All the things you should know about the COVID vaccination program for 15 to 18 years age group
On 16 January 2021, India launched the world’s largest vaccination drive against COVID-19 to initially vaccinate more than 300 million frontline and medical workers. The drive was then extended to cover every Indian citizen above the 45 year age group. However, the vaccination was completed solely based on vaccine availability which did cause some disruptions given the huge population of India.
As India announced a nationwide lockdown from March 2020, the educational facilities of more than 320 million students in India were adversely affected. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 286 million children in India lost the opportunity of continuing their education. Children in India are currently facing a learning crisis, and as schools are reopening after almost two years, the need for vaccinating children is the highest right now.
On 25 December 2021, the government announced the first leg of children’s vaccination, starting with the vaccination of 15-18-year-old children all over the country. Let’s learn more about the vaccination program of 15-18 years old children in India.
Procedure for COVID vaccine for 15-18 years age group in India
Initially, children born before 2007 are eligible for COVID vaccinations. The registration process remains similar for children as for adults; they are required to register using the Cowin platform. People in this specified age group can register using their Aadhar card or using their student ID cards. The vaccination drive announced on 25 December 2021 was inaugurated on 3 January 2022, and so far, reports have confirmed that more than two crore children in the specified age group have been vaccinated against the disease.
What are the Vaccines available in India for vaccination of 15 to 18 years old?
COVAXIN
Covaxin, India’s first indigenous COVID vaccine, is developed and manufactured by Bharat Biotech at their BSL-3 high containment facility. Covaxin includes immune-potentiators, also known as vaccine adjuvants, added to the vaccine to increase and boost its immunogenicity. It is a 2-dose vaccine given 28 days apart. Covaxin demonstrated 77.8% vaccine efficacy against symptomatic COVID-19 disease. The efficacy data indicates 63.6% protection against asymptomatic COVID-19. This ‘made in India’ vaccine has been approved by WHO and recommended for emergency use.
Based on the announcement Covaxin is the only vaccine used to vaccinate the 15-18 years age group. Other vaccines are on trial and are not currently being used to vaccinate children. Some of the vaccines that are undergoing trials are COVISHIELD and Sputnik V.
COVISHIELD
Serum Institute of India has manufactured Covishield; this is a two-dose vaccine of 0.5ml per dose. The current government regulations the current interval between two doses of this vaccine is between 12-16 weeks after the first dose.
Based on the vaccine efficiency data provided by the manufacturer, Covishield has shown 70-90% effectiveness against the disease. Covershield is free from public facilities and is the cheapest vaccine available from a private organization. But this vaccine is currently not recommended for vaccinating those who are younger than 18 years of age.
SPUTNIK V
The Russian COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V is a two-dose vaccine for COVID-19. Sputnik V is one of three COVID-19 vaccines globally that have an efficiency of over 90% against the virus and became the world’s first registered vaccine against COVID-19. 40% of the global population, or 300 crore people, have access to this vaccine. However, this vaccine is not available in every center, so you need to check the availability at your local vaccination centers.
This vaccine is currently only recommended for 18-60-year-olds. Children are not recommended to get this vaccine as it is being clinically tested in Russia for using this vaccine to vaccinate children.
Why should children between the ages of 15-18 years get vaccinated?
For children aged between 15 to 18 years, it is necessary to get vaccinated to avoid getting seriously infected by the COVID-19 virus. It is important to note that COVID vaccines do not make you 100% immune to the disease, but it greatly reduces the effect of the infection on your body if and when you get infected.
Where can you get the COVID-19 vaccine for 15 to 18-year-olds?
If you are in Jodhpur (Rajasthan), you can visit the Medipulse Hospital for a safe and quick vaccination for any Indian citizen above the age of 15. The experienced doctors and medical staff of Medipulse hospital are highly experienced in providing quick and safe covid vaccination to everyone. For more information about COVID vaccination at Medipulse hospital, visit the official website of the hospital.