People in the 18-59 age group will get free booster doses of the Covid vaccine at government vaccination centres under a 75-day special drive likely to begin from July 15, official sources said on Wednesday.
The drive, aimed at boosting the uptake of Covid precaution doses, will be held as part of the government’s Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence, they said.
“India is celebrating 75 years of Independence. On the occasion of Azadi ka Amrit Kaal, it has been decided that from July 15, 2022 till the next 75 days, citizens above 18 years of age will be given booster doses free of cost,” the Union minister said.
The Union Health Ministry last week reduced the gap between the second and precaution dose of COVID-19 vaccine from the existing nine months to six months for those above 18 years of age.
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In a letter to chief secretaries and administrators of all states and Union territories, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said that the decision has been taken on the recommendation of the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI).
So far, less than 1 per cent of the target population of 77 crore in the 18-59 age group have been administered the precaution dose.
However, around 26 per cent of the estimated 16 crore eligible population aged 60 and above as well as healthcare and frontline workers have received the booster dose, an official source said.
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