Srinagar: The Jammu and Kashmir administration on Wednesday formally launched the COVID-19 vaccination drive for children in the age group of 12-14 years on the occasion of National Vaccination Day, an official spokesman said.
Lt Governor’s Advisor Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar launched the vaccination drive Phase VI (Corbevax) for 12-14 age groups at Gandhi Nagar Hospital here, the spokesman said.
After the completion of COVID-19 vaccination of priority groups of higher age, the spokesman said the Health Department launched the vaccination drive for the age group between 12 and 14 years across the Union Territory.
Bhatnagar highlighted the significance of the day and said the day is primarily celebrated with an aim to create awareness regarding effectiveness of vaccinations to prevent deadly diseases.
“To dispel the myths regarding Covid vaccine, this year’s theme for vaccination day — ‘vaccine works for all’ — has been framed,” he said.
On the first day of this vaccination drive, more than 200 students were administered the COVID-19 vaccine at Gandhi Nagar Hospital, the spokesman said.
In Srinagar, the vaccination drive was inaugurated by Additional Commissioner Kashmir, Abid Hussain at Government Girls Higher Secondary School (GGHSS) Rajbagh in presence of Director Health Services Kashmir, Dr Mushtaq Ahmad Rather.
It was informed that during the drive the population of 3,36,758 children shall be covered across Kashmir division at 105 planned session sites.
Speaking on the occasion, the Additional Commissioner said that the Divisional administration achieved milestone to cover entire population for Covid-19 vaccination above the age of 14 years with the active support of heath and other departments and added that children are also vulnerable to pandemic infection, hence they also need to be inoculated.
