Over 94% in 15-18 age group vaccinated first dose in J&K

Far ahead from national average, Jammu and Kashmir has administered the first dose of Covid vaccine to over 94% per cent of its population in the 15-18 age group of over 10 lakh doses since the drive began last month. In fact J&K so far has fully vaccinated over 26 % of its adolescents in the 15-18 age group. However as per Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya over 70 per cent of India’s adolescents in the 15-18 age group have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine so far.

To give a further push to vaccination among eligible teenagers, the Jammu and Kashmir State Executive Committee (SEC) on Sunday has directed that all the students between 15-17 age group coming to attend regular offline classes must carry a vaccination certificate with them from Monday. The heads of the institutions must ensure vaccination of every student above 15 years of age in their respective institutions’.

Like other parts of the country, the vaccination of children aged between 15 and 18 began from January 3 across the Union Territory. As many as 8.33 lakh children are being targeted for inoculation during the drive in Jammu and Kashmir.

As per latest data, 10,23,726 doses have been inoculated to adolescents in the 15-18 age group in J&K. While, 11 out of 20 districts in J&K have achieved 100% target in vaccination of its teenagers. Bandipore, Kupwara and Doda have achieved 99% target in vaccination. Only Kishtwar is lagging in the vaccination in the age group as it has vaccinated 46% of eligible teenagers.

While Shopian has vaccinated 68%, Poonch 64%, Ganderbal 58% and Anantnag 56% of its targeted population with both the doses so far.

So far in total 2,11, 11,098 doses have been administered in J&K, while 1,01, 96,322 souls above the age group of 15 have been fully vaccinated in J&K. Moreover, 2,42, 651 precaution doses have been administered in J&K so far.

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir Meanwhile, the UT is on course to fully vaccinate its entire adult population soon. Out of 20 districts, 19 have achieved the 100% target in vaccination of its adult population so far. The only district lagging in achieving the feet is Kishtwar district-which too has vaccinated above 98% of its adult population.

The vaccination drive among the 45+ group started on January 16 last year with health care workers and front line workers inoculated first, while the jabs for the citizens above 18 age group commenced from June 1.

Health ministry data showed over 1.47 crore beneficiaries in the 15 to 18 age group are fully vaccinated. With the administration of more than 49.16 lakh doses in 24 hours, the cumulative COVID-19 vaccine doses administered in the country have exceeded 172.81 crores, according to provisional reports till 7 am.