Omicron in India: Vaccines for 15-18-year-olds in Jan 2022 and 5 updates
The Ministry of Health confirmed on December 27 that India's Omicron tally has reached 578. In another major development, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced that vaccination for children in the 15-18 age group will kick off in January 2022. The PM also gave an update on booster doses.
As of now, no deaths due to Omicron have been reported in India.
Here are the latest updates:
1. INDIA HAS 578 OMICRON CASES IN TOTAL NOW
Here's the state and UT-wise break-up:
Delhi - 142
Maharashtra- 141
Kerala - 57
Gujarat - 49
Rajasthan - 43
Telangana - 41
Tamil Nadu - 34
Karnataka - 31
Madhya Pradesh - 9
Andhra Pradesh - 6
West Bengal - 6
Haryana - 4
Odisha - 4
Chandigarh - 3
Jammu and Kashmir - 3
Uttar Pradesh - 2
Himachal Pradesh - 2
Ladakh - 1
Uttrakhand - 1
2. CENTRE ANNOUNCES VACCCINATION FOR CHILDREN ABOVE 15
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on December 25 that vaccination for children between the ages of 15 and 18 will begin on January 3, 2022. In his address to the nation on December 25, the PM said, "For children who are between the ages of 15 years and 18 years, vaccinations will now start in the country. In 2022, it will be launched on January 3."
Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) approved the use of Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin for children aged 12 and above on December 25. A second vaccine has also been approved by the drugs regulator for children aged 12 and above, called ZyCoV-D. This vaccine is a dose made by Gujarat-based Zydus Cadila. ZyCoV-D is yet to be included in the immunisation programme.
3. BOOSTER SHOTS FOR HEALTHCARE WORKERS AND PEOPLE OVER 60
PM Modi also announced during his address on December 25 that frontline workers, healthcare workers and people over the age of 60 with health conditions will receive booster shots first. Frontline and healthcare workers will be eligible to receive their 'precaution dose' on January 3, 2022, and people over the age of 60 will be eligible from January 10, 2022.
The PM said, "We all know that Corona warriors, healthcare and frontline workers have a huge contribution in keeping the country safe in this fight... Therefore, from the point of view of precaution, the government has decided that a ‘precaution dose’ of vaccine will also be started for healthcare and frontline workers."
4. INDIA TO SOON MAKE NASAL AND DNA VACCINE AVAILABLE
Along with announcing the commencment of booster doses and vaccinations for children on December 25, the PM said that a nasal vaccine and the world's first DNA vaccine against Covid-19 will soon be available for the inoculation drive. The Prime Minister said on December 25, "Nasal vaccine and the world's first DNA vaccine against Covid will soon start in India."
Here is PM Modi's December 25 address:
5. NIGHT CURFEWS BEGIN IN DELHI, UP AND HARYANA
Delhi on December 26 imposed a night curfew from 11 pm till from 5 am, which will come into effect on December 27; while Uttar Pradesh has imposed a night curfew from 11 pm to 5 am which began on December 25. UP CM Yogi Adityanath instructed that Covid protocols be followed at all times at events, and the number of people allowed at weddings has been capped at 200 in UP.
Haryana has also imposed a night curfew and restricted the movement of people from 11 pm to 5 am. The night curfew came into effect on December 25. The state government has prohibited gatherings of more than 200 people in public places and events. The order will stay in effect till January 5, 2022.