Massive campaign planned in TN to increase Covid booster dosage
Currently, only 27 per cent of the state's total population have been inoculated with the booster shot.
Currently, only 27 per cent of the state's total population have been inoculated with the booster shot.
According to health department data, about 5.1 lakh people were administered free precautionary or booster doses in 73 days of the campaign which will end on Friday.
It’s both the vaccine hesitancy coupled with less severity of infection in the current phase of the pandemic that has prompted the people not to take the third jibe.
As per the union Health Minister, the free booster dose drive will be held for next 75 days as part of the government's Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India's Independence and to boost the uptake of Covid precaution doses.
This effectively reduces the gap between the second Covid shot and booster dose for those travelling abroad. They will no longer be required to wait for nine months after the administration of the second dose to take the precautionary dose.
He explained that the chances of a fourth wave in India are very less. But efforts should be to not allow the virus to spread, he added.
An official spokesperson said the eligible beneficiaries can get the booster dose worth Rs 250 free of cost from any government hospital or dispensary.
All those who are more than 18 years of age and have completed nine months after the administration of the second dose would be eligible for a precaution dose.
The new Covid variant, Omicron, has been found to be the most transmissible of all the mutants of the virus. A large number of doctors and paramedics in Delhi have tested positive in the Omicron-led third wave, though most are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms.
Bhushan during the meeting informed the states/UTs that only Covaxin will be administered and additional doses will be sent and the supply schedule will be shared in the next few days.
