Massive campaign planned in TN to increase Covid booster dosage
Currently, only 27 per cent of the state's total population have been inoculated with the booster shot.
Currently, only 27 per cent of the state's total population have been inoculated with the booster shot.
According to health department data, about 5.1 lakh people were administered free precautionary or booster doses in 73 days of the campaign which will end on Friday.
He said that till September 30 the booster doses are free and that it will be available at 11,333 facilities of the state medical health department.
Last month the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI) recommended Biological E's CORBEVAX as a heterologous booster for adults above 18 yrs old.
As per the union Health Minister, the free booster dose drive will be held for next 75 days as part of the government's Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav to celebrate the 75th anniversary of India's Independence and to boost the uptake of Covid precaution doses.
Being up to date on Covid-19 vaccines means having had three or four doses of the same shot at this point. Current boosters are the same formulations as the first authorized shots, based on the original strain of the coronavirus that emerged in late 2019.
He explained that the chances of a fourth wave in India are very less. But efforts should be to not allow the virus to spread, he added.
An official spokesperson said the eligible beneficiaries can get the booster dose worth Rs 250 free of cost from any government hospital or dispensary.
He said that the nationwide COVID vaccination drive can only be justified by the free availability of vaccines in public healthcare institutions that can be accessed by millions of people who may not be able to afford private vaccination.
The study will be conducted by the Translational Health Science and Technology Institute (THSTI) under the Department of Biotechnology.
