The vaccination will ensure the safety and protection of all students of classes X and XII who would have to travel to schools to attend physical classes, do practical work or write the semester II examinations, according to a circular issued by Gerry Arathoon,  chief executive and secretary of CISCE to heads of all ICSE and ISC schools.

 

As per the guidelines of the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued on December 27 all children aged in the age group of 15 to 18 years are eligible to take the Covid – 19 vaccine from January 3  the circular said.

 

“This is indeed heartening and a positive step in the right direction, for the students in the examination classes of X & XII. It will ensure their safety and protection while leaving the safe confines of their homes to travel to the schools, either to attend classes, do the practical work or to appear in the semester 2 examinations,” according to the circular.

 

“Considering this the Council has advised the heads of the CISCE affiliated schools to encourage the parents and guardians of schools to get their wards in the age group of 15-18 years vaccinated at the earliest”.

 

Over 41 lakh children were given Covid-19 vaccine doses across states and Union Territories on the first day of the inoculation drive for 15 to 18 years children on Monday.

 

On the first day, vaccination of children in the age group of 15 to 18 years was conducted mostly in government-run and government-aided schools in Bengal. Most private schools will start the vaccination today.

 

“Today we have taken an important step forward in protecting our youth against Covid-19. Congrats to all my young friends between the age group of 15-18 who got vaccinated. Congrats to their parents as well. I would urge more youngsters to get vaccinated in the coming days,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tweeted.