Goa: Covid booster dose coverage among 18-59 age group just 5%

PANAJI: Coverage of the precaution dose against Covid-19 among the 18-59 age group continues to be poor, with just five per cent of the nine lakh target population in Goa having taken their shots till this week.
"We have tried our level best, but have not seen a satisfactory uptake for the precaution dose. We have had a 'Har Ghar Dastak' campaign, yet the response to the precaution dose has not been what it should have been," said state immunisation officer Dr Rajendra Borkar.
Booster dose coverage appears to be better in the 60-plus age group, with around 50% of the 1.5 lakh population of senior citizens having taken their precaution shots.
People between 18 and 59 years of age are being offered the anti-Covid vaccine free of cost, but response has remained low despite vaccination centres remaining open on all days, including Sundays and public holidays. Borkar said that the centres may be shut for two days during Ganesh Chaturthi if the government permits.
While the 15-17 age group had logged an impressive 94% coverage for the first dose, the tally dropped to 82% for the second dose, Borkar said.
"At least 1,000 people get vaccinated on a daily basis, but if this pace continues, it will take a year for us to complete administering precaution doses," he said even as he pointed out that there are several countries that have been struggling to provide the first dose of the anti-Covid vaccine to their citizens.
"It is important that Goa completes vaccinations in time as every vaccine has a shelf life. If we lag in covering the target population, our vaccine stocks will have to be transferred to any neighbouring state," Borkar added.