Over 5 crore adolescents administered first dose of Covid vaccine: Mansukh Mandaviya

NEW DELHI: More than five crore adolescents in the 15-18 age group have been administered the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine in the country, Union health minister Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday.

In a tweet, Mandaviya said, "Young India is fighting the pandemic with full vigour. Great going, my young friends!"

युवा शक्ति का वंदन अभिनंदन

5 करोड़ से अधिक 15-18 आयुवर्ग के युवाओं को लगी वैक्सीन की पहली डोज।

Young India is fighting the pandemic with full vigour. Great going, my young friends! #SabkoVaccineMuftVaccine pic.twitter.com/xTSAGzk9WX

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) February 8, 2022

Also read | Delhi School Reopening: 95% govt school students vaccinated, Manish Sisodia

With the administration of more than 55.78 lakh vaccine doses in a span of 24 hours, the cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country have exceeded 170.21 crore (1,70,21,72,615), according to provisional reports till 7 am.

The COVID-19 vaccination for adolescents in the 15-18 age group commenced from January 3. Covaxin is the only vaccine option for the 15 to 18 year age group, according to Union Health Ministry guidelines on December 27.

Also read | Vaccination in Tamil Nadu: 100 per cent government school students have received COVID jabs, says TN govt

According to NK Arora, chairman of the COVID-19 working group of NTAGI, vaccination for children for the 12-14 age group against COVID-19 may begin in India in March as the 15-18 population is likely to get fully vaccinated by then.