More than 4.38 lakh people, which is over five percent of the total population, have been completely vaccinated against COVID-19 in Himachal after getting the second dose of Covishield.
As many as 9,83,580 persons above 45 years of age and 7,36,647 persons above 60 years of age have received doses of Covishield vaccination in the state. Out of these, 70693 of 45 plus and 255966 of 60 plus have received their second dose of Covishield vaccination, said an official spokesman.
Himachal has an estimated population of 75 lakh.
The spokesman said that as per recommendation by the national expert group on vaccine administration for Covid-19 , the schedule of Covishield vaccine under national Covid-19 vaccination strategy is to administer the second dose at 12-16 weeks (i.e. 84 days) interval after administration of first dose.
He said that in view of the possible third wave of Covid-19 in the country, all the people who are due for their second dose of vaccination have been requested to get themselves vaccinated as early as possible. These people should come forward for their vaccination as per the due dates at the nearest vaccination centre and get their appointment booked on site on the specified days, the spokesman added.
He further said that as per recommendations by the expert group on vaccine administration, people who have to go for the international travel for genuine reasons like education purposes or employment opportunities or as part of India’s contingent for Tokyo Olympic Games etc. can get their second dose of Covishield vaccine after 28 days of the first dose.
The spokesman said that as per the guidelines, permission for such administration of second dose of Covishield would be given by concerned Chief Medical Officers in the state only after checking whether a period of 28 days has elapsed after the date of first dose and genuineness of the purpose of travel based on documents related to whether a person is already studying in a foreign educational institution and has to return to that institution for continuing education, interview calls for a job, offer letters for taking up employment or nomination to participate in the Tokyo Olympic games.