Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 26 (BPNS)
Kerala health minister, Veena George has said that the state health department was ready to vaccinate children in the age group of 15- 18 in the state. The minister said that the state had already vaccinated people above 18 years of age and that state has 15 lakh children in the age group of 15-18. She was speaking to reporters here on Sunday.
She said that Kerala had earlier suggested to the Union health ministry about the need to vaccinate children in the age group of 15-18. She also said that the state would commence vaccination for children based on the directives from the Union health ministry.
The state health minister said that with the growing concern over the Omicron variant of Covid -19 a global concern, the state would conclude the vaccination of children in the 15-18 age group at a fast pace.
She said that 97. 58% of people in the eligible age were given the first dose of vaccine in the state while 76.67% of people in the eligible age group have taken the second dose of vaccine and added that these figures were much higher than the national average.
Veena George said that Kerala has achieved this vaccination rate while the national average for the first dose of the vaccine was 89. 10% and that of the second dose of vaccine was 61.51%.
Minister also said that as the vaccination for children would commence from January 3rd, those who have not inoculated in the above 18 age group must take the vaccine immediately.
She said that the state has a stock of 26 lakh vaccine doses and those who are yet to take the first dose of vaccine and those who are to take the second dose of the jab must do so this week itself.
Veena George said that after January 2nd preference would be given for vaccination of children and called upon all above the age of 18 years to vaccinate as early as possible with the Omicron threat looming large over the globe.
