42% of eligible teens have got Covid-19 shots in first 11 days

NEW DELHI: Over 3.14 crore adolescents — accounting for 42% of youngsters between 15-18 years of age — have received the first dose of Covid vaccines in about 11 days since rollout of the vaccination drive for this category on January 3.

The government aims to cover around 80-85% of the estimated 7.40 crore youngsters in the 15-17 years age-group by January end.

However, some states with slow progress may pose challenge in the last phase, officials said.

So far, Uttar Pradesh has administered 43.35 lakh doses to eligible youngsters whereas Madhya Pradesh has given 27.55 lakh doses. Bihar has given 25.03 lakh doses, Andhra Pradesh 21.30 lakh, Gujarat 20.68 lakh, Maharashtra 23.94 lakh, Rajasthan 23.68 lakh and Tamil Nadu 18.07 lakh.

The Capital has administered 4.59 lakh doses to those in 15-17 years age-group. Health minister Mansukh Mandaviya tweeted : “Great sense of responsibility & enthusiasm among Young India.” “Over 3 crore youngsters between the 15-18 age group have received 1st dose of the #COVID19 vaccine. I appeal to all my eligible young friends to get vaccinated...,” he said.

Overall, more than 155 crore doses have been administered across the country.

This includes nearly 33 lakh precaution doses or boosters to front-line workers and those above 60 years given since January 10.