Question : Vaccination of Children

(a) the total number of covid-19 first and second dose of vaccination administered to beneficiaries along with the target set to prevent the spread of Covid-19 among children;
(b) whether the Government has started the vaccination of children in the age group of 15-18 years and taken steps to expedite vaccination among children below 15 years, if so, the details thereof and the vaccine tested and found safe for use among children age group 15-18 and those below 15 years;
(c) whether the vaccination drive for children in the age group of 15 to 18 years will be extended to villages and remote areas and if so, details thereof;
(d) whether the Government proposes to give booster dose of vaccination to entire population including frontline and healthcare workers of the country to combat covid-19 disease and if so, the details thereof and the challenges faced in carrying out overall vaccination during the last two years;
(e) whether Government has ascertained the number of ventilators and oxygen beds in the country, if so, the details thereof along with the action taken to prevent the recent increase in Covid-19; and
(f) the number of people affected/suffered and died due to Omicron Variant of Covid-19 in the recent months and the steps taken to ensure in-house vaccination to terminally ill, bed-ridden and senior citizens?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE
(DR. BHARATI PRAVIN PAWAR)

(a) to (d) Vaccination of children in the age group of 15-18 years has begun from 3rd January 2022 across the country, including villages and remote areas. As on 1st February 2022, against the estimated population of about 7.40 crore beneficiaries aged 15-18 years, around 4.66 crore (63%) beneficiaries have received 1st dose and 3.59 Lakhs (0.5%) beneficiaries have received 2nd dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
Two Covid-19 vaccines have received approval for Restricted Use in Emergency Situation in India for use in persons aged 12 years & above, namely Covaxin by Bharat Biotech International Ltd. and ZyCoV-D by Zydus Cadila.
The administration of precaution dose to Health Care Workers, Front Line Workers and persons aged 60 years and above has started under National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme from 10th January 2022. Any decision on extension of eligible beneficiaries for precaution dose and vaccination of children below 15 years of age is as per the recommendations of The National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI) on the basis of review of available scientific evidences.
Regular review of COVID-19 vaccination is carried out at National, State and District level to identify various challenges for COVID-19 vaccination to devise corrective measures.
(e) & (f) Union Ministry of Health & FW is keeping a close watch over evolving COVID-19 scenario in the country and has been in regular interaction with the States/UTs. Union Ministry of Health has coordinated and supported States to upgrade and strengthen the health infrastructure and requisite logistics to manage COVID-19 pandemic. Various initiatives have been initiated by the Government to provide technical guidance and further strengthen health infrastructure, clinical management of COVID-19, availability of essential logistics including drugs and medical oxygen supply to manage COVID-19.
As on 1st February 2022, as reported by States/UTs, there are a total of 5,18,005 oxygen supported isolation beds and 64,737 ventilators earmarked for COVID-19 treatment.
Omicron variant is the dominant variant in the country presently. The total number of COVID-19 cases in the month of December 2021 is 2,50,982 and January 2022 is 64,63,636 and deaths reported in the country during the months of December 2021 is 12,100 and January 2022 is 13,970.
To ensure Covid-19 vaccination of bed-ridden persons and those with restricted mobility, advisory was issued to all States/UTs for vaccination at the place of residence of persons who might be bed-ridden or have extremely restricted mobility or disability and/or special needs that may hamper their accessibility even to Near to Home Covid Vaccination Centres (NHCVCs). In addition, Har Ghar Dastak vaccination campaign was initiated from 3rd November 2021, wherein missed beneficiaries for 1st dose and due beneficiaries for 2nd dose are identified and vaccinated through house to house activity.
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