Adults are set to receive free COVID booster doses for the coronavirus at government centres under an extraordinary drive for the coming 75 days from July 15 (Friday) onwards, announced on July 13. This new initiative will be part of the Centre’s ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations to improve the third-dose coverage.
Thus far, under 1 per cent of the target population of 77 crores in the 18-59 age group have been administered booster dose. However, approximately 26 per cent of the evaluated 16 crores eligible citizens aged 60 and more, as well as healthcare and frontline workers, have acquired the booster jab, NDTV quoted an official as saying in a report.
Last week, the Union Health Ministry lowered the gap between the second and precaution dose of coronavirus vaccine for all beneficiaries to six months from nine after a recommendation from the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).
The nationwide vaccination drive kickstarted on January 16 2021, with healthcare workers getting inoculated in the first phase. Vaccination of frontline workers started on February 2 last year.
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