Free booster dose for fewer than 60 from tomorrow

By Our Special Correspondent

People aged 18-59 will get free precautionary doses of Covid vaccine at government vaccination centers during a 75-day special drive starting July 15, the government said on Wednesday.

They said the drive is being organized as part of the government's Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to mark the 75th anniversary of India's independence, with an aim to increase Covid precautionary doses.

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in a tweet said, “As part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav celebrations, free Covid-19 precautionary dose will be provided to all citizens above 18 years of age at government vaccination centers from July 15, 2022. For the next 75 days.

He thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for taking this decision. This decision will further strengthen India's fight against COVID-19 and add additional security! I urge all those eligible to take their precautionary dose as soon as possible. So far, less than 1 percent of the 77.10 crore population between the ages of 18-59 have been given a precautionary dose.

However, 25.84 per cent of the 16.80 crore population aged 60 years and above as well as healthcare and frontline workers received a booster dose, official sources said.