Assam begins second-dose vax drive among teens

Guwahati, Feb 2: The Assam health department has begun the second dose COVID-19 vaccination drive among adolescents even as  8.81 lakh beneficiaries in the 15 to 17 years' group have been given first dose jabs since the campaign was launched on January 3 this year.

The drive, according to health officials here, is set to gain momentum by mid-February onwards once all educational institutions reopen in the state.

“So far, we have vaccinated 8, 81772 lakh beneficiaries in the age group of 15-17 years with the first dose of Covaxin. Besides, the second dose vaccine administration among the beneficiaries has also been initiated. We have managed to vaccinate about 9000 beneficiaries in the past two days. Once the schools reopen, the pace of vaccination will certainly pick up,” Assam nodal officer of COVID-19 vaccination, Munindra Nath Ngatey informed here on Wednesday.

 Covaxin has an interval of 28 days between the two doses to complete the primary vaccination schedule Hence, all adolescents in the age group who received the first dose on January 3, 2022, have become eligible for the second dose from January 31, 2022.

 The Assam government has set a target of vaccinating 20 lakh teenagers with both doses by the first half March so that they can appear for the offline board and other exams.