Concerned that less than one per cent of the target population of 77 crore in the 18-59 age group has been given the precaution Covid jab, the Centre has decided to launch a 75-day drive from July 15 to provide the segment free booster doses at all its vaccination centres in India.
The drive, aimed at boosting the uptake of Covid booster doses, will be held as part of the Government’s ‘Azadi Ka Amrit’ Mahotsav to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandiviya tweeted.
“Less than one per cent of the target population of 77 crore in the 18-59 age group has been given 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 got the jab.
“A majority of the Indian population got their second dose over nine months ago. Studies at ICMR and global research institutions have suggested that antibody levels wane around six months after the primary vaccination with both doses... Giving a booster increases the immune response,” an official from the Union Health Ministry said.