India will start administering booster shots of Covid-19 vaccines to health and frontline workers and those above 60 years of age with co-morbidities from January 10, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Saturday.

He also said vaccination for children between 15 and 18 years will start from January 3.

"The government has decided that precaution doses of the Covid vaccine will be started for healthcare and frontline workers from January 10, 2022," the Prime Minister said in his address to the nation on Christmas Day.

Those over 60 with comorbidities or other health problems can take an extra dose of vaccine from January 10 on their doctor's advice.

"Coronavirus has not gone. The world is now talking about Omicron. Today is Atal Bihari Vajpayee's birthday and Christmas, so we decided to announce this today," the Prime Minister said.

He asserted that vaccinating children would help to step up the war against the coronavirus pandemic and restore normal teaching in schools.

The administration of doses of a nasal vaccine and the world's first DNA vaccine against Covid will soon start in India, PM Modi said,

He pointed out that 61 per cent of India's adult population has now received both doses of the Covid vaccine while 90 per cent has taken the first dose.

Bharat Biotech's Covaxin has also been approved for children above 12 making it the second vaccine to be cleared for children after Zydus Cadila's needle-free vaccine ZyCoV-D.

PM Modi also urged people not to fall prey to rumours and fake news about Covid-19 and advised caution in the holiday season. 

"In India, many people have been found to be infected with Omicron. I would urge all of you not to panic, be careful and alert. Remember to wash your hands and wear masks," he advised.

Meanwhile, 7,189 new Covid cases were reported in the country on Sunday while Omicron cases have gone up to 415 nationwide.

Also read:  Three new studies confirm Omicron is milder than Delta