aged 12 years and above — Covaxin by Bharat Biotech International Limited and ZyCoV-D by Zydus Cadila.
The administration of the precaution dose to healthcare workers, frontline workers and people aged 60 years and above has started from January 10.
“Any decision on extension of eligible beneficiaries for precaution dose and vaccination of children below 15 years of age is as per the recommendations of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) on the basis of review of available scientific evidence,” Pawar said in her reply.
A regular review of the COVID-19 vaccination drive is carried out at the national, state and district levels to identify various challenges and devise corrective measures, she added.
The Union health ministry is keeping a close watch over the evolving Covid scenario in the country and has been in regular interaction with the states and Union territories, the minister said.
It has coordinated with and supported the states to upgrade and strengthen their health infrastructure and the requisite logistics to manage the pandemic, she said, adding that various initiatives have been taken by the Centre to provide technical guidance and ensure a clinical management of the pandemic and availability of essential logistics, including drugs and medical oxygen supply. (PTI)
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