COVID Vaccination: Centre Issues Clarification On Age Eligibility For 15-18 Yrs Group

New Delhi: The Central government on Thursday issued a clarification regarding age eligibility of people in 15-18 age group for COVID vaccination.

The Additional Secretary and Director, National Health Mission (NHM) in a letter to all states and Union territories said those attaining the age of 15 years as on January 2023 are eligible for vaccine in the 15-18 age group. It also states that those born in 2005, 2006 and 2007 are eligible in 15-18 years category.

Stating that the Health Ministry had earlier made several communications in this regard to states and UTs, it said those can be referred for guidance.

The ministry’s letters on December 27 and 28 last year clarify that all those whose year of birth is 2007 or before, shall be eligible for vaccination. This means those attaining the age of 15 years as on January 1, 2023 are eligible, the letter stated.

Besides, the FAQs hosted on the Co-WIN website, the relevant provisions have also been explained for citizens wherein it has been clarified that those born in the years 2005, 2006 and 2007 are eligible in 15-18 years category, the letter stated.

It further said all those beneficiaries born in 2005, 2006 and 2007 i.e. those who have already attained or would be attaining the age of 15 years as on January 1, 2023, will be considered in 15-18 age group.

For 18 years and above criteria, the NHM director said all those beneficiaries born in year 2004 or earlier year i.e. those who have already attained or would be attaining the age of 18 as on January 1, 2023 are eligible for the vaccine.