Vaccination of children aged 12-14 years kicks off; 10K jabbed in J&K
The vaccination drive for the children between the age group of 12 to 14 year-which would definitely instill the confidence among the parents, who were bit reluctant to send their wards to schools even after their re-opening was launched in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday like the rest of the country.
On first day of expanded COVID-19 vaccination drive, 10,775 children were administered jabs across the Jammu and Kashmir-highest of 1949 shots given to children to the Kathua district. The vaccination drive has been started on Wednesday, which is being observed as Vaccination Day across the country. Students today were seen in ques at most of the vaccination centres in J&K and were very excited.
As per health department across the union territory, there are about 6 lakh children between 12-14 years in the UT, of which 2.63 lakh belongs to Jammu province and 3.36 lakh from Kashmir.
Around 1534 vaccination sites are designated in various schools for vaccination centres. The Health Department has made special arrangements to take vaccine stock to far flung areas.
Two doses of Biological E’s intramuscular vaccine Corbevax would be administered to the beneficiaries in the 12 to 14 years age group in an interval of 28 days.
Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar formally launched the COVID-19 vaccination drive Phase VI (CorBevax) at Gandhi Nagar Hospital here. Bhatnagar highlighted that as the world was gripped by a deadly pandemic this year, vaccination day holds an important significance this year. He added that Covid-19 has made everyone understand the importance of vaccines and their benefits in our lives.
While highlighting about the significance this day, Advisor Bhatnagar said that this day is primarily celebrated with an aim to create awareness regarding effectiveness of vaccinations to prevent deadly diseases. He added that to dispel the myths regarding covid vaccine, this years theme vaccination day “vaccine works for all” has been framed.
After the launch of vaccination drive, the Advisor also held an interactive session with the beneficiaries and staff. On the first day of this vaccination drive, more than 200 students were administered the Covid-19 vaccine.
In Srinagar, the vaccination drive was inaugurated by Additional Commissioner Kashmir, Abid Hussain at Govt Girls Higher Secondary School (GGHSS) Rajbagh. It was informed that during the drive the population of 336758 children shall be covered across Kashmir Division at 105 planned Session Sites.
Jammu Kashmir had remained on top across the country in adult vaccination and 15-17 age group drive also. As per the health department data in adult vaccination drive first and second dose is completed 100% of all age groups, beside 90% vaccination of the age group 15-17 is also completed in Jammu Kashmir. The department is hopeful that the drive started today will also be completed in three weeks time.
Now as the condition of co-morbidity for people aged 60 and above to get a precautionary dose has also been removed, the beneficiary in the category have also started getting booster shots today.
As per health department the prioritization and sequencing of the precautionary dose would be based on completion of nine months — 39 weeks from the date of administration of the second dose.
