Minister Harish Rao launches vaccination drive for 15-18 age group in Telangana

Hyderabad: Covid-19 vaccination for 15 to 18-year-olds began in Telangana on Monday with the Telangana Health Minister T Harish Rao assuring the youngsters that there was no cause for any fears or worries over taking of the vaccine shots.

“We have all been vaccinated,” he said, referring to the others with him on a dais at the Urban Primary Health Centre in Banjara Hills where he formally launched the vaccination for youngsters. Harish Rao said “do not have unnecessary doubts over the vaccine. It works like a shield, will afford protection against disease.”

The Health Minister appealed to all parents, college managements to ensure that everyone in the 15 to 18-year age group receives their Covid vaccine shots. For the children, Covaxin is being given. This is because the gap between the first and second dose for this is just 28 days, unlike the three-month gap for Covishield, he said.

He said any identity card, including those issued by colleges where the vaccine seekers study, will suffice for getting vaccinated. Anyone born before 2007 can get vaccinated, he added.

Harish Rao said as of the latest estimates, Telangana had some 18,70,000 persons in the 15 to 18-year age group, and that the government started 1,014 additional Covid vaccination centres across the state only for this age group. “Right now, those living in municipal corporation areas need to register themselves on the Cowin portal, and this is to reduce sudden rush or crowding at vaccination centres in urban areas. In other parts, walk-ins are allowed,” he said.

“We will evaluate how things shape up in urban areas and may revise our guidelines to allow walk-ins in municipal corporations’ limits too,” he said.

"For those above 60-years-old and with comorbidities, the booster dose vaccination will begin from January 10," he said.