Bengaluru: The Karnataka Health Department has rolled out a detailed action plan for Covid vaccination of children aged 12 to 14 from Wednesday March 16. Corbevax, the country’s second indigenous vaccine, will be rolled out to the new group.
The department has put in place a micro plan with logistics and staff to guarantee the vaccination drive goes well. The state already has 20 lakh doses of Corbevax. Vaccines have been sent to districts based on their target populations in preparation for the state-wide launch on Wednesday.
Children born between March 15, 2010, and earlier will be eligible to get the vaccination. Only Corbevax should be administered after a thorough examination to determine whether the child is eligible for vaccination, informed Health Department. Each beneficiary will receive two doses, the second dose will be provided after 29 days. The certificate can be downloaded from the CoWin portal.
Only Health Department facilities will be used for the vaccine drive, and after the system has stabilised, schools will be allowed to set up vaccination centres, which will be handled by support staff. Children with comorbidities will be vaccinated under the supervision of a medical officer.
Schools that conduct classes online can schedule a day for vaccinations and have students report to school on that day. With the help of the Labour Department, the RDPR, and the Department of Urban Development, the State will also ensure that school dropouts are mobilised. Private paediatricians are also being asked to help with the initiative by dealing with parents’ and children’s fears, anxieties, and apprehensions.
“District and taluk level officers have been instructed to create awareness about Covid vaccination for children and resolve hesitancy or other issues prevalent among parents,” added the press release.
