Amid Omicron fears, PM Modi announces Covid vaccine for kids between 15-18 years

Addressing the nation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday asked people not to panic but appealed to everyone to remain vigilant amid the spread of the Omicron variant.

Covid vaccination for 15-18 years of children will start from January 3, PM Modi announced in his address to nation.

The Modi government's decision to open up vaccination for the age group comes amid various regional governments planning a rethink on the opening of schools and colleges amid the growing number of highly transmissible Omicron variant. 

He further said, “Realising the seriousness of COVID19, today more than 141 crore doses have been administered in India. More than 90% eligible population has been vaccinated with the first dose of vaccine.”

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"Coronavirus is not gone. We need to be alert and cautious. The world is talking about Omicron. Today is Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birthday and Christmas, so we decided to announce this step today," PM Modi said.