Mumbai, Dec 25: Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray on Saturday night welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's announcement that those in the 15-18 age group will be vaccinated and frontline and health workers will get "precaution doses".

The decision will help curb the spread of coronavirus and the provision of booster dose will help senior citizens with co-morbidities too, Thackeray said in a statement.

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State Environment Minister Aaditya Thackeray had written to the Union Health Ministry on December 7 seeking vaccination of children and provision of booster doses, the chief minister said. COVID-19 Vaccination Update: Citizens Above 60 with Co-morbidities Can Avail 'Precaution Dose' Against Coronavirus on Advice of Doctor, Says PM Narendra Modi.

The need for booster doses was discussed in the recent state cabinet meeting as well, Thackeray added.

Modi, in a televised address to the nation, announced that vaccination against COVID-19 for children between 15-18 years will start from January 3, while "precaution dose" for healthcare and frontline workers begin from January 10.

Precaution dose will also be available for citizens above 60 years of age and with comorbidities on the advice of their doctor from January 10, he said.

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