Covid-19: Maharashtra continues with free third dose for 18-59 age group

PUNE: Eligible individuals in the 18-59 age bracket in Maharashtra would continue to get free booster vaccine against Covid-19 at government and civic-run vaccination sites across all districts even after the new allocation of doses from the Union government, senior health officials told TOI on Friday.
"Covid vaccine is actually free to anyone who wants it. This includes booster shots for people in 18-59 age group," state health secretary Sanjay Khandare said.
Initially, the booster shot was chargeable for the individuals in the age group and available only at private vaccination sites.
For the first time during July-September 2022, the nationwide 75-day-long 'Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav' drive offered booster shots to the individuals in 18-59 age group, besides covering vaccination in other age brackets.
Later, the Union government allowed states and union territories to extend the free offering beyond the drive until the allocated stocks were utilized.
"States who have the stock can still extend the vaccine doses free to cover the maximum population, including those eligible for a precautionary dose in 18-59 age bracket. But, there has been no decision regarding the inclusion of the free booster for 18-59 years at government sites at the Centre's level. But states can take a call depending on the ground situation," Dr NK Arora, chairman of the Covid-19 working group of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) told TOI.
The inclusion of free booster shots for 18-69 years at government sites could also help avert the wastage of doses as a huge chunk of the stock in the government supply chain is set to expire by February 2023, officials said.
Maharashtra state immunization officer Dr Sachin Desai said Maharashtra had continued to offer booster shots to 18-59 years along with already included age groups even after the 75-day drive to date. "Besides, there have been no directives from the Centre to stop offering free booster shots to the 18-59 years after the 75-day drive. We will continue to offer free vaccination to every eligible person in the state, including free booster to 18-59 years, even after receipt of fresh allocation from the union government," Dr Desai said.
Despite repeated attempts, Dr Veena Dhawan, joint commissioner (immunization), union health ministry, could not be contacted for her comment.