18-59 years old people across the country will now get booster dose of corona vaccine for free, central government's decision
People in the age group of 18 to 59 years will be able to get a booster or third dose of corona vaccine free of cost at government immunization centers in the country.
This will be done under a special 75-day campaign, which is starting from July 15. Union Minister Anurag Thakur gave this information on Wednesday. Anurag Thakur said that a campaign would be launched under the Amrit Mahotsav of Azadi on the occasion of 75 years of India’s independence with the aim of increasing awareness about Kovid Booster Dose. At the same time, an official said that so far less than one percent of the 77 crore eligible population of 18 to 59 years have been given a preventive dose.
However, about 160 million people above 60 years of age and about 26 per cent of health workers and frontline workers have already received booster doses. The official said the majority of India’s population had had their second dose nine months ago. Studies conducted at the ICMR and other international research institutes have shown that antibody levels begin to decline in about six months after two initial doses of the vaccine.
Taking a booster dose increases immunity. He said that therefore the government is planning to run a special campaign for 75 days in which people in the age group of 18 years to 59 years will be given free preventive doses at government immunization centers from July 15. The Union Health Ministry last week reduced the interval between the second and precautionary dose of the Kovid vaccine for all from nine months to six months. This was done on the recommendation of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization. (BNE)
