Kerala prepared to vaccinate 15 lakh children; doctors and vaccines to reach schools in new year

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced yesterday that vaccination of children will begin in the new year, the state government has started preparations for vaccination in schools.

The Prime Minister announced that vaccinations for children aged 15-18 years would begin on January 3 and that booster doses would be given to health workers, frontline warriors, those above 60 years of age and people with other ailments with a doctor's recommendation from January 10.

Vaccination has been started in the state for those above 18 years of age. Now it has to be given to 15, 16 and 17 year olds. There are 15 lakh people in this category. Vaccination will be in schools. The services of a doctor will also be ensured. The state is waiting for central guidance on this.

The state has a stock of 26 lakh doses of the vaccine, but only less than half are Covaxin, which is allowed to be given to children. Zycov-D for children only has not arrived.

The centre will provide free vaccines to children as well. As there was a shortage of vax from the centre, the state had bought vaccine it on its own.

Jabbed

(Over 18)

97.58% first dose (2,60,63,883)

76.67% Second dose (2,04,77,049)

Ready for booster dose

The state is also ready to give a booster dose to everyone who have got the vaccine. 100% of those in the priority category has been given the first dose and 99% the second dose. There are 5.55 lakh health workers, 5.71 lakh frontline warriors and 59.29 lakh people over 60s.

7.4 crore teenagers

(Nationwide)

7.4 crore people aged 15-18.

3 crore health workers and frontline warriors

10 crore above 60 years old

Two vaccines for children

Zycov-D of Zydus Cadillac and Covaxin of Bharat Biotech

Zycov-D is given through the nose in three stages.

The second dose is given 28 days after the first dose

Third dose will be given 56 days after

Covaxin for children aged 12 - 18

Booster dose

Four vaccines under consideration

Biological E's Corbevax may be approved

The Centre paid Rs 1500 crore to the company for 30 crore doses

New vaccine for booster?

Indications are that Covishield and Covacsin won't be boosters, but another vaccine

The gap between the second dose and the booster will likely be 9 to 12 months