The Centre today released guidelines for COVID-19 vaccination of children between 12-14 years that will begin from March 16 and said only Corbevax vaccine would be used for the beneficiaries of this age group.
Two doses of Biological E's intramuscular vaccine Corbevax would be administered to the beneficiaries in the 12-14 years age group at an interval of 28 days, the guidelines said.
The Centre shared also these guidelines with states in a letter issued on Monday.
COVID-19 vaccination of children between 12-14 years will begin from March 16 and only Corbevax vaccine would be used for the beneficiaries of age group 12-13 and 13-14 years, it said.
Beneficiaries between 14-15 years have already been covered during the vaccination for 15-18 years' age group.
According to the guidelines, as of March 1, 2021 there are as many as 4.7 crore children aged 12 and 13 years in the country.
Also, precaution dose can now be provided to all persons aged 60 years and above and the prioritization and sequencing of this dose would be based on completion of nine months - 39 weeks from the date of administration of the second dose.
The guidelines said the vaccination of precaution dose should be with the same vaccine with which primary vaccination was done.
According to the guidelines, all beneficiaries born in 2010 or earlier - those who have already attained the age of 12 years - will be able to register on CoWIN.
"The vaccination slots will be booked for 12-14 years age group for "CorBEvax" only through Co-WIN. Vaccinator has to ensure that the vaccine is administered to only those children who have completed the age of 12 years on the date of vaccination and if a child is registered but has not attained the age of 12 years, the vaccination is not to be given," the guidelines said.
The registration can be done through the following modes - self-registration through an existing account on Co-WIN of a family member or by creating a new account through a unique mobile number (this facility is available for all eligible citizens presently), it said.
It can also be done through onsite registration by the vaccinator in facilitated registration mode and appointments can be booked online or onsite (walk-in) for 12-14 years.
Vaccination of 12-14 years would be conducted through dedicated inoculation sessions - that is earmarked COVID-19 vaccination centres for 12-14 years' age-group - to avoid their unintended vaccination with any other COVID-19 vaccines.
The guidelines said all citizen irrespective of their income status are entitled to free COVID-19 vaccination at government Covid centres.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Over 30% Covaxin Takers Suffered Health Issues After A Year, Claims Study "A Very Big Source Of Covid Vaccines For World": Bill Gates Praises India Current Covid Strain Mild, 5-6 Million Covovax Doses Made: Adar Poonawalla AR Rahman, Wife Saira Announce Separation After 29 Years Of Marriage Strangled, Left In Car Trunk: How Harshita Brella Was Killed By Husband Amid Souring Ties With India, Canada's Latest Move Inconveniences Fliers Ajit Pawar Says Supriya Sule's Voice On Viral Bitcoin Clip, She Responds Google Recruiter's Three Tips To Crack The Tech Giant's Job Interview Watch: Guests Shower Rs 20 Lakh Cash At UP Wedding Procession Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.