Odisha will have dedicated vaccination centres for the inoculation of children between 15-18 years age group against Covid-19, informed the director of Health and Family Welfare, Bijay Panigrahi.
Speaking to the media on Wednesday, Panigrahi said, "All the district administrations have been directed to set up dedicated COVID-19 vaccination centres. Besides, they have been instructed to set specific timings for the administration of vaccine to kids at the already existing Covid vaccination centres."
Children, who were born before January 1, 2007, are eligible to take the COVID-19 vaccine doses in 15-18 year age group and in case a kid doesn't have any identity proof, he/she can show the school/college ID cards to take jab, he said.
Covaxin is the only Covid-19 vaccine approved for the children between 15-18 years age group. To avoid any kind of mixing of Covishield and Covaxin during administrating jabs, the already existing Covid vaccination centres will have special timings for vaccination, i.e., 8 am to 1 pm, he added.
It is pertinent to mention here that the eligible teens can register themselves on the CoWin app through their Aadhar Card and school IDs. While the registration process will begin from January 1, the inoculation will commence on January 3.
Meanwhile, booster doses will be administered to frontline workers from January 10 and those above 60 years with co-morbidities on the recommendation of doctors. The list of places to be designated as vaccination centres is reportedly being reviewed.