AHMEDABAD: Covid-19 cases are again rising at an alarming rate in the state which recorded 204 fresh infections in 24 hours on Monday, the highest in the past 191 days.
The total number of active cases has gone past the 1,000-mark. At such a time, the state has begun preparations to immunise 26.5 lakh teenagers in the 15-18 years age group who are eligible to get the vaccination from January 3.
Jai Prakash Shivahare, state health commissioner, told TOI that schools would be the primary focus in the inoculation programme for teenagers. “We will be collaborating with the educational institutes for vaccination of students between 15-18 years of age. Those not attending any schools would also be covered. If need be, special camps would be organised in clusters for maximum coverage,” he said, adding that currently the scheme allows both online and offline registration for the teens.
“Out of total, about 22% population is in eight municipal corporations with Ahmedabad and Surat cities having two lakh and 1.8 lakh teenagers, respectively. The overall guidelines for the vaccination were issued by the central government on Monday, whereas a video conference with all top health department officials from states on Tuesday would provide us more clarity on the process,” said a top health department official, adding that they would rope in schools to help in vaccination process – either by creating awareness or providing space to organize vaccination camp – if the rules allow.
According to the state health department figures, the 15 to 18 years population has recorded about 5% of the Covid positive cases since July this year after the second wave, and account for less than 1% of mortality. Experts however said that the move is welcome as it would reduce spread and safeguard the teens for whom the schools and coaching classes are gradually going offline.
The registration for vaccination would start from January 1 on CoWIN portal, said officials. Aadhar card or class X marksheet would be among valid documents for age verification for both online and offline registration. Covaxin would be administered to the teens according to the central government directive.
“As of Monday morning, Gujarat has over 55 lakh doses of vaccination out of which 50% is Covaxin. The vaccination supply has been regular, so there would be no issue of running the inoculation programs for both regular and teenage populations,” said the official.
