0 Comment(s) *
* The moderation of comments is automated and not cleared manually by indianexpress.com.
The Union Minister's remarks come as India’s Covid-19 vaccination coverage has exceeded 199.12 crore. (File photo)TWO MONTHS after it rolled out the third dose of Covid vaccines to the adult population at private centres, the Centre on Wednesday announced that these “precautionary” doses will now be available for free to all those above 18 years of age at government centres for a period of 75 days starting July 15 to mark the country’s 75th year of Independence.
The Cabinet decision, announced by Union MoS Anurag Thakur, comes days after the Union Health Ministry reduced the duration between the second and third doses from nine to six months, thereby increasing the eligibility pool.
At present, only the priority groups — healthcare workers, frontline workers and those above the age of 60 years — are eligible for a free third dose at government centres.
Taking to Twitter, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “Vaccination is an effective means to fight Covid-19. Today’s cabinet decision will further India’s vaccination coverage and create a healthier nation.”
Subscriber Only Stories
MoS Thakur said: “We are celebrating the 75th year of Independence. And one of the calls is that from July 15 for the next 75 days, everyone over the age of 18 years will be given a free booster dose. People were getting it before, but it was at a cost in private centres. Only healthcare workers, frontline workers, and those over the age of 60 years were eligible for a free dose. Now, it will be available for 18-plus at all government centres.”
Explained
Move to boost coverage
Since the January rollout, only 5.02 crore third doses have been administered in the country. The move to offer free doses, and the recent decision to reduce the gap between the second and third dose to six months, is aimed at increasing coverage.
At present, India has an active Covid case burden of 1.32 lakh, with 16,906 cases recorded in the last 24 hours. Over 5.02 crore third doses have been administered so far across the country, with the coverage including 59.26 lakh healthcare workers, 1.11 crore frontline workers and 2.67 crore of the elderly population.
Significantly, only 72.91 lakh third doses have been administered to persons between the ages of 18 and 59 at private vaccination centres. Currently, only the AAP government in Delhi offers the third dose free to the adult population.
Following MoS Thakur’s announcement, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya said: “The decision will 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.”
India rolled out the third dose on January 10 for health care workers, frontline workers, and citizens above 60 years of age with comorbidities. At the time, the Health Ministry had issued guidelines that the dose would be administered 39 weeks after the second dose.
On April 10, the Government announced the rollout of the precautionary dose for the 18-plus population in private centres. Since then, data show, 41.69 lakh beneficiaries in the 18-44 age group and 31.22 lakh beneficiaries in the 45-59 age group received their precautionary dose at private centres.
On May 12, the Union Health Ministry allowed citizens and students travelling abroad to take the third dose as per travel guidelines of the destination country.
- The Indian Express website has been rated GREEN for its credibility and trustworthiness by Newsguard, a global service that rates news sources for their journalistic standards.
