For the next 75 days, every adult will receive a free Covid booster dose starting on Friday

14 Jul 2022 , 11:36 AM

Officials announced on July 14 that starting on July 15, all adults would be eligible to get free booster doses of the coronavirus vaccination at government facilities as part of a special campaign.

The government’s “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav” celebrations to honor the 75th anniversary of India’s Independence will include an effort to increase third-dose coverage.

Less than 1% of the 77 crore-strong target population in the age bracket of 18 to 59 years have received the precautionary dosage yet.

However, according to a government source quoted by the news agency PTI, about 26% of the estimated 16 crore eligible people in the 60+ age group, as well as healthcare and frontline personnel, have already got the booster shot.

The time between the second and precautionary injection of the COVID-19 vaccination for all recipients was shortened last week by the Union Health Ministry from nine to six months. The National Technical Advisory Group (NTAGI) on Immunization had recommended this.

On June 1, the government began the second phase of the “Har Ghar Dastak campaign 2.0” throughout all states in an effort to speed up immunization rates and promote booster doses. Currently, the two-month program is in progress. Government statistics show that 96% of India’s population has received the first dose of the Covid vaccination, and 87% of individuals have received both doses.