Nagpur: All adults will be able to get free booster doses of the coronavirus vaccine at government centres under a special drive over the next 75 days from Friday, July 15, officials said on Wednesday.
Aimed at improving the third-dose coverage, the drive will be held as part of the government’s ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ celebrations to mark the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence. 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.
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Monday 10 Feb. 2025
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, according to a news agency.
“A majority of the Indian population got their second dose over nine months ago. Studies at Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and other international 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,” the official said.
“The government is therefore planning to start a special drive for 75 days during which individuals aged between 18 and 59 years will be administered precaution doses for free at government vaccination centres starting from July 15,” he said.
The Union Health Ministry last week reduced the gap between the second and precaution dose of COVID-19 vaccine for all beneficiaries from nine to six months. This followed a recommendation from the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI).
