The Russian capital has started offering a domestically developed coronavirus vaccine to children in the 12-17 age group amid the country's biggest infection surge yet due to the spread of the highly contagious Omicron variant, reports AP.

Free shots of Sputnik M, a version of the Sputnik V vaccine that contains a smaller dose, became available last week to 12-17s in a number of Russian regions spanning from the region surrounding Moscow to the Urals to Siberia and the far east, with the capital being the latest addition to the list.

Moscow now has 13 clinics offering the vaccine to 12-17s, city authorities said.