Government and private schools with about 100 to 200 students will be turned intoCovidvaccination centres for children in Assam as the state health department is gearing up to vaccinate children between 15 and 18 years of age from January 3.The department informed that in a meeting chaired by Union health secretary, Rajesh Bhusan, with states and a succeeding meeting chaired here by state health minister Keshab Mahanta on Tuesday, it has been decided to use only Covaxin to inoculate the children. School dropouts are likely to be taken to other vaccination centres.

Assam has set an estimated target of inoculating 18.25 lakh children though it may take a few days before the vaccination drive gains momentum. On January 3, it may be an inaugural event. Health department officials said over 13 lakh Covaxin doses are in stock in the state.