Union Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday announced that those above 45 years of age would be able to take the Covid-19 vaccine from April 1. While announcing the government's decision, Javadekar appealed to all eligible people to get themselves registered to get inoculated with the coronavirus vaccines. The Union Minister assured the nation that there is no shortage of COVID vaccine doses in the country.
While addressing a press conference, Javadekar said, "We have enough vaccine. All eligible people should get registered as it is a shield against COVID-19. We appeal all above 45+ should get vaccinated."
India started nationwide COVID-19 vaccination on 16 January with healthcare workers and frontline workers. In the next phase of Covid-19 inoculation drive, which commenced on March 1, those who were over 60 years of age and those aged 45 and above with co-morbid conditions were eligible for vaccinations.
India had granted emergency use authorisation to two Covid-19 vaccines — Pune-based Serum Institute of India’s Covishield and Hyderabad-based Bharat Biotech International Ltd’s Covaxin which are being used in the government’s vaccination drive. Two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were given at an interval of 28 days.
India on Tuesday recorded 40,715 coronavirus cases, taking the total infection tally to 1,16,86,796.
