India will begin inoculation of children falling between the age group of 15 and 18 from January 3, 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced in a sudden address to the nation on Saturday. The PM also stated that the healthcare and frontline workers will be provided with booster doses from January 10, 2020. Elderly over the age of 60 years with co-morbidity will also have the option of opting for a booster dose if their doctors recommend it. This, too, will start from January 10.
The Prime Minister said that as people prepare to welcome the new year with hope and celebration, it’s also a time to be careful as the highly contagious Omicron variant is rapidly pushing up Covid infections.
“Today is Christmas and I am taking this opportunity to make these statements that will aid our fight against Covid,” PM Modi said.
The Prime Minister also appealed to the people to not panic and be careful and alert, especially as the new variant is raising case count across India and the world.
He appealed to the people not to panic but be careful and alert. “Use masks and wash hands regularly,” he said.
PM Modi assured the citizens that all possible preparations are in order to tackle increasing infections. “India now has 18 lakh isolation beds, 5 lakh oxygen-supported beds, 1.4 lakh ICU beds and over 90,000 beds for children. We also have over 3,000 PSA oxygen plants and ample oxygen cylinders,” the PM added.
A good decision. As the enlarged programme unfolds, children between 12 and 15 can be included. Also the 60 plus group without comorbidities. We will have to keep the momentum all through 2022.