New Delhi, Jan 3: India has begun the Covid vaccination drive for 15-18 year olds and as many as 12,57,603 children of the age group had registered for Covid vaccination in the COWIN portal as counted on Monday morning.

The children were also allowed walk-in registration from today. However, online registration kept rising.

After the initiation of the child vaccination drive, Health Ministry Additional Secretary Vikas Sheel tweeted, “Only COVAXIN is approved for less than 18 years. People 18+ (i.e. born in 2004 or before)-are eligible for all vaccines, including COVISHIELD. Children aged 15-17 years (born in 2005, 2006, 2007)-eligible only for COVAXIN. Validations in place in Co-WIN.”

Recently, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin got approval for emergency use in children. However, the Centre issued a warning for the state and UTs against any mixing of vaccine shots.

Meanwhile, India recorded 145.7 Covid Vaccine doses administered to adults, as counted till Sunday night.

The government said 90 percent of adults had received the first dose while 65 percent have been fully vaccinated with both doses.

“India has covered over 65 percent of the eligible population with the second dose of vaccine against Covid. Further, over 11 states/UTs in India have achieved 100 percent of first dose vaccination, while three states and UTs have achieved 100 percent vaccination,” the health ministry said.