Half of children aged 12 to 17 have received at least their first vaccination dose against Covid-19, and the age group is seeing the fastest growth rate in vaccinations, the White House said.

The announcement comes as children across the United States begin a new school year and vaccinations, in general, are at an eight-week high, with the highest single-day total of vaccinations since July 3 — 1.1 million doses — administered on Thursday, according to a Reuters report.

“We have now hit a major milestone in our effort to vaccinate adolescents, 50 per cent of 12 to 17-year-olds now have at least their first shot,” White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients told reporters.

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