New Delhi: Amid the surge of Omicron variant coronavirus, the Centre has launched vaccination for the 15 to 18 age group from today onwards.

Over 8 lakh teens have registered in the Government Cowin portal, they will get Covaxin doses. Schools and colleges have been informed about the vaccination program, in consultation with schools and colleges, vaccination programs will be carried out at hospitals and health centers across the country.

Besides, schools and educational institutions are being used as vaccination centers. Those who were born after 2007 are eligible for vaccination.

The Union Health Ministry has said only Covaxin will be administered to teens and additional doses of the vaccine will be sent to all states and Union Territories.

On December 25, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that vaccination for the 15-18-year age group will begin from January 3. Regarding the third dose of vaccine for health workers, frontline workers and vulnerable senior citizens will begin from January 10.

The government has given a green signal for vaccination to teens following a threat of increasing Omicron variant coronavirus cases, which are sweeping Europe and the US.

Since schools and colleges have opened earlier this year, a substantial section of children and teens have contracted the virus. Several outbreaks have been reported from residential schools and college hostels.