People within the 18-59 age group will get free precaution doses of the Covid vaccine at authorities vaccination centres underneath a 75-day particular drive more likely to start from July 15, the federal government mentioned on Wednesday.
The drive, geared toward boosting the uptake of Covid precaution doses, can be held as a part of the federal government’s Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to rejoice the seventy fifth anniversary of India’s Independence, they mentioned.
In a tweet, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya mentioned, “As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, free COVID-19 precaution dose will be administered to all the citizens above 18 years of age at government vaccination centres, from July 15, 2022, till the next 75 days. I thank PM Narendra Modi Ji for this decision.” “The decision will further strengthen India’s fight against COVID-19 and add an extra layer of safety! I urge all those eligible to get their precaution dose at the earliest,” he added.
So far, lower than 1 per cent of the goal inhabitants of 77.10 crore within the 18-59 age group have been administered the precaution dose. However, 25.84 per cent of the 16.80 crore eligible inhabitants aged 60 and above in addition to healthcare and frontline staff have obtained the booster dose, an official supply mentioned.
“A majority of the Indian population got their second dose over nine months ago. Studies at ICMR (Indian Council of Medical Research) and other international research institutions have suggested that antibody levels wane around six months after the primary vaccination with both doses… giving a booster increases the immune response,” the official mentioned.
The Union Health Ministry final week decreased the hole between the second and precaution doses of COVID-19 vaccine for all beneficiaries from 9 to 6 months. This adopted a suggestion from the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).
To speed up the tempo of vaccination and encourage booster photographs, the federal government initiated the second spherical of the ‘Har Ghar Dastak campaign 2.0’ throughout states and Union Territories on June 1.
The two-month programme is at present underway.
According to authorities knowledge, 96 per cent of India’s inhabitants has been administered the primary dose of Covid vaccine whereas 87 per cent of the individuals have taken each doses.
On April 10 this 12 months, India started administering precaution doses of COVID-19 vaccines to all aged above 18 years.
Currently, all these aged 60 years and above, and healthcare and frontline staff are being administered precaution doses freed from value at authorities vaccination centres.
The countrywide vaccination drive was rolled out on January 16 final 12 months with healthcare staff getting inoculated within the first part. Vaccination of frontline staff began from February 2 final 12 months.
On March 1 final 12 months, COVID-19 vaccination started for individuals over 60 years of age and people aged 45 and above with specified comorbid situations.
Vaccination for all individuals aged above 45 years started on April 1 final 12 months. The authorities then determined to increase the ambit of the vaccination drive by permitting everybody above 18 years to be inoculated towards Covid from May 1 final 12 months.
Inoculation of these within the age group of 15-18 began on January 3 this 12 months. The nation started inoculating youngsters aged 12-14 on March 16.
Source: www.financialexpress.com”