Amidst the rise in Covid-19 cases in the State, Health Secretary Nikunja Dhal on Monday informed that the Central Government, if required, would be urged to make precautionary vaccination dose available for all age group free of cost.
Dhal told reporters that currently, frontline warriors and those aged above 60 years are being given the booster dose for free.
“A high-level meeting of the Health Department has been scheduled this week. Discussions on precautionary dose will be held at the meeting. If required, we will request the Centre to ensure that people of all age group take the booster dose free of cost,” he said.
Dhal said Covid cases are on the rise in Cuttack, Bhubaneswar and Puri though the situation is under control now. Most of the infected persons have mild symptoms.
“Currently, the hospitalisation rate stands at 1% as 99% patients are under home isolation. The number of testing has also been increased to 15,000 from 10,000 a day. Efforts are afoot to increase the number further to 25,000 a day. Besides, the gap between second and third doses has been reduced to six months,” he added.